Travel Trailer > Camper > Tent

[placelast]

We looked @ foldable trailers (http://www.chaletrv.com/); bigger in real life, but not much room, net, tho should be an easy tow for my V-6. Then campers (http://www.six-pac.com/); nicely set up, but one for my p-up is 100 lbs over Toyota specs, dry! A bit too close for comfort. And finally, a full-on travel trailer, but then we started cleared $10k, my wife said she'd stay home (coupled w/my job status), & get a good tent for the kids. Ha!

With that in mind, what are the thoughts on (ground) tenting? Having only a camper shell prior, my current bed-tent (http://www.sportztrucktent.com/index2.htm) is the most I've done in fabric. Should I spend the extra $ & get a 4-season tent (eh, mid-winter Mojave winds)? http://www.mountainhardwear.com/tents/4season/000166.html (note: they support the eco movement; I'm not crazy about that - no doubt the other makers do too.)

 

[longtime]

Killer looking tent. But if you're not going to be riding/camping in the snow, do you need a $400 tent? I've got a few from good ol' Walmart/Big5 that have served me great for years.

 

[ButtonFly]

I've got a Trango 2, and had it up in the hills for extensive backpacking and mountaineering on Rainer, Baker, Saint Helens, Hood, etc. The trango is an EXCELLENT tent. Very well made, and QUIET. After sleeping in a 4 season north face for a few seasons, this thing is like the hilton. Beautiful. THe whole tent tightens itself into a drum, and resists weather. Great stuff. The two really only sleeps two people plus gear in the fly, and it is not a particularly long tent (my only complaint). At 6'3" or so, I sleep closer to the middle. Not a problem, but I can't sleep right at the wall, like I would have to with three in the tent (which has happened, I sleep in the middle). Anyway, make sure you seam seal the whole tent, and use a groundcloth. Tyvek housewrap works well. Very pleased for my money for the trango.

 

[Smitty]

Does anyone know if you can fit a bike inside of a truck camper. The door looks really narrow but I think I could get around that somehow. I have a 2001 F150 with towing package and the 5.4 so this seems like a pretty sweet setup if it I could get a bike in there.

 

[placelast]

LT: the Mojave dez in the middle of the winter can get awfully cold, espeically if the wind comes up (does often) @ night - snow's not a concern but wind resistance is.

I know - tents aren't know for being particularly warm, but this type won't fly away with the kid's inside (gee; where did they go? :eek: ); I'd stay in the truck-bed tent.

Button: thanks for the insight. BTW, the tank is working out well.

Smitty: U can fit a bike but when loading/unloading need to wrestle the bars left & right. Then there are gasoline odors if spillage occurs; did in my old one once. Moreover, check your vehicle's rating; the one camper my wife likes is ~100 lbs over my p'up's rating, dry! After I add gear, kids, trailer for the bikes - can you say "help push me over this hill" or "V-8, anyone?" (mine has a v-6). So now U know whey the folding trailer is the most likely option of the three.

One bud said tent camping is not good - been there, tried that - as the club member's dogs will lift a leg & spray :eek: - now I would think that's enough to convince my wife we either spend $ (not too wise w/the job security the way it is these days) or most of the family stays home...

 

[mknight]

If you are seriously considering a tent, check out: http://www.kirkhams.com/.

They make the "SpringBar" tent which is the "Hilton" of tents as far as tents are concerned. I had a buddy that was very much in your situation this past year. He started into riding last year and really wanted to get his family involved so he could go on a lot of our riding/camping trips with my family. He couldn't afford a trailer, and didn't really have the vehicle to be towing that much weight. He bought the biggest familiy size Springbar and he has used it several times with us. Without a doubt, it is not as comfortable as a nice trailer, but his wallet is better off because of it and he has been able to bring his whole family along and we've had some great trips together.