48 States in search of Home

[patrick_777]

Now was that so hard?

[Badbob]

Originally Posted by alantf

When you mention 90 mph & 100mph (miles per hour), don't you really mean 90 mpg & 100mpg (miles per gallon)?

Signed :- member of the grammar & spellchecker police

(hey. my sh*t don't smell)

Hey I told you I couldn't spell. Or maybe its another symptom of the dyslexia.

I proof read this three times and missed that.

Thanks.

[deadman13]

Damn spelling Nazi's...

Any one ever do some backpacking? Im trying to decide on a tent, and was wondering if anyone had any recomendations.

[Badbob]

Originally Posted by deadman13

Any one ever do some backpacking? Im trying to decide on a tent, and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.

I don't back pack but I do camp with and without a motorcycle.

Your going solo so I think your first consideration should be can you easily put the tent up by yourself.

I don't know what kind of tent this is but it looks near perfect to me. I love the vestibule.



I have an MSR Mutha Hubba that works really well for the motorcycle and its the easiest tent I have ever put up.



The vestibules are tiny and there is very little room inside. Note that sleeps three translates to: Sleeps three people so long as they weigh less than 150 pounds and like each other a lot. I would not want to spend a day in this ten in bad weather but it is a very good tent other wise.

You could get by with a cheap Walmart tent but I would consider it a throw away.

[Badbob]

This guy has been on the road for over two years: http://theoasisofmysoul.com

You might want to look although he packs heavy having a side car to put stuff in.

[alanmcorcoran]

I've done some. It's a lot like everything else gear wise. If you want small, lightweight and good, its going to cost a lot of money. You can get small, lightweight and cheap, and it may be okay for temperate weather and occasional use, but it probably will be too hot or too cold and fall apart with constant use. I know from your previous posts that you are not long on cash, so I'd recommend you ask around here and your extended network of friends and acquaintances to see if they maybe have something good, small and high quality sitting in their garage not being used.

There are an almost infinite variety of tent characteristics. I am assuming you want, in order:

1) Small size when packed up.
2) Low weight.
3) Big enough for you to lay down inside of it, but not to live in it, eat in it, or play cards in it.
4) Heavy enough to keep the rain off, but not heavy enough for "winter" (read cold and/or snow) conditions.
5) Durability. Should last six months? with constant use. (This is rare for typical economy family camping products, much of which is almost disposable.)
6) Minimal stakes, poles, fly ties, etc. (Ideally, none.)
7) Minimal setup. takedown and packing hassle.

You can see a number of decent options that will meet these criteria to varying degrees here:
http://www.rei.com/category/4500029 at prices ranging from $120 to $400 and up. Be aware that the cheaper ones will probably look no worse than the pricier ones. The difference will be in the fabrics, the weight, the sewing, the ease of setup, the parts, etc. There are reviews on this site that might be helpful as well.

Camping is one more reason it's better to do this when you are 25 than 50. The thrill of sleeping on the ground in a tent wore off for me about 25 years ago. I don't even sleep that good in my own bed anymore.

[deadman13]

What I was thinking for a tent was something by siera designs, I think the Sirius 2 http://www.campsaver.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=sid0006 or the Flash Light http://www.campsaver.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=sid0016

both are resonable and I've heard great things, plus I was able to get into both at a local shop. Ive thought about a Wal-mart type deal, but I think that for me, Ill have to use up 3 due to lack of quality so the price of buying a good one is justified.

[primal]

What about a milsurp tent?

[deadman13]

Ive thought about those, but the ones Ive seen are basically 2 tarps that lash together someh how, and they do nothing for condensation. I have tarps for a variety of uses (and duct tape...) one of them being an "oh shit" tent if my regular failes for whatever reason. I worry about ventillation, which from what Ive seen of mil tents is either have something open (bugs) or nothing at all. But I will keep looking!

[Badbob]

You might want to search at the advrider.com for tents. There is a lot of postings about tents and camping gear.

I second the idea of asking friends. I know some one who went back packing. He bought all his gear and lasted two or three days before calling it quits. I think the rain and cold did him in. In any case the tent only got used a few nights you might be able to find someone you know that would give you a tent or sell it to you at minimal cost.