| camping | Rate Topic |
| Moderators: redbaron, MDKramer, Flyone, AZgl1500 |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 01:30 pm | 1st Post |
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I am going to do some camping this summer and need a tent. Do I need a three season or four season tent? One person or two? Maybe wall mart will be ok?
____________________ Johnny |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 02:08 pm | 2nd Post |
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http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=37441&forum_id=4&highlight=tents You might read this previous post about tents... 
____________________ Bob..KF4GP If it ain't broke, fix it till it is! Life is ten percent what you make it, and ninety percent how you take it! 79 GL1000 46K 86 R80RT 90 K75RT Garage won't hold any more! |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 02:33 pm | 3rd Post |
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A three season tent will do just fine, unless you plan on camping on some exposed mountainous peaks. You'd want at least a 2 man(barely adequate for 1 person), preferably a 3 man(little more 'elbow' space and height but bulkier), or if you are hauling a trailer,(or going solo and don't mind packing it on the passenger seat or tour box rack) a four man or larger for the ultimate in space/height. Something with a fuller coverage rain flysheet will protect you more than one with a small 'umbrella' type of rain fly sheet. To make it truly water repellent, expect to spend some time sealing the stitching on the fly sheet(unless taped) and the floor seams. I highly recommend using McNett Seam Grip to seal the seams. http://www.rei.com/product/603034 After applying, let dry for at least 5-8 hours and then 'dust' the seams with a light dusting of Talc/baby powder to prevent it from sticking to itself, or other parts of the tent. Make sure it has some sort of ventilation, such as windows/doors with mesh. 2 doors are better than one, especially for 'cross ventilation' As to where/what brand to buy, it depends on how much camping you plan on doing. Wally World would probably do fine for a couple weekends a year, or if you plan for lots of camping, in some serious conditions for a few years, look for a more reputable outdoors retailer, such as REI, EMS or if you have a local outdoor shop in your town, ask them for their thoughts/advice. Most importantly, if you are 6' or taller, make sure you fit in the tent when you are laying down in, without your feet/head touching any of the wall ends. Dusty
____________________ Ken - 1992 GL1500 Aspencade - Dorksider # 2 6th Officer/Road Captain - CMC, 034 Cannington Chapter Find your Path and share the Journey! "It's never too early to plan and never too late to go!" - Dusty Boots Hmm ..... wonder where that stretch of blacktop leads to ...... What has Dusty been up to Prevent/Repair those cracked 1500 trunk lids by installing a set of Rudy's Lid Reinforcement Panels to the underside of your trunk lid. |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 03:04 pm | 4th Post |
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On a cross-country tour last summer to meet my brother in Illinois, we got caught in a summer thunderstorm just across the Mississippi somewhere in Wisconsin...... Man, talk about a deluge, it beat anything I've ever seen, including the Monsoon in Vietnam. The rain was pounding down and beating up from the pavement in sheets, making motorcycling not only unsafe, but unthinkable. In a momentary lull, the rain let up just enough for us to see the KOA sign along the freeway. I turned off hoping that the Kampground might have a cabin...... they did, but they were all rented. In a flash, we erected our 4-Person Eureka Timberline, threw some gear inside, and dashed for the Kampground Office, where we drank some coffee and watched the storm resume in all it's mind-boggling glory through the office windows...... "Is our stuff gonna get wet, " asked my unflappable mate, the Mighty Red. "No doubt about it," I told her. "Look at the lakes forming out there!" I wasn't particularly worried, figuring we could dry out our sleeping bags in the laundry driers. When it finally did stop raining for a bit, we removed our boots and sloshed our way to our tent. I unzipped the door and peered inside. Unbelievable. Not a speck of moisture, not a drop of water anywhere! We ate some emergency food and snuggled up that night in our warm, dry sleeping bags listening to the rain drum down on our $150 tent. In the morning, we awoke to sunny skies and a campground steaming under the rays....... In retrospect, it was a great night! Eureka Timberline 4-Person, $150, Campmor..............unbeatable value!
____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 03:12 pm | 5th Post |
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Cousin Jack wrote: On a cross-country tour last summer to meet my brother in Illinois, we got caught in a summer thunderstorm just across the Mississippi somewhere in Wisconsin...... I second that...I have a Eureka Timberline tent that I bought in the mid 70's and I've used it alot! I have never had anything happen to it and it is as tight a tent as the day I bought it...mine is a two man tent but the 4 man and 2 man are the same, one's just bigger. I Also have a Mountain Hardwear Muir trail 4 season tent that I use when I winter hike and camp but the Eureka can't be beat for simplicity and ruggedness. In fact the 2 man tent is $99 at Campmor, the same price I paid for it in 1976...I don't know how they do it.
____________________ "Give me some wings I can glide upon" - Gordon Lightfoot Bikes from previous lives... 1976 CJ360-T 1978 CX500 In Process... 1982 CX500 Custom "Live Free or Die: Death is not the worst of evils" -General John Stark- |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 03:41 pm | 6th Post |
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We chose the 4-person because it fits into the top box of our 1500, both tent and poles, along with our two Wiggy sleeping bags mated together and stuffed loosely in a separate bag......... all together our top box junk is still under the 20lb recommended limit. The Four-Person will also allow you to sit inside, on camp chairs, to play cards or read or wrestle around when the weather is totally unreasonable...... I can even stand up enough to put on my pants! And all of our gear -- helmets, stove, whatever, will fit inside out of the wet. I believe in getting the biggest tent you can carry! Last edited on Mon Feb 11th, 2008 03:44 pm by Cousin Jack ____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 03:42 pm | 7th Post |
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If you want a tent that is easy to erect... maybe something like this could do it for you http://www.khyam.co.uk
____________________ Forget about the nick.... it's Erik. Prior: '77 CB 550F, '86 1200SEI, '89 1500A Current: '95 Canadian 1500SE Two Tone Red with '04 CampMaster camptrailer (CM2) http://www.goldwingclubholland.nl |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 04:19 pm | 8th Post |
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The 2 and 4 man Eureka Timberline series of tents have been used for years by Cubs and Scouts. Easy to erect, durable, fairly compact for packing, spacious and cheap. Can't beat that for a tent! 
____________________ Ken - 1992 GL1500 Aspencade - Dorksider # 2 6th Officer/Road Captain - CMC, 034 Cannington Chapter Find your Path and share the Journey! "It's never too early to plan and never too late to go!" - Dusty Boots Hmm ..... wonder where that stretch of blacktop leads to ...... What has Dusty been up to Prevent/Repair those cracked 1500 trunk lids by installing a set of Rudy's Lid Reinforcement Panels to the underside of your trunk lid. |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 07:17 pm | 9th Post |
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Here's a couple of four person Eurekas on the North Shore of Lake Superior: Attachment: north shore.jpg (Downloaded 126 times)
____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 01:04 am | 10th Post |
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I'm so glad I caught this thread before buying. I've been looking to take a trip out west (Colorado) hopefully this summer. I truely value all the suggestions on this great forum. Testimonials on products here, IMO, are completely "honest". Not just hand picked by the company/seller, just to tell you what they want you to hear. Cousin Jack, I see from other threads you do a lot of travel on the bike. It would be interesting to see some pics of your bike when it is all packed with your gear. Anyone else for that matter, that might have pics. I don't have a trailer and really don't have a need for one.
____________________ The things I liked,,,,I've tryed em twice! |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 01:38 am | 11th Post |
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We used a coleman 4 man tent. Just Sat. we where at mal-wart and found a 8 man on sale, so we bought that. However I pull a trailer so amount we pack is not that big of a deal 
____________________ Diggers Ride ^^2003 BLACK 1800 Da Boss's ride ^^ 2003 Kawi Meanstreak US became socialist on 02/17/09 God rest her soul My SUV just burned up the gas your prius saved... Thank you |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 03:53 am | 12th Post |
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Winger77 wrote: I'm so glad I caught this thread before buying. I've been looking to take a trip out west (Colorado) hopefully this summer. I truely value all the suggestions on this great forum. Testimonials on products here, IMO, are completely "honest". Not just hand picked by the company/seller, just to tell you what they want you to hear. Do you mean like this, Winger? Or do you mean with the bags open so you can see the packing? I could do that, but the bike's still under its winter cover........remind me in a month! Here's how we do it: Top box -- Eureka Four-Person Timberline in stuff sack Eureka Poles in stuff sack Two Wiggy Light sleeping bags in one big stuff sack Plastic tarp Rand McNally Atlas Rack on top box -- Two back rest camp chairs Two Thermorest mattresses, or 12 volt Coleman air bed Side Bags -- (each) One half Winchester Model 12 shotgun Various tools One Flat clothing bag with 5 sets underwear, t-shirts and socks; one fleece sweater, fleece pants; jeans; goretex jacket One toiletry bag One pair of camp shoes, shower sandals One headlamp, one book Firecreek Tank Bag -- One MSR Whisperlite stove, butane lighter, coffee singles One cooking pot, lexan utensils Two Plastic Dog Bowls (in lieu of plates, bowls) Two cups, thermal Plastic pot scrubber, small container of dishsoap Mosquito repellant Around neck -- one 35mm camera, one Panasonic digital camera We wear cordura armored riding clothes, and have always found them waterproof enough.... we don't carry rain gear. In the pockets of our riding jackets are odds and ends: aspirin, sun cream, road snacks, etc. (Like I say, wait a month and we can show you how it all fits!) Attachment: Alaska.JPG (Downloaded 87 times)
____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 04:43 am | 13th Post |
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Best to get a decent tent - you don't have to spend $300 or up for a 3 person tent, but you can if you want to. When I go camping with the wife, we take the Bunkhouse camper. If I go alone I have a Northern Designs I got at Sam's Club for about $100. It's almost all mesh, and has a rain fly with a vestibule and a clear plastic window. They claim it sleeps 3, but those 3 better by very good friends. Works for 2 but is tight when gear is inside. I can stand on my knees in it and it is big enough for the stuff I take along when alone. If I had to get a different one I would get a single wall that didn't take a rain fly and that had clips to attach the poles instead of sleeves they go through. Much easier set up. In 2001 at the Davis Rally in Iowa they had a monsoon. Rained for most of the rally, sometimes very hard. A guy that camps with our group forgot his tent at home in North Dakota, and went to Wally World Friday and got a "sleeps 4" cheap tent and one of those full size mattresses. Next morning he got up to 3" of water in the tent, even though it was closed up. Only reason he didn't get wet was the mattress was 8" tall. Looked at the label and commented "It must not rain in Korea." Luckily it was just a light rain on Saturday night, and leaking was minimal, but it still leaked. He donated it to the Boy Scouts when he left.
____________________ Don - 2004 GL1800 Champion trike & 1990 HD FLHS-1 less wheel Motorcycle rights activist-Member of: AMA- http://www.ama-cycle.org MRF- http://www.mrf.org FORR Local 11 Legislative Officer- http://forr.net ABATE of Ar Dist.4 Local Board & Legislative Liaison - http://www.arkansasabate.org Mid South M.I.L.E. committee - http://www.midsouthmile.org |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 12:02 pm | 14th Post |
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I very gently mentioned this tent/camping thread to my wife . . . she just looked back at me blankly without saying a word. Oh well, at least she is now interested in riding with me. Chuck
____________________ Walk on Water http://www.coldwater.me ----------------------- Current Bikes: 1983 Goldwing Interstate Past Bikes: 1978 Honda CX 500 (great bike) 1980 Honda XL80S 1970 Honda Trail 70 Current Toy: 1968 Correct Craft Ski Nautique (318 Chrysler) |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 01:44 pm | 15th Post |
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The Lake wrote: I very gently mentioned this tent/camping thread to my wife . . . she just looked back at me blankly without saying a word. Oh well, at least she is now interested in riding with me. My first wife did that a lot...... stared at me blankly! Red loves to bike tour and bike camp!  
____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 03:30 pm | 16th Post |
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Jack, What do you do with a half of a shotgun?
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 03:57 pm | 17th Post |
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Predator wrote: Jack, What do you do with a half of a shotgun? ?????? I don't know about you, but I hook it up to the other half in the other bag! Take it into the tent at night! Sleep better, me........ Can't help me during the ride, but most problems pop up at night..... And it's legal in all states. Can even take it up north if I declare it to our Canadian cousins. The thing ain't on their "prohibited list!" Red and I have had two Bear "encounters." They ain't fuzzy and nice like they are on Disney. Big, scary buggers! Attachment: Mel's bike gun 002.jpg (Downloaded 69 times) Last edited on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 04:01 pm by Cousin Jack ____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 11:45 pm | 18th Post |
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HERE is what we use. Yep, it's big. We do use a trailer. We also sleep on cots, set up a chair inside, stow our gear under the cots and have room to dance if we want. The cots are necessary because with my arthritic hip, if I sleep on the ground, no way am I going to get up in the morning without help and I don't want to be in pain half the day while out for fun. As far as weatherproof, this thing is incredible. We camped first time with rain off and on for 3 days. Not a leak. We also were camped when there were some nasty thunderstorms and not a leak then either, I mean not a drop of water in the tent. There was also the wind you would expect with thunderstorms and had no problems with that either. It does come with the near worthless plastic pegs but I have not seen a tent with decent pegs in a long time, buy yourself some good ones no matter what tent you use.
____________________ Doug Home Security System designed by Bill Ruger '94 Bermuda Green Pearl SE With Tri-Wing Trike conversion The more I try to keep my Trike clean, the less I like Chrome. |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 11:52 pm | 19th Post |
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DougW wrote: It does come with the near worthless plastic pegs but I have not seen a tent with decent pegs in a long time, buy yourself some good ones no matter what tent you use. That is a MUST!!
____________________ Diggers Ride ^^2003 BLACK 1800 Da Boss's ride ^^ 2003 Kawi Meanstreak US became socialist on 02/17/09 God rest her soul My SUV just burned up the gas your prius saved... Thank you |
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