Tent camping for the first time...eeekkk..lots of questions!

[PixieDust32]

I always said I was too much of a wimp to tent camp but I have seen some tent set ups at the Fort that are bigger and more elaborate than a lot of travel trailers. I think I could do that type of tent camping at the Fort!

I started looking around at some tents online and there are some over a thousand dollars

DH and I love the outdoors, we hike and backpack camping, we just love it, I remember camping since I was a kid, rustic camping but now days you can camp more deluxe even if you don't have a trailer we love the whole experience and the kids do too, they think is cool to set up the kitchen and make waffles etc.

You don't have to spend that much for a good tent, ours is a Swiss brand I think, we got it at Sams about 4 or 5 years ago and we had use it a lot, still in a great condition, you can check Dick's sporting goods, Bass Pro and Wal mart, other stores like REI are more expensive and for the same item.

My DH is making a sink right now, I will post the pics when is all done

 

[Cindy F]

....My DH is making a sink right now, I will post the pics when is all done

Please do, I love that kind of stuff! I really enjoy looking at other folks' modifications and inventions for camping.

Someone had removed the shower curtain track from our popup before we bought it and we needed a way to hang the shower curtain. For a quick fix, we hung a hula hoop with shower curtain rings from the ceiling! My daughter loved it because we used the light up hula hoop just for her

 

[imthatgirl]

I don't quite understand why it matters to anyone how much *I* spend on a tent. I'm not asking any of you to buy it for me, so I don't really see why this is even a discussion. You can certainly purchase anything you'd like, but if I found a tent I would like to buy I should think thats *my* business.

I would never tell someone that they didn't spend enough on something because I respect other peoples right to make that decision for themselves. I would think I also have that right

 

[Cindy F]

I don't quite understand why it matters to anyone how much *I* spend on a tent. I'm not asking any of you to buy it for me, so I don't really see why this is even a discussion. You can certainly purchase anything you'd like, but if I found a tent I would like to buy I should think thats *my* business.

I would never tell someone that they didn't spend enough on something because I respect other peoples right to make that decision for themselves. I would think I also have that right

Wow, where did that come from? I don't think anyone was trying to tell you what to spend, get in your business, or upset you, I know I didn't
Sometimes it's hard to tell intent by just words on a message board since there's no facial expression or tone of voice, I'm sorry you were offended.

 

[PixieDust32]

I don't quite understand why it matters to anyone how much *I* spend on a tent. I'm not asking any of you to buy it for me, so I don't really see why this is even a discussion. You can certainly purchase anything you'd like, but if I found a tent I would like to buy I should think thats *my* business.

I would never tell someone that they didn't spend enough on something because I respect other peoples right to make that decision for themselves. I would think I also have that right

Oh no, don't take it the wrong way, all I was saying is that you can find very good stuff for not too much money, since you were asking for ideas etc, I wasn't sure if you were in all the camping world like many of us are, sorry, I didn't mean to get into your business. You're right is your business, but since you were asking for our advice. You can buy anything you would like I have no problem with that, I was just giving you my advice according to my experiences, Never mind!

 

[PixieDust32]

Please do, I love that kind of stuff! I really enjoy looking at other folks' modifications and inventions for camping.

Someone had removed the shower curtain track from our popup before we bought it and we needed a way to hang the shower curtain. For a quick fix, we hung a hula hoop with shower curtain rings from the ceiling! My daughter loved it because we used the light up hula hoop just for her

I will, maybe not in this thread don't want to be a hijacker and offend anyone else with my unwanted information.

Oh that is hilarious! see, you get to improvise and that is part of the fun, we always learn new things from other fellow campers on every trip. Necessity is the mother of all inventions We're going to the beach next week, so excited to try new sink and other gadgets

 

[heidijanesmith]

HOLY COW! $300 for a tent? And you still have to buy all the other gear? Geez.....our popup was only $750 and has an awning, 2 queen beds, twin bed, shower, indoor/outdoor table, indoor/outdoor stove, and fridge.

We actually got ours on Amazon for less than the original price and have used it for 3 years now. In the past, we have bought cheaper tents...but they were just that, cheap and did not last longer than one season. I would rather spend a little bit more on a really good tent and have it last. That tent has made it through rain and hail with no problems. Totally worth it to us

 

[Running_Bell]

Well... 300.00 is a very good deal for a good tent. We LOVE tent camping and wouldn't think twice about paying double that.

We've camped in pop-ups, TTs and RVs... and there is something about a tent that we have fallen in love with. We take a very small tent when we backpack camp and a large family tent when we go to campgrounds.

Our dream is to purchase a UK tent.... the Outwells sell for about $1000.00 (atleast the one we want)... to some that may sound crazy and yes, we could probably have bought a popup or TT for the money we have in the tent, gear, etc.... but we wouldn't ever think about trading that all in for a one of those.

Not everyone loves tent camping... but the ones that do wouldn't think twice about investing in it. The key is finding what you love to do... tent camping isn't a sad sacrifice that some people think it is... it's a perfect fit for some. .

PixieDust32... I love your setup. I've seen some great ideas.... thanks!

 

[TxRabbit]

WOW...really great advice on this thread!

I don't want to repeat anyone, but I can't recall if anyone suggested a rug? Looking at the pictures on the Picture thread, I saw a set up where the tents had rugs, so I pulled DS's old car road rug out of the for-future-garage-sale closet...looks something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Children-Area...toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1310592948&sr=1-18

short nubby pile, rubber backed...it was the first time I have used any thing like this to line the floor of the tent...and it was REALLY nice to have. It rolled up tight enough...didn't take up much room in the car.

 

[PixieDust32]

Well... 300.00 is a very good deal for a good tent. We LOVE tent camping and wouldn't think twice about paying double that.

We've camped in pop-ups, TTs and RVs... and there is something about a tent that we have fallen in love with. We take a very small tent when we backpack camp and a large family tent when we go to campgrounds.

Our dream is to purchase a UK tent.... the Outwells sell for about $1000.00 (atleast the one we want)... to some that may sound crazy and yes, we could probably have bought a popup or TT for the money we have in the tent, gear, etc.... but we wouldn't ever think about trading that all in for a one of those.

Not everyone loves tent camping... but the ones that do wouldn't think twice about investing in it. The key is finding what you love to do... tent camping isn't a sad sacrifice that some people think it is... it's a perfect fit for some. .

PixieDust32... I love your setup. I've seen some great ideas.... thanks!

THanks!

Totally agree, we love tent camping, it gives you the camping feeling, we had a pop up but it was too old and DH sold it, we probably get a trailer soon because we want to go camp west, so yes, we love our tent camping adventures, we have a more pricey backpack tent, its very very light and roomy.

We do use mats in the tent, specially in Florida because of the sand.

 

[blu]

Dont want to stir up the tent price discussion but just an FYI (and I didnt read all of the posts so someone may have posted it) we just bought the 10 x14 Coleman instant tent and paid 209 on Amazon. It is about 260 at Bass Pro. This particular style (2 doors) however is only on Amazon, says so on colemans website. Since it is exclusive to Amazon it may not have the exact same specs at the one at bass Pro. i do wish it had a electric port but I think we can make due. We have been happy for 2 trips now with it. One heavy rain and it did fairly well. 2 tiny leaks I could soak up with a tissue.

get your tent first and then figure out the airmattress needs. that 10 x14 says it fits 4 queen size but they would all touch the wall and no walking room. 2 side by side fits nice but then they also touch the walls, a no-no in a rain storm. so we are going to one queen for the kids and twins for us with a central area to walk at night. I stack them during the day. Figuring a way to pack and store clothes in the only problem. DH hates to pack totes (I cannot figure that out)

 

[Nature Mom]

Figuring a way to pack and store clothes in the only problem. DH hates to pack totes (I cannot figure that out)

I just wanted to add something I do to keep order in the tent with our clothes, shoes, towels, etc.: First, I bought a few of the portable rolling clothes racks at Target and then I hit the dorm section and got collapsible laundry hampers, a portable shoe rack, and the collapsible travel/dorm hanging accessory shelves and hanging sweater shelves which I used for the folded clothes. The smaller accessory shelves are perfect for socks, undies and small kids clothing, the bigger shelves best for folded shorts/pants (who wears pants to Disney?!), pajamas, towels, etc. Everything else were on hangers on the rack, which helped from needing to iron. The rack also has a shelf at top so you can store things on top too, to get them off the tent floor.

The 'Back to School' sections for college items always have a great many things that are adaptable to camping and if you hit them at the right time you can do it for pretty inexpensive. I spent around $50 for two complete 'portable closet systems' and am very happy how neat it keeps the tent, everyone has a place for their items and how easily it folds away for travel.

 

[Disneyevery2years]

are you people really calling this camping? If your going to bring all this stuff, just book a room!!

think about it, sitting around a campfire, eating smores and you say, "hey honey, grab me a beer out of the fridge and turn on the air conditioner in the tent, lol , that't not camping.........

that's a lot of stuff your bringing for camping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Razib456]

THanks!

Totally agree, we love tent camping, it gives you the camping feeling, we had a pop up but it was too old and DH sold it, we probably get a trailer soon because we want to go camp west, so yes, we love our tent camping adventures, we have a more pricey backpack tent, its very very light and roomy.

We do use mats in the tent, specially in Florida because of the sand.

I absolutely agree with you. We went camping in Florida over a year ago and it was perfect. It was fun since it was my first bloody time camping with friends in a remote area and we all agreed not to bring video games or other electronics except of course our mobile phones. But guess what? We got lost. Since we did not have GPS, i tried using this and got the address of my Aunt who lives near the campsite. I am really not a fan of gadgets when I travel and not use it as a crutch but hey, you should all be prepared.

Check your lists and dont forget to eat lots of s'mores! =)

 

[blu]

yep, its not the way my parents packed for camping. We each had one beer case to put all of our stuff, we slept on surplus army cots and thought we were high on the hog. But...... the rest of it is the same, we just went camping last weekend and DD found a little friend at the campground and had a ball. you just dont get that in a hotel room. I spend the whole time in a hotel telling the kids to not touch things, while camping we explore everthing we can put our hands on.
for us it isnt about the 'roughing it', I will leave that to the backpacking campers, but it is about being together with my kids, not staring at a hotel TV wondering what the last tenant left in the bed.

by the way when you're getting that beer, could you reach one for me too.

 

[Running_Bell]

are you people really calling this camping? If your going to bring all this stuff, just book a room!!

think about it, sitting around a campfire, eating smores and you say, "hey honey, grab me a beer out of the fridge and turn on the air conditioner in the tent, lol , that't not camping.........

that's a lot of stuff your bringing for camping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

......and we love every moment of it. (minus the beer... I prefer a nice dry chardonnay
The cool thing about tent camping is you can be as elaborate or as primitive as you want. At FW... we go all out, flat screen, fridge.... etc.... however, at some NC State Parks we have no electric.... we may canoe in with our gear, hike in or drive in.... the gear can be modified to fit the specific site
We just returned yesterday from camping on the banks of Lake Ontario... we only had the basics so all of the fluff isn't always needed... or wanted. It's all fun.

 

[PixieDust32]

......and we love every moment of it. (minus the beer... I prefer a nice dry chardonnay
The cool thing about tent camping is you can be as elaborate or as primitive as you want. At FW... we go all out, flat screen, fridge.... etc.... however, at some NC State Parks we have no electric.... we may canoe in with our gear, hike in or drive in.... the gear can be modified to fit the specific site
We just returned yesterday from camping on the banks of Lake Ontario... we only had the basics so all of the fluff isn't always needed... or wanted. It's all fun.

Only we can understand!

 

[PixieDust32]

are you people really calling this camping? If your going to bring all this stuff, just book a room!!

think about it, sitting around a campfire, eating smores and you say, "hey honey, grab me a beer out of the fridge and turn on the air conditioner in the tent, lol , that't not camping.........

that's a lot of stuff your bringing for camping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Who say is not camping? There is a lot of ways to camp. Same for the people who go camping in the big RV's still camping... We had done Backpack camping,with only the stuff in your backpack, no water no nothing. We had done rustic Camping, only water and no electricity, and of course moderate camping, water and electricity, the feeling of camping is the same when you got in you the love for the whole thing. We had never done the premium camping with the cable, water, electricity, etc nor on a RV etc. I think the feeling would be the same, it is NOT like being in a hotel room with 4 walls.

 

[Nature Mom]

......and we love every moment of it. (minus the beer... I prefer a nice dry chardonnay
The cool thing about tent camping is you can be as elaborate or as primitive as you want. At FW... we go all out, flat screen, fridge.... etc.... however, at some NC State Parks we have no electric.... we may canoe in with our gear, hike in or drive in.... the gear can be modified to fit the specific site
We just returned yesterday from camping on the banks of Lake Ontario... we only had the basics so all of the fluff isn't always needed... or wanted. It's all fun.

Totally agree! That's what makes camping so great, it is never the same! Car camping at FW or other easy access spots, give me fluff! If it fits in the car, then it is going! lol But primitive or backpacking I go for the K.I.S.S. method. The lighter and more efficient, the better.

 

[PixieDust32]