Help with tents please

[kidiekat]

I have looked at so many tents on line I am a zombie....<br><br>The pop up would be so easy for me.&nbsp; Is there a way to make it an all weather tent.&nbsp; Or more durable for the wind and rain.&nbsp; This will give me the time to figure out which way to go....&nbsp; Van or a heavy duty tent that I can learn how to set up or if I can set it up.&nbsp; <br><br>I walk with a cane and getting up and down is slow.&nbsp; Back injuries, bursitis, arthur and all his kids itis's etc. etc.&nbsp; So I am trying to keep it easy and simple. <br><br>kidiekat

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;To 'weatherproof' a tent, just throw a biga$$ tarp over it and some rocks to hold it down. Could also run a line between a tree and something else (even your car), set the tent up under it, and throw the tarp over the line/tent. ..Willy. &nbsp;

 

[kidiekat]

A tarp maybe good.&nbsp; I had one over my barbeque in the back yard.&nbsp; Dang thing blew away even with those stretchie hook cords on it.&nbsp; Of course we had hurricane Sandy here and some other strange whopper storms so that may be a huge factor in that one.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I found a pop up on line that had a "bucket" bottom so with a tarp under it and one over it might be doable.&nbsp; <br>Thank you Mr Willy.&nbsp; Your an angel.....<br>kidie

 

[kidiekat]

Mr Willy....&nbsp; Since it will be just me and possibly Luci, should I do a 2 person tent or go with a 3 for some extra room.&nbsp; I have been researching camp sites and some have a 14 day limit and I'm not sure about the time limit on boon camping.&nbsp; I am learning so many new terms here so bear with me. <br><br>kidie

 

[highdesertranger]

a four seasons tent from a legit company will handle rough weather much better than a 3 season cheap tent.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[kidiekat]

Thank you highdesertstranger.&nbsp; I am going back to google more tents.&nbsp; 4 season....<br>kidie

 

[bee]

When looking at tents keep in mind that many people will be paying a premium for something that is light and packable for hiking. While these expensive tents are very high quality they are often made with the absolute thinnest materials possible for weight savings.<br>I have a really nice silnylon back packing tent I don't really like using it for car camping because:<br>You stake it down with pegs, many official car camping spots have such hard ground its a pain to setup, and may break pegs.<br>Nylon tents are not fire friendly and will gain little holes if you setup near an open fire.<br>My dogs were playing and ran through the tent. &nbsp;The tent didn't survive.<br><br><br>

 

[kidiekat]

Thank you &nbsp; bee.&nbsp;&nbsp; lol you made me laugh so hard about your dogs.&nbsp; I could picture you standing, open mouthed looking at a crashed tent.<br><br> &nbsp; I searched again tonight and I think I may do 2 tents.&nbsp;&nbsp; One pop up light weight for when I know the weather will be good and for one or two night stops to rest on the drive west.&nbsp; From what I have read they really take up little space in the car and if I am exhausted from driving it will be a quick set up for me and hopefully luci to flop for the night.&nbsp; <br>I have been searching for the 4 season tents.&nbsp; That will be better for the longer set up and harsh weather if it sparks it's evil head.&nbsp; That has been the hardest one.&nbsp; I have searched the REI stuff and they have a good warranty.&nbsp; But I have some time so I will keep searching.&nbsp; <br>I found some canvas tents but they don't look like some thing that would stand up to wind and rain.&nbsp; They looked like they belonged on a beach in Hawaii for changing and shade.&nbsp; duh &nbsp; Of course these are just pictures and descriptions so I could be wrong.&nbsp; <br><br>kidie<br>Good morning world.&nbsp; I am enjoying the last of the easy morning cappuccino, watch the news, and convenient bathroom days.&nbsp; lol

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

This blog post by Bob might be informational:<br><br>http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/2013/01/tent-dwelling/<br><br><br>I usually just got for the cheapest dome tent i can find, they set up easy and quick.&nbsp; I try to get a tarp if it doesn't include a leak proof rain fly.&nbsp; But that is just for weekend camping trips, living in one id go with sturdier quality stuff.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Consider getting a quality cot. It leaves room to stow equip. under it, you can sit on it and if tired, you may not feel like getting a smooth site to pitch the tent on and you can hit the hay sooner. Cots tend to cost a lot but in my opinion, worth it.<BR>Dragonfly

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;There was a German guy traveling the world who worked at the same orchard as I did, a few years ago, and he'd buy the cheapest Wal-Mart tent he could find.. cuz they ALL end up getting trashed and this way he spent way less money. I once hitchhiked with my dog from Helena Montana (Dec 21 at that) all the way down to Venice Beach CA, then AZ, then back up to B.C., and this took 5 months. My brand new MEC backpack gave up the ghost (stays blew out on the bottom) and when I took it in for warranty replacement, and told of 5 months continual use, I was told that my 5 months was equivalent to over 5 YEARS of general use. Camping gear is generally designed for intermittent use and not as robust as people like to think. ..Willy.

 

[fluffabear]

Just throwing in my 2 cents.<br><br>I shop for outdoor gear at military surplus stores. The price can be higher on some assorted things, however I have found that tactical and military issue type gear hold up to repeated beatings much better than gear designed for summer campers. <br><br>My pack is a Fox Tactical Transport Pack <a href="https://www.gijoesmilitarysurplus.c...nfo&amp;cPath=1230_1231&amp;products_id=10287" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">(link)</a> and I've had it for 3 years; it still looks new and I am hard on my gear. As far as packs go, it's one of the most comfortable to carry.<br><br>Sometimes you can find screaming deals on quick-set, heavy duty tents at local surplus stores. Before my last tent bit the dust, I had it for 5 years and used it more than most would in 10. I can't recall the brand for the life of me, though.<br><br>good luck!

 

[Zil]

we were issued self-erecting tents while on fire service. i had one by pinnacle, don't remember the model number. easy easy easy.<br><br>http://www.camptents.com/

 

[Zil]

Be sure to see the video.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Im liking that $169 3 sleeper <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Video is here btw<br><br><br>How did you stake it down though?<br><br>BTW, the fold up video is a little funny, they try to make it look as easy as the setup but you can tell its tough to put away (most tents are though) <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="bbc_img">

 

[baronmcginty]

For easy and simple I would get a Teepee tent. They have one pole. All you do is stake down the edges, put up the one pole, and then stake out the sides. A dome tent is sometime tough for one person. Here is a link to one as an example:<br><br><a href="http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-teepee-tents.aspx?a=619972" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-teepee-tents.aspx?a=619972</a>

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

If i was going to be setup some place for a while with a tent, i'd go Teepee.&nbsp; They have a lot of room at ground level...seems like a&nbsp; lot of ropes/staking if you move a lot though.&nbsp;

 

[kidiekat]

Wow, what great ideas. Dragonfly&nbsp; I had thought about a inflation mattress. A cot would be something good.&nbsp; It would get me off the ground so that would help with morning stiff joints and muscles. lol&nbsp; Now if I am lucky and Luci does come with me.&nbsp; She might feel at home like she was jumping into a real bed.&nbsp; Holy moly that is gonna be a funny site.&nbsp; I have a queen bed now so there is lots of room for us both.&nbsp; A cot will be smaller than a single bed so we both may fall off and end up on the floor.&nbsp; lol&nbsp; <br><br>Willy.&nbsp; YES on the back pack.&nbsp; I have one now that is a grab and go.&nbsp; Set up and in the back of the car.&nbsp; Always with me just in case.&nbsp; It is an orange nylon type thing and looks like one hike and it would split apart.&nbsp; So I want to get an army issue type bag.&nbsp; I was on a site that had so many I ended up more confused because of all the choices.&nbsp; The camouflage army bag is not as much an eye popper and would have more life. Wow you did put some mileage on that bag, 5 months and it died.&nbsp; I have to rethink my back pack.&nbsp; As it is, it is set up for emergency.&nbsp; Since I will be like a turtle and have every thing with me in the car.&nbsp; My pack needs to be set up differently.<br><br>Fluffabear I am trying to locate one of those surplus stores but where I live is a tourist beach area surrounded by farm land and&nbsp; lots of new housing developments from the farmers selling out. It's all beach, food, suntan oil, trinkets, t shirts and junk souvenirs.&nbsp; I don't know if the next town down, Salisbury has one.&nbsp; Usually I have to drive 2 plus hours north into Delaware for decent shopping centers and stuff or when I do my 3 hour drive to Baltimore to see my doc.&nbsp; Sunny's surplus in Baltimore use to have all kinds of military supplies but I don't know if they are still there.&nbsp; It will make for a long day but on my next appointment I am going to go where it was and see what they have.&nbsp; Usually every thing I need I have had to order on line because there is nothing here but tourist outlets and over priced junk.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>I am going to search on line for the pack you mentioned and see if I can find it.&nbsp; <br><br>Zil&nbsp;&nbsp; I am going to google the pinnacle and do some reading on that.&nbsp; I don't see that name on my bookmarks as one I have researched.&nbsp; I have a camping folder now of bookmarks.&nbsp; Tents, supplies, camp sites, etc. etc. This way I know what I have looked at and can go back and compare.<br><br>Dazargadin&nbsp; I have been reading the site you posted.&nbsp; Its in my bookmark/blogs folder.&nbsp; I have read that one a couple times now.&nbsp; Each time I get some thing new out of it.&nbsp; Wheew.&nbsp; I'm gonna check out the video you posted.&nbsp; I think that is the norm for any thing you open up.&nbsp; Getting it back in the box or bag is next to impossible.<br><br>baronmcginty&nbsp;&nbsp; I looked at some of the teepee's. I think they were kifaru.&nbsp; Not sure right now.&nbsp; They have to be sturdy, the indians lived in them year round.&nbsp; The only thing I didn't care for was there is no floor.&nbsp; I think I would like some way to seal out the creeping critters and I think the rain would seep under the sides.&nbsp; Plus if luci is with me she may think that since it is ground it's ok to do pee pee right there in the tent and how could I reprimand her for some thing that is okay and she is trained for.&nbsp; Whoops.&nbsp; With a floor she would know not to.&nbsp; I looked at the dome tents.&nbsp; They have the picture and you can hover over it and it enlarges for details.&nbsp; WOW.&nbsp; So many clips and hooks and loops and poles crossing I saw one that had 8 poles crossing back and forth.&nbsp; I suppose if a salesman wants to make the sale on one he would be able to do some instruction.&nbsp; I opened a pdf file on instructions of set up.&nbsp; Holy cow was I confused, but that was just reading and looking at pictures.&nbsp;&nbsp; I did see one dome type that looked like it had sleeves that you thread the poles through and were color coded for the sticks/poles.&nbsp; <br><br>Ha ha I can see me at a campsite in the woods with sticks and tent and bare ground looking back at me going.&nbsp; Really????&nbsp; Your gonna do what???&nbsp; lol&nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>I am definitely in a learning curve here.....<br><br>I did get 2 more things completed today on the to do list.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Plus if luci may go with me on this trip....&nbsp; We need to do more training.&nbsp; I have her teaching treats and we have started with more hand signals and lessons.&nbsp; I have been lax with her because we were here in the house and it wasn't a priority, but if she will be on the road with me I need to be able to do a hand signal from the window of a gas station and have her respond in the car.&nbsp; I do verbal and hand signals for her sit and lay and stay so that if she is on her long leash I don't have to yell a command.&nbsp; I can speak it and signal and of course use the clicker.&nbsp; Shes a good baby but not real smart.&nbsp; duh.&nbsp;&nbsp; Must take after her mums/me.<br><br>Thank you all for your input.&nbsp; I have some good ideas here and I will post how it works out.&nbsp; <br><br>kidiekat<br><br>

 

[Spirituallifetime]

I was thinking of traveling around the states in a car, I would set my self up with a popup tent for the one nighters and 3 or 4 person dome tent with rain fly&nbsp; for the longer stays and a tarp with rope and stakes (extra tent stakes in various styles and lengths for different ground conditions and to replace the ones that couldn't be pulled out is a good idea)&nbsp;to put over the tent in bad weather or other uses as necessary (tarps can be used for many things I have even used them as tents and survived&nbsp;storms sitting under them). I agree with&nbsp;Willy on the cheap tents, most camping gear doesn't last long in daily use. &nbsp;I have been a tent camper and backpacker most of my life and have never owned an expensive tent and survived through good weather to high wind and rain storms, it does get challenging if necessary can retreat to the car or motel.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

spiritual life X 2 regarding tarps. If you are somewhere they can be tied off over the tent or car, they reduce the heat and if its raining, you have your own porch to sit under.