tent camping
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
I have a Eureka tent that packs up small and is easy to pack on the Dyna. I use it occasionally and have always liked it. I also have a big (three room sleeps 8) tent that I ship to campsites via UPS. If I am planning on being any place more than a few days, I ship the big tent ahead, and it is there waiting for me when I get there. Of course, you will need to coordinate with the campground to make sure they will accomodate this arrangement. When I go to Sturgis, I take the small Eureka tent on the bike to use on the way there and home, and I ship the big tent to Custer State Park, along with a few folding chairs and a bunch of other stuff that makes a 10 day stay more comfortable. At the end of the trip, I box the stuff up and ship it back. The rangers at Custer are very helpful and they haul the boxes to my campsite for me, and haul them back to UPS for shipping home. A small donation to the State Park from me, and they are all more than willing to help.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Just west of Tahoe
I have one of those self-inflating matress and used it on one trip. Didn't sleep at all. It was so narrow that I rolled off it all night and it's thin. I use a twin air matress and battery operated pump. Cheap, comfortable and it's not really larger than the self inflating type rolled up (heavier, but not larger). It fits with some extra room in my small tent.
You need to drink enough so you don't roll off the mattress! A good day in the saddle and enough jack and that mattress feels just fine!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA
But you did ask for a small folding chair to place on your bike, and the Kermit is the smallest I know of,
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 4
From: LI, and New York, NY -- N 40 44.985 W 73 00.910
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 602
Likes: 2
From: SE Michigan
great thread as I do enjoy camping while on a trip but get a room every 3rd night or so.
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
I disagree that they all leak. North Face makes some of the best tents in the world (they use them on Everest climbs) and they only leak if you treat them poorly. I would shop around for a new or used NF. Tents are like some other items; you are guaranteed to get exactly what you pay for.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 23
From: MD just outside DC
I disagree that they all leak. North Face makes some of the best tents in the world (they use them on Everest climbs) and they only leak if you treat them poorly. I would shop around for a new or used NF. Tents are like some other items; you are guaranteed to get exactly what you pay for.
My REI big tent has never leaked. And I have had it in some serious storms. The backpacking tent (TAJ) that my sons dad took when we split up never leaked. I would say I always get the footprint and I pay attention to the ground where I am putting it up. I would say often cheap tents leak because the seams are not sealed. You can get seem sealer and I would recomend that if you get a tent at target, kmart, or walmart but a bottle of seam sealer and seal your seams.