tent camping
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 1
From: NW Louisiana
On my Sturgis trip last year (2009), I bought a North Face Fat Frog 2 person with vestibule. Not tall but for one person it worked great. Held up in the Hail Storm in Sturgis last year. I aso use a full size thermarest self inflating air mattress. Lots of lightweight stoves available. Mine is a Snowpeak titanium with butane canister. I have used Whisperlites which are great but I don't like to caryy liquid fuel. The snowpeak Ti weighs mear ounces and has a piezo lighter for ignition. Several sizes of of the butane canisters are available from different manufacturers. I normally get my fuel from REI or Bass Pro Shop. Beer can stoves have become the rage with lightweight backpackers. You can use the Heat brand of fuel (Yellow bottle for about 99 cents)l from any auto store or wally world. The red bottle of heat is NOT SAFE only the Yellow. Another tent I would suggest for one person is the Eureka Timberline. Very sturdy bullet proof and reasonably cheap and light enough for a MC. From my backpacking days I evolved to very lightweight gear but splurge on weight when I go on long trips with my Harley. It is a lot different carrying camping gear on a bike than on your back. As they say: Ounces turn into pounds real quick. For my 9 day trip to Sturgis I probably wasn't carrying more than 30 pounds of gear total. Laundry Mats are your best friend. Pack as efficient and light as possible and you will be a happy camper. A lot of great suggestions posted. As a side note, a good number of the cheap tents in the 2009 Sturgis Hail Storm didn't make it. Take a look at the Youtube videos of the Sturgis 2009 Hail Storm you might change your mind about buying a cheap tent or decide to acquire solid shelter like a motel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJT6...eature=related
Last edited by snakeinthegrass; Jan 12, 2010 at 02:19 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
I picked this North Face up for $100 off of the ArcheryTalk.com forum. Hunting forums are a good place to pick up camping equipment, especially after hunting season, check some out. Most hunters use top end equipment.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 1
From: Brookfield,Il.
I have found since the economy is in the crapper I can get a decent room for around $50 bucks and usually includes a free breakfast. I you have to pay a camping fee the difference is not too bad. Plus after a long hot day on the road my tired ol *** needs something soft. Not to mention my wife. She simply LOVES to camp at Best Western.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Valley New York
Check out www.campmore.com for tents and all camping gear. for 2 people i like a 3 man tent with 2 doors and a fly with a vestabule at each door to keep packs dry and out of the tent. I hike and backpack and ride have found light and strong is the best dont skimp on tent or sleaping pad.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
Go light and compact...
I use Snow Peak www.snowpeak.com with canned fuel, and mini solo cook set good enough for 1 or 2 people. Mo muss no fuss. Very compact. Titanium. You get what you pay for. After a hike in Alasaka, through the mountains I appreciate the savings in size and weight... even on a MC. To save money on some things visit Wal Mart now while camping items frequently go on sale. Some items are the same as higher priced items from name companies. Always check bargain cave at www.cabelas.com If I am traveling by truck or canoe different story... go big, go comfort.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 6
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
i agree with the motel cheap rooms if your going with the right people it all breaks down the same for instance when i go on the road with my dad and uncle we all split a room so its cheaper than camping split 3 ways. But if its just me and or me and group that wants to camp its alot cheaper to camp so thats what ill be doing this year.
Average cheap motel is still going to cost ya about 50 a night with tax and everything. times 7 days on the road is $350 bucks now if iam splitting that 3 ways not bad $117 bucks.
But if iam on the road with group that wants to camp or doesn't want to split rooms and we all decide to camp i can camp at most any state park for top price $20 bucks times 7 days is only $140 bucks. vs the $350. on a budget this year lol.
Average cheap motel is still going to cost ya about 50 a night with tax and everything. times 7 days on the road is $350 bucks now if iam splitting that 3 ways not bad $117 bucks.
But if iam on the road with group that wants to camp or doesn't want to split rooms and we all decide to camp i can camp at most any state park for top price $20 bucks times 7 days is only $140 bucks. vs the $350. on a budget this year lol.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 23
From: MD just outside DC
i agree with the motel cheap rooms if your going with the right people it all breaks down the same for instance when i go on the road with my dad and uncle we all split a room so its cheaper than camping split 3 ways. But if its just me and or me and group that wants to camp its alot cheaper to camp so thats what ill be doing this year.
Average cheap motel is still going to cost ya about 50 a night with tax and everything. times 7 days on the road is $350 bucks now if iam splitting that 3 ways not bad $117 bucks.
But if iam on the road with group that wants to camp or doesn't want to split rooms and we all decide to camp i can camp at most any state park for top price $20 bucks times 7 days is only $140 bucks. vs the $350. on a budget this year lol.
Average cheap motel is still going to cost ya about 50 a night with tax and everything. times 7 days on the road is $350 bucks now if iam splitting that 3 ways not bad $117 bucks.
But if iam on the road with group that wants to camp or doesn't want to split rooms and we all decide to camp i can camp at most any state park for top price $20 bucks times 7 days is only $140 bucks. vs the $350. on a budget this year lol.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 4
From: LI, and New York, NY -- N 40 44.985 W 73 00.910
For me these are not either or.. I love hotels both bare bones and high end.. That said camping on a road trip is part of the trip.. I take a lot of road trips many in my cage..Sometimes I am on a hotel trip, sometimes camping in the car (I have a hatch and find it fun to do sometimes), sometimes camping.. For me I would go a bit nutty if I didnt spend sometime in a tent in a year.. So hotel is not always the better option.. There are some camping areas that are amazing to wake up in.. You are not going to get that at a best western.. One example would be assateague national seashore where you camp on the other side of the dune. You wake up on the sand listening to the surf..
+1
Although I love a five star...
Camping is part of the fun.
My 30 trip in June will be a 70-30 split. I'll hit a motel/hotel chain every 3 days or so. Except Vegas... where I have some free rooms coming to me. $$$$$.
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Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 23
From: MD just outside DC
But I can be at home in any situation and sometimes the hole in wall motels on the road are the best fun.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,863
Likes: 2,121
From: Central, Ca.
I take a Coleman dome, fits in my tourpak. I think it was on sale for $35. Save alot of money, I camped at a nice campground on my way thru Idaho $4 bucks. On the other hand the state campgrounds here in Ca went up to $25
, Camped by Hoover dam on lake Mead for $10
, Camped by Hoover dam on lake Mead for $10