camping while riding two up
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Joined: Feb 2010
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camping while riding two up
I am kicking around the idea of trailering down(from ohio) to daytona bike week for a few days and then heading down to the everglades and maybe into the keys. I want to camp along the way but I cant see how I can carry enough gear for my wife and I while riding two up. I have a road king with hard bags and a tour pack but even with just a small tent and sleeping bags there isnt much room for more then basic riding gear and a few clothes. What do you guys carry if and when you camp from your bike?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Northwest WI
If you had a small trailer to pull behind your Road King you would have plenty of room. My friend and his wife did Sturgis that way and were able to bring everything they desired. He built his on a 40x48 frame kit from Northern tool and mounted a clam shell car top carrier and a cooler on the frame. Worked very well, they were able to carry a small grill, a good sized tent, chairs etc. They were happy campers out there.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: CA
It can be done, but you have to accept travelling light. Backpacking camping equipment works well on a bike, packs light and small.
Can be pricey for good quality stuff tho.
Take a few sets of your oldest underware, wear it as long as you can stand, then just throw it away. Saves on laundry.
If yer 'ol lady is one to take 3 suitcases on a weekend trip, you can forget about it.
Can be pricey for good quality stuff tho.
Take a few sets of your oldest underware, wear it as long as you can stand, then just throw it away. Saves on laundry.
If yer 'ol lady is one to take 3 suitcases on a weekend trip, you can forget about it.
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If you had a small trailer to pull behind your Road King you would have plenty of room. My friend and his wife did Sturgis that way and were able to bring everything they desired. He built his on a 40x48 frame kit from Northern tool and mounted a clam shell car top carrier and a cooler on the frame. Worked very well, they were able to carry a small grill, a good sized tent, chairs etc. They were happy campers out there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Michigan
How much room are you really going to save by throwing away a few pair of gruns? If space is that tight maybe you ought to just free ball it.
+1 on the trailer, see all kinds of people pulling them, you then would have enough room to even take the kitchen sink...... plus all your wife's shoes, her makeup, hair dryer, curling iron, 4 copies of people magazine, her pillow, bathrobe, pajamas, slippers and on and on and on and on.
+1 on the trailer, see all kinds of people pulling them, you then would have enough room to even take the kitchen sink...... plus all your wife's shoes, her makeup, hair dryer, curling iron, 4 copies of people magazine, her pillow, bathrobe, pajamas, slippers and on and on and on and on.
Last edited by Bricklayer; Jan 21, 2012 at 10:02 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 686
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From: KC MO
A road king and you do not have enough space? Consider what your really need. I take a week long trip every year on a Dyna with no problems and have done it 2 up before. Backpacker tent, stove and sleeping bag will minimize a lot of space..
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Northwest WI
It seems intimidating but as long a you as you allow for the dog tracking on the corners and give yourself some extra space for braking it's not bad. Maybe you can find someone locally who has a setup that you can try to see if it works for you. Having everything you want for camping makes it worth the while. Good Luck with whatever you do.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 324
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From: Northern CO
We bought backpacking sleeping bags that pack in compression bags that are smaller than a football. Plenty warm, and comfortable. Thermarest type pads, a small backpacking tent, all fits in the tourpak. She gets one saddlebag, I get the other, all the riding gear goes on top of the tourpak. It can be done.
We did a 17 day trip from D.C. to Utah in 2010 with what you see in the picture.
Lots of people have asked what we packed. Here's what we brought:
Saddle bag #1: 2 pairs of tennis shoes, map, GPS, 2 cell phone chargers, iPod, iPod charger, my sleeping pad
Saddle bag #2: 2-person backpacking tent, 2 pairs rain pants, 2 pairs rain jackets
Big bag on back: 2 backpacking sleeping bags in waterproof stuff sacks, 2 fleece/waterproof jackets each, 3 pairs socks each, 3 pairs underwear each, MAKEUP, chapstick, sunscreen, razor to share, toothbrush to share, little toothpaste bottle to share
Blue bag on back: comfy sleeping pad, with 2 pairs of flip flops stuffed in the bag
Black duffle on back: 3 t-shirts each, 1 spare pair of pants each, 1 long sleeve shirt (to share... we ended up buying another long sleeve shirt in Denver on Day 3)
The tent was small but really couldn't bring anything bigger, hope this helps for your trip, It can be done!
Lots of people have asked what we packed. Here's what we brought:
Saddle bag #1: 2 pairs of tennis shoes, map, GPS, 2 cell phone chargers, iPod, iPod charger, my sleeping pad
Saddle bag #2: 2-person backpacking tent, 2 pairs rain pants, 2 pairs rain jackets
Big bag on back: 2 backpacking sleeping bags in waterproof stuff sacks, 2 fleece/waterproof jackets each, 3 pairs socks each, 3 pairs underwear each, MAKEUP, chapstick, sunscreen, razor to share, toothbrush to share, little toothpaste bottle to share
Blue bag on back: comfy sleeping pad, with 2 pairs of flip flops stuffed in the bag
Black duffle on back: 3 t-shirts each, 1 spare pair of pants each, 1 long sleeve shirt (to share... we ended up buying another long sleeve shirt in Denver on Day 3)
The tent was small but really couldn't bring anything bigger, hope this helps for your trip, It can be done!