Camping on tour
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
I considered that, but I mocked it up with a piece of wood I had lying around and I can see fine. I have 12.5 inch bagger apes on my bike though, so the mirrors are higher. If it is a problem when I try it with the real thing, maybe I can put it across the passenger seat and strap it down to the saddlebag brackets.
Last edited by TitoFTW; Apr 13, 2011 at 12:13 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 5
From: Terrace, British Columbia
First tour I ever went on It looked like the Clampetts truck. I had sh*t hung everywhere. On the second day I met a guy who travelled once a year for amonth, he had 1/3 the stuff i did. His advice was to go to somewhere like Mountain Equipment Co-op who specializes on lightweight, but quality gear for hikers and backpackers, it makes all the difference in the world.
http://www.mec.ca/
His other advice also still rings true-take half the stuff and twice the money you were planning
have fun
ss
http://www.mec.ca/
His other advice also still rings true-take half the stuff and twice the money you were planning
have fun
ss
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
I'll tell you from experience. I bought the 4 man tent from WalMart, and I've got the Army Mummy Bag (down filled), and that's all you really need. Take the normal stuff that you'd take on a trip, lay it all out, and then look at it and see what you can do without. You'd be amazed how much a credit card can save in space when packing. The other essential that I take is those fluorescent light tubes that you snap and they glow in the dark. I take one of them for each night I'm going to be out. It's really nice to be able to see in the tent without holding a flashlight, and it's a very subtle hue that will let you sleep, and if you have to get up or find something it's always there. If you're going to hit Wyoming, and Sturgis, you definitely need to hit the BearTooth Pass. It's a once in a lifetime for some, and at least once a year for the rest of us. Enjoy your trip, and if you get to MT, give me a yell.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 26
From: OOB, Maine
If you are going to be camping that much best thing I would suggest is a good quality sleeping pad. Ground gets hard real quick. A good pad will keep the trip happy without misery. As far as food...don't know how fancy you are but a loaf of bread, butter knife, and a jar of peanut butter can easily keep me happy for two meals a day and then I will go out for a good dinner. Plus its dirt cheap.
Adam
Adam
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
On the second day I met a guy who travelled once a year for amonth, he had 1/3 the stuff i did. His advice was to go to somewhere like Mountain Equipment Co-op who specializes on lightweight, but quality gear for hikers and backpackers, it makes all the difference in the world.
The longer the trip the more gear/clothes you will need to be comfortable. For example, 4 days you can probably guess what weather you will need to dress for - 9 days you need to be ready for anything.
The attached photos were of my RKC loaded with everything I needed for a 4 day camping trip and a 9 day camping trip.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,023
Likes: 989
From: Just Outside Chicago
Alot of good info But i will add a VERY important must and thats a flashlight.Not a cheap one but get the best light you can afford. I have camped many a years and still do and i will tell you when you need a good light you will be very happy you got a good one!! I have a Dorcy..got it as a gift and i have a bunch of lights but this is the best damn light i have ever had!!... It runs on 3-AAA Batteries and has a push button on/off.. The on/off button lights green and when battery starts to wear it turns red and gives you plenty of time to change batteries. It's led and VERY bright!!..another option is a headlamp that you can put on your head and it will leave your hands free to do what you need to do..those are great for setting up camp after dark or looking for firewood.Im getting a little older and the eye's arn't what they used to be .... :-(
Do a "camping"search on here and you will find alot of info...Happy Trails!! Tim...
Do a "camping"search on here and you will find alot of info...Happy Trails!! Tim...
Last edited by riteway; Apr 13, 2011 at 03:27 PM.
All these posts give very good information. My max road trip was ten days...and we camped...from an ultra classic..here was my packing method.
Left saddle bag held ALL my clothes...you can make a pair of jeans last a life time....several long sleeve several short sleeve, several jeans AND your leathers will all fit in one bag....the other bag would be for water bottles (desani sports top bottles...two usually that I kept filled from gas stations along the way..you can also keepthem filled with the water tap at the camp ground), off bug spray, sun screen spray, toiletries etc. The trunk was where I kept flashlight...batteries, Light that straps to your head (someone else said that and they are SO right...very important). In the passenger seat I kept a sleeping bag and a pillow bugeed in..and on the truck my small tent. Had PLENTY of room left over...you will have a BLAST
Left saddle bag held ALL my clothes...you can make a pair of jeans last a life time....several long sleeve several short sleeve, several jeans AND your leathers will all fit in one bag....the other bag would be for water bottles (desani sports top bottles...two usually that I kept filled from gas stations along the way..you can also keepthem filled with the water tap at the camp ground), off bug spray, sun screen spray, toiletries etc. The trunk was where I kept flashlight...batteries, Light that straps to your head (someone else said that and they are SO right...very important). In the passenger seat I kept a sleeping bag and a pillow bugeed in..and on the truck my small tent. Had PLENTY of room left over...you will have a BLAST
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Find a tent that rolls up into a round, long cylinder. Use it to start the roll of your sleeping bag. Put the entire roll into a large garbage bag to keep it dry if you hit rain, and keep the road grime off of it. Tie it on behind you and use as a back rest. A self inflating sleeping pad is a great investment as well, and will roll up right with your sleeping bag.
The luggage....top case, saddle bags, etc....Well, that's up to you.
One of the best tips I was ever given for traveling was this. Through the year, save you "almost" worn out t-shirts, underwear, and socks. Use those for your trip, wear them one day, and throw them away.
As each day goes by, you have more and more room in your saddlebags for the inevitable souveniers you will buy.
Don't pack a lot of t-shirts if you plan buying some on your trip. Wear what you buy !
The luggage....top case, saddle bags, etc....Well, that's up to you.
One of the best tips I was ever given for traveling was this. Through the year, save you "almost" worn out t-shirts, underwear, and socks. Use those for your trip, wear them one day, and throw them away.
As each day goes by, you have more and more room in your saddlebags for the inevitable souveniers you will buy.
Don't pack a lot of t-shirts if you plan buying some on your trip. Wear what you buy !
Last edited by MNPGRider; Apr 13, 2011 at 06:14 PM.
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 787
Likes: 2
From: Western Wyoming
I'll be heading out your way in June,Laconia,east coast down to Virginia out to Montana.Enjoy camping in KOA's,state parks whatever as long as I can get a shower.16 days and I'll hit a cheap mom and pop motel for a couple 3 nights.What's always worked for me: a good 3 season 2 man pack tent with a rain fly and vestibule-$100-$150 rolls up to about 5''x24'' 51/2 lbs,a good 10 deg.large mummy bag(14''x20'' 3 1/2lbs.) $100-$150,a coleman twin size air mattress with batt. powered air pump,week supply of clothes extra pair of jeans.Clothes fit in 2 water-proof compression bags(8''x18'')-nothing white one load @ the laundra-mat, LED strap on light.elec.gear,rain gear,tools,sun screen,hydra-vest,lap-top,a few CD's,DVD's,tire plug kit/slime air pump,chaps,camera,binoculars,spare pair of glasses,can of Pledge,can of Plexus,1/2 quart oil,road atlas,extra batt,small port. radio,goggles,flip flops,swim trunks,shaving kit,towel,jacket,a couple microfiber towels,air shock pump,tire press.gauge,batt. tender.It all fits.
Last edited by D2R; Apr 13, 2011 at 09:18 PM.