2-up touring and camping
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Wife and I graduated from our go it cheap camping days, of awakening in a tent with dew so heavy we had to wait until afternoon to set out for next stop. We go to the little hotels/motels we find, may not be the best but we generally pick clean ones and those that have clientele as they seem to keep it cleaned up. We can be on the road after a short breakfast by no later than 9 as early at times as 7, we try to get off the road during the summer by 2 or 3 in the afternoon for a shower, meal and a little entertainment then sleep early. For the extra money we gain extra time for sights, extra miles for more road exploring while usually the hotels have had laundry availability, supplied lotion and soap/shampoo, available extras as a hair dryer for her, air conditioner or heat, etc. where we need not take so much stuff while enjoying a few creature comforts making the trip less memorable for bad days.
I am saving up for a trailer, most likely a N-Line to pack a few extras in case we do wish to road stop at a campground while still having availability to hotel and be on the road an extended amount of time.
I am saving up for a trailer, most likely a N-Line to pack a few extras in case we do wish to road stop at a campground while still having availability to hotel and be on the road an extended amount of time.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 642
Likes: 3
From: Bellmawr, New Jersey
After years of piling gear on the luggage rack and back seat, I bought myself a single-wheel Uni-Go trailer to pull behind my Rides. I only use the trailer for camping gear. It will hold two 4-man tents, two sleeping bags and mats/cots, a lantern, 2-burner stove, ground cloths, coffee pot and light cooking gear, with room to spare. It keeps the weight low and the trailer follows in the track of my motorcycle's rear wheel. An in the event the weather turns bad, the trailer is designed to enable you to wheel the trailer inside your hotel room, which i have done on occasion.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: north Idaho
dumpster diving
Wife and I packed a lot, even broke the pizza box 'support bracket'. Harley dealer wanted $100 bucks for a new one, but they had one in their dumpster that I could have, just had to climb in for it! One tip that helped us on our first trip to sturgis, was after buying a bunch of souvenirs, (t-shirts) we mailed them home along with our dirty clothes. It saved a lot of room, and time at a laundry mat. We're wanting a bike camper next. Seems the way to go
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 11
From: Arkansas
I thought you might get a kick out of these pics. This was last June before I bought my Kwick Kamp trailer.
If I remember right in those 2 bags were the following items. 2 sleeping bags, 1 dome tent, 2 fold up chairs, 1 inflatable queen size air mattress, 1 small cooler with a couple of fifths, a few bottles of water, mountain dew, and a few beers, 2 1 burner stoves that mount on top of the propane bottles, 3 propane bottles, a couple of small led lanterns, a couple of small 6 inch fans, and 1 extension cord. Clothes were in the saddlebags. I pulled those saddlebags off the shelf that morning and swapped out with the stock ones to get a little more room. They are in the storage building now fixing to hit ebay or the craigslist.
That's what I can remember. I would not recommend doing this and haven't done it since.
By the way those luggage racks will hold a little more than 10lbs.
Then there was me and the OL.
If I remember right in those 2 bags were the following items. 2 sleeping bags, 1 dome tent, 2 fold up chairs, 1 inflatable queen size air mattress, 1 small cooler with a couple of fifths, a few bottles of water, mountain dew, and a few beers, 2 1 burner stoves that mount on top of the propane bottles, 3 propane bottles, a couple of small led lanterns, a couple of small 6 inch fans, and 1 extension cord. Clothes were in the saddlebags. I pulled those saddlebags off the shelf that morning and swapped out with the stock ones to get a little more room. They are in the storage building now fixing to hit ebay or the craigslist.
That's what I can remember. I would not recommend doing this and haven't done it since.
By the way those luggage racks will hold a little more than 10lbs.
Then there was me and the OL.
Last edited by BC72067; Mar 22, 2014 at 11:28 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
One thing nobody mentioned here is trying to leave in the morning.
Unless you like mold and mildew and musty smelling crap, you have to wait until the morning dew burns off your gear before you break camp.
Some days that's 9am... some days it's 11. I would rather be on the road by 7 to get a good start to the day.
and then.....
I'm with these guys.
Unless you like mold and mildew and musty smelling crap, you have to wait until the morning dew burns off your gear before you break camp.
Some days that's 9am... some days it's 11. I would rather be on the road by 7 to get a good start to the day.
and then.....
I'm with these guys.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,083
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
That's how I ( me and the Ol' Gal ) do it and I've never had a musty smell
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 11
From: Arkansas
The concession I've had to make is getting the trailer to camp in. That I did for my wife because of her back. I figure as far as dew and rain goes that's why someone invented scotch guard. Treat the tent good once a year, keep it clean and air it out when you stop or get home. Ours takes less than 2 minutes to set up so it isn't that big a deal. There's usually a campground around with hot showers and electricity. Nothing like a good meal cooked over an open fire at the end of the day and a few beers and conversation about the days ride and the things seen with some good friends. You usually get a different perspective on the day from someone else.
I guess everyone looks at things through their own comfort level and the plans they have made. Most of the time I prefer to go with no plans or at most an eventual destination and see what the day throws at me.
I guess everyone looks at things through their own comfort level and the plans they have made. Most of the time I prefer to go with no plans or at most an eventual destination and see what the day throws at me.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,083
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
The concession I've had to make is getting the trailer to camp in. That I did for my wife because of her back. I figure as far as dew and rain goes that's why someone invented scotch guard. Treat the tent good once a year, keep it clean and air it out when you stop or get home. Ours takes less than 2 minutes to set up so it isn't that big a deal. There's usually a campground around with hot showers and electricity. Nothing like a good meal cooked over an open fire at the end of the day and a few beers and conversation about the days ride and the things seen with some good friends. You usually get a different perspective on the day from someone else.
I guess everyone looks at things through their own comfort level and the plans they have made. Most of the time I prefer to go with no plans or at most an eventual destination and see what the day throws at me.
I guess everyone looks at things through their own comfort level and the plans they have made. Most of the time I prefer to go with no plans or at most an eventual destination and see what the day throws at me.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 11
From: Arkansas
There's usually a campground around with hot showers and electricity. Nothing like a good meal cooked over an open fire at the end of the day and a few beers and conversation about the days ride and the things seen with some good friends. Yep, exactly! Many times that's the best part of the trip!