First regattas - camping setup

Here's my set up.

I used one of those rooftop tents a few times on my old Toyota. They do okay, it's a pretty decent tent set up. But, it's not a great car topper for the rest of the time when you're not camping. The tent really takes up a lot of room in the roof, meaning you're stuck to crawling around in the back of your truck.

And then how do you use the truck for transportation, after you've set the tent up on top of it?

I use a simple 4 man (2 man is more like it!) back-packing type tent, cost me $49 at WalMart, takes me about 10 minutes to set it up and break it down, and I can still use my wheels to run around town, looking for more food and beer.

Pros and cons to all options. I've done everything from sleeping in the back of a pickup or SUV, to a tent, to now, a full sized RV.

Sleeping in the SUV is easiest, and is very dry if it rains, but you'll need screens if you want to open the windows. It's also low-profile, meaning that you can sleep where camping may not be allowed.

I'm an Eagle too, I wonder how many we have here?

Mike

I don't bother with a tent unless I'm going to be set up for at least three days. I like plenty of room so that I keep things organized and not feel claustrophobic in bad weather. http://store.eurekatent.com/copper-canyon-12-person-tent I've found a small fan run on D cell batteries is very helpful.

When traveling I often use KOA cabins. https://www.google.com/search?q=koa... mp;ved=0CFUQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=632

My tent looks something like this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texsport-Camping-1109-Brookwood-Internal-Frame-Tent/35227838

I got that and a sleeping bag for under $100 many years ago, so they've earned their keep.

Oh,BTW, I was also a Boy Scout, up in New Hampshire, where we hiked the White Mountains and camped out in the winter, well below zero many nights.

I actually preferred camping in the winter vs. summer, as there were no bugs, less sweating while hiking in the winter and there was water (snow) everywhere, and we built many toboggan runs!

In the summer we were always hot and sweaty, getting rained on and eaten alive by black flies and mosquitoes.

I have a four man when I am planning to be there for a weekend. I carry a single man for circumstances where I might not need it. That single man is small and I have found that if I'm a little sore from a big day of sailing, it's hell getting out of in the morning. Probably looks like I'm being birthed. 😉

A big tent allows for some furniture and accessories. I hate being wet and uncomfortable. Mind, getting wet isn't so bad if you have someplace dry and warm to retreat to. A good rainfly, with an entry portico and some sort of entry mats are a must for me. I carry a couple of rolls carpet and separate the two rooms into living and sleeping area. Some outside chairs and table don't hurt. Currently I carry just one small folding table and two chairs.

The thought here is anything but roughing it! In about an hour I can set up a comfortable cabin in the woods. That will withstand (barely) 55 mph winds.

I suppose if I were interested in the minimalist game this would be pretty high on the list.

http://www.rei.com/product/862421/r... p;RRID=35648829&ev11=0&ev36=NULL

Since I don't carry any of this stuff on my back, up a mountain anymore, I don't mind having a tent and sleeping bag that's a little oversized, even if it's just me in it.

It's always nice to have a little more room to move around, inside, away from the bugs, and room for the cooler inside too.

I also bought an inflatable queen size air mattress, about 6 inches fat when blown up, and an electric pump that has two alligator clips to my truck battery to inflate it. Makes the bed soft no matter how lumpy the ground.

Agreed, air mattress (and pump) is critical, even in the back of an SUV...

Mike

+1 I'm trying to get one sized for the cabin on the 24... or the nets if the bugs aren't out.

Those blow up mattresses will ruin you. I refuse to camp anymore unless we bring it. I guess I'm getting too soft and/or too old. My days of sleeping on the ground are over.

Well if I were hiking up a mountain, I'd leave it behind and pack my 1 inch thick foam pad, but since I'm hauling all my crap to a regatta in a pickup truck, I try to bring as much stuff as possible to make my night a bit easier. Oh, and beer, lots of beer, and extra ice.

Oh, and a mini boom box for my iPod, and a battery powered lantern for inside the tent.

And ear plugs...those frogs at Lake Eustis can get pretty loud at 3am!

what really rocks is they now have blow-up reclining chairs.

So now I can bring a complete blow-up set (including hookers like Karl mentioned would draw more attendance)

Thanks everyone for weighing in. I'll plan on bringing a tent or setting up in the back of my xterra. Sounds like the real trick is to bring lots of beer for yourself and for everyone to share and to have a good time.

Most of these CRAM regattas I will be arriving late friday night because I can't leave until after work. Hopefully I can figure out what the hell I'm doing.

Rum takes up less space and requires less ice...

Mike

I had camped with 2 queen sized air mattress for years.
2 (stacked) is much better for several reasons.
1. you don't have to roll in and out of bed
2. WHEN one pops... you aren't sleeping in a flat pile of pvc
3. if you practice, you can

launch

your unexpected (sleeping) girlfriend for a little air time

But then I saw the light ....
imho Thermarest are 10000x more comfy
they: roll up, inflate with 20 puffs - no need for a battery or manual pump, weigh almost nothing and they don't give me that

flating

feeling i get from an air mattress

draw back - your on the floor (i fix that by putting my thermarest on a cot if i am camping for an extended time) & they are a bit pricey,

how much are those kitesailing air pumps? May opt for one of those if the batteries don't work...

Never thought to stack the mattresses to elevate higher... good idea.

I don't have a problem getting up and down off of the ground. My issue is sleeping on the hard ground. No matter how much site prep I do, I end up with that rock or that stick in my back all night.

you can get a cheap battery powered one for $15-50
they are great for stoking a camp fire but heavy and often die after a season (wont accept a charge anymore)... more reasons why i love the thermarest

- catman showed me that one

They also have the pumps that plug into your car power plugs.

foot powered too

What else ya got? I'm planning on a little boat camping and I'm particularly interested in ultra-light stuff like stoves.

IMHO can't beat a good old coleman camping stove for value. there are better built and cheaper ones but these are a great compromise

they aren't very heavy at all and the ones with wind walls make a huge difference in cooking time if there is any wind

Are you talking about the backpack size, or the multi-burners (old school)? I have one from the 70s.

Of course, it's never used. I don't even use the stove in the RV at regattas...

On family camping trips, I prefer to cook on a campfire, using another old trick: all you really need is fire, and foil...

Mike

JETBOIL.

I second that. Those things are awesome.

the 2 burner with side wind walls is what I meant.
Cooking on a fire is great but having a burner for coffee or food when it rains is essential gear for me.

And yes there are many smaller and lighter systems, if you are backpacking they are perfect, otherwise they are very expensive for my needs and almost everyone has standard propane fuel (both stores and other campers)...