CAMPING do you love it ... convince me About This Page:

[katydid]

For me the biggest questions I need to have answered about any tent are:

1. Will it keep us warm enough?
2. Will it keep us dry?
3. Is there enough room for us to sleep while still having enough room to keep our gear (that needs to be protected from the elements) inside?
4. Is it easy to erect (in the dark,wind, etc.) by one or two people?

It's hard to determine the size without going into a tent and lying down. If you figure a good size pack per person and room for your shoes and jackets you'll know if the size is right. The type you picture seems like it would not be too hard to put up.

Warmth and rain proof are a little harder to determine. Can the windows be zipped closed in a sharp wind? Is there a rain tarp to put over the top?

For me the easiest way to ruin a great camping trip is if you are cold or wet. If you have confidence that the tent will keep you warm and dry, then you've found a good one!

[Clare loves Stitch]

These are great questions

1. Will it keep us warm enough? how do you know this? its a double layer tent but to be honest i only saw one thickness (sorry i really have no idea about tents!!) also i have a 4 season sleeping bag?!
2. Will it keep us dry? i think so - i have read some positive reviews!
3. Is there enough room for us to sleep while still having enough room to keep our gear (that needs to be protected from the elements) inside? well its a four person tent and there are only two of us plus we have the car to put things in aswell - i layed down in the one in the showroom and did a snow angel type movement in it (luckily it was quiet in the shop) and i had lots of room.
4. Is it easy to erect (in the dark,wind, etc.) by one or two people? hmmm i have no idea about that may have to go back to the shop and ask!

They this tent up in the showroom and i could stand up in it with shoes on and im 5'9 and Andy is 5'8 (and a half!! )

Can the windows be zipped closed in a sharp wind? yes all the front closes down fully so it looks like the back - but this one had windows with curtains and it opens up alot at the front which i thought would be quite good so we dont feel to claustrophobic (not sure thats spelt correctly)
Is there a rain tarp to put over the top? it has an inside sealable bedroom and then the over peice ? is that what you mean?

thanks so much for your help on this!!

[jimmymac]

Sorry, but I'm of help; complete city boy here

[KathyL]

Sounds like you did your research and found a tent that you both like. As for the rain tarp, most people bring an additional tarp to cover the top of the tent in case the weather does get stormy. You wouldn't need it unless rain was predicted. However, don't leave home without it, cause you never know. Also, you will probably want another tarp to put on the ground before you put your tent up..

[katydid]

Warmth in a tent has more to do with the wind passing through than anything else. If you have a warm sleeping bag and can zip up the tent pretty tight you'll be doing well. It seems like you have the ability to do this in your tent model. Getting a breeze in hot muggy weather is great too. If temperatures are going to be high, just bring along a sheet and sleep on top of the sleeping bag.

It looks like you have considered the rain and the roominess of the tent and have made a good choice!

Get some advice about putting it up from the shop and then practice one or twice before you go very far from home.

Most other camping necessities can be discovered and tweaked as you find your own camping style and needs (according to the location/weather/time of year.) Good luck with your decision to purchase.

If you start out with overnight or weekend trips not too far from home you can build up to longer trips with confidence.

[minemoz1]

I like to camp but have only been tent camping once and that was this year. DH has been tent camping many times. We bought another tarp to put down on the ground before we put the tent down. This will help protect the tent from getting soaked on the bottom if it rains. We camped on private property and had a small cabin with running water and bathroom facilities as well as shelter if it really stormed. It was fun but I wouldn't do it for more than 4 days.

We took baby wipes to bathe daily and lots of bug spray.

[RoonieRooToo]

We are big tent camping fans. My favorite trip was two weeks in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We use a four man tent for just my DH and I and it is snug but we want it snug because our most frequent camping is when it gets down to 20 or 40 at night. We have a different tent and bags we use for summer camping that are wide open.

Do you know where/when you are going camping or have a general idea? That will help with knowing if your tent/bags will be appropriate. We have liners that we use in the summer just by themselves and then use those liners in combo with our heavier bags for winter camping.

Reasons I LOVE tent camping:

Alone time with my honey. Even in a campground the sites are far apart enough or we ask for a section that is more secluded. This is pretty important time for the two of us away from laptops, TV, work and the world.

There really is not much better in the world (or at least to me) than having your dinner interrupted by a herd of buffalo moving through the campsite. Granted you get to sit in your car or move a safe distance from your site until they leave but it really is magnificent.

Are you a planning addict? Disney addict often equals planning addict. Let me tell you, for your meals for cooking outside that can take some planning but it's fun. It really is. Okay, maybe that is just fun for me.

Night in a tent when it is cold and you have your lovely air mattresses and plenty of snuggly bags with your honey cannot be beat. It really can't even on the concierge floor of a hotel. Okay, maybe that falls under the first reason for alone time with the honey

[travelin n scrappin sara]

I am not a camping fan, damp clothing, the 'bath house' ick, hard ground, or an air mattress that shoots out from under you in the middle of the night.... When I 'had' to take my Girl Scout troop camping, we did the cabin with bed version only. I don't mind the cooking aspect, the campfire etc etc, just the other part does not make me want to re-visit those days.

[Clare loves Stitch]

Originally Posted by RoonieRooToo

Do you know where/when you are going camping or have a general idea? That will help with knowing if your tent/bags will be appropriate. We have liners that we use in the summer just by themselves and then use those liners in combo with our heavier bags for winter camping.

Yeah unfortunatley no where nearly as exciting as Yellowstone! the UK lakes, Dorset, Brittany france and maybe germany somewhere although i havent fully explored this option yet and austria if we get on ok with it.

Originally Posted by RoonieRooToo

Alone time with my honey. Even in a campground the sites are far apart enough or we ask for a section that is more secluded. This is pretty important time for the two of us away from laptops, TV, work and the world.

This sounds great - my other half works ALOT and i barely see him!!

Originally Posted by RoonieRooToo

There really is not much better in the world (or at least to me) than having your dinner interrupted by a herd of buffalo moving through the campsite. Granted you get to sit in your car or move a safe distance from your site until they leave but it really is magnificent.

Not much chance of this is the UK but WOW - making me consider widening my camping asperations

Originally Posted by RoonieRooToo

Are you a planning addict? Disney addict often equals planning addict. Let me tell you, for your meals for cooking outside that can take some planning but it's fun. It really is. Okay, maybe that is just fun for me.

OMG YES IM A PLANNING ADDICT!! lol its sounding better already.

[coasties]

We are avid tent campers! LOVE it! We even tent camped one year at WDW b/c that was the only way we could afford to go. It was sooo much FUN!
We have been doing it together as a family of 4 for about 13 years so we have worked out the kinks and tweaked our gear list.
I would suggest you take several short trips in different weather ( hot, cold, wet & dry) and see how you fare.
I second the PLAN and DO YOUR RESEARCH! We are very picky about our campgrounds but often are able to find something that suits us ( this means HOT showers ).
We really enjoy the time together out in nature without all the distractions of modern life.
here is a list of our "essentials" for tent camping
1. BIG TENT. Our tent is actually 3 dome tents that zip together. When it was just the two of us we used a 6 man dome tent.
2. air mattress ( queen)
3.pillows
4. Sleeping bags. In warm weather we use them as padding on top of the matresses and use sheets for cover
5. ground tarp saves wear and tear on your tent
6.camp stove ( 2 burner propane)
7. camp cooking equipment/dishes. We like the ones that nest so everytrhing is in one place.
8. lantern ( we like the flourescent bulb ones)
9. mallet ( small plastic one for driving stakes)
10. small hatchet ( good for getting firewood in a pinch)
11. coffee percolator ( use on propane stove)
12. LARGE plastic tote ( ours is like a pickup truck box) that ALL the camping eqipment fits in ( except the food and chairs)
13. good quality cooler
14. air pump for matresses that uses A/C or plugs into the power outlet of the car in case we do not have electric at our site.
15. water jug ( we use a collapsible 5 gallon )
16. weenie forks ( meat forks with extra long handles for roasting whatever over the fire)
17. good knife
18. folding camp chairs with back and arms for relaxing
19. a shower room bag for each of us that we can put tolietries and towel into
20. line for hanging towels
That is about it. I am sure there are some incidentals I forgot. All in all we really like tent camping but it is not for everyone. The only way to know if you like it is to go Oh and be SURE to set up the tent at home BEFORE you go. It can make or break your trip. Knowing how to do it before you arrive is important to making the camp set up easier and smoother.
GOOD LUCK and HAPPY PLANNING!

[Clare loves Stitch]

These are amazing tips thanks

[Clare loves Stitch]

I have got my tent now - the one i showed in an earlier post.
I had no idea that disney has a camping ground! - Fort Wilderness! they just dont advertise it over here but im thinking it could be something to try!

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Clare loves Stitch

I have got my tent now - the one i showed in an earlier post.
I had no idea that disney has a camping ground! - Fort Wilderness! they just dont advertise it over here but im thinking it could be something to try!

Congrats on the tent! Well, camping at Disney should be a magical experience...

[Charlie97]

I have never done WDW camping...but outdoor camping, a total yes for me. I have gone camping ever since i can remember. The beach...check. Hill Country...check. Brushy areas involving cactus, Mesquite trees, scorpions galore and TASTY RATTLERS!!!! Check Check Check Check. I have to admit tho, it has been a few years since i have gone camping. DD enjoyed it when I took her about 6 years ago.

And its kinda heartbreacking for me to read that so many people hate it . I agree that it is very peaceful to sit under the pitch black sky and watch the twinkiling stars, the ooooo's and aaaaaaa's from everyone as they see that shooting star. Ah yes, and lets not forget the campfire with the roasted marshmellows. And, And, And, the ice cold "adult beverage".

I miss it so much......

[katydid]

Congratulations on the tent purchase. Once you get started with tenting, do consider camping at Ft. Wilderness. The campgrounds are beautiful and are kept sparkling clean. (The street sweeper went by every afternoon. I'm not sure what they were cleaning off the roads besides pine needles and a little dust.)

The comfort stations are very nice and clean. The short boat ride to the Magic Kingdom is wonderful and relaxing. The internal bus is pretty good and the busses to all the other parks are excellent. It's a great way to experience WDW at a better price than other resorts.

Happy camping!