3 week summer trip - tent help

[mpl1978]

So I am taking my two boys, 6 and 8 on an overlanding fly fishing trip from Florida to Utah, Colorado and California this summer. I will probably stay at a site no longer than two days. I have a springbar family, but that it too large and cumbersome for this trip. Should I get an rtt or do you suggest a ground tent. Specific recommendations the better. I don’t have much experience out west, so any help is appreciated.

 

[Road]

It will help if you indicate what type of vehicle you're taking and how much room you'll have.

I've used all sorts of ground tents over the years, from simple tarps to big two-room tents and have to say, having a hardshell RTT is SO much easier and more convenient.

Level up the vehicle and pop up the tent. Super easy up and down, leaving you more time to enjoy yourselves at whatever places you stop. Easier in the dark, too. Easier on uneven or rocky ground. Don't have to unpack/pack it in a vehicle full of three people's gear and clothing.

One disadvantage to a RTT, if you have it on your vehicle and not a trailer, is that you'll have to pack it up if you're going away from a camp site for the day. Not as big a deal with a hardshell as it is with a soft fold-out RTT.

There are a mess of hardshell RTT companies now, from Maggiolina/Autohome (the original rooftop tent, started in 1958 in Italy) to Roofnest to James Baroud to Bundutec and more.

I bought mine used for about half price. I would check the adventure forum For Sale sections and craigslist for cities all around you or close on the route you're going to take.

Let me know if I can answer any specific questions about installation, ease-of-use, maintenance, etc.



.

Roaddude - On the Road In North America - ROADDUDE

Roaddude - Traveling Photographer/Writer/Artist On the Road In North America. Gear, reviews, people, places, and culture.

roaddude.com

 

[mpl1978]

So here is where I stand. I have an 04 lx470 w frontrunner rack and a new to me 13 lx570. I originally planned on taking the 04 but I thought it would be better if I sold or traded it for a small trailer like yours and take the ‘13. Why pay auto insurance on two vehicles that are both the same tool, except I don’t care if I bang up the 04!
I plan on getting some type of drawer system in the vehicle I decide on. I have a dometic 50l fridge and a decent sized chuck box.
I can tell you that w 2 kids under ten and being solo, I want to make everything as easy as possible.

 

[Big G]

So I am taking my two boys, 6 and 8 on an overlanding fly fishing trip from Florida to Utah, Colorado and California this summer. I will probably stay at a site no longer than two days. I have a springbar family, but that it too large and cumbersome for this trip. Should I get an rtt or do you suggest a ground tent. Specific recommendations the better. I don’t have much experience out west, so any help is appreciated.

That's awesome that you are going to take your boys on such a grand adventure. Making memories like this is the best.

 

[Munga Brown]

Sounds like a great adventure!

I'm not ready to pop for a bed rack & RTT yet, so I've been considering a Gazelle T3 ground tent. I'd go for a T4 in a heart beat, but the packed size won't fit in my truck bed!! Gazelle's have a pretty solid user rating with quick up/down times. They're available here through OB as well as other outlets.

I'll be following along to see what others suggest, too.

 

[Motoboss]

 

[Mitch65]

I can recommend the gazelle t4! Excellent ground tent. Sets up and tears down in literally 2 minutes

 

[Munga Brown]

Looks like a quality 4 season tent. Do you have one? How do you like it? Any issues with it?

 

[Motoboss]

Looks like a quality 4 season tent. Do you have one? How do you like it? Any issues with it?

No I do not have one but going to purchase one this spring. I'm 6'3" and like the height and straight wall design. We use cots to sleep on and it's hard to find something big enough for two full size cots and the pup to fit in comfortably with room to spare. The set up looks to be very straight forward and simple without using 6 or 8 poles. I also like the fact that it doesn't wick water inside if you lean against it, which is a big plus. They make a 10x14 as well if you need extra room but the 10x10 is plenty for us.
There are many, many reviews on them on utube.
Here's one guy putting it up at leisure in no time.


I like this also about the tent.

 

[mpl1978]

I have a springbar, same design, that is great for basecamp. Solid is an understatement. That said, I would not want to setup and break down every two days.

 

[Motoboss]

I have a springbar, same design, that is great for basecamp. Solid is an understatement. That said, I would not want to setup and break down every two days.

Yes but were talking 4+ person tent. If time is not an issue taking 15/20 minutes to set up or take down a tent is no big deal, and that's for one person. I like the quick set up of the OZ tent but at $800 + it isn't an option for many folks.

 

[mpl1978]

I use an impact driver and these
I can't tell you how awesome it was!

 

[Motoboss]

I use an impact driver and these
I can't tell you how awesome it was!

Wow, never seen such an animal. Pretty cool.

 

[Itacal]

Looks like a quality 4 season tent. Do you have one? How do you like it? Any issues with it?

I have a Kodiak Cabin canvas tent. It is rated as a 3-season tent, but I've had it in temps as low as 28-degrees and had to turn the heater off halfway through the night because it was so hot inside the tent. It once rained for 28 hours straight and the tent never leaked. It's a 12x9 tent, with an 8x8 awning on the front that serves as an extra room if the enclosure is added. I can put a queen-size mattress in the tent and still have half of the tent left over. It is an ... Those are the pros. Now, the cons, it is HEAVY and the set up is not for the faint of heart, especially if you are alone. The tent, poles and stakes weigh about 110 lbs. It takes two people about 30 minutes to set it up, and an hour or so to set it up alone. Most of my camping is setting up for several days in the same spot, so it's worth the time.

 

[grubworm]

i have two boys that camp with me and i did TWO ground tents when they were younger...i gave them their own tent a couple feet away so i'm right there and they can feel more "independent" having their own tent and they can eat and drink in there and i don't have to deal with a sticky tent with spilled drink and chocolate mashed in the tent floor. i also sleep better not having them next to me worming around all night. just a thought, it worked well for me and the oldest is in college now and the youngest is about to graduate so they did make it. now they go on trips with me and they have their own tents...and yes, they are still as messy

i just use the 2-3 person tents and they go and down real quick and take up little space