Let The Countdown Begin!

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Just remember to waterproof whatever tent you get.  There are some bad reviews about Nasty's tent but a couple of cans of sealer and it's fine.  They box may SAY it's waterproof but i never believe them.

[Rani Zemirah]

Oh, I know!!!    I buy a can of seam sealer every couple of years, and redo the seams before each camping season, just in case!  Some tents have a sealant on the rest of the tent material itself that can be damaged if you spray anything onto it, though, so you have to be careful about that, also.  

I've been reading all sorts of bad reviews today about almost ALL the tents I've been interested in, so far...      There are quite a few that look pretty good in the pics, but when it comes to construction and quality of materials, I'm just going to have to find a way to check them out for myself...  

I'm lusting after the Coleman Instant Tent 14 x 10, because it's so incredibly easy to put up and take down... but it has no ceiling vents, and most of the reviews say it gets too hot inside if all the windows are zipped.  (BIG drawback)

There's this Wenzel 14?10?x14? Cedar Lake Family Dome Tent w/Awning, but I can't find anything more than a single sentence review of it anywhere online, and the weather-proofing coating on it is only 600mm, instead of the recommended 1000-1500mm, so I doubt it's very weather-proof... besides, it's still essentially a dome, with slanted walls, and I'm trying to get away from that.  But still... 14 x 14!  

Another one I've been looking at is the Gigatent 3 Room 15x12 Wildcat Mountain Tent, but I've been reading nothing but horrible reviews of ALL the Gigatents today... so I'll probably stay away from all of those.  Seems the materials are low quality and the poles are too flimsy to support it in any sort of rough weather.  Lady Jessica, please read lots of reviews before you buy that other Gigatent you've been looking at!!!  

The possible exception to this is the GIGATENT 18'x12' Mt. Barren 2-4 Room Tent.  It looks like it might be made of a bit heavier construction, and it's HUGE!!!  It has almost vertical walls, so most of the space is usable, and it's well vented. Can be used as partial screen-room, as well.


Geez... waaaay too many to look at, before I ever go looking at the stores!  Just while writing this I've come across at least half a dozen more that I want to check out...  I got so carried away with looking that it took me almost an hour and a half to write this one post!    LOL  By the time I've settled on one, camping season should be over, and the end-of-season sales will be here!  

[maeven]

My husband and I are looking at tents and we are finding so many we like. We are also looking at a solar shower, which we thought was kinda cool.

[Rani Zemirah]

Well, neither Kelty nor REI make anything but dome tents, and I'm tired of having to bend down to be able to use my entire tent.  Besides, neither of them make a tent of the size I really want, anyway.  Both of them stop at 11ft for their maximum length, and that's not even close to what I want.  

Oh, and there's that whole issue of spending $500 for a freakin' TENT, as well... why spend twice the money for half the space?!?  For that I could get a Panther Pavilion, and just go period!!!    (if only...)

Besides, there are quite a few other manufacturers who offer quality construction, without asking the same prices that expedition outfitters pay.  And if we're car camping there really isn't any need for the ultra-light poles that cost 4 times what the regular ones do (and break just as easily), or 1800mm treated nylon or polyester taffeta when 1200mm will keep out anything less than a monsoon?   I seldom get to do any backpack camping these days, so why sacrifice my comfort if I don't have to?  

I WANT a really big tent... it gives me plenty of room to make it nice and homey, and have a dedicated place for garbing, and even offer shelter when someone shows up without any gear.  I always bring an extra air mattress or two, and often have unexpected guests.  I'm pretty sure I'll find excellent quality for around $200-250...    

[Rani Zemirah]

My husband and I are looking at tents and we are finding so many we like. We are also looking at a solar shower, which we thought was kinda cool.

I've got one of the solar shower bags, but I haven't use it yet.  I have used them before, though, and you should know that the water will only get nice and warm if it's nice and warm outside during the day while it's sitting out in the sun.  If it's cold out, then you'll be taking a cold shower!    However... you can always heat water and put it in there, as long as you add a bit of cool water to keep the rubber from melting.  You don't want to scald yourself, anyway.  If you get one, you should experiment with it in your own shower before using it in camp, just so you know how to work it, and how to adjust it to your needs.  

I also have a military style canvas camp shower that I found at a yard sale... the type that's open at the top, and you pour heated water into it for your shower.  I need to do some experimenting of my own, this summer...

Of course, that still leaves the matter of a shower shelter.  The little ones they sell for fairly reasonable amounts just don't seem like they would be roomy enough for my comfort, and I think I would probably start to feel kind of claustrophobic in one of them rather quickly.  I think it would probably be pretty easy to make one with PVC pipe and a couple of shower curtains, though.  The problem of the water runoff would have to be addressed, though... unless it was kind of close to the treeline, and on a very slightly downward slope... so it would just run into the trees.  Biodegradable soap and shampoo, of course...    

Of course, I'd still like to have a ladies changing pavilion, as well... and that seems like it would be very easy to set up, also.  But again... I would need a trailer to bring all the things I'd like to have available!  And just for the one weekend, as well...   

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

I camp 2 - 3 times a year and only once a year at TRF.  I'm not about to spend big bucks on something that i use that infrequently.  With a bit of preparation, my $100 tent can weather the elements as well as a $500 tent... and since i only camp in the spring & fall, all i need is a 3 season tent.


Field showers don't bother me... 1/2 a gallon over the head, some soap and the other 1/2 gallon and TA DA! I'm half arsed clean!  I can go from stinking to smelling good in under 2 minutes.  

Hot water... cold water... it's all in the mind.    

[maeven]

I remember having to take cold showers after Ike blew through... That was insane. I had to keep telling myself that it was 101 outside! lol

[Mouse]

Thursday is a very important day....

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Asteroid impact?

[crashbot]

I always did my best to find a m1 sitting at idle so I could dump a canteen of water over my head while standing behind it.

Since I don't have access to tanks anymore, a few shots of whiskey and a gallon of water does the trick.

[maeven]

It looks like someone might be spamming the boards....

[Rapier Half-Wit]

Ingrown toe nail removal?

[maeven]

Get cash fast!

[Rani Zemirah]

I camp 2 - 3 times a year and only once a year at TRF.  I'm not about to spend big bucks on something that i use that infrequently.  With a bit of preparation, my $100 tent can weather the elements as well as a $500 tent... and since i only camp in the spring & fall, all i need is a 3 season tent.

Field showers don't bother me... 1/2 a gallon over the head, some soap and the other 1/2 gallon and TA DA! I'm half arsed clean!  I can go from stinking to smelling good in under 2 minutes. 

Hot water... cold water... it's all in the mind.     

We usually camp a bit more than that, and generally for a few days at a time... but there was a time when I lived a very different kind of life than I do now, and it was a luxury to even HAVE a tent.  I'm planning to spend a rather long time next year in whatever tent I buy this time, so I want it to be comfortable, strong and durable, and protect us from the weather, as well.  So... I'll spend a bit more on it than I might, otherwise... but I'm not at all willing to spend $500!  I mean, that's the better part of my rent!!!  For that kind of money it better have a flushie AND a shower!!!   

Speaking of showers, though... it's always nice to have a bit of warm water to wash in, but there have been plenty of times when the unscented baby wipes were all that was available, and they just had to do.  I do like to be able to wash my hair, though... but I'm not at all a fan of pouring icy water on my head when it's only 38 degrees outside (well, not anymore, anyway...)!    Just not the way I want to wake up in the morning... or go to sleep at night!  Last year it got freakin' COLD at night over AHE and Celtic Christmas!!!  I didn't mind too much, but I wasn't about to pour cold water on my head, either...  Thank goodness the Scoundrels had the shower with the on-demand water heater out for AHE!  We just made do with the wipes for CC, though, and even those had to be warmed before they could be comfortably used!  LOL  I don't mind cold water when it's warm out, but when it might as well be winter I'll be damned if I'm gonna bathe in cold water when there are fire pits all over the place!  My nice big stock pot is coming with us, this year...   

Thursday is a very important day....

Sooo... are you going to tell us WHY?     

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Hot... warm... cold... it's all a mind game.  If it's cold enough, you can fool yourself into thinking it's hot...