Patron's Campgrounds - Multiple topics

[mpullen]

Okay, I'll repeat on the campgrounds Facebook page, breaking into topics, so that manageent can see to responses on each topic. Here, it's easier to see the history of responses:

A. Consider the Raver tent by the bonfire gone. They received their third noise restriction (exceeding 85 dB at 10 ft) violation Saturday evening and were told to shutdown and pack-up and not come back.

B. A few other noisy (loud amplified music) camps were also noted, but not warned, as they reduced the noise quickly. Now that the largest problem (The Ravers) have been eliminated, we will start looking at the other noise violaters.

C. I made several tours Saturday. There were a handful of coolers setting outside tents. This is an invitation to theft. I observed one car with four teenage individuals driving around the campgrounds (starting in the Family/Quiet area) at a slow speed. Police were informed and made sure they didn't do any "shopping".

D. Generators - Two generators were stolen this weekend. It may be that they were noisy generators and the neighbors took exception and moved them to the woods. No matter what, it's theft. Please attach your generators to a hard anchor (trailer hitch, tree, etc) using a hardened steel chain. Use a hardened steel lock that doesn't have a visible hasp (the narrow area) that can be cut with a bolt cutter.

E. Okay, we received some rain this weekend that devastated some tents. How about some feedback: If you had a tent that the rain/wind destroyed, what manufacturer/model? If you tent survived, same thing. We do not endorse any product, but it would be nice to provide info to any present or future campers as to what products survive the best.

[*Teach*]

I tent camp and have generally found the Coleman tents the longest lasting.
My first tip is "don't go cheap". I know it's a dent to the wallet but the cheaper the tent (in general of course) the less chance of it lasting a season.
The bigger tips is tarping. Always have on for under the tent but bring a second large tarp for over the top. If its nice, don't bother throwing it over but on a stormy weekend it is extra protection against the elements. Also on a cold night it helps keep in the warm.
Stakes are another thing to spend a little on. The tiny ones or plastic ones  that come with most tents are good for a nice weekend but useless against serious winds.

*a spare rum tent is a nice touch also*

[PollyPoPo]

Re:  Tents

Wasn't at TRF this weekend, but my Coleman Evanston has stood against the rains, winds, and freezing temperatures at Sherwood in February and March past two years where the tent was left up entire season.

Second Teach's recommendations about tarps, under tent floor, on top of tent floor for extra padding, and on top between tent and rain fly to stop water from coming in.  Rain fly works for light sprinkles, but not real rain.  Last season at Sherwood the only water I had inside was a tiny bit dripping through the mesh where I didn't get the roof tarps quite aligned.

We always buy heavier metal stakes and if expecting high winds, add more stakes where needed (some to hold tarps in position). 

All this adds more to what has to be brought in.  Worth it if rains or winds come around or if tent is left up for a longer period of time.

The more domed top tents seemed to handle the rain better than the ones that are more squarish from what I saw at Sherwood.  My tent is 12x12 with 6' center height, domed. 

[Valeria Skyye]

Okay, I'll repeat on the campgrounds Facebook page, breaking into topics, so that manageent can see to responses on each topic. Here, it's easier to see the history of responses:

A. Consider the Raver tent by the bonfire gone. They received their third noise restriction (exceeding 85 dB at 10 ft) violation Saturday evening and were told to shutdown and pack-up and not come back.

B. A few other noisy (loud amplified music) camps were also noted, but not warned, as they reduced the noise quickly. Now that the largest problem (The Ravers) have been eliminated, we will start looking at the other noise violaters.

Thank You TRF!!! I may actually venture over by the bonfire next weekend!!!

[xed]

A) THANK YOU

E) We got a brand new Coleman Hampton tent this year (HUGE!!!!), and with a coat of silicone sealant spray, it only let in very negligible amounts of water.



Also, I'd like to note that around midnight on Saturday night, we had a man with a drum wander hurriedly through our campsite.  He stood motionless in the dark near our neighbors' tent while we watched (assuming he was with them), and soon he walked behind my own tent and ducked down, at which point I approached him and told him he needed to move on.  He walked along the tree line to the south.  I'm not at all sure what he was doing, other than squatting behind my tent with some sort of hand drum.
Very weird, had trouble sleeping after that, and I'm really glad I was awake when he came through.  This took place around B-9.

[Autumn Blaize]

We are camping this weekend for the first time this season but last year Celtic Christmas we almost floated away!
We bought a bigger tent this year and have used camp dry to seal it. That being said if it rains enough any tent will leak. Our friend had a great idea though. Last year same weekend they had an extra tarp over the rainfly, it still leaked. Please understand there was LOTS of rain that night. After thinking about what we can do about it we realized that tents and tarps are made the same. It is a very tight weave pattern. So this year we are looking for sheets of plastic to put over the rainfly. This way it has no weak seams, no matter how small. We will see what happens!

I am so happy the ravers are gone! Looking forward to a camping weekend like years past!! I really need it! I have heard great things about camping from everyone in my clan this year and after the issues and theft we had last year that means a ton to me!

This year we are also planning on keeping our cooler inside our locked van, along with our camp stove, lantern and anything else that is of value or might look inviting. Last year my staff was stolen and while it was free to me, my brother made it for me, it was personal and said my fair name..but someone thought it looked cool so they grabbed it. Just be sure to think about garb when securing your camp area! I sure didn't.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Concerning Tents: Tent materials have gotten cheaper and cheaper over the years.  Blame who you want. The point is, if you want a reliable tent, you are going to pay for it.  New, well made tents, will come with a very good weather proof coating.  It will typically last a good couple of seasons of faire if treated well.  That means not rolling up your tent wet and sticking it in the attic until next season.  That's no bueno.

Echoing others, Coleman makes really good tents.  Walmart does not carry anything of Quality.  The budget minded should follow Teach's advice and pick up extra tarps.  I've seen brand new tents from walmart leak like sieves.

Remember, your enjoyment in the campground is basically going to come down to how comfortable you are.  Save up as long as you can to reach that level of comfort that will keep you happy out in camp.  We like happy campers (o:

[Bonny Pearl]

Wow that is great news regarding the ravers Mike!  Perhaps the drum circle will be a fun place to visit again soon.  We went by there on Friday of opening and some guy was doing backflips off of the logs.  We didn't stay long as I didn't want to witness someone breaking their neck.    Haven't ventured out there again but we will swing by this weekend to check things out.

[PollyPoPo]

We are camping this weekend for the first time this season but last year Celtic Christmas we almost floated away! ... So this year we are looking for sheets of plastic to put over the rainfly. This way it has no weak seams, no matter how small. We will see what happens!...

.

Home Depot/Lowe's/McCoy's, etc., carry the plastic sheeting.  I use the heavier (6mil I think), black as a ground cover, doubled.  It lasts a couple seasons, but it is thinner than tarps.  If you use it for rain overhead, you'll need to put it under a rain fly or figure a way to fasten it down as it comes on a roll and does not have grommets for tying down. 

[Lord Virgo]

I just got a Coleman Elite Weatherman for this year.  I cannot wait to use it.  Thanks for the update Mike and for all you do.  Drink from the Horn!!!

[mpullen]

On a related note:

Do you know the mountaneering method of staking?

Normal method is the run the tent rope down to a stake that is slightly tilted away. With a heavy load (wind) on the rope, the stake may get pulled out. Of course, if you are using 4 ft long rebar or corkscrew stakes, then you probably won't have a problem.

For high mountain tenting, two stakes are used for each tent rope. The stakes are about 4 ft apart and a rope is run between them. The tent rope is then tied to the middle of this inter-stake rope. The loading is now near horizontal.

Plus, it gives additional things for drunks to trip over.

[Merlin the Elder]

Plus, it gives additional things for drunks to trip over.

Heheheh... I love the way you think, Mike.

[KiltedPrivateer]

On a related note:

Do you know the mountaneering method of staking?

Normal method is the run the tent rope down to a stake that is slightly tilted away. With a heavy load (wind) on the rope, the stake make get pulled out. Of course, if you are using 4 ft long rebar or corkscrew stakes, then you probably won't have a problem.

For high mountain tenting, two stakes are used for each tent rope. The stakes are about 4 ft apart and a rope is run between them. The tent rope is then tied to the middle of this inter-stake rope. The loading is now near horizontal.

Plus, it gives additional things for drunks to trip over.

Thats an excellent tip - Thanks Mike