After last year one of our coolers that we have had for about 15 years finally died. It can't hold temp anymore, leaks, and handles are broken. Therefore, I am on the look out for a new one. Other than craigslist, I was checking out sites for clearance deals. While I have yet to find a good 150qt cooler that is with in our price range and won't fall to bits, I did find some other cool things. I thought this post could be a good place to post any good camping stuff deals we see, since we are not long from faire.
As my camp already has 2 canopys, these didn't work for us but I thought some of the clans might be interested.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Agadez-20-Person-10-Room-Tunnel-Tent/23657581 (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Agadez-20-Person-10-Room-Tunnel-Tent/23657581)a 34x17x7 tent
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-14-Person-3-Room-Vacation-Home-Cabin-Tent/34136715 (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-14-Person-3-Room-Vacation-Home-Cabin-Tent/34136715) 33x 12.5x15 tent
Damn...that 20 man tent could be turned into a Rennie hotel! :o :D
*or a Japanese Love Motel* ;)
When I saw that I could see a clan buy one, send their scouts out to pitch it to land grab. Then as people show up, they hang up their divider, and set up their room. Worst case they are private dressing rooms. Considering it is only $300 down from 500, and can do site to store. Not a bad deal for a clan.
Here's something that is pretty cool, and would be a great set-up for Ren Camping. I stumbled across it the other day looking for small camping items.
Unfortuntely, they are pretty pricey...........cha ching cha ching.
http://www.coolthings.com/campa-all-terrain-trailer/ (http://www.coolthings.com/campa-all-terrain-trailer/)
Now if i wasn't worried about money...
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=4x4+Off+Road+Motorhome&FORM=VIRE6#view=detail&mid=13B274EBB8F028D378A513B274EBB8F028D378A5 (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=4x4+Off+Road+Motorhome&FORM=VIRE6#view=detail&mid=13B274EBB8F028D378A513B274EBB8F028D378A5)
Or
http://theawesomer.com/dunkel-luxury-4x4-rv/18334/ (http://theawesomer.com/dunkel-luxury-4x4-rv/18334/)
;) ;D
Sorry, off topic...back to affordable gear. Unless I hit the Lotto, don't see myself rolling up in one of those rigs. ;)
I was quite impressed with Rani's blow up tent, last year... It survived the Rennado in pretty good order, if I remember right...
Fraser, we can all dream shop from time to time. But affordable camping stuff is always a cool find.
Another good find. When you are Target check out their coolers. Some of them are including them in their "70% off Summer Patio" promotion. I found a REALLY nice 100 quart cooler that was normally $60 but got it for $17.50 + tax. If there had been more than one we would have bought more.
This promotion is also including some of their solar yard light, bbq tools, and some fire pit stuff. If you are in the market for some items for camp site stuff, it might be worth a look.
My biggest issue has been finding the perfect tent under, say, $200, that has about 90-120 square footage, AND an interior center height over 72". I've found a few (Eureka Copper Canyon 6, Coleman has a few, but the rainflys are always back-ordered)....still haven't found that 'perfect' one yet.
bat ninja,
It is Dicks sporting goods summer closeout sale, and I was checking prices, and found these.
when I was looking for coolers I saw these.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4109855&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395 (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4109855&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395) 91 sq. 72" ceiling.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=37781116&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395 (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=37781116&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395) 114 sq ft, 74" height
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16177226&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395 (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16177226&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395) 100sq ft, 72" height
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33116996&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395 (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33116996&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395) 120 sq ft 72" height
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12282953&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395 (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12282953&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395) 96 sw ft, 76" height
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21522376&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395 (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21522376&lmdn=Tent+Type&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.12669395) 120sft, 80" height.
These are just a few of the ones that they have under "All tents> $100-200"
Very nice! I'd been searching the wrong places, I guess!
my wife doesnt care for tents so this was my solution. So this is the only way i could get her to camp. Granted it was more costly than a tent.
Any good suggestions for a smallish fire pits. we purchased a propane one but i still think i like the a wood fire better.
(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn308/prothos/foursquare_photo_tmp_camera_zps412bc14c.jpg) (http://s307.photobucket.com/user/prothos/media/foursquare_photo_tmp_camera_zps412bc14c.jpg.html)
A few years ago, I bought a portable, collapsible firepit from Target:
http://www.target.com/p/threshold-round-folding-fire-pit/-/A-12932168#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=folding+firepit (http://www.target.com/p/threshold-round-folding-fire-pit/-/A-12932168#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=folding+firepit)
It conveniently rides behind the front seat of the truck!
And I may have found my new tent!
http://www.gigatent.com/itemdetail.asp?mod=FT%20054 (http://www.gigatent.com/itemdetail.asp?mod=FT%20054)
(http://www.gigatent.com/images/FT054l.jpg)
Quote from: batninja on August 08, 2014, 08:59:33 AM
A few years ago, I bought a portable, collapsible firepit from Target:
http://www.target.com/p/threshold-round-folding-fire-pit/-/A-12932168#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=folding+firepit (http://www.target.com/p/threshold-round-folding-fire-pit/-/A-12932168#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=folding+firepit)
It conveniently rides behind the front seat of the truck!
Thats about the size of the propane one i have. nice and portable.
Thanks
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on August 03, 2014, 08:01:26 AM
Sorry, off topic...back to affordable gear. Unless I hit the Lotto, don't see myself rolling up in one of those rigs. ;)
I was quite impressed with Rani's blow up tent, last year... It survived the Rennado in pretty good order, if I remember right...
Fraser, it did a great job of weathering the storm, with only a momentary dip to one side from the gale force winds, which I simply reached up and pushed back where it belonged. That was the only time it moved, really, while several other tents around us were blown down... or completely away! The inflatable legs are strong and sturdy, and it sets up in under 15 minutes, easily. My daughter pumps up the legs with the included pump, and it doesn't move after it's set. The construction is sound, and there were no leaks, even when tents were flooding all around us. We are definitely happy with it, and expect it to last us for several years!
Here's (http://www.walmart.com/ip/24806266?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227018650040&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40969822952&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78912885752&veh=sem) a link to it on Amazon for slightly less than what we paid... and no shipping fee!
Great demo video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-athSHwl14Y), also... although this one is several feet smaller than ours. They come in a few different sizes.
Rani, the link for the tent took me to Walmart, not Amazon, but I have the name now and can check Amazon.
Thanks.
I almost pulled the trigger on the same one you got, Rani but it was new boots or the tent. I went with the boots, this year... Next year it's at the top of my "need for Faire" list. I like having a big tent but they are b*tch to set up by yourself. That tent could be set up blind drunk, in the dark, by one person...
I went to Academy a couple days ago and they had a nice stock of tents on clearance along with other camping gear. Also I have found some good used and brand new camping equipment on Craigslist.
Walmart had their normally $60 Coleman 2 burner camp cook stove for $38.99 if any one needs one.
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on August 10, 2014, 08:31:28 AM
I almost pulled the trigger on the same one you got, Rani but it was new boots or the tent. I went with the boots, this year... Next year it's at the top of my "need for Faire" list. I like having a big tent but they are b*tch to set up by yourself. That tent could be set up blind drunk, in the dark, by one person...
Ah, but could it be set up blind drunk, in the dark, by one person on a StudMuffin?
I suspect an experiment in the offing...... (I too liked Rani's tent)
Sorry, Polly! It was the same price on both Amazon and Walmart, and I had the Amazon link in there first, but then I changed it to Walmart because they had the no-cost-ship-to-store option, and Amazon doesn't do that. I just forgot to change the store name! Oops... :-[
Fraser... I think you'd really like it! We LOVE our tent, and yes, I agree... it's almost too easy to set up, and it barely feels like camping, without the usual struggle! LOL It's almost like cheating... :D heheh
Keeper... I'm guessing you might want to be just ever so slightly LESS than blind drunk if you're setting this tent up while you're riding SM... unless, of course, he is in charge! ;)
Stitch, that's a really nice price for the Coleman stove! I wish I had it extra right now... I'd go pick one up tomorrow! I haven't been able to add any new camping gear this year, but we got quite a bit last year, so I don't feel too very deprived. What I would really like, though, is some camping furniture. We managed to lose our chairs down at TRF a few years ago, and so far we haven't replaced them. I would really like the ones that have the rigid folding frame, with the seat that is more straight across, instead of the usual ones that are more like a sling. Those always bother my legs, and just aren't very comfortable in general. I like the "director's chair" ones, also, though... so I'm trying to decide between the two, for when it's time to buy.
http://m.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mountain-Mojo-Cot&i=760896 (http://m.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mountain-Mojo-Cot&i=760896)
Came across this looking for camping cots. Pretty significant mark down/sale right now if anyone is looking for nice cot. I'm looking at them cause I'm tired of dealing with air mattresses.
Ooh, that looks super comfortable!!!
It does look nice... but Teach posted one the other day on FB that is absolutely HUGE, and not much more money. It's made by Teton (http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/TETON-Sports-Outfitter-XXL-Cot/productDetail/Cots/prod9999008374/cat100850), and looks just about big enough to get lost on! :o
Two of our "large mammal" friends have gotten these for TRF. They worked amazingly. Other friends have taken theirs to Pensic and has worked great.
They look amazing! I saw a photo of Lady Trinn reclining on one, and she could stretch her arms all the way over her head without any parts of her hanging over the edges... and Teach was even shorter than the cot, as well! Their cat friend seems to think a lot of them, as well, and has apparently claimed one as his own already... lol
Do you happen to have a link to the one Teach posted?
Tink, tap on Teton on Rani's post. Kinda hard to see, but it's a link and it works.
I've looked at both of those cots and both of them have strong points. The Teton is huge, VERY sturdy, and comes at a great price. The Mojo is more comfortable, has multiple adjustments, but comes in at a higher cost. One thing is for sure, neither one will deflate at 3 in the morning leaving you laying on the hard ground. >:(
Oh! Thank you, RenStarr! :)
That looks pretty awesome!
Question for you cot experts- I froze last year on my air mattress because it was holding all that cold air underneath me when I was trying to sleep. Is the cold air thing still an issue with a cot, since it's off the ground where air can circulate underneath?
Tink, I always bring carpets for under our air mattresses, and layer an extra sleeping bag on top, for exactly that reason. If you insulate them on both sides then the air inside doesn't get as cold. Oh... I also use a 2" memory foam topper, as well, and bring my regular bedding from home plus extra. Makes everything nice and cozy!
We used a memory Foam topper. Some of our friends just do a sleeping bag under them then get cheap flannel sheets ( we got ours at an after Christmas sale- ugly but warm) Best thing we had was a Down comforter. Great for snuggling.
Speaking of under the airmatress or tent floors, There was recently a deal of the day item that was the foam square mats for kids rooms or under exercise equipment. Keep an eye out for those on clearance or on sale. I have seen them at Target, Walmart and lowes in the flooring section.
To give you a 3 of 3, yes the air in an air mattress will get cold and penetrate your bones if you don't have insulation between you and the top of the air mattress. We also use mattress topper foam on ours. We go one step further and place compressed foam sleeping mats between the top of the mattress and the foam topper. Then come the flannel sheets and as Lady Stitch said, a down comforter just can't be beat on those cold nights for cuddling under.
The upside of cots is the newly available storage space that they create. A lot of space is wasted with a mattress on the ground. As soon as you put the mattress up on the cots you gain a bunch of space under the bed for storage. We place our garb bins under the bed as well as the bags that the tent and poles are stored in.
I keep forgetting about the virtues of flannel sheets in the wintertime. I'm adding those to my shopping list.
Thanks for all the great info./ ideas. I just remembered that we have a memory foam mattress topper on the guest bed (it's not gonna' be on there during TRF! LOL)
I've been looking at the full/queen size cots for a while now, just because I don't want to give up my queen size air mattress... but they are kind of pricey. Maybe one of these days there will be a really good sale on them, and I'll have money at the same time... (VERY wishful thinking...)
The Year of the Fires, since we couldn't use various types of heating, Nasty and I came up with something. We took five buckets...drilled a hole in the bottom of each...five round headed bolts & wingnuts...and a 4x8' sheet of plywood. When assembled(Bolting one bucket to a corner, through the plywood, & one in the middle) we put our air mattresses on top. It was nice to be able to swing your legs off and just stand up instead of the " Oh-God-I-got-to-go-but-can-'t-get-the-hell-up-cause-I'm-still-half-drunk*. Of course, at the time, i had a eight man tent for just myself, so space wasn't an issue... my queen size air mattress fit perfectly and there was a huge storage/air space under it. I was using an electric heater so i set it to blow under the platform and a couple of handwarmers tossed into my bedding and all was good. ;D
I saw this a few days ago at Academy, I think:
http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Products-Washn-Compact-Gallon/dp/B000FIC6R2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1408637890&sr=1-1&keywords=wash+n+go+sink (http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Products-Washn-Compact-Gallon/dp/B000FIC6R2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1408637890&sr=1-1&keywords=wash+n+go+sink)
I don't think I'd ever use it, but it might be handy for some. It's got a clean water stopper that allows fresh water into the bowl. When you're done, open the dirty water stopper and the sink empties. Nifty design!
Fraser, I've thought about doing that quite a few times... except the logistics of loading and hauling a 4'x8' sheet of plywood always gives me pause. I'm sure it could be worked out with that in sections, somehow, but I'm not sure it would have quite the same sturdiness. For years, though, I have wanted to build one of these:
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10610525_10203636703910545_69712691636506663_n.jpg?oh=693017482b38f5997963047abfca6a7e&oe=5476CAF1)
Maybe a shorter version, just so the pieces would fit more easily in the back of the van (although the canopy would allow draping that would hold in extra heat at night)... with 3 - 26" x 60" sheets of 1" plywood laid down in place of slats, and an air mattress on top. These were originally Viking rope beds, but those are just a pain to tighten every time you want to try and sleep, and they take forever to lace. This bed could be pretty easily packed/unpacked and assembled in camp, and break down pretty small for the trip home. It's 16 mortise-and-tenon joins, a few pegs and a couple of router channels to slip the plywood slats into.
Now, if only I had the necessary tools...
It could be done with smaller boards instead of one piece of ply wood. If the top of the side rails were notched with six inch wide by one and three-quarter deep noches, you could bring 2x6 boards with you and lay them across without fear of them slipping.
I was suggesting 3 pieces of 2ft-2in wide 1" thick plywood, instead of a single sheet. Otherwise that would be a lot of 2x6's, which would take up a lot of room. I think you would need enough to make a solid base (so the plastic air mattress doesn't get pushed down through the open spaces), which could be done with the plywood (covered with a blanket to keep splinters away), with less overall weight and space needed to haul. We're in a mini-van, so space is at a premium. For those of you who have a trailer and something to pull it with, though... however you envision it is what would ultimately work best! :)
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on August 17, 2014, 11:48:27 PM
It does look nice... but Teach posted one the other day on FB that is absolutely HUGE, and not much more money. It's made by Teton (http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/TETON-Sports-Outfitter-XXL-Cot/productDetail/Cots/prod9999008374/cat100850), and looks just about big enough to get lost on! :o
Cabela's was having a big sale this week, so I went and hand a nosey around. I talked to the guy in the camp cots area. The adjustable one that someone posted about they said was their most returned cot. It wasn't that it didn't do it's job, it was that the screw that allowed you to adjust the tilt of the bed can easily be turned so much it comes undone. If it is undone it causes the cot to loose tention, and Kabbom!
What he did recomend is the Cabel's version of the Teton. A thing theirs has is a lever that allows you to get that last cross bar into place instead of sitting on the floor and tugging. At 40 " wide it is the best bet he had on the floor. They had them on sale for $100 vs $130 regular.
Oh, nice! I wish I had the extra cash right now! Hopefully someone on here will be able to take advantage of your info!
Well I for sure have to find a new tent...again.... I just bought a new one last year...actually two. I am sure Rani remembers but I had a new one and then the Ren-ado hit and mine broke so then I returned their defective product for a new one and that one was stolen. boo :-[ So now I need one for this year!
April, what size are you looking for and what's your budget? I've been staring at websites for new tents for three weeks... :D
Your tent was stolen at TRF?
I've been hemming and hawing on which tent to bring actually. I've got the cheapie Coleman which isn't great in any sort of rough weather and then I've got the Kirkham which can withstand most anything short of a full on tornado. I definitely don't want to bring the good tent and have that wander off while I'm in faire.
The RenNado of AHE, 2013 put a lot of people's tents to the test. Ask what's left of my paraglider...err... i mean my EZ-Up... ;D
Frey... it's always a good idea to find a group or clan to camp with, for exactly that reason. There is usually someone in camp at any given hour, and they will usually keep an eye out for folks they don't recognize... especially if they are loading up a campsite in the middle of the day while everyone else is in Faire!
April Marie, where were you camped when your tent was stolen?!? I don't recall hearing about that... :o I do definitely recall the RenNado fiasco, however... and was so very thankful that we spent the extra for the tent we have now! It's the best one we've EVER owned, and I look forward to MANY happy years of use!
That's part of the problem for us I guess Rani.. Still getting to know folks so we don't really have anyone to ask at this point without feeling like that "hey, how do I join your clan? I wanna join your clan!" guy. :)
Frey, we camp on our own also and so far haven't had any issues. I make sure anything important is locked up or hidden (alcohol included) and we have enough stuff in our huge tent that it isn't likely to walk off easily. We like to camp right off the walkway into faire so our tent is very visible, its not tucked away in a corner.
Good thought Tril. :)
lol, anyone looking in our tent is gonna find air mattresses, storage bins, and clothes sprawled everywhere. Our tent is approx 10 x 20 so it isn't walking away easily!! Our cooler doesn't hold anything of interest either. We learned long ago to hide alcohol, I don't want to be responsible for minors stealing it. ::)
Quote from: FreyBjorn on August 30, 2014, 10:37:20 AM
That's part of the problem for us I guess Rani.. Still getting to know folks so we don't really have anyone to ask at this point without feeling like that "hey, how do I join your clan? I wanna join your clan!" guy. :)
Come to the daily R/F Meet & Greet... A lot of us are members of one clan or another and It's a good way to put face to a name. We meet at Indulgence, just before the Death March. There's usually a large crowd of us on the Big Three...especially All Hallows'.
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on August 31, 2014, 11:54:14 AM
Come to the daily R/F Meet & Greet... A lot of us are members of one clan or another and It's a good way to put face to a name. We meet at Indulgence, just before the Death March. There's usually a large crowd of us on the Big Three...especially All Hallows'.
Thanks! :)
Quote from: FreyBjorn on September 01, 2014, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on August 31, 2014, 11:54:14 AM
Come to the daily R/F Meet & Greet... A lot of us are members of one clan or another and It's a good way to put face to a name. We meet at Indulgence, just before the Death March. There's usually a large crowd of us on the Big Three...especially All Hallows'.
Thanks! :)
Yes, definitely what Fraser said. Getting to know folks isn't too difficult, as long as you're friendly and willing to introduce yourselves! There are R/F pins that help us identify each other, as well... and that gives folks a little extra reassurance when meeting new members, also. It's not mandatory, of course, but it's just one more way of saying "hey, I'm one of you"! :) You can find the link to the pins here in the forums. I'd search it for you, but I'm sick right now, and not up to much more than this post, at the moment. Hope we get to meet you sometime! I doubt we'll be able to make the journey down this year, though... unfortunately. Next time, maybe! :)
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on September 02, 2014, 10:31:42 PM
Quote from: FreyBjorn on September 01, 2014, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on August 31, 2014, 11:54:14 AM
Come to the daily R/F Meet & Greet... A lot of us are members of one clan or another and It's a good way to put face to a name. We meet at Indulgence, just before the Death March. There's usually a large crowd of us on the Big Three...especially All Hallows'.
Thanks! :)
Yes, definitely what Fraser said. Getting to know folks isn't too difficult, as long as you're friendly and willing to introduce yourselves! There are R/F pins that help us identify each other, as well... and that gives folks a little extra reassurance when meeting new members, also. It's not mandatory, of course, but it's just one more way of saying "hey, I'm one of you"! :) You can find the link to the pins here in the forums. I'd search it for you, but I'm sick right now, and not up to much more than this post, at the moment. Hope we get to meet you sometime! I doubt we'll be able to make the journey down this year, though... unfortunately. Next time, maybe! :)
To the pins and other RF.com items:
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php/board,90.0.html (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php/board,90.0.html)
Thanks all! :)
Found THIS (http://www.cruiserlift.com/wackyshack.html) today...may have to look into it.
Quote from: LadyJessica on September 29, 2014, 10:20:43 PM
Found THIS (http://www.cruiserlift.com/wackyshack.html) today...may have to look into it.
Hmmm...
Quote from: LadyJessica on September 29, 2014, 10:20:43 PM
Found THIS (http://www.cruiserlift.com/wackyshack.html) today...may have to look into it.
That's freakin awesome - I have to share that with the clan