tents

[KBScobravert]

Why hike in when you can 4whl in? I am trying to talk the wife into one of these.

http://cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=94&s=594&c=&id=117

Seriously though, you can never have enough tents. Weather and mood will always dictate.

Hammock and tarp

Hell simple tarps and some 550 cord work great. I have slept in nice weather all the way to SHITTY weather under nothing more than a tarp for minimalist camping.

Even a pancho lean-to makes a great little shelter in the right weather (spent a week on Texoma under this alone).

2 person pop up (x2 if you want to sleep 3-4. plus it divides the weight if you are hiking it in)

How far you plan on hiking in, you should always remember, ounces equals pounds and pounds equal pain.

[ceyko]

Target used to sell a 2 person Kelty for about 50 or 60 dollars in store. Wish I had bought more than the 1 I got, I love it for TX type camping. (i.e. not severe, but does have rain bib that works okay)

Alone it takes me 10 minutes to set it up, staked and bib. My buddy has the 200+ dollar version and there ARE difference, but it's still a quality tent for the price. It's worth looking at Target for it. I feel like it is closer to 125 dollar tent for the price.

[KBScobravert]

GP Medium

This is what I live in right now. Pretty fucking swanky. Glad I didn't have to put it up. The new Alaskan line of modular (Harvest Falcon) camps are much fucking nicer though.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

I have been sleeping in Serra Designs tents for the last 20 years or so, haven't let me down yet. Camellias bargain cave have some decent deals on hue hem now and again. Campmor is normally my first stop though.

[talisman]

Any specific suggestions for something that will hold a queen air mattress, a folding chair, a dog bed, and have a few feet to move around in? Something tall, that someone who is 6'3 can stand up in, but doesn't take an hour to put together and is easily transported and light?

[dsrtuckteezy]

man, yall werent kidding. some of these tents are 500 upwards to a few grand.

i think that is way overkill for what i want to do though.

[ceyko]

Any specific suggestions for something that will hold a queen air mattress, a folding chair, a dog bed, and have a few feet to move around in? Something tall, that someone who is 6'3 can stand up in, but doesn't take an hour to put together and is easily transported and light?

I was going to gather a link or two until the last sentence.

What is light? Most of those big tents are much easier with 2 people putting them together as well. I'd start with coleman brand for that sort of thing.

[ceyko]

man, yall werent kidding. some of these tents are 500 upwards to a few grand.

i think that is way overkill for what i want to do though.

For back packing I'd go no bigger than a 2 person tent. Everything will fit in there since you won't have much anyway since you're backpacking.

What I talked about up above is a good tent. However, the extra costs do have some value so I'd research them a little more just to be sure you want a cheaper tent. I knew I'd only be camping in TX, with access to a car if it got really bad...etc...etc.

If you're going to be out in the middle of no where and a big storm comes along - you want the best odds you can have while in your tent. Speaking from experience it is a great feeling knowing your tent will hold in a bad storm and just the opposite when in a crap tent.

I have a better tent (larger though too) for colder camping and if I were doing any real hiking with any chance of storms I'd upgrade to a 2 person tent in the 200-400 dollar range. Not due to weight, but due to waterproofing and overall build quality.

I'm also a fan of minimalist camping as mentioned before. In my old age though, I get paranoid of snakes so I like to be able to zip up my sleeping area.

[KBScobravert]

Any specific suggestions for something that will hold a queen air mattress, a folding chair, a dog bed, and have a few feet to move around in? Something tall, that someone who is 6'3 can stand up in, but doesn't take an hour to put together and is easily transported and light?

You need to go with a RTT like the link I posted.

I am looking to do a Leer camper shell with a Thule frame to hold a RTT. Dogs can sleep in the bed of the truck if we don't get one with a vestibule bottom floor.

I was going to gather a link or two until the last sentence.

What is light? Most of those big tents are much easier with 2 people putting them together as well. I'd start with coleman brand for that sort of thing.

We used to have a HUGE Coleman family tent when I was a kid. Took 30 minutes at least to assemble and weighed every bit of 50pounds. Had the color coded poles that you had to put together.

I am trying to get our family back into camping again. When I was a kid we camped at least once a month either with Scouts or on our own.

[ceyko]

I am trying to get our family back into camping again. When I was a kid we camped at least once a month either with Scouts or on our own.

If I'm being honest, besides enjoying the time it seems like the only family activity that keeps families together. Well, camping, fishing, hunting and the other outdoors stuff.

I think it teaches way more lessons than going to six flags and all the other drama/unnecessarily expensive places. My kids are only 4 y/o, but I take them fishing any chance I get. Here later this month or early next I'm doing my first camping trip with them. GRANTED, it is only in the back yard but I have about 2 acres - so it'll be a little away from the house, with the legendary camp fire, sleeping bags and a tent.

Either way, it feels like most people have no appreciation for nature because they never put themselves out there to enjoy it. Too afraid of being dirty, cold, hot, wet or whatever - but mostly those are only small parts of a trip if prepared properly. I'll quit babbling, getting tired and rambling.

[95ragtop]

Hammocks and tents have pros and cons:
Hammocks are smaller, lighter, and don't need a sleeping pad, but you need trees and don't have as much room for your gear.
Tents are usually larger and more spacious, but take up more space in your bag and you might have to carry a sleeping pad.
The Eno hammocks posted up are great but I really recommend the rain fly and bug net to go with it. I use a Hennesy Hammock, it was $170 at REI, expensive but is a great hammock with an integrated bug net and hammock.

It all depends on where you're going and your needs. Look around on craigslist and ebay for stuff that is NIB.

[talisman]

I was going to gather a link or two until the last sentence.

What is light? Most of those big tents are much easier with 2 people putting them together as well. I'd start with coleman brand for that sort of thing.

Maybe 20 pounds? I want something that I can put together myself somewhat easily, as I am liable to light out for the territories at a moments notice sometimes by myself.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

Any specific suggestions for something that will hold a queen air mattress, a folding chair, a dog bed, and have a few feet to move around in? Something tall, that someone who is 6'3 can stand up in, but doesn't take an hour to put together and is easily transported and light?

Holiday inn is your best bet.

[talisman]

Holiday inn is your best bet.

I prefer Motel 8.

[ceyko]

Maybe 20 pounds? I want something that I can put together myself somewhat easily, as I am liable to light out for the territories at a moments notice sometimes by myself.

With all those specifications, I'd invest in a 2-3 person tent. Plenty of room for you, dog and your junk. Most have a vestibule (sorry, not sure how to spell and in a rush) that you can store other things on.

20 pounds won't happen with the larger/tall/roomier tents. They are strong-ish tents, but nothing lightweight about them at all.