Camping Tents | Family Tents: family camping pop-up tents

Showing posts with label family camping pop-up tents. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

does anyone plan on camping this summer?

countrybum

and what is your idea of camping?

Answer
Yes, our family plans to go camping this summer. We currently have a pop-up camper. But, we tent camped for years. Our family's idea of camping is packing up the pop-up camper and the van and heading to any one of the beautiful campgrounds (both private or State Parks) within a couple hours drive from us. We leave the TV behind and spend time taking nature walks, playing games, swimming, biking and eating delicious meals made over the campfire. We have canoe camped, spending 2 days on the river with everything we need in the canoe with us. We also have borrowed my in-laws huge motor home. Canoe camping was a little more rustic than my liking and traveling in the motor home made me sick. For our family right now, the pop-up camper is just perfect for us.

I have a tent, but no instructions.?

Luo

I was about to change my camping equipement especially my tents, I want to buy a tent for each of my 2 sons who are 14 and 16 and I was wondering what kind of tent should I get for them.
I saw these video of pop up camping tents but im not sure about them.

What do you all think about those?

Answer
If you are talking about the pop up tents (about $50) that fold flat like a gignatic frisbee, I have one. A lightweight tent - Good for weekends only.

It took some practice to get the hang of how to get it back in the bag (no joke).
They are good for someone who is biking and wants to carry a light tent. They would also work out for car camping on a weekend if you can hide in your car in case of really, really bad weather.

I actually set mine up inside a large family tent (tent in a tent) to stay warm when overnight temps dropped below freezing. It worked, but then the zippers on the family size tent starting failing and I upgraded my big tent and have not used the small tent since. So I can't comment on how well they hold up in normal use.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Instant up tent comfortable?

Has anyone used the Coleman "Instant Up Tent " ?
It is a new product in their lineup.
Six months ago a small vendor was displaying a fairly durable and expensive line of tents at Costco that look similar in design to the new Coleman Instant Up Tent. I have been trying to find them on the internet, but to no avail.
The Coleman product is cheaper but clearly is not made of the same materials.
My camping tents have been the 3 season quictent 2 man 1 room tent. I gave it to my son and now I wish I had it back.
My last boating/tent trip we got caught in fowl weather the last 2 days. I set up my Quick Shade canopy over my tent and we stayed dry but it took two structures to do that.
Hoping for experiences with an instant up tent.
http://www.quictents.com/peaktop/2-3man-pop-up-camping-tent.html

Answer
My friend is using peaktop family tent, a valuable tent,easy to set up and portable.
We used an "instant up" tent for a few years and enjoyed it. The rain fly was not great but we live in the desert so didn't much care. I could never get the hang of twisting it "just so" to get it back into its bag but my wife as adept at it. The biggest gripe I had was that when it was stowed it was still bigger than I liked; not convenient for stowing in a car's trunk but ok for a pickup bed. When our last one got worn we just bought a regular rectangular tent.

custer state park camping SD.??

Mommyof2pr

at custer it says you pay a fee per camping unit.. it says a camping unit is vehicle, motor home, camper, tent. etc.. So IF we bring a camper and our car. will they charge us two fees. does that sound right. that doesnt sound right because that way everyone has to pay 2 fees who the heck sleeps in their car almost everyone will have a tent or pop up of some sort. also do you think if i have 3 tents that connect to each other thru little tunnels is that considered 3 tents or 1. im so confused? its sounds crazy to me.

Answer
My family and I have camped in CSP many times as well as other SD State Parks. It's my understanding you wonder if you'll have to pay for more than one vehicle and/or more than one sleeping unit. Your car or truck you arrive in is not included as a camper unit unless it's an obvious area to sleep. If you are able to park your vehicle on the parking pad, not on the grass, and pitch your tent or assemble your camper on the site you'll be fine. A tent that connects to another tent should still be defined as a "tent" not "tents". We have a pop-up and our girls enjoy the 12'x12' tent we pitch for them on the same site with no extra charges. I can't see any problems with your situation. You'll be fine. Oh. Don't worry about Rattlesnakes but keep a safe distance from the buffalo, they really are "wild". The Park will be one you'll never forget, I promise.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

custer state park camping SD.??

Mommyof2pr

what are the pros/cons of a pop-up tent camper?

Woodland H

We're considering getting one (probably a 10' for our family of 4) and just want to know what all people experience and what they regret before we buy one. Thx!

Answer
Go for it.

I've owned an 8' and 10' pop-up and a 21' hybrid camper and a Class-C RV. Unless you can afford a Class-C (both the initial purchase and ongoing storage, insurance and maintenance), a pop-up is the way to go. Comfort, storage and convenience are the main benefits of a pop-up.

In terms of comfort, you are sleeping up and off the ground on a well-padded, insulated and flat surface that you can easily get into and out of without crawling around on your hands and knees. Most pop-ups have heat and many have air conditioning. During bad weather you have a well-protected and comfortable place to hang out.

While cabinet space in a pop-up, compared to larger RV's, is limited, it is still sufficient to permanently organize and store all the reusable gear and supplies you need for a camping trip. All your kitchen and dining stuff, cleaning stuff, bedding, etc can be permanently stowed in the cabinets or under the dinette benches. Larger items such as a tabletop BBQ grill, cooler, folding table and chairs can be organized on the floor to fit when the pop-up is closed, and still leave room to add groceries and clothing just before heading out on a trip.

As for convenience, first and foremost is most pop-ups can be towed by lightweight trucks, SUV/CUV and some mid-sized cars. They are small enough that most people store them in their backyard, driveway or garage, saving lot storage fees. With adequate storage to be fully packed and ready to go (except for groceries and clothing), taking that spur of the moment trip is a breeze.

The Cons:

As compared to tent camping, the only con is you're not going to to be backwoods camping or taking it backpacking. There is some annual maintenance required, most of which can be DIY, though I prefer to have pros deal with anything involving propane.

As compared to other RV choices? The biggest disadvantage is the time setting-up the pop-up and unloading the stuff stowed on the floor before you can use the pop-up at all. This means that if you're going on a long distance trip with many short stays, setup and breakdown can be tedious. Clothing storage is a bit problematic in a pop-up, you will need to live out of your suitcases which get stowed on the bunks by day and tucked under the dinette table or on counters by night.

Some things to think about:

A front, outside storage trunk is a wonderful feature.

Unless you plan to do a lot of dispersed / dry camping, don't bother with a bathroom in a pop-up. Although it might seem nice, there's practically no privacy. That space is better used for storage and/or seating.

An outside shower is almost an essential feature. A water heater is also a nice-to-have feature, but it does eat up storage space. A portable, water heater such as Eccotemp, Camp Chef, even Zodi costs around $100 and takes up less space.

Slide-outs on a pop-up are also a mixed bag. A slide-out adds significant weight and, when closed, steals valuable floor space. Most of the time you'll only be in the pop-up when sleeping or to escape bad weather. Having a few extra square feet of floor space when the slide is out does not make up for the lost storage when its closed.

One awning is essential, but two awnings are better. Add a second awning to the back side of your pop-up where you can setup your dining or picnic table. This leaves the normal front-side awning for lounging and relaxation.

Consider an add-a-room or screen room. The screen room is less expensive and will help protect you from insects. An add-a-room has opaque panels with screens in them, and roll-up flaps so you can close the screens for a private, sheltered area. We've used an add-a-room with the second back-side awning and cots to sleep an extra three people in comfort and privacy.

If you have two kids make sure your camper can sleep at least 6, as your kids will usually want to bring friends or relatives along. Once boys get to be about 10-12 years old they will not want to share a bed, but girls -- even teenage girls-- have no problems sharing with a female friend or cousin.

In many pop-ups the dinette bed is less than six feet long. Try to find a model with a dinette bed that measures 72" x 48" so you can fit two full-size people.

Buy used and save a ton. Most folks only use their pop-up a few times each year. Others buy one and use it a few times, then let it sit, while a few use it once and have a change of mind or situation. Even a 10 year-old pop-up is worth considering if it has been kept and stored well.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

camping in PA, where can we go roughing it?

So a few friends and I are planning a camping trip in the first week of August. We live in western PA, so we're looking for places towards the middle of the state, and the far right side of Ohio. The whole point of the question is that we don't want any old campground. We want to be somewhere that is in deep woods, not next door to some family in a pop up. Basically a place that will let us "rough it" with lots of tent sites. Any good suggestions?

Answer
The only way you will find quiet deep woods camping in PA in the summer is if you are willing to hike at least a few miles into the forest. Anyplace you can drive up to will be occupied by others. So a place with "lots of tent sites" may be problematic if you are looking for solitude.

That said, there are many places in the Allegheny National Forest to your north and in Monongahela National Forest in WV, to your south. Both are about a 4 hour drive from Pittsburgh. The West Virginia mountains will tend to be more rugged and less populated. Due to increased logging and gas well development in the Allegheny Forest it is getting harder to find your way away from people and roads.

I've backpacked and camped extensively in both areas. As the previous answer mentioned, the PA department of Natural Resources has excellent state maps and guides on line to all the camping areas in the state. Some of the more spectacular and remote areas in WV are Cranberry Backcountry, Dolly Sods, Otter Creek and Spruce Knob and you can find info on line from the state of WV on those.

Even closer to Pittsburgh, there are nice campsites along the Laurel Highlands Trail that runs roughly north-south 50 miles to the east. And the John P. Saylor Trail near Johnstown has several loop trails with great campsite areas for multiple tents. Go on line and check the reservation requirements for any place you are headed to make sure you comply with location restrictions and that areas are not already overbooked. There are published guides to both National Forests available in outfitter shops and book stores. I recommend taking a book -- easier access than on on-line when you're beyond "civilization".

The closest really deep roadless wilderness is the Adirondacks in upstate NY.

Is there a spot in Piedmont or Oakland, CA where we could park a pop-up camp trailer while visiting family?

optimist72

Can't park in driveway or on street. We travel as campers.
We need a parking spot for the trailer, not a place to camp.

Answer
To the south (about a ten minute drive from Piedmont, and right on the southern border of Oakland) is Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The park is quite large, and provides many different spots for camping AND trailer parking (it has both, though it is a park setting. If you were hoping for somewhere within the cities to park your trailer, Piedmont won't have anything. It's a tiny city of houses, a couple of schools, a bank, and a gas station. Lovely neighborhood, but it won't have for what you're looking).

From the East Bay Regional Park website:
"Overlooking the lake is Chabot Family Campground, a year-round getaway only minutes from the city (camping fee). The camp has 75 trailer, tent, or walk-in campsites, hot showers, naturalist-led campfire programs, an amphitheater, and hiking/fishing access to Lake Chabot. There are reservable youth group campsites within the park as well. For reservations, telephone (510) 562-2267, up to 12 weeks in advance." http://www.ebparks.org/parks/anchabot.htm

There are a few trailer parks in Oakland, but I don't know if you can leave your trailer there for a bit without intention of staying.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Two small pop up tents or one large family tent?

family camping pop-up tents
on 10 Great Features of Pop-up Tent Trailers | family camping

family camping pop-up tents image

Q. Planning a camping trip with my friends. There are five of us. Should we bring two small pop up tents or a family tent? This is our first camping trip.

Answer
Car camping ? one big tent for all. back packing? two smaller tents one a two man, the other a three man and share the load.

What should I bring for a winter camping trip?

Q. I went camping three times last summer. Now I am planning a winter camping trip and I wonder what special camping equipment should I take since the weather is really cold.

Answer
Warm Winter Clothes
Some waterproof cloth are preferable for a winter camping as cloth in other materials will be easy to get wet no matter couse the snow,rain or your sweat and will take a long time to dry them. Therefore,no matter for the camping tent or wearings, wool or synthetic materials will be good choice. Whatâs more, the have to make sure the clothes you wear are easy to put off to accommdate with the changing weather or the difference in and out of the marquee. Besides the cloth you wear, the socks, Gaiters and sturdy, well-insulated boots will make you journey easier.

Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag
A well-insulated, cold-weather sleeping bag is an essential winter camping item. Most sleeping bags note on the label or somewhere on the exterior the minimum temperature they can withstand before losing heat. Bring a winter sleeping bag that will keep you warm in temperatures well below those you expect to encounter. Placing a water bottle filled with hot water will help heat up your bag as well. Always sleep on top of some kind of sleeping pad to prevent losing heat to the cold ground. Choose a mummy-style sleeping bag with a hood so that you stay covered throughout the night.

High-Caloric Balanced Foods
Caloric requirements are higher in winter because you need more energy to stay warm. Bring about 50 percent simple sugars and complex carbohydrates such as rice, bread, dried fruit, candy and cereal. About 20 percent of your food supply should be proteins like meat, fish, eggs and nuts. Thirty percent should be fats like cheese, butter, pepperoni and salami. Depending on your daily activities, youâll need to consume between 1,500 (basal metabolism) and 4,500 calories (winter backpacking). Be sure to bring ingredients for hot drinks like tea, cider or hot cocoa.

Snow-Proof Winter Tent
The choice of camping tents in the winter camping is the most important thing you have to consider as it will be the teporary shelter for you. For a winter camping, pop up tents you choose must be snow avoidable and be sturdy to surpport the dropping snow. Make you sure that the marquee tent is big enough to handle all the bulky you bring as they are much more than camping in warm weather, especilly for family camping tents. Just check all the essentials you need for camping and recheck the camping gears before start off.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Hotels in Branson missouri that are cheap?

family camping pop-up tents
on Motorcycle Tent Trailers - pop up tent campers, pop up tent trailers

family camping pop-up tents image

lisha141

My family and I are planning on going to Branson in July sometime and I was wondering what are some cheap but nice hotels around...

Answer
Better than hotels.com....Expedia.com is better.

I've been to Branson MANY times.

A good way to get CHEAP stay and show tickets is to sign up for a time-share sales presentation. Yeah, you gotta suffer through 2-hours of high-pressure sales tactics but hold your ground if your not interested and you'll still get your show tickets and cheap lodging.

If that's not your cup of tea...

Depending on where you want to go and do, EconoLodge Branson West is furthest from downtown Branson, but closer to Silver Dollar City. I paid less than $70/night...and it's not the greatest place either.

Howard Johnsons is close to downtown without being on the strip. It's high on a hill near the wax museum. I stayed there in early June a few years ago and got a room for less than $80/night and was VERY nice.

I heard Mountain music Inn is nice too. My parents stay there a lot.

The cheapest place to stay would be to camp out (pop up camper or tent) on Table Rock Lake at Baxter campgrounds.

I grew up camping on the lake; as an adult, I stay in the hotels because I don't feel like hauling all my camping gear 4.5 hours just for two nights.

As for restaurants...you can't go wrong with Ruby Tuesdays and Cracker Barrel. Dockers is a terrible place. My husband and I got sick on Thanksgiving food there. We later heard from many locals the place was bad. I think they were closed for good the last time I was in Branson

Good luck and have fun.