Skip to Content
Register · Login
About Theme

A Letterboxing Community

Atlas Quest
Search Edit Search

Read Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors

Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933812 by brailleboxer
Aug 30, 2016 2:49am
Thread Board (disabled)
I have had two TTs in the past and enjoyed both. One was basically a tent on wheels w/ one pull out bunk, table and that was it. Good for one or two 'cozy' people. Easy to attach, haul and set up.
The other was a Palomino w/ two pull outs, kitchenette, table, fridge, no AC. You can get them now with more luxury, motorized set up etc. They are no longer a very cheap camping item but worth the money if you like it. Good luck.
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933812 by brailleboxer
Aug 30, 2016 5:07am
Thread Board (disabled)
We've had our Viking for 19 years, have camped in it several times every year since! Two bunks, one queen, one full. Dinette folds down to bed also couch can open to bed. Dinette, mini fridge, heater. No AC. Started out with 5 of us, kids have grown now we occasionally bring the 2 oldest grands. Two of our kids still sometimes meet up with us! Best Times Ever! I think we have replaced the tires twice. Coldest temp.we have camped in was 25* at night, toilets in campground bathrooms froze! Teenager at the time did not like that, haha! That was just one night,all defrosted by noon, glad to have had the heater and a nice fire!
If anyone knows where there is a dealer for pop ups, we'd love to look at some new models to see how they have changed!
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933812 by brailleboxer
Aug 30, 2016 6:54am
Thread Board (disabled)
I used to have a Jayco pop-up tent trailer and loved it! I really would like to get another one!
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933812 by brailleboxer
Aug 30, 2016 8:54am
Thread Board (disabled)
We have a 2006 Fleetwood Santa Fe and love it - could never go back to tent camping. Bought it used in 2013 after the original owner traded it in to move up to something bigger (usually how it goes). No AC but it has heat! I guess the requirements for AC and/or heat will depend on the region.
We use our pop-up for our family of 5 (6 if you include the golden doodle). Easily towed with a minivan (yes it has a transmission cooler). Our typical trip is ~ 100 - 250 miles from home.

Likes:
- all the camping gear stays in the trailer - I don't miss having to store all that stuff in the shed and basement
- easy to set up and pack up (~ 30 minutes on either end)
- rainy days are much easier to handle vs being in a tent. Same for camping on sand. Same for eating inside.
- no more need to buy ice! Fridge runs on 12V, propane or 120V so we can always keep it going. We cool it and fill it with food before we leave and run it on 12V while we drive - using power supplied by the tow vehicle
- queen-sized bed on one end is nice for the adults.
- trailer brakes (huge difference in stopping)
- propane furnace is noisy when it comes on and off throughout the night
- indoor and outdoor stoves (most of the cooking is done on the outdoor stove)
- you need to worry a lot less about the site (how hard and lumpy is the ground, soil vs grass vs gravel, drainage) vs tent camping
- the van isn't completely packed with gear - it got ridiculous when we were tent camping, van packed to the roof!

Dislikes
- I need to raise the lid slightly to be able to access inside the trailer
- cannot access the fridge without raising the roof all the way up
- there's a trailer in my driveway all year and it really gets in the way!
- I wish it was a few hundred pounds lighter for towing purposes
- some competing models have heated mattresses - those would be nice

Comments
- Definitely buy one used. Even one that's a couple years old is significantly less than a new model. IMO a 5-10 year old tent trailer is the best value.
- There’s a lot of “extras” available that to me seem like too much for a tent trailer – hot water heaters, outdoor showers, slide-outs. The way I see it, if you need those things, you probably need a hard top trailer. My TT came with a water tank and a inside faucet but we never use it even if we are camping for a week. I don’t mind refilling the 20L water jug once a day.
- If you need something for one or two people, consider the small teardrop trailers (i.e. T@B) vs. pop-ups; they’re lighter and well designed. I know someone who tows one with a VW Golf!
- be carefully of early 2000’s Coleman TT’s (which were manufactured by Fleetwood), they had a major issue with leaky roofs.

Hope that helps
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933839 by Bon Echo
Aug 30, 2016 12:06pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Keep all of the information coming everyone thank you very much finding all of this very helpful-we have had every kind of trailer you can imagine hard sided-tent trailer-motorhome-fifth wheel etc. just want something that's easy to toe easy to store in the garage that I don't have to pay storage on that I can take out set up at the campground for a week and not have to worry about it

Bon echo your review was very helpful especially about the early 2000 Coleman models because that's exactly what I've been looking for lol and also the person that said they had the Viking for all those years ( I think it was a Viking ) that's good to know 19 years later you still have the same trailer and the canvas is still holding up on it etc.

Yes tent trailers have come a long long way in the last 20 years - I have an idea of what we want and I'm waiting for camping season to be over so that everyone that has camp in them over the season now wants to get rid of them and get into something bigger because that always happens ... The new tent trailers here in California are outrageously expensive between $13-$20,000 I just about had a heart attack I'm looking to spend a fraction of that price and there's plenty on craigslist to pick farm .
Thanks again everyone and please please keep your comments coming
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933863 by brailleboxer
Aug 30, 2016 12:29pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I'm waiting for camping season to be over so that everyone that has camp in them over the season now wants to get rid of them and get into something bigger because that always happens ...

Actually your best bet at getting a trade-in might be in late winter. Here in Ontario (Canada, not California) the RV shows are held in February and March - that's when a lot of smaller trailers get traded in for bigger ones. I contacted a dealer in January about a couple trailers they had advertised. Those TTs weren't quite what I was after, and the dealer let me know they had a show coming up and would contact me know if any TTs came it. They got back to me a few weeks later because they did take in a TT as a trade-in from that show, which is the trailer we ended up buying from them.

The trailer shows are okay for seeing some of the new TTs, but most of the dealers only had the huge massive you-call-that-camping type trailers. Better profit margins.

FWIW, the dealer we bought from also rents out TTs for a few years and then sells them. Prices are decent if you can accept that it was a rental. That deal removed a some of the "breakable luxury" items (like power lift and I forget what else), and then reinstalled them prior to resale.

Used 10' TTs, 2004 - 2008 were around $4000 - $7000 CND when I was shopping. We paid $4500 and I think I could sell it now for the same price 4 years later. depreciation is very steep in the first couple years but pretty much levels off after that - not like a automobile which goes towards $200 in scrap value over ~10 years. IMO.
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933865 by Bon Echo
Aug 30, 2016 1:17pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Buying used from a dealer here is a joke ! Looking at 7-10 grand for a 2000 model - i found the private party sales are good - 1000-6we want to rent one for a weekend then see what we love or hate about the model we rent . For us in cali camping season really does not ever die down till like dec but then we have had 80 degrees at christmas - im thinking . People start thinking about the new years camping season in like feb , so im thinking the prime time to look for used is like nov- feb which is fine with me
Good idea on the used sale thing - im going to talk to some people i know

Like I said please keep the info coming everyone :-)
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933863 by brailleboxer
Aug 30, 2016 1:51pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I so want this.

Or this.
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933883 by Wry Me
Aug 30, 2016 5:11pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Ive seen those on craigslist for like 2000 $
Day pack suggestions?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Aug 30, 2016 7:12pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I am in need of a day pack as mine is too big and falling apart. I'm hoping someone here will have a great recommendation/suggestions for a new one.

What I need: a study day pack with the waist belt for support as I often hike 5+miles and wish I had it on the pack I have now. One that fits a short girl. I'm 5'2" and almost every pack I have tried on including my curent one, is 2" too big in the shoulder straps. This is with them tightened as far as they will go. Ugh. No Bueno. My other need is it to fit in my budget of $40 or less, preferably less.

Thank you in advance!
Re: Day pack suggestions?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933938 by photopam
Aug 30, 2016 8:12pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Now is the season for back-to-school day packs. Maybe a large kid size would be better for you?
Re: Day pack suggestions?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933938 by photopam
Aug 30, 2016 10:12pm
Thread Board (disabled)
If you don't mind spending the money, Osprey makes great packs for women. I tried on on at Cabellas and couldn't believe how perfectly it got! They come in every size imaginable too!

Traveling Garden Gnome
Saving pennies for an Osprey
Still using my Target lumbar pack
Re: Day pack suggestions?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933949 by Traveling Garden Gnome
Aug 31, 2016 4:28am
Thread Board (disabled)
Yes! I tried one on at REI yesterday, but the $89 on sale price was way too much for me, hence the question here. Maybe if I lived in Colorado and hiked everywhere.... ;)

I would spend the money on one, but I am thinking of backpacking soon, so I'll need money for one of those as well.

So... I dunno...
Re: Camping chatter - tent trailers
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #933812 by brailleboxer
Sep 17, 2016 11:45am
Thread Board (disabled)
We had a 2006 Aliner folding camper and loved it. It did have AC but we rarely used it - mostly New England camping. I loved that it folded, setup was 30 seconds and no wet canvas, camped well into the very late fall. Minus was no bathroom and a lack of floor space.
Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Oct 5, 2016 6:10am
Thread Board (disabled)
I am considering joining the Sierra club in hopes to make some hiking friends and start backpacking. I have friends that would go, but toddlers are impeding on this idea at the moment.

I was wondering if it is worth my time/money to join?
Thoughts?

Tia!
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #935952 by photopam
Oct 5, 2016 6:15am
Thread Board (disabled)
Not sure about Sierra Club in my area, but MeetUp has a lot of hiking on it. Unfortunately hardly any hikes within 30 miles of my house, other than urban hikes. Meetup is free.
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #935952 by photopam
Oct 5, 2016 7:03am
Thread Board (disabled)
Is there an REI (Recreational Equipment Inc) store near you? The ones near me in Texas host a large calendar of events - hiking, kayaking, star gazing, etc. Some are free, some have a fee.
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #935955 by FloridaFour
Oct 5, 2016 10:52am
Thread Board (disabled)
Not sure about Sierra Club in my area, but MeetUp has a lot of hiking on it. Unfortunately hardly any hikes within 30 miles of my house, other than urban hikes. Meetup is free.

That's where I found the sierra club. There weren't many other hiking groups there for my area, or they meet on days when I can't.
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #935958 by PI Joe
Oct 5, 2016 10:55am
Thread Board (disabled)
Is there an REI (Recreational Equipment Inc) store near you? The ones near me in Texas host a large calendar of events - hiking, kayaking, star gazing, etc. Some are free, some have a fee.

There is (just opened this spring!), and I have been watching the calendar, but I was hoping to start going hiking more often, and not necessarily with a group every time. I'd just like to make some friends in the area that like to hike here and there so I don't have to go alone all the time.
:)

Where in TX are you? (I'm N TX)
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #935952 by photopam
Oct 10, 2016 12:02pm
Thread Board (disabled)
My experience with the sierra club is that they can be very political.
If you're looking for people to just hike with there can be many other groups out there. Here in my area there are several groups through facebook, meetup and our town rec department has info about the groups that help to maintain local trails. You can look up trail/preserve associations in your area, too.
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #935975 by photopam
Oct 10, 2016 8:45pm
Thread Board (disabled)
You could start your own meetup or ask about a meet on another day for the other groups. There are (or were) message boards.
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #935952 by photopam
Oct 11, 2016 12:01pm
Thread Board (disabled)
When my sister first moved to Folsom, CA she did not know anyone to hike with and she went on a bunch of Sierra Club hikes. She had good experiences with the people there and made friends who shared her love of photography. Now they do their own hikes specifically to take photos.

Amanda from Seattle
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #936242 by koalacat
Oct 11, 2016 12:07pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Also, since I am currently hiking the Camino in Spain, there are Camino groups all over the country. The one in Seattle does a " walk" / hike the second Sunday every month. You might look into the groups in ?Texas and see if they do any get together so or hikes. Some might have a more religious bent than others, but it is another resource to meet people who are into hiking.
http://www.americanpilgrims.org/local-chapters
Amanda from Seattle.
Re: Sierra club?
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #936286 by Amanda from Seattle
Oct 24, 2016 4:31am
Thread Board (disabled)
She had good experiences with people there and made friends who shared her love of photography.

I need to meet your sister. ;)

This is what I am hoping to find. Thanks. Looks like it might be worth a try!
American Discovery Trail
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Sep 5, 2017 6:24pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Anyone ever hiked the American Discovery Trail? Or know anyone who has? Or has at least heard of the ADT?

I walk a section of the trail in Colorado nearly everyday and have never encountered a thru-hiker...
Re: American Discovery Trail
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #950957 by Johnsosaurus
Sep 5, 2017 7:57pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I've at least heard of it. It is one of several long-distance hiking trails that cross the country. The big four are the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the North Country Trail. There are also long trails in Wisconsin (Ice Age Trail?), Vermont (Long Trail) and Arizona.

So much to do and see, so little time and money!
Re: American Discovery Trail
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #950957 by Johnsosaurus
Sep 29, 2017 11:32pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I walk a section of the trail in Colorado nearly everyday and have never encountered a thru-hiker...

There aren't very many of them. That ADT is so long, I'm not even sure that most people who complete it do it on foot or in a single year. If I remember correctly, it's also a bike route--which might make it more practical for bikers rather than hikers given its size. And people who are on foot and want to do the entire thing might have to break it into multiple years. And it's not considered "completed" and has very little press.

So... it might be awhile before you ever see a thru-hiker on that particular trail! It's been done, but I think mostly just by people trying to make a name for themselves.

-- Ryan
Re: American Discovery Trail
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #950957 by Johnsosaurus
Sep 30, 2017 5:17am
Thread Board (disabled)
I've set foot on it a couple of times while hunting down the elusive LB in Ohio. It goes through a couple of state parks--Hueston Woods and Governer Bebb. I enjoyed the book Life on Foot by Nate Damm, an account of his thru hike. Much of the trail is on the side of a road/highway like US 50 thru Nevada, but mostly he meets a lot of interesting characters.
Camping chair
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Jul 27, 2018 5:14am
Thread Board (disabled)
Can anyone recommend a lightweight camping chair? I’m hoping for the ease of setting up like the Walmart kind. With the less weight of the fancy hiking chairs. For reference, I’m looking at the Helinox sunset chair, but would rather have a version that pops open and close.
Re: Camping chair
Board: Camping, Backpacking, and the Great Outdoors
Reply to: #963035 by windsurfgator
Jul 27, 2018 5:00pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I have a couple of these from REI:
https://www.rei.com/product/877258/rei-co-op-flexlite-chair

Not pop ups, but they do set up quickly. All the legs are attached with elastic cords inside the tubes and they snap into place easily. It does take some force to get the fabric seat onto the frame.

They pack up tiny! They are comfortable (you sit very low to the ground). My main complaint is that they are very difficult to stuff back into the bag they come in. I'm about to toss the bags and make my own.

There are more options now than when I bought mine. REI usually has several set up which you can play with, so if there is a store near you it may be worth checking out.