West Tents to Airstreams

[uncle_bob]

Hi

No matter what you do, there are plusses and minuses. With a trailer, most of what you need is already packed in (and stays in) the trailer. With a tent, you will have "boxes" (at least we did) that load into the pickup bed. It's not quite the same thing. Ours almost fill the bed (yes 40 years later we still have them with us). That makes the "left one behind" part of it a bit less likely.

With a trailer you have backing in / unhooking / attaching this and that. With a tent you have setup. I could (with help) get the tents set up in about the time it takes us to get the trailer up and running on a new site. Getting the whole site set up and the fire going, that takes a bit longer.

Tear down with wet canvas (it's *always* wet in the morning in the east) ..... ummm ..... yea. That is *not* one of the things I miss. Walking a half mile to the wash house (for doing pots and pans or whatever ...) also not something I miss.

Site wise, absolutely no contest. Tents win every time. I always wonder about the people I see pulling up and putting out a tent in the middle of a bunch of trailers. There's *lots* better places to set up. If only so you don't listen to thundering air conditioners all night long.

Dogs and tents don't seem to match up quite as well as dogs and trailers. Firing up the AC / heat / open a window and leave the dogs in the trailer - not a problem for us (or the dogs). We'll be back in an hour or three. They'll be fine. Much easier way to go shopping or out to dinner.

If you are out a ways. Hauling 50 gallons of water to your tent is a bit of a chore. If you are in a campground and *drive* over to the water, that's luxury in a tent. Doing multiple trips lugging a pair of 5 gallon cans a half mile in to the site .... that's really living in a tent. Of course that site a half mile up the trail --- worth every step.

Tents are far more flexible than a trailer. You should never own just one tent. Got more people on this trip? Bring along another tent (or three). Staying for a week or four? Bring the big tent(s). Small site down that trail? The little tent is the one to go with.

Food for tents has come a *long* way over the last few decades. Still if you go with the newer "freeze dried" packaged meals, they are higher cost specialty items. You aren't going to find them at the local Piggly Wiggly. Canned this and that is still an option and the corner store likely does have that. If you have a hard core three times a day ice cream habit, tents will be a challenge.

Tents in "weather" ....hmmm... The level of storm that just gets you to pull in the awning on the AS is a lot more fun in a tent. Getting up in the middle of the night to hold up the tent in the storm ... been there / done that. Wind is something you watch more and consider when you set up.R eading a site so the local drainage does not run *through* the tent is a skill. It's not all that hard. Getting all of that right every time over a number of years - not going to happen. You will have some excitement.

Get out and have fun - that's what it's all about.

Bob

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

. . .
Woo Hoo... loading Sunday and gone Wednesday. Life is good!
. . .

Glad to read your updates, and hear that all is well. The tent camping will let you use the old topo maps more!

Happy trails,

Peter

[skyguyscott]

Yes, life in an Airstream is more like nomadic living, towing an apartment with you: Microwave, TV, fridge, a couch, your own shower!

But a tent, now that's camping!

[vintageracer]

This is my ground tent.

SHIFTPOD

Best tent I ever had for all situations. Amazing how many places and different types of events that this tent works well at.

It fit's nicely in or on top of my 2001 Chevy Express 3500 4WD van or 1985 Toyota 4Runner when "boondock" camping out in remote places. About the same size as a small pop up tent shelter when in the storage bag. I don't hike in and camp I drive to a campsite and do day hikes so the fact that the Shiftpod is not a backpack tent is of no concern to me.

https://store.advancedsheltersystems...iftpod-catalog

[Ray Eklund]

It is much easier for a Tent Camper going to a Trailer and then back to Tent Camping. Both are learned behaviors, although you cannot erase the Tent Camping experience. It is not for many and as we get a bit stiffer and enjoy the amenities that an Airstream offers... it sure is tough to go back to Primitive Camping.

We avoided commercial campsites with our Airstreams. Sometimes you have no other options due to location. When with a group, there is a compromise as to convenience for some. The Wyoming Adventure in 2016 did surprise me that some could not make an adjustment to 'camping' and adjusting your behavior to exploring. My mistake. Even with caveats this was not going to be a picnic in the park.

We never set camp at established campsites with our tent camping. The options are limitless and options beyond the capacity for some to understand that some people enjoy isolation and having all 360 degree options, each and every day to tread into areas that may have not had another human being fifty years ago, or a thousand. We have done it. Finding Anasazi pit houses undisturbed for 1200 years right in front of you... what we call nowhere.

Convenience is a spoiler, I must agree. But with a shovel for a restroom and a lawn chair, table and a bit of water... it is mentally relaxing and worth trying for everyone... good or bad, try it. Even in the Airstream there are places that are easily accessible, only a spot on a map, all to yourselves.

Someday... when we become less 'flexible' a Tent on Wheels will again be on our bucket list. Even at 70 years of wear and tear... maybe at 80 the thought may cross our minds, but with today's turmoil a tent works out just fine for us.

Oh, before it escapes my mind. Roughing it today in Boulder City. Two free buffets at Station Casino, play some Video Poker for better or worse and think of the drastic change in our southern Nevada lifestyle in a couple days. Camping, Nancy makes a killer omelette... but those fresh Casino doughnuts... I will sigh and look forward to them on our return.

[Gene]

Well said Ray.

[Ephraim]

We are heading in the opposite direction. I started out doing ultra-light long-mileage backpacking in my teens. That worked until I got married and had kids. Then the focus sort of shifted to what would fit in the trunk of a car. The tent got bigger, the stove got bigger, etc...

The last tent setup we had was designed to accommodate my handicapped wife. We used two expandable 16' military frame tents (to make a 32x16 tent). Sometimes we set it up as one big tent, sometimes as two tents, sometimes only half a tent, and sometimes one tent with a really big awning. I had a 12x8 cargo trailer that I mounted 800W of solar, a 9cuft fridge, and 500AH of Lifeline batteries. The whole thing was actually pretty efficient, but eventually got to the point where I had to be staying at a campsite for more than a week to justify putting everything up. Last year, the wife's health deteriorated to the point where i had to put her memory foam, adjustable bed in the trailer as well.

This spring I stepped back and re-evaluated what I was doing. The camp setup took a full day and teardown/packing took half a day. If we packed up in inclement weather, the process had to be repeated when we got home to get everything dried out properly. Moving to an RV just made sense for us. I fully expected to have to redo much of an RV to get what I wanted and was pleasantly surprised that the 30' Classic had everything that i wanted.

I don't know how much fussing around the trailer will be compared to what we were doing for tent camping, but it sure can be setup and taken down a lot faster. It's a heck of a lot more comfortable too, especially in inclement weather.

It is more expensive. My whole tent setup including solar probably cost somewhere around 12k. You know what a Classic costs. But then I do fit in that silver haired group.

While on the lot, I admired the Nest and Basecamp. I would like to have had one of those when I made the transition from backpacking to car camping. But back then I didn't have any money.

We've only made a few trips in our AS and have loved it very much. At this point in my life, I doubt I'll ever go back to tent camping.

[Len n Jeanne]

We've done our share of tent camping: backpacking, canoe tripping, and old-style car camping.

We bought Bambi I when we got tired of sleeping with rocks in our backs, and having to pack up a wet tent, only to set it up still wet for the next night. However, we still tent-camp for our occasional overnight canoe trip.

One other thing to consider is that a hard-sided camper is a big plus in bear country, which is where we live.

Ages ago, as a student I got on with an archaeological dig in the Canadian Arctic. One day a grizzly tore into the cook tent, and made a horrible mess. It also tore a hole in another tent that had been used for cooking-- a month previously. The chief archaeologist ended up having to shoot the bear, as we were unable to move ourselves far enough away to escape it.

I would never, ever cook in a tent, or eat in a tent that I slept in. If a tent is necessary due to bugs or weather, I would pack a separate tent for that purpose. Then pitch it away from the sleeping tent.

Ditto for one's food supply. In bear country, learn to hang it from a tree, or park it a long way off from your tent where there are no suitable trees. In BC a lot of campgrounds come with bear-proof metal boxes for food storage-- located a long ways away from the tent sites. The tent site loops at Lake Louise in Banff NP are surrounded by a bear-proof fence. In Glacier NP backcountry campers have to watch a video on minimizing bear attractants.

And we did have one stroll into our backcountry campsite once in Glacier NP. Banging spoons on pots and yelling fortunately drove it away.

Yes, we carry bear spray-- and it's not tucked away inside a pack.

Not trying to be alarmist-- just practical.

[bkitchens]

Ray....Looks like you guys are having fun. My move to the old style BaseCamp is a pretty soft transition from tent camping. It’s pretty much just a glorified tent with it’s spartan accommodations. I have the option for AC and the confidence of a single burner stove. Since it’s small it’s well configured for boondocking. I’ve used the Kelty tent option to extend the space and the dogs seem to enjoy it.
Bill

[Len n Jeanne]

[You guys know all this already-- I'm just posting for onlookers contemplating tent camping.]

One other thing I might mention is that R.E.I. and other mountain shops do sell big 4-6 person tents designed for mountaineering, so they can stand up to high winds if pitched according to the predominant wind direction. Being able to stand up in a tent is a big advantage.

In addition to staking down the tent in a wind-prone site, we also put big rocks inside the tent in the corners-- but ideally resting on something other than the tent floor (like old socks or plastic bags) to minimize abrasion.

The rocks both hold down the tent in high winds-- and provide low points for water to collect inside the tent in case it leaks in a downpour, away from the sleeping bags.

Yeah, it is disheartening to see one's tent rolling away in the wind, and it can make an awful mess of stuff left inside.

[Ray Eklund]

There is a difference between Tent Campers and Campers WITH A Tent. Campground tent camping is the first clue. Not the same kind of camping. Of course we are not fighting off biting insects at altitude... just carnivores.

We sleep in our tent, not live in it.

I use tent pegs that need a small sledge hammer to drive into the ground, and a flat steel nail puller to remove these pegs. The 'igloo tents' are resistant to wind, rain, snow, sleet and with TWO Blue Heelers sharing quarters with us... Bear Resistant.

Nylon rope tie downs that it would take a tree to dismember the Swingwall Tent, which breaks down into a very tight container with wheels in the event you want to pull it somewhere.

Bkitchens worked his setup like ourselves. At Costco there was a Swingwall 10 foot by 10 foot when fully extended to shade the tent on a longer term campsite. Also an 8 foot folded table that folds up and takes up little space in the back of the pickup, for a cooking and daily use surface. Toss in the two folding lawn chairs... bingo... Airstream living in a TENT.

Campers who really know their 'camping out of the bed of a pickup' have worked this out with the Last Into the Truck is the First to Come Out... thought. Tailgate buffets are regular events.

Air Conditioning? At night at elevation you open the vents. No batteries needed.

Too much sun and heat during the day... Swingwall Canopy.

Need a dry space to prepare food? Move eight foot table under the Swingwall side.

The next best option is an Airstream. Been there, done it. Our maiden voyage into the mountains was easy and the next week or two will get the Put UP and Take DOWN a matter of thirty minutes, loaded and off to new places.

If company stops by... toss out your lawnchairs and enjoy the view. That is also provided at NO charge.

[Len n Jeanne]

Ray, obviously a lot depends upon where people camp and what form of locomotion they take to get there.

We've camped in places where the soil is too rocky to permit driving in tent pegs. Hence the rocks in the tent corners.

Dogs are excluded from the backcountry in any US national park I'm aware of, unless they're on designated roads. And no, we're not taking our 95-lb. Newfoundland-border collie mix dog in the canoe here in BC. He takes up too much space and gets excited easily. Asking a dog to fend off a bear is asking too much of the dog, IMHO.

My favourite tent for living space was actually an early 1970's vintage 4-man canvas Draw-Tite tent by Eureka. It was tall enough to stand up in (big advantage on rainy days) and nicely designed to position the low end towards the wind. I don't think they make them any more. We still have it, but it needs repairs.

The back of our truck with its topper and sliding screened windows was planned for more remote camping, but it's not ideal for ageing bladders that need to get up at night.

We've concluded that there is no truly ideal camping solution-- every system sacrifices something.

The main thing is to enjoy those beautiful wilder places while we still can.

[glcmranger]

Here's my OTHER Airstream!

[Ray Eklund]

Sue... nice. Would be a great bedroom for kids in the house too. Beautiful.

Len and Jeanne... a Newfie with a saddle is a horse, not a dog.

Nancy and I went to all of the western National Parks B.A.

Before Airstream. Tent camped them. TCed them and toughened up enough to make our conversion to a 23 foot Safari easier. You know... trailer camping, like Sue's... is really roughing it.

I include some photographs of easy access locations with our A.S.'s. It is not for many, but those who want convenience and shelter our trailers were very comfortable. Our idea of camping AT a US National Park was camping OUTSIDE a US National Park. No crowd. Lots of access to most and no hurry to leave. Many places in Utah have great... Outside NP Boondocking sites that are undiscovered by the masses.

One example was Crazy Jug Point on the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Last year we wanted to pull in and set the trailer. Either the Park or National Forest put up a fence that restricted access. Although there were still sites to the west in the trees near the rim in the trees. Get there before those are also fenced. Times change.

If dogs are not permitted. We will not be permitted, as well. There is no place on the planet we want to visit if we cannot step out and find a purpose to be there. You will note in the photos that our dogs give us that purpose, and a great excuse to avoid places that other campers want peace and quiet, without dogs. Everyone needs to get away 'from it all' and I do not blame those who do not want dogs wandering around. There are bigger things to consider where we like to camp... if there is one tree for shade.. or too many, as a real problem? Not for us.

[HHPJ]

When attending RV events, I am seeing more and more “youngsters” into the RV lifestyle, even Airstreams. A search on YouTube “Airstream full time” many are young couples and or families.

[Ray Eklund]

HHPJ... I am seeing single and married couples in their early 30's living and working out of their trailer.

The buyer for our 25 foot International was in his 30's, selling his house and payments to work his welding business seasonally. His girlfriend, as well. This would be a great test of two important life decisions:

1- Does the idea work out?
2- Can they manage to beat the odds and get along in close quarters and the nomadic lifestyle.

It is definitely not for everyone. I have encountered engineers who work out of a RV Bus with satellite dish and communications in Casino parking lots. They go where they are needed. Some tech couples make income traveling and selling advertisements on their websites concerning... what else, traveling without commitment.

Few would choose a tent lifestyle. Break ins would be a worry, but then for what? A nice pillow or inflatable air cushion? Once you are camped in the wilderness, the risk to property decreases, a lot. Never had a problem. Tent or trailer.

If you want to know why? I will tell you. The majority of true Boondocking off the Grid personalities are well protected from large carnivores and opportunists (a polite term for thieves and criminals). Just the thought of well armed innocent victims keeps the bad guys away.

The RV Park... has more thefts than a camper set up in a National Forest and a dirt road.

The casual camper has a misconceived idea that the remote places are dangerous and things lurk in the bushes. Just the smell of a human keeps wild beasts away and in my case, campers looking for company. Hey... fresh water is to drink, not to wash up.

The luckiest campers are those living in the Western USA. Lots of public land with modest restrictions as to where, how long and how to set up camp and enjoy what you like most. Biking, fishing, bird watching, rock hunting, photography or just lay back and read a good book.

A 25 foot trailer is a make or break length for Off the Grid unpaved roads. Twenty eight can work out if you are competent in judging a small dip in the road and your rear trailer bumper.

It is not for everyone... and that is what makes it so special. It is not for everyone and that is a choice.

[Ray Eklund]

Some things that go bump in the daylight.

[rmkrum]

Ray, whereabouts is that snake sculpture? It’s the stuff of nightmares...

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Ray, whereabouts is that snake sculpture? It’s the stuff of nightmares...

******
Boulder City, Nevada... Home of Hoover Dam, AKA Boulder Dam, AKA the Dam Brewery in town.

Bootleg Canyon is where this Zoo is located, not far from the Canyon Trails RV Park. A Park with all kinds of 'desert monster art'. When you find the giant bicycle you are close.

It can be found towards the large letters in white BC, aka Bootleg Canyon, on the side of the mountain to the north. BC also passes for Boulder City. There is a Canyon Trails RV Campground with power and showers. Bicycle trails for new bike riders and those who wear hardware on their shins, heads and elbows and everything in between.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area with dry camping and restrooms in the cooler months. You can camp there in 110 degree heat if you are curious during the Summer at a reasonable cost.

Boulder City has no Casino, as they are not licensed. But on each end of town are two nice Casinos with parking for your Airstream in the large parking lots.

The last photograph is part of Boulder City... the suburbs.

[Len n Jeanne]

Hi, Ray-- our 95-lb. Newfie-border collie mix (Toby) does have the large size dog backpack by Ruffwear. On a hike he carries his own water & water dish. On a walk back from town (when there is one) he also carries groceries, small parcels &c. Needless to say, this is a real conversation starter. Toby likes getting into his backpack, as it means he's going somewhere fun. He also enjoys lying down in any water on a hot day, so with his backpack on, we have to watch him.

The thing about bears was driven home on our most recent camping trip to a really nice small lakeside municipal CG in New Denver, BC. Not only is the garbage dumpster bear-proof but there are "bear aware" signs at each site about keeping food in a hard-sided vehicle or provided bear-proof metal box, and keeping one's dog on a leash. This latter rule was to protect the wildlife.

And yes, bears routinely stroll into town (pop. 500.)

One's well trained family pets shouldn't be asked to fend off Mama Grizzly from a tent where food is kept or prepared.

Not-supervised dogs should not be allowed to harass wildlife.

I suspect we're in agreement.