Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Good Tent Options?

Last year, I decided I needed a new tent. So, I gave mine away. I guess I needed motivation to buy a new one! So, does anyone have ideas on a good two person or so tent that is easy to pack on the bike?

Ten by ten tarp and some string.

I sure miss my two man pup tent. Ya know, looks like a triangle. Faster and simpler to put up than any "pole", or "dome" tent, though not as roomy. But I only used a tent to sleep in, laying down. They pack really small, too. Haven't come across one in years. Sorry, that didn't help, did it? Just wanted to grouse.

I like to go with the:


Sorry. Another guy that's no help.

For a measly 60 bucks, this one looks like it might suit your needs, Justin...

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Hooligan-2-Backpacking-Tent/dp/B0016HMBN0

Justin, I really like my Mountain Hardware Drifter 2 tent, it packs very small and is lightweight (not that it matters as much on a bike), but it is really only enough room for one person and gear. My son has a Eureka Tetragon 5 and it has plenty of room but doesn't pack as small and weighs a couple pounds more. REI has a very good 2 man tent, the Passage 2. For a while, I ws using a cheap tent I got from K-Mart for like 30 bucks but it didn't do that well in the rain...

hands down best tent .. web page



Ed

I have a 4 room tent that packs in a bag that I take with me.

I guess I should state that I would be looking for something to use in cooler weather, if that makes a difference.

it was 25º when I took the pictures I posted

this is a a forum I belong to it all about camping on your motorcycle..it a great site with lots of info ..
web page

ED

the tent I posted about is true 3 season tent and we love ours....yes it cost few $$$$ but worth every dollar ..

I use one of these

http://www.gelert.com/products/chinook_3_tent

I'm happy with it, the only problem I've had is that I can't get it back in the bag. So what I've done is dump the bag and now tent, airbed, sleeping bags, blankets all go in one roll bag. I can put it up in the dark (important consideration) and the outer goes up first.

So far this year I've spent at least 5 weekends plus New year in it, and the next 2 weekends are going to be in it too. It keeps the snow and rain off pretty well, but I have had to use a hot water bottle the last couple of times

Daughter has the same one, and both lots of gear can go on the bike, but that is a bit of a struggle, especially in winter

I have an older Coleman 2-man tent that packs very small. I also have a North Face 3-man that rolls into about a 10 x 12 cylinder. Both have external poles that attach with hooks as opposed to sleeves or pockets, most find this easier for putting up after night fall. I know "after night fall", but the best laid travel plans sometimes go to hell, ask me how I know.

Justin, I have 2 fav tents I use (of the 5 that I got) like 90% of the time. The first is the Eureka
Solitaire. It weighs a tad over 1-1/2 lbs (w/poles & stakes [8ea.]) & is a hoop style (not free standing) 3 season. The Solitaire is a purely solo tent & has no room for stowing extra gear. I paid like $50.00 for it & it has been a pretty bomb proof shelter for me for years when I used to go backpacking in high country (11k to 14k ft.)

My 2nd fav tent is also a Eureka, & I think it's the apex model. It is also a hoop style, but a free-standing type, 3 season. In a pinch it will sleep 2, but you better be pretty friendly. I like this tent cause I can sit-up in it & when on solo excursions I have a bit of extra room for gear stowage & also very bomb proof. I think I paid around $70.00 for it as a close-out item at Dick's Sporting goods about 5 years ago.

I also have an old Kelty 2 man, not-free-standing, 3 season tent that has gobbs of room for two in my gear closet that I never use anymore. It weighs in @ 5+ pounds & I paid $149.00 for it way back in the day. The thing I like about this tent is that it's great for summer use as w/out the rainfly you are virtually sleeping "under the stars" as the tent is mostly no-seem-un netting (except the floor of course) It performs well (e.g. warm) in cooler weather (down to about 20deg) with the rain fly as well. I'd be willing to part with it for around $75.00 OBO.

I used to be a manager for an outdoor gear retail.

Eureka makes one of the best quality vs price ratio on the market.

Fast setup tents like The North Face Tadpole or BigFrog are pretty nice.

My favorite tent ever is the Mountain Hardwear Trango2. You could probably get one second hand. It has space (not for your bike though! that redverz tent is pretty cool!), it is built like a tank, does not weigh like a tank, it is either cool when the weather is hot, or warm when it is freezing.

I have used it in the snow when winter camping (-25C), and in tropical weather in front of the Pacific.

It has been my ultimate tent, I have owned one for more than 10 year now and it still looks new.

Not necessarily always true, but generally any tent with aluminum poles is a much better tent than one with fiberglass poles.

Carbon fiber poles.

Ok gang, it has been a year now. I am still shopping (on and off) for a good tent.

Last year, I bought a Texsport Brookwood. It was super affordable at around $25, the internal frame was what attracted me, and it was small in size and packaging. But, it is just a little bit too small. The only time I used it, was on my trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats last year. I was sleeping from corner to opposite corner, and maybe even pushing the corners out a bit. It needed to be at least a foot longer to work for me.

Is there something similar, but larger?

I took mine to the Arkansas Rally last year, fits nicely in the saddlebag. Lifetime warranty.

I've done a lot of camping over the years and only recently discovered the luxury of new tech hammocks. The Clark or Hennesy hammock is not only better than any tent IMO it's more comfortable than the best bed I've owned. If I have back pain when I go to bed, I'll sleep deeply and wake with no pain in the morning. I can't say the same with any other bed. I actually put my Clark NX-250 in my back yard and sleep out there several nights a week by choice. It's compact as any hiker tent and much faster to erect and pack down. Perfect for the bike. You don't need level smooth ground and you can stealth camp where people wouldn't expect campers - like on the side of a wooded hill. You may have got the idea I'm a big fan.

I like it, but it seems you would loose any little bit of body heat captured in a traditional tent on a cold night. Then again laying on the cold ground is never good either.
What's been your findings regarding that.

You also have to rely on having trees or poles around. That does not always happen.

kind of makes ya look a little like hangin bear bait! :-)

I've always felt like I look like a big bear burrito hanging in my hammock, but it's the best way to go motorcycle camping.

Wow! That hammock IS interesting. How much? (And I still wish for a plain old fashioned pup tent.)

You need insulation either as a pad under you like the one I have Is the Exped Downmat 7 LW which is good down to about 15 below from memory or an under quilt which wraps underneath the hammock.

The beauty of the inflatable Downmat is it is also excellent directly on the ground if you need to go to ground.

@ Ed ... No bears here but how is it any worse than a tent for bear safety?

@ Calkin ... Yeah you need trees, tall rocks or poles. But tents need smooth level dry ground. A hammock can be hung across a stream, on a steep hillside, over rocky ground in dense forest. Upsides and downsides to both approaches.

@ Ian ... The Clark NX-250 that I have is expensive. I got mine for half price when they ran a birthday sale last year. You can get cheaper brands. The Hennesy are cheaper and are very good too.