Off topic> Camping esentials ???

T

tacgnut

New member
I've got a couple trips planned for the fall and I need input on a couple items.
I looked at Cabelas . com and checked on the tent choices, lots of options and I have no idea. I don't plan on doing any backpacking, so basically camp will be close to the truck. I have a few kids so eventually it will need to be large enough for 2-4 people. Do I need a rainfly?
I'd like a tent that is durable, won't break the bank and one that I can set up myself if the need arises.
Other than the obvious other essentials, is there something that you guys use that you find indespensible? TP is already on the list.

Thnx
 
Yes, by all means get one with a rainfly. Check out the Eureka line at Campmor.com The N!ergy1210 looks to fill your bill. Would be easy to put up by yourself. Also note how the rainfly drapes down over all 3 windows- very important when the rain starts flying. Also get(at your local X-mart or Dicks), an Intant Shade canopy(10x10 will do) along with side panels. Allow you to eat and keep a lot of your "stuff" out of the tent, yet out of the weather. Also of note, take that "8 person tent" with a grain of salt- it really means 2 adults and a SMALL kid.
 
A couple of tarps can save the day.I take 2 come-alongs and stretch 2 strong ropes like a cross and drape a 20x40 tarp over it. Then tie off the corners with masonory sting (you'll never break it). Stand on a cooler to get it up higher. You'll be able to cover the tent,table etc. Do this before setting anything else up. You won't be sorry,it saved us from many rainstorms. Also no nails in the trees.
 
Ditto with spec.

Bought this one a couple months ago to replace an aged tent;

http://www.eurekatent.com/p-73-nergy-1210.aspx

Got it cheaper than the list at Gander. It has accessory jacks for a bat. op. gen. to run lites and small games ect.

It has plenty of room for about 4 comfortable in bags or a couple cots and a bag in the center. I would think 8 would have to be stacked! You can stand upright in it also which is nice.

Heres a pic of it from last month at a camporee;

Sets up with two poles for the tent and two for the fly in about two minutes. Another minute or so to stake it down.


Dave


Bunyon3.jpg
 
Quote:
OK, I'll bite. What is that young man burning?



I believe that he is retiring a flag the proper way. Flags being retired are burned with dignity, normaly the components are dissasembles so that when burnt, your not truly burning a flag.
 
That is the Official Scout flag retirement ceramony.

The Flag is dismantled into individual components then placed in the fire in a certain order. The last piece burned is the blue field which is pictured.

Here is the lowdown;

1)Begin with some words about the flag: what it symbolizes, when it was created, etc.

2)Display the flag for the gathered audience

3)In a dignified manner, hold the flag carefully (don't let it touch the ground) and use scissors (sharp ones) to remove the star field. This should be held by a scout during the ceremony until the end.

4)Continue by cutting each stripe off one by one. You may wish to name one of the 13 colonies for each stripe removed. The stripe should be carried and laid on the fire (carefully...some fires can create updrafts that could blow the burning piece up and off the fire). You may wish to salute, but the important thing is that the ceremony be dignified.

5)Once all the stripes have been removed and destroyed in this manner, lay the star field onto the fire last.


Note if the flag is stitched together it should be unstitched and not cut!



Dave
 
Quote:
A couple of tarps can save the day.I take 2 come-alongs and stretch 2 strong ropes like a cross and drape a 20x40 tarp over it. Then tie off the corners with masonory sting (you'll never break it). Stand on a cooler to get it up higher. You'll be able to cover the tent,table etc. Do this before setting anything else up. You won't be sorry,it saved us from many rainstorms. Also no nails in the trees.



This is a great idea as long as there are trees in the vicinity. Down here I'll have to line up 4 Saguaros to make that work /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Good suggestion though, a couple tarps are cheap and I already have the ratchet straps.
 
Maybe it's just me, but a 5 gallon bucket with the bottom cut out makes a decent makeshift potty. Easier than squatting and less chance of getting messy. Helps keeps the bugs off and keeps poison ivy at bay. Or jest get a bumper dumper.

We made an unplanned trip to our deer lease last year to do some work. There are ranches all around, but it's about 45 minutes just to get gas and ice, so you had better bring what you need.

We knew there was a brick grill out there the landowner had built, so we brought stuff to make hamburgers. We got there and there was no wire grate or rack to cook the hamburgers on. We scrounged up an old piece of chicken wire and used an empty beer can for a spatula. Used some chainsaw gas and some dead mesquite to build a fire. Best burgers I ever ate!
 
Quote:
Other than the obvious other essentials, is there something that you guys use that you find indespensible?



A Weber Q Grill, it takes those small propane bottles!

Matches, to start a fire, small one....not the forest.
Shovel, to put out forest fire if it arises!
Lots of water to drink, and help put out big fire!
Axe, hatchet, generator with electric chain saw (dont want to mess with mixing gas around forest fire!) bow saw, camp chairs, cards games incase of rain and your hold up in the tent, other than basic stuff......alittle warming fluid is a must for cool nights in the tent, I like blackberry brandy myself!
 
$27 Walmart tent and a roll of toilet paper. What else does one need? Ok, a sleeping bag could be good too. I have used the hell outta my tent in Jan, Feb and August. Rainfly comes as standard and you will need it. I would add rifle, ammo, food and camp stove to the list. Beer is a nice accessory as well. Enjoy the outdoors!
 
Quote:


A Weber Q Grill, it takes those small propane bottles!

Matches, to start a fire, small one....not the forest.
Shovel, to put out forest fire if it arises!
Lots of water to drink, and help put out big fire!
Axe, hatchet, generator with electric chain saw (dont want to mess with mixing gas around forest fire!) bow saw, camp chairs, cards games incase of rain and your hold up in the tent, other than basic stuff......alittle warming fluid is a must for cool nights in the tent, I like blackberry brandy myself!



I have a Weber Q Grill love it!

There must be a story about forest fires in there some were. I will take a gas chain saw anyday over a corded chain saw during a forest fire. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif

Warming fluid Hot [beeep] works well! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Dont forget the skeeter netting and catylytic space heater.

Might want to consider;

-Packsize fishing poles
-Dutch oven to cook that mean peach cobbler in
-Folding table (For the chef)
-Colapsable Chairs for all (I like the rockers)
-A couple Coleman coolers (1 large one for the beer and BB Brandy)
-Guns and ammo
-Lantern and fuel
-Propane torch (to get the fire going in the rain)
-Rain jackets (it always rains when you camp!)
-Food (optional depending on how much beer you bring)
-Camera
-Video camera
-Trailcam(so you can watch the coons raiding your food when you get home)
-Buckets (for the snakes and frogs the kids bring back and to catch rain water)
-Double Deet
-Floormats to keep the rainy mud out of the tent
-Tylenol
-First aid kit
-Benedryl stick
-Tiki torches with citranela (1/2 dozen ought to be fine)
-Baby wipes (to get the marshmallos off your hands)
-JiffyPop
-Coyote call and Freddy Kruger mask (best used after dark)
-Flashlight and batteries
-Walkie Talkies
-Lawn and leaf bags (for all the muddy stuff...it always rains when your camping)
-NOA radio (to see if the rain is ever going to stop)
-Dip nets (for the snakes and frogs)
-Shovel, Knife, Lawn rake and Broom
-Tylenol
-Beer



That should cover the bare essentials. Dont forget to reserve the U-Haul! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Get some scrap carpet to place in front of the tents to wipe your feet on to help lessen the dirt that gets tracked in and a cheap broom to sweep out the dirt that did get in.

t/c223encore.
 
My wife refuses to go camping without our Coleman Hot-Water-On-Demand portable water heater. Runs on propane and rechargeable batteries. Makes doing dishes 3 times faster. Can also get shower attachment to clean up you or the kids. About the size of a small suitcase. Don't want to back pack it, but for car camping it is the cat's a$$.

I also have a Q-grill and it is a great grill. I use a Coleman RoadTrip grill for camping, though, because it also comes with griddle surfaces and rings for pots and pans. I can grill, fry, boil, and cook on a griddle with the same grill. No need for any other camp stoves. Cleans up easy and packs into a smaller space than the Q-200. The Q is a better grill if that is all you are going to do with it.

Fast Ed
 
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