Sort of H&F - Camping

[mrs.jacinthe]

My A race this year is in the back of beyond, about 40 minutes from Bend, Oregon.  It's a 3-day event and I've reserved a campsite for R and I, since I don't want to get up early if I don't have to.  

However, we've never been camping as a couple, and I'm debating between renting a vintage trailer to have it placed at our campsite OR buying a tent.  WWYD?  And what kind of tent should we be looking into?

[CrazyLucky]

Will you be camping again or do you think this is a one time thing? If you'll be camping again, go ahead and buy a tent. We've always done really well with Coleman, even though they are pretty cheap. The one we have now is a Kelty, and it's great, but was very expensive.
Think about whether you want to be able to stand up and check for height because most smaller tents don't allow you to stand. Don't believe what they put on the package for number of people. Before DH and I had kids, we started with an 8x8 and moved up to an 8x10. The 8x10 left enough room for us and our stuff so we could move it off the edge when it rained.A lot of tents now have an attached vestibule, and that's nice if you have a dog. It gives him shelter without getting your tent all hairy or doggy.
Make sure there is enough ventilation.
Or if you have friends that camp, borrow a tent.

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 28, 2014 14:49:37 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

Will you be camping again or do you think this is a one time thing? If you'll be camping again, go ahead and buy a tent. We've always done really well with Coleman, even though they are pretty cheap. The one we have now is a Kelty, and it's great, but was very expensive.
Think about whether you want to be able to stand up and check for height because most smaller tents don't allow you to stand. Don't believe what they put on the package for number of people. Before DH and I had kids, we started with an 8x8 and moved up to an 8x10. The 8x10 left enough room for us and our stuff so we could move it off the edge when it rained.A lot of tents now have an attached vestibule, and that's nice if you have a dog. It gives him shelter without getting your tent all hairy or doggy.
Make sure there is enough ventilation.
Or if you have friends that camp, borrow a tent.

I don't know.  I don't think we'll have a *ton* of time to go camping, but there are certainly times when it would be nice.  What I'm most apprehensive about is sleeping in a tent (and therefore on an air mattress) in relation to so much repetitive exertion.  I am nervous that sleeping on the air mattress would not be restorative and I could wake up sore.  

[Deleted]

I would rent a trailer since I assume it would have a shower. I wouldn't want to do any sort of race and then not have access to running water.

[pixy0stix]

If you're not sure about whether you'll camp again or not, then just rent the trailer. There's nothing worse than having camping gear around taking up space if you're not going to use it again.

[andrealynn]

I flove camping and do it all the time and I would rent the trailer. Lol.

[InBetweenDays]

I agree with andrealynn We love to camp and go somewhat often. But I would not want to sleep in a tent after a race. Splurge on the camper

And now I'm intrigued by what race you're doing in the middle of nowhere near Bend??

[blndsnbrdr]

If you're not used to camping and don't have the gear you need [you'll need tent + sleeping pad + sleeping bag at the very leas] I'd go for the trailer, especially when you're there to race. I camp fairly often and still have mornings when my neck or back hate me.

[mainewifey]

We camp all the time and I really can't imagine running a race and sleeping in a tent. Sleeping in a tent just isn't that restful to me, unless I'm at least a 6 pack in.

Also, there's most likely a whole lot more money that would probably need to be spent on gear for tenting than just what you sleep in, like cooking/kitchen supplies, water storage, etc.

The camper is the way to go for sure.

[CallingAllAngels]

Get the camper!!

[Brit]

I vote for buying a cheap as hell tent if you buy a tent. We have three tents, two were crazy expensive, like $400 each. The one we USE nearly every time was a bottom of the line Coleman from Walmart. Go with a cheapo Coleman or similar if you get one.

The trailer would be super cool though.

[Susie]

I would try to borrow a tent from a friend, since I am guessing you'll be at a campground with a bath house, etc. for running water, showers, yada yada. Especially if you're camping + racing, don't scrimp on the air mattress.

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 29, 2014 11:03:08 GMT -5 Susie said:

I would try to borrow a tent from a friend, since I am guessing you'll be at a campground with a bath house, etc. for running water, showers, yada yada. Especially if you're camping + racing, don't scrimp on the air mattress.

I should have mentioned this previously.  The campground has potable water, but the toilets are "vault" (so only one step up from pit) and there is no shower.  None.  So this will be, for sure, the grossest I've ever felt for an entire weekend.  LOL  I'll be taking a Sam's Club size box of baby wipes, for sure.

More details: we have air mattresses and they're really pretty comfortable overall, albeit noisy.  We have access to a coleman campstove, although we'd need to buy fuel.  We have a couple of nice coolers (although no bear box) and we have enough cast iron to outfit the entire campground.  So there's not a *ton* of equipment we would need that we would have to buy.  It will definitely be cheaper overall, though.

[InBetweenDays]

May 29, 2014 11:30:57 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 29, 2014 11:03:08 GMT -5 Susie said:

I would try to borrow a tent from a friend, since I am guessing you'll be at a campground with a bath house, etc. for running water, showers, yada yada. Especially if you're camping + racing, don't scrimp on the air mattress.

I should have mentioned this previously.  The campground has potable water, but the toilets are "vault" (so only one step up from pit) and there is no shower.  None.  So this will be, for sure, the grossest I've ever felt for an entire weekend.  LOL  I'll be taking a Sam's Club size box of baby wipes, for sure.

More details: we have air mattresses and they're really pretty comfortable overall, albeit noisy.  We have access to a coleman campstove, although we'd need to buy fuel.  We have a couple of nice coolers (although no bear box) and we have enough cast iron to outfit the entire campground.  So there's not a *ton* of equipment we would need that we would have to buy.  It will definitely be cheaper overall, though.

Bring some Dr. Bronner's and jump into the nearest lake or river