Colorado B.S. Thread

Yeah, insulated as well

 

That's heavy. I'll bet that does suck.
My dad had an old military surplus canvas tent with the tree pole in the middle when I was a little kid. This is my earliest recollection of hearing colorful language and that language has served me well over the years.

 

X2

2 inexpensive things that will make the trip better for her:
An inflatable air mattress
Zip up pillow case so she can bring HER pillow and keep it clean.
Don't try to use sleeping bags, lots of blankets on the mattress so it feels more like home. Don't fill up the air mattress too much, common mistake.
If you can figure out something for the shower, do. My wife appreciates bucket of warm soapy water and a washcloth when nothing else is available. If you bring a sheet that can be hung like a shower curtain from a tree or something that's can be cheap privacy.

 

Better yet, get her a weekend spa package and leave her behind. Everybody happy.

Just kidding of course. Don't take my advice, it didn't work for me either.

 

Hate air mattresses (the large ones at least). Not comfortable at all even if deflated just a bit. Plus if one person moves/shifts the other person is all over the place too. The ultimate set up I had was an air mattress with a 4" thick memory foam topper. Did the sheets and blanket thing on that. However the memory foam topper isn't meant to be rolled up, unrolled, rolled up, unrolled, etc.... imagine that. The thing just ripped in shreds after a while.

For now she bought a personal sleeping pad.... mostly air but with a built in foam top. It will be used for backpacking as well since I'm taking her on a trip in July. Plus she'll be using my old sleeping bag.

I always bring my own pillow truck camping. Can't sleep without it really... she'll do the same.

I just saw a post with a guy here who pressurized a sceptor water can and rigged up a hose/shower extension off of it. Looked awesome. Might have to figure that one out because it is portable. Like you said, build a privacy shower in the trees somewhere and bring the sceptor shower to it.

 

Was thinking about stopping off at Valley View or Cottonwood Hot Springs along our journey. That'll probably cheer her up.

 

Hot Springs sounds like a good idea. Everybody wants a hot shower or bath after camping and it generally leaves you feeling relaxed.

 

Here's the sceptor shower post:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mrgrimms-mall-crawler.104272/page-30

Seems like a really cool idea. Just add some hot water to the cold...

 

Yeah I'm tired of setting up a larger canvas wall tent for hunting with just a few buddies so I sold that tent too.

mine has a wood burning stove for heat there is an Alaskan outfitter who is using these tipis though so I feel they will work fine in colorado.

 

I have a backcountry bed two person bag for the wife and I check it out. You put pads in the back of the bag into the pockets. Has a larger opening with a down blanket attached to the bag to cover the opening.

 

Yeah, I'll see how this goes. Now that my daughter is 8 I want to get back into backpacking (was/is an avid one... it's just been awhile).

So I bought a "luxurious" backpacking sleeping pad a few years ago... and just a few weeks ago bought a memory foam slip for it when I go truck camping.

 

Whole foods apples to Convenience store oranges

 

Yeah I have a mini Rei in my basement, but you can't have too many bags, it's nice to have options. The 2 person works great because it packs down small enough for me to carry in my bag then my wife can carry my daughters bag.

 

I love the idea of a RTT but also have some trepidation about getting one:

1. Always having it attached to the truck when camping/wheeling. Eg not being able to leave camp to go wheeling for a bit. Granted those days are dwindling for me (wheeling just for the sake of wheeling). Nowadays I get to the spot and hike from there or just hang out.

2. Major blow to mpg. Sounds silly but my truck loaded up with the topper on can (or used to until I figure out a current issue) get 320 miles to a tank if it's all highway/rural. With the topper off and an RTT on a bed rack I'd probably get about 250 or 260 miles to a tank. Limited range.

But that said, I can picture myself doing the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands with my GF and daughter in an RTT and loving it.

Just seems like a very expensive luxury to have if I'm not going to use it every single time I go truck camping.

 

Q. Who spends over $1500 on a tipi?
A. Hoyal.

 

Well when the cost of a wall tent is close to 3k the 1700 isn't so bad on the tipi, is it. Which is why I sold the RTT so I will get more use out of a shelter that cost me so much.

 

The RTT was so nice in UT !

 

I'd suggest renting a high clearance tear drop for base camp if you plan to come back to the same place every evening. RTT is great for continuous travel, camping in a different spot. Although set up on the RTT is sooooo fast I had no issues at RT this year.

MPG's........LOL! What are those?

I pulled a big red brick of a trailer out to RT this year because we have so much to set up now. Went through 3 tanks on the way out there and 2 tanks on the way back.

 

Heck yeah dude they are nice everywhere. We will Miss it for sure. But selling it will make us use the tipi more, to justify the cost of it for hunting was a little much.

 

I can barely back a trailer up into my driveway... I can't imagine pulling one on a trail.

I'm always trying to find the balance of capability and practicality. MPGs are important to me

3 tanks of gas to go 350 miles?