Tacoma and camping....

I have the REI Kingdome 6 with the garage. Inflatable cot/bed (queen) and a porta potti. My fiance still doesn't love it, but can tolerate a few days, now. I think it is the lack of a shower, but not much I can do there. I do fine with a backpacking tent, by myself. The REI tent goes up really quick, though and even the cot/bed doesn't take much effort. I can get the tent up in 10 or 15 minutes and another 5 or 10 for the airbed. Everything stores in the garage on a standard metal shelf and we aren't sleeping on the cold ground (as she says).

Backpacking; we always pack up every morning and make a new camp every night. It isn't a big deal to pitch today's modern tents.

 

To add to the RTT discussion:

I have no issue getting mine on and off my bed rack. It's not as heavy or as hard as people say if you have 2 able bodies.

Using the restroom in the middle of the night will likely wake up your significant other. No more sneaking out of the tent quietly like I do in our Coleman 10 person.

 

In case you haven't discovered, these little guys have been lifesavers on the week long remote trips. I have been hiking all day in the dust, sun, and grime, quick clean up and change at camp, and drive into town for a dinner looking halfway presentable.

Finicky girlfriend approved.

Shower Pill Body Cleaning Wipes with Special Cleansing Solution – Mens Shower Wipes – Special Cleansing Cloths – Camping Wipes for Bathing – 30 Seconds Clean with Body Gym Wipes

$13 Hustle Clean Body Wipes 9''x8'', Disposable Bathing Wipes For Adults, No Rinse, With Aloe Vera & Vitamin E, Fresh Scent, 10 Individually Wrapped Wipes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061QL8EE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NAk1CbSFCZFF5

 

Can you give some details of where you stayed and what you did? I have reservations for camping with my family of four next month, plus dog, at Pfeiffer

 

Ended up settling on a Smittybilt RTT and im going to sit it on top of tacomapocalypse bed bars. Thanks all for the ideas and suggestions. Keep on sharing if you have anymore. Id be curious to hear from people that have stayed in their Smittybilt RTT in temps down in the 30s and how well it did in that weather. Going to glacier it wont be out of the question to have overnight temps like that in late may early june.

 

Some great info on these threads:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-camping-photo-thread.166072/page-325

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-camping-photo-thread.407866/page-210

 

I don't have a Smittybuilt, but all these style tents are near identical. I do have a friend who has a smittybuilt, about 2 years old and we've camped in 20 degree weather with no issues. You just need to leave the windows cracked to get airflow in as they do build up a lot of condensation.

Also, use code GET10 for 10% off the bed bars. Just saw them post that on their Instagram. Looks like it may be a single day sale.

 

Pheiffer is amazing, what are you looking to find out?

 

Man i must have picked the perfect timing on buying this stuff. Thanks a bunch!

 

any must-see stuff that's often missed? any dirt trails i can find that lead to epic views? glad to hear pfeiffer is a good spot. we booked it a few weeks ago... it was literally the only days available we got so lucky

 

As far as inside the campgrounds you need to hike up the river to the gorge. There are a lot of other hiking trails, but the best views are outside the grounds. About a mile south of Pheiffer entrance is the River Inn. They have seating in the river so you can enjoy a beer while lounging in the river. As far as views there are a ton of hiking trails etc all a short drive from Pheiffer. Depends on your crew and who can hike how far. There is a tough but amazing hike up a mountain called Tanbark trail and tin building hike. It has an old Tin building at the top with an amazing view of the coast. But its half day hike with a good climb in and the same hike back down. Its a tough hike for anyone out of shape, young or old. Any specific activities you want to know about just ask.

http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_tanbark.html

 

Cheap enough to give it a try.

 

Group buy going on currently for the nomad.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/live-nomad-tent-by-topperlift-no-lift-required.610677/

It really doesn't take up all that much space when rolled up to the ceiling. The new Nomad material is just as thin as the previous non insulated material.

Regarding the full lift,
The new insulated material is also much thinner than the previous quilted insulated material but has roughly the same R-Value. It is an exclusive material including 2 layers of 400 denier fabric with a thin layer of advanced insulation. There really isn't much bulk at all and it mostly tucks behind the actuators.

 

Chiming in because I pretty much am going balls deep on a camping trip. I have relatives in CO and I live in PA. I've been wanting to take my girlfriend out for a 3 week trip and now we are as she is *giggle* my secretary--she quit her job and we now have ultimate flexibility as I run my own businesses.

Went with the Leitner Designs Active Cargo System with dual Gear Pod XL's for our base which I will also be using for work after the trip.



I'm in the process of ATTEMPTING to source the roof top tent I want but there appears to be some confusion as to if it is in stock or not so I'm currently waiting to find out but it's a Tepui Ruggedized RTT. If it falls through I'm eyeballing the iKamper

Other items for this glamping trip I'll be acquriing over the next two months:

• Engel Fridge to be mounted behind the passenger seat.
• Winnerwell Portable Wood Stove
• Dakar Leafs for +330lbs in the rear constant load.
• Roam Rugged Case - Not sure what size yet.. might get two smaller boxes
• ARB Compressor
• 270 Degree Awning - Can't find any in stock (that are reasonably priced)
• Amorphous 144w panel and solar controller to combat fridge

 

Does your wife know? JK

 

No wife--just long term girlfriend. We're not really looking to get married or have kids but we are looking to travel!

 

JK = joke
I haven’t had much luck. My ex wife camped until we got married (then all of sudden she didn’t like it). My fiancé is pretty Luke warm on it and I only get her out for a short trip once or twice a year. I have been tent camping so far, but we are going to try an RV this year (I prefer tents). I had a motorhome with my ex for a few years, but it didn’t help. I am going to rent a tow behind this summer and try it.

 

hah no worries I know you were joking--I too joke with her about her new position. My buddy just went the tow-behind option but I'm more for the single expedition route. I would potentially incorporate an expedition style trailer down the road if she enjoys herself and wants to go more and more.

 

It ain’t about me. I strap on a backpack and hike out for a week with no issues. I am just trying to get some fun “us” time in the great outdoors. I am not sure I understand the aversion to it. Really, I have an REI Kingdom 6 with the garage. A port-a-potti, tables, zero gravity chairs... all the comforts of home.

 

I know you have gotten a lot of feedback, but wanted to share a little because I'm on my way back home from a two week trip from Florida to Arches National Park. We stopped at hotels along the way rather than bringing food with us. Best decision we made because getting all our stuff in the bed was like playing tetris. At times I wished I had a topper instead of a tonneau cover.

I had thought of pulling a trailer, but glad I didn't speed and fuel would have taken a hit. Especially going through Colorado as part of our way back (we spent two days in Colorado Springs). We did bring our bikes but that didn't really affect MPG. Not having a trailer gave us the freedom to do things along the way in Texas and New Mexico.

We tent camped at Arches and got our food in Moab when we got there. This was one of the moments I wished I had a topper because we had to setup the campsite and then go back to Moab to get our food. Once we got settled in we were able to take to truck out to explore Moab and some of the trails out there.

NOTE: The people across from us pulled at trailer with a RTT all the way from Iowa but they just drove to get there as soon as possible.

Hope this helps...