Camping equipment at KOSH with Caravan arrivals

[Godfather]

For some reason I do not find cots very comfortable. I have the aluminum army style and the cheaper Walmart versions and prefer to use the blow up air mattress instead. For a cheap tent you will probably want a 4 person tent. However, if you spend a little more you might be able to find a lightweight 6 person unit. With your wife's knee it might be very important to have a tent she can stand in...if I was in your shoes I'd find a 5-6 person tent she could stand upright in that fit in the Mooney and pay whatever it took to get the job done. You might find the cost of a one night hotel stay could upgrade the tent considerably. 

[gsxrpilot]

7 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

I agree about air mattresses being uncomfortable is general. And I wonder that these extra high=thick models might be more prone to sag. @madjano ?

@Bob_Belville we have one of those and they are very comfortable, as long as you can inflate them properly. If AC power is available, it's easy, if not, make sure you have the appropriate DC solution. They are very heavy duty and as good as a bed when inflated.

[peevee]

1 minute ago, gsxrpilot said:

@Bob_Belville we have one of those and they are very comfortable, as long as you can inflate them properly. If AC power is available, it's easy, if not, make sure you have the appropriate DC solution. They are very heavy duty and as good as a bed when inflated.

also keep in mind you need a power solution with it in the tent, since it probably won't fit through the door inflated.

Also, a lot of us already have this stuff around. I'm happy to lean you anything you need, tent, stove etc. I have a double height air mattress like I posted, an air pump that runs on D cell batteries, a tent fan/led light, heater.... etc etc.

[gsxrpilot]

9 minutes ago, peevee said:

also keep in mind you need a power solution with it in the tent, since it probably won't fit through the door inflated.

Also, a lot of us already have this stuff around. I'm happy to lean you anything you need, tent, stove etc. I have a double height air mattress like I posted, an air pump that runs on D cell batteries, a tent fan/led light, heater.... etc etc.

The caravan always has a generator and there are some long extension cords. I think you'll be fine.

[madjano]

47 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

I agree about air mattresses being uncomfortable is general. And I wonder that these extra high=thick models might be more prone to sag. @madjano ?

I have slept in hammocks on the side of mountains, foam backpack mattress, army cots (terrible), bedspring cots/w mattress (nice, but to bulky for mooney), and I find this to be the best compromise to get me off the ground now that I am a little bit wiser in years.

Like I said it was better than I remember, but I was sleeping with my 50lb 7 year old and I am FAA standard size.  So we didn't end up with everything "meeting in the middle".

I suggest that you try it at home first, being it's from Wally Mart, should be an easy return if you hate it, or just keep it for the little ones when they overnight. 

I just had a thought that maybe two twins would be better for two adults. 

Jan

[clh]

+1 on the twins, especially if it is warm....   Also, Academy usually has good prices on cheap, (but not total junk) tents.

[Bob_Belville]

Lot's of good advice and offers!

Keep those cards and letters coming in. Here in South Podunk USA we have a Super Walmart and a Dicks. In nearby Hickory there's an Academy, Sams, Target, etc. so we can do some touchy feely shopping. 

[201er]

Bring your usual airplane peepee solution with you. Sucks if you need to go in the middle of the night and have to get clothed and put on shoes in a crammed space to run in the cold to a stinky portapotty just to take a leak. 

Ha! What does Jose do? Run a hose extension from his Mooney into his tent?? 

Also bring a comfortable winter hat. If it gets cold at night, keeping your head warm is the quickest and lightest way to get warm. It gets quite chilly at night there.

Edited June 1, 2017 by 201er

[Bob_Belville]

9 minutes ago, 201er said:

Bring your usual airplane peepee solution with you. Sucks if you need to go in the middle of the night and have to get clothed and put on shoes in a crammed space to run in the cold to a stinky portapotty just to take a leak. 

Ha! What does Jose do? Run a hose extension from his Mooney into his tent?? 

Also bring a comfortable winter hat. If it gets cold at night, keeping your head warm is the quickest and lightest way to get warm. It gets quite chilly at night there.

This practical detail is exactly what Nancy does not want to hear.

[KSMooniac]

In 2010 I took my father to OSH with the stipulation that we must camp...he never took us camping growing up, and hadn't been in a tent since Vietnam! But he was willing to camp if it meant a trip to the show. To accommodate his needs, I bought a 6-person backpacking tent (Mountain Hardwear brand) as well as a cot (ALPS brand I think) and some large self-inflating camp pads ( also ALPS) for use on the ground and with the cot for him. All of those were bought for way less than retail...there are so many good brands and sales outlets today that you can find great gear for reasonable money IMO. I even got a battery powered ceiling fan to hang in the tent! This setup worked well for my dad who is not physically fit or active.

 

I'd look at REI Garage and sierratradingpost.com for tents, pads, cots, etc. The "real" backpacking or mountaineering gear will be lighter, pack smaller, and likely stand up to wind and rain better than discount store stuff. There are plenty of stories of collapsed tents and soaked gear at OSH so try to get good stuff, even if you'll only use it once a year, or less! I wouldn't hesitate to buy used tents on eBay either if they're quality brands.

 

Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

[steingar]

Whatever tent you get it had better be able to stand up to wind and storms.  You're camping in a Wisconsin field.  I woke up after one bad storm to a field of blown down tents (of course not mine!).  If you think spending too much on a tent is bad, wait until your camp shy wife gets woken up with a tent around her ears and the outside blowing in.

Thing about the Show is it is a really inexpensive holiday.  I'll spend more for a weekend in New York.  So I don't mind spending a bit on camping accouterments to make the experience more comfortable.

[Bob_Belville]

1 minute ago, steingar said:

Whatever tent you get it had better be able to stand up to wind and storms.  You're camping in a Wisconsin field.  I woke up after one bad storm to a field of blown down tents (of course not mine!).  If you think spending too much on a tent is bad, wait until your camp shy wife gets woken up with a tent around her ears and the outside blowing in.

Thing about the Show is it is a really inexpensive holiday.  I'll spend more for a weekend in New York.  So I don't mind spending a bit on camping accouterments to make the experience more comfortable.

Completely agree. So what model is your wind proof tent?

I read that aluminum poles are preferred over fiberglass. Any pros/cons here?

[peevee]

11 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

This practical detail is exactly what Nancy does not want to hear.

the 6-8 man tents usually have rooms that zip off, you could bring a cassette toilet but that almost sounds worse.

[orionflt]

1 minute ago, steingar said:

Whatever tent you get it had better be able to stand up to wind and storms.  You're camping in a Wisconsin field.  I woke up after one bad storm to a field of blown down tents (of course not mine!).  If you think spending too much on a tent is bad, wait until your camp shy wife gets woken up with a tent around her ears and the outside blowing in.

Thing about the Show is it is a really inexpensive holiday.  I'll spend more for a weekend in New York.  So I don't mind spending a bit on camping accouterments to make the experience more comfortable.

our usual LL bean tent died a few yrs back (was over 25 yrs old), since it was only going to be the wife and I that year we used the larger tent that we had for the girls and extra storage. one of the fore mentioned storms rolled in and the next thing we know the tent is only half standing! glad wal mart was close by, and we found a nice Coleman tent as a replacement. 

[steingar]

Just now, Bob_Belville said:

Completely agree. So what model is your wind proof tent?

I read that aluminum poles are preferred over fiberglass. Any pros/cons here?

Yes, Aluminum is way better than fiberglass.  The latter breaks, the former bends and can be repaired.  Right now I think I have Sierra Designs and REI tents.  I've had  number.  The cabin tents are far more comfortable, but they'll invariably blow over in a strong wind.  All my tents are low and have big rain flies.  Oshkosh gets some really impressive storms.  There are some discount sites that will sell larger backpacking tents for not so much coin.  If you do to get one in a store you'll pay.  A Cabella's special may or may not work, just depends on how strong the winds are and how bad the storms get.

[orionflt]

I personally prefer the carbon fiber poles, never had an issue with those, but you are also buying a more expensive tent.

[KSMooniac]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/252916422885

I have a smaller dome tent from this company that I used backpacking and motorcycle camping, and solo at OSH. This example looks like a decent buy, but some small repairs are needed for a couple holes...short work to save a few hundred bucks. If tied down properly it would likely stand up to summer storms.

Forgot to mention...do not get a 4-season tent! That is rated for snow...will be heavier, breathe less, and a lot more expensive.

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[orionflt]

7 minutes ago, KSMooniac said:

Forgot to mention...do not get a 4-season tent! That is rated for snow...will be heavier, breathe less, and a lot more expensive.
 

That may be true, but my wife prefers the 4 season tent because it ends up being warmer in the tent at night, during the day you just open the vents. not that we spend anytime in the tent during the day.

[gsxrpilot]

1 hour ago, 201er said:

Also bring a comfortable winter hat. If it gets cold at night, keeping your head warm is the quickest and lightest way to get warm. It gets quite chilly at night there.

Actually the best way to stay warm at night, and even more effective than a hat, is to put on fresh socks and underwear, just before crawling into bed. You should still have the hat though, it's good advice as well.

Try it.

[Godfather]

14 minutes ago, gsxrpilot said:

Actually the best way to stay warm at night, and even more effective than a hat, is to put on fresh socks and underwear, just before crawling into bed. You should still have the hat though, it's good advice as well.

Try it.

Brings back memories of long mountaineering trips with week old undergarments and wet foul smelling wool socks (over my shoulders/under my shirt) to dry as I slept 4 people to a 4 person tent. 

[Godfather]

2 hours ago, 201er said:

Bring your usual airplane peepee solution with you. Sucks if you need to go in the middle of the night and have to get clothed and put on shoes in a crammed space to run in the cold to a stinky portapotty just to take a leak. 

Ha! What does Jose do? Run a hose extension from his Mooney into his tent?? 

Also bring a comfortable winter hat. If it gets cold at night, keeping your head warm is the quickest and lightest way to get warm. It gets quite chilly at night there.

Portapotty?  I just hang it out the tent fly...don't walk too close you might get wet feet. 

[Skates97]

I'm not sure if someone mentioned it, but the ability to stand up in the tent is priceless. I have done a lot of camping/backpacking and when car camping we take the big tent that you can stand up in. Backpacking it is all about the weight, but getting undressed/dressed when your head is almost touching the top of the ten while sitting down is not something I want to do unless I have to....

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Skates97 said:

I'm not sure if someone mentioned it, but the ability to stand up in the tent is priceless. I have done a lot of camping/backpacking and when car camping we take the big tent that you can stand up in. Backpacking it is all about the weight, but getting undressed/dressed when your head is almost touching the top of the ten while sitting down is not something I want to do unless I have to....

Also the ability to sit in a chair and read when it's raining outside.

Clarence

[Bob_Belville]

Well, I wearied looking at tents! A trip to Dicks was no help so mostly on line. I think I've found a very nice, big tent at a good price. And I think the Intex 22" queen air mattress is going to be our best bet. The tent packs to 34x13x13 and weights 44#, the mattress weights 22# with built in pump.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I2SZWNC/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

All the comforts of home. (Nancy says absolutely no stove needed nor wanted.)

[peevee]

Sounds like you're on the way to a fun adventure.