Camping equipment at KOSH with Caravan arrivals

[yvesg]

Bob, there are two reasons you might not want too big of a tent.

1. As some mentionned: wind. We stop having issues when we stop taking our 6/8 persons Taj Mahal to Oshkosh. The location where the Caravan usually camps (west side of the field) is quite windy at times because of predominant winds.

2. The other reason is when they pack aircrafts, a big tent barely fits in the remaining space between them. It is quite worrysome to leave the tent for several hours when you have to worry about your tent rolling around and damaging those half a million dollar jewels.

Sleeping bags have the advantage of keeping you warm even if the air is cold. 

Looking forward to see you and Nancy again in OSH.

Yves & Diane

[Bob_Belville]

1 hour ago, yvesg said:

Bob, there are two reasons you might not want too big of a tent.

1. As some mentionned: wind. We stop having issues when we stop taking our 6/8 persons Taj Mahal to Oshkosh. The location where the Caravan usually camps (west side of the field) is quite windy at times because of predominant winds.

2. The other reason is when they pack aircrafts, a big tent barely fits in the remaining space between them. It is quite worrysome to leave the tent for several hours when you have to worry about your tent rolling around and damaging those half a million dollar jewels.

Sleeping bags have the advantage of keeping you warm even if the air is cold. 

Looking forward to see you and Nancy again in OSH.

Yves & Diane

Yves, actually I just returned from the airport where I tried to get an idea of how a 13' octagon tent would fit behind the wing of our Mooney. It is pretty big and would extend a couple of feet beyond the wingtip and behind the tail cone. Is anyone of the Caravan crowd using a similar tent? I know there was a plane behind us with kids and 2 tents but I did not pay enough attention to what folks were using. We plan to sleep on a single queen mattress so we do not need a 13x13. We do need a stand up tent though.

[gsxrpilot]

8 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

Yves, actually I just returned from the airport where I tried to get an idea of how a 13' octagon tent would fit behind the wing of our Mooney. It is pretty big and would extend a couple of feet beyond the wingtip and behind the tail cone. Is anyone of the Caravan crowd using a similar tent? I know there was a plane behind us with kids and 2 tents but I did not pay enough attention to what folks were using. We plan to sleep on a single queen mattress so we do not need a 13x13. We do need a stand up tent though.

Bob, I think you'll be just fine. You'll be among friends and everyone will accommodate.  Other's in the group have large tents, and many pitch two tents. It's not like you'll be trying to negotiate space with some random strangers parked next to you. Primary here is to make this a good experience for Nancy.

[JohnB]

On 6/1/2017 at 5:14 AM, Bob_Belville said:

Last year at AirVenture Nancy and I had a room in a private home while the plane was parked among all the Caravan arrivals paying $27 per night to camp. (Nancy declared that raising our 2 daughters she had been married to me for over 50 years our vows did not mention sleeping in a tent. She had slept in a bed 19,000+ nights and camped exactly zero nights. She was not interested in breaking her perfect record.)

But... she admits that we missed out on a lot by being away from the field over night and she's weakening her resolve.

 

Bob!

 

That's exactly my scenario this year, my first visit to Oshkosh and with the Caravan!  I arranged a private home to stay because of exactly the same reasons you had with Nancy. What are we going to miss out on by not having a tent? Will chairs do or should I bring a tent along with us "just in case" we get the desire to camp?

 

John

[Ned Gravel]

Keep up the good work guys. After 22 years sleeping in swamps, and taking Ute in the wild beyond for weeks at a time, we have reached a point where I need a shorter walk to the heads for the two extra trips I make at night now.  And not over wet grass where I need to put on shoes to walk.

For the last two years, we eschewed our camping background and stayed in a concrete tent near the runway.  Not this year.  Those folks want a week's worth of money from everyone booking - so we are staying at the University with its shuttle.  

Transportation may be an issue, but I think we can sort that out.  Our tent is being borrowed by a younger couple flying the FISK arrival in an Arrow.  

[Brandontwalker]

Now that tents are settled, what about cooking. Are stoves and/or grills allowed?


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[peevee]

45 minutes ago, Brandontwalker said:

Now that tents are settled, what about cooking. Are stoves and/or grills allowed?


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He said his wife said no stove needed or requested, maybe they're planning to dine out the whole time

[Brandontwalker]

He said his wife said no stove needed or requested, maybe they're planning to dine out the whole time

Yeah, I was mainly asking for my benefit.


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[peevee]

56 minutes ago, Brandontwalker said:

Yeah, I was mainly asking for my benefit.


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Oh, sorry. Can't help you there but I have a propane Coleman stove if anyone wants to borrow it.

[kpaul]

9 hours ago, Brandontwalker said:

 Are stoves and/or grills allowed?

Here is a recommended camping list http://www.mooneycaravan.com/community/oshkosh-camping-suggestions from the Caravan site.  It mentions small camp stoves.

[Bob_Belville]

10 hours ago, JohnB said:

Bob!

 

That's exactly my scenario this year, my first visit to Oshkosh and with the Caravan!  I arranged a private home to stay because of exactly the same reasons you had with Nancy. What are we going to miss out on by not having a tent? Will chairs do or should I bring a tent along with us "just in case" we get the desire to camp?

 

John

John,

First, if you and your wife are experienced campers that's your best bet. If you have paid for your room you might want to keep that arrangement though a pretty high %age of the Caravan folks camp. (We stayed in a private home last year, our first Caravan and first AirVenture. We got the contact, though not a recommendation, from Jan and Don Maxwell. Our host was one of those Norwegian Bachelor Farmers right off the Prairie Home Companion. He had had a lady come in the week before KOSH to clean but Nancy would sleep on the ground before staying there again. My princess has a well developed smeller.)

I guess my main objection to the private home arrangement is that it locks you to a schedule. We did not rent a car and our host was happy to take us to the field and pick us up. But it would have been much better to be able to be more spontaneous. Nancy sleeps about twice as long as I do, for example. I'd be happy to sip something and talk Mooneys half the night and she'd be happy to go to bed with a book. Camping should suit us both if we can make her comfortable. Cold and even rain with a brand new big tent is fine. Extreme heat at night, which I'm sure is more than possible in WI in July, is less fine. 

You will certainly want light weight chairs for the air shows at least. I'd say light backpacks to keep water, sunscreen, maybe a tote umbrella, jacket... stuff you'll need to be away from your home all day. There are a couple of evening airshows which are worth being there for so it's a long day. I envision that Nancy who is a vociferous reader will take to the tent at some point every day to take a load off her feet read and communicate. KOSH is my program, she's a trouper.

As others have pointed out, the Caravan has a large community tent with chairs and tables to accommodate our whole group for the BBQ etc. so you won't need your own tent for shelter from a storm if you're in the North 40. If a shower comes while you're on the grounds proper there are plenty of buildings and exhibitors tents to go to. 

But we've only done this once... others can add more experienced advice.

[JohnB]

5 hours ago, Bob_Belville said:

John,

First, if you and your wife are experienced campers that's your best bet. If you have paid for your room you might want to keep that arrangement though

You will certainly want light weight chairs for the air shows at least. I'd say light backpacks to keep water, sunscreen, maybe a tote umbrella, jacket... stuff you'll need to be away from your home all day. There are a couple of evening airshows which are worth being there for so it's a long day. I envision that Nancy who is a vociferous reader will take to the tent at some point every day to take a load off her feet read and communicate. KOSH is my program, she's a trouper.

 

Bob,

  Very helpful sir! I think I'll setup the day meeting spot at the plane and sleeping in the room as you did last year and see how that goes! Going chair and umbrella shopping! Thanks!

John

[thinwing]

On 6/1/2017 at 7:10 AM, Bob_Belville said:

Further input: Nancy has a high tech (replacement) knee and needs to have a cot that's off the ground as much as possible. This one is heavy (21#) but otherwise looks good to me...   https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63572?feat=3891-plalander

 

Bob...wife and I camp a lot....we've got all the stuff and I honesty can tell you she is going to HATE sleeping overnight in high heat and humidity and especially the noise of other campers in the plane next door laughing,sneezing,farting snoring when she is trying to sleep!..if you feel your missing out..put up a pop up lawn chairs and cooler with drinks enjoy that for the day than when you guys poop out..have the guy your renting the room from pick you up at main gate and enjoy the air conditioned quiet.

[Skates97]

1 hour ago, thinwing said:

Bob...wife and I camp a lot....we've got all the stuff and I honesty can tell you she is going to HATE sleeping overnight in high heat and humidity and especially the noise of other campers in the plane next door laughing,sneezing,farting snoring when she is trying to sleep!..if you feel your missing out..put up a pop up lawn chairs and cooler with drinks enjoy that for the day than when you guys poop out..have the guy your renting the room from pick you up at main gate and enjoy the air conditioned quiet.

Oh... Take a set of ear plugs for sleeping. When I go camping I always have a few sets in my bag. 

[thinwing]

We once camped out in the Sierras at a pretty lake with primitive camping....the fun started About 10pm with 15 members of E Clampus Vitus decided to have a drinking contest mixed with night target practice...earplugs don't always work

[Bob_Belville]

2 hours ago, thinwing said:

Bob...wife and I camp a lot....we've got all the stuff and I honesty can tell you she is going to HATE sleeping overnight in high heat and humidity and especially the noise of other campers in the plane next door laughing,sneezing,farting snoring when she is trying to sleep!..if you feel your missing out..put up a pop up lawn chairs and cooler with drinks enjoy that for the day than when you guys poop out..have the guy your renting the room from pick you up at main gate and enjoy the air conditioned quiet.

Oh she already hates it and we've never done it. But we're not light sleepers and I don't think farting down the flight line will wake us up. Heat and humidity is another matter though. along with civilized shower facilities. Cold and rainy would be better sleeping

[yvesg]

We've been to Airventure the last 4 years and did not have a night where the temperature was too hot or humid to sleep well. For people that snore (like my wife), and loud neighbors, ear muffles are the best. I use them almost every night. The only problem I found is that there are airplanes taking off very VERY early in the morning. Those war birds and jets taking off at 7AM get through the ear muffles no problem.

Yves

[Bob_Belville]

11 minutes ago, yvesg said:

We've been to Airventure the last 4 years and did not have a night where the temperature was too hot or humid to sleep well. For people that snore (like my wife), and loud neighbors, ear muffles are the best. I use them almost every night. The only problem I found is that there are airplanes taking off very VERY early in the morning. Those war birds and jets taking off at 7AM get through the ear muffles no problem.

Yves

That's all good. By 7 A.M. we're on our 3rd cuppa. (And 7:00 in WI is 8:00 in NC.) 

[peevee]

51 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

Oh she already hates it and we've never done it. But we're not light sleepers and I don't think farting down the flight line will wake us up. Heat and humidity is another matter though. along with civilized shower facilities. Cold and rainy would be better sleeping

A nice light rain and sleeping in a tent is lovely. It's just everything else that sucks, like trying to dry your gear out to pack up and head home.

Now I wish I had the time off to go.

[201er]

1 hour ago, Bob_Belville said:

Oh she already hates it and we've never done it. But we're not light sleepers and I don't think farting down the flight line will wake us up. Heat and humidity is another matter though. along with civilized shower facilities. Cold and rainy would be better sleeping

Bob, in my limited experience, you pick your temperature by time. If you want 90F, go to bed in the middle of the day. 80F, afternoon. 70F, late evening, 60F, after midnight, 50F by around 3AM!

[amillet]

I bought one of these to try at Oshkosh

 

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, amillet said:

I bought one of these to try at Oshkosh

 

I saw that. Probably great but too low to the ground for old knees.

[201er]

Just now, Bob_Belville said:

I saw that. Probably great but too low to the ground for old knees.

I have a crazy idea, but what about a hammock? Maybe there's a tent with support for one or some portable stakes that can be assembled to hold one? That might get you the highest ground clearance possible.

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, 201er said:

I have a crazy idea, but what about a hammock? Maybe there's a tent with support for one or some portable stakes that can be assembled to hold one? That might get you the highest ground clearance possible.

Mike, yup crazy idea.

[201er]

Apparently there's an entire industry for these:

https://www.bulbhead.com/portable-hammock.html?gclid=CLS-sb7JpdQCFcpLDQodxKYLTA