sachilles wrote:
Forgive me if it has been covered. A roof top tent is cool and all, but what are it's advantages?
Guaranteed flat/dry/level
Can camp comfortably on concrete
It takes me 5 minutes to pitch it and 2 minutes to strike it. It just unfolds and pop, you have a fabric house
Bedding (including a thick mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, clothes, etc.) stays in the tent ready to go
The tent is waterproof before/during/after setup
Bugs/critters stay out, but more importantly you don't track dirt into the tent.
Insulated floor keeps you warm
No stakes or ropes
Great views you don't get from the ground
Compared to a dome tent, much more interior volume due to vertical walls
much stronger in regards to wind/snow/rain
doesn't take up any space in your truck
takes up much less area than a ground tent, so its great for small/ illegitimate campsites.
Oh, and its cool. Need I say more?
NicoleTropea wrote:
Yes, but he kept getting upset when people mistook his Parkinson's symptoms for a new dance craze.
See? I told you guys she was cool!
Tom Suddard wrote:
NicoleTropea wrote:
Yes, but he kept getting upset when people mistook his Parkinson's symptoms for a new dance craze.
See? I told you guys she was cool!
Except for this group, you quoted the wrong post. 
Tom Suddard wrote:
NicoleTropea wrote:
\
Also, I'd like to point out that the prom scene in Back to the Future takes place in 1955, and that the Edsel in the picture wasn't made until '59. Movie reference destroyed (unless the Edsel can also travel back in time...)
That better?
Works for me! Lessee..if Tom ends up running the magazine one day, I guess that means we should be nice to Nicole, because it's possible she'll be building the next generation patio.
reading thru this has inspired me to stick with tenting and forgo thoughts of an RV.
imirk
HalfDork
9/19/12 5:25 p.m.
BARNCA wrote:
reading thru this has inspired me to stick with tenting and forgo thoughts of an RV.
best to do your tenting while you are young and still able to.
Just wanted to say enjoy camping with your GF, you lucky bugger. My wife's idea of camping involves the Fairmont Hotel.
Wally
UltimaDork
9/19/12 7:02 p.m.
If I didn't have a uniform I'd wear shorts all year, but I do wear a hat when its cold. I keep a small beanie in my coat pocket. They work most of the time, and if it's really cold it fits under the goofy hat that I got from work. As for a tent I usually get mine off Priceline. They are always warm, and if I'm lucky breakfast is ready when I get up.
I'd have as much concern for a supportive pad/ mattress as the insulating capability of a sleeping bag.
For the bag I'd vote mummy.
Anything in Mil. surplus these days?
Went camping (tent) with the 5 month old and a 2 year old recently, the low was just above 40F. We put toques on the kids ;). You'll be fine - it really isn't that bad. It never hurts to have an extra sleeping bag or two.
friedgreencorrado wrote:
Tom Suddard wrote:
NicoleTropea wrote:
\
Also, I'd like to point out that the prom scene in Back to the Future takes place in 1955, and that the Edsel in the picture wasn't made until '59. Movie reference destroyed (unless the Edsel can also travel back in time...)
That better?
Works for me! Lessee..if Tom ends up running the magazine one day, I guess that means we should be nice to Nicole, because it's possible she'll be building the next generation patio.
I'm pretty sure Nicole is quite capable of building a very nice patio of her own. Plus, I'm happy to stick around and offer her a few tips.
Margie
So how does the car top tent get level? It have adjustments where it mounts to the truck, or do you have to level the truck?
pres589
SuperDork
9/19/12 9:20 p.m.
I have to ask what the diff is on this heat question inre: foam pad vs. air mattress... aren't foam pads basically full of air, just in small pockets? Thought air was an insulator anyway.
You have to level the truck, which involves shoving a few sticks/rocks under a wheel or two (or I guess you could bust out the high lift). Granted, it's extra effort, but it is much easier than leveling an entire ground tent.
imirk wrote:
BARNCA wrote:
reading thru this has inspired me to stick with tenting and forgo thoughts of an RV.
best to do your tenting while you are young and still able to.
Hey I can pitch a tent as fast as I ever could, just ask my wife...
If you really want to stay warm just do this..
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f85_1253680484
Replace the (recommended) buddy with a brick on the gas peddle.
Raze
SuperDork
9/20/12 6:35 a.m.
I camped alot in the winter in New England as kid, I'm an Eagle Scout, a few things besides everyone's comments on staying warm while sleeping.
The most important thing you can do is choose clothing so you don't sweat too much in the cold. It won't matter how warm your bag is if you're soaking wet going in. Dress in layers and as soon as you start doing physical things, take off a layer, continue so you are still cool and not sweating. Also, give your body time to cool down (I know that sounds strange, BEFORE you layer back up after physical activity). Also, have changes of socks, your feet will sweat even in the cold, and it sucks having cold wet feet in winter. Make sure to change them every time you take your boots off.
Take a winter hat, and wear it when you go to sleep.
Another neat trick to staying warm at night, is to take a bag of bagles with you, right before you go to sleep, eat one. Your digestive process will actually help keep you warm all night.
Dry feet, a warm head, and a full stomach make camping quite comfortable. I've slept on the snow in a tarp in winter clothes this way and been fine...
