Camper or Tent? Which do you Prefer?

JockC · November 14, 2011, 06:38:00 PM

I have multiple tents, including a small wall tent and an ultralight tipi that both take wood stoves, and I love them deeply. I've spent well over four years of my life in tents. However, when the wind gets bad enough in mountains or prairie there is no way a tent is as comfortable as a hard shell.

Last year I did a bow/bird trip to eastern Montana with a couple of buds, and one girlfriend. I was sleeping in the back of my 150 with a topper on it. It's always windy there, but the last night was savage. I slept fine and was up making coffee when one friend crawled out of his tent, pitched in the lee of my truck. He looked at me with bloodshot, sunken eyes, and said, "I felt like a sock in a clothes dryer last night!"

Hey, Jeff, if you're going to build a teardrop be sure to check the link I posted earlier in this long thread. It has dozens of designs and photos.

ksbowman · November 14, 2011, 07:32:00 PM

I look forward to tent camping and absolutely love it. That being said I do hunt and shoot where there isn't someone else there to help and fortunately I am getting older where it's nice to set up and breakdown camp in just a few minutes with minimum effort. This year I bought an old 5th wheel 19 foot trailer and it's great. I even have a shower and heat already setup. The bad part is I may have to buy another pickup soon, cause my old Dodge has 260,000 miles on it and I always wonder is this it's last trip?

LITTLEBIGMAN · November 14, 2011, 07:48:00 PM

I prefer my yurt

Earl E. Nov...mber · November 14, 2011, 10:06:00 PM

I absolutely love my 19' Scamp 5er. Leave it parked at the deer pasture and it makes an excellent cabin during the season.. Lights, heat, Fridge, stove, potty if I need it and a bed that is comfortable and I don't have to tear it down or make it up every day.
Only problem is when it's windy the safety chains rattle right under my bed.. gotta fix that.

David Yukon · November 14, 2011, 11:17:00 PM

Eael E... Put your chains in an old bike inertube...

Little b, the yurt is great, but not easily movable...

As for hight wind, I camp a few time in the tundra in the winter under heavy wind(40 to 60 MPH0 and slept like a baby... whene you have the right tent!!

jhg · November 15, 2011, 09:40:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Scioto:

... I am a bit torn, because I feel like you kind of miss out on part of the experience somewhat living out of a camper...

Bivy hunts aside, and if by tents you do not mean the wood stoved hotel types that are really heated canvas campers, and a camper is your basic unit without dish TV, I am going to have a camper base camp next season and here is why:

after 13 or more hrs a day in the woods, regardless of the weather, and having no "camp person" with a hot meal waiting for you OR a wood heated wall tent (same comforts as a camper IMO and pretty cool) to hang your wet socks and gear in, I have found it less than enjoyable making up a good meal in the wind and the cold, in the dark, when you can't even get out of your boots until the dish(s) are done- and then its already 9PM- well it is not that much fun. So being able to sit down without having all your gear on while dinner is cooking and having those boots off in a warm place out of the weather is really not missing out on anything except discomfort.
Its one thing when its warm, the day in the woods has been short, and the wind is not blowing hard to enjoy the "charms" of a tent camp. When you are tired, its cold wet and dark there is no "sitting around the fire" waxing philosophic about the joys of the outdoors.

Joshua

Fortun81 · November 16, 2011, 11:14:00 PM

each has it's time and place. Get a camper, and keep your tent. Doesn't hurt to have both. I have had small solo bivy tents, and 30' 5th wheels. It depends on the hunt, who is going with you, how long you will be out, the weather, etc. Doesn't hurt to have options!

Oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer · November 17, 2011, 11:52:00 AM

Here's our little Scotty on the KS OK borderline.

jhg · November 17, 2011, 12:04:00 PM

Very nice Mike. Simple, small enough to get into those "special" places. Perfect.

Joshua

Oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer · November 17, 2011, 11:51:00 PM

It makes a nice camp to rest up and fix up something to eat. Lots of nice deer but no kills yet. Rifle starts this week end deer will be on the move with rut and escape activity. Sure would like to bury a ditch rock in a big ole border buck. Mike

Izzy · March 20, 2015, 04:45:00 PM

ttt Good stuff. Ordering my wall tent next week.

ronp · March 20, 2015, 04:48:00 PM

Hey Izzy
What are ya buying?

Izzy · March 20, 2015, 05:02:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by ronp:
Hey Izzy
What are ya buying?

Montana canvas from the wall tent store. 12 x 14, or 12 x 12 with a collapsible stove.

ronp · March 20, 2015, 05:29:00 PM

That sounds awesome!

ronp · March 20, 2015, 05:35:00 PM

I checked those tents on-line, Izzy. They look really nice. I betcha can't wait to do some camping with the boys!

R.V.T.B. · March 20, 2015, 06:57:00 PM

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12 X 14 Davis wall tent with a four dog stove.

Izzy · March 20, 2015, 07:56:00 PM

Ron, once I set it up I might retire early and never be seen again by civilized folks. Ill live on the Moose River til the rangers find me and we know how often they pass through.

Gdpolk · March 20, 2015, 08:29:00 PM

Campers are good for quick trips or trips where the camp isn't the focus. They provide convenience and amenities which truly can make some trips much more enjoyable, especially if women and children are involved. In addition they are easier to control the climate in which may make better sense if your in a very hot or cold environment and want to have control of that while sleeping.

Tents make the camping experience more rich if enjoying nature is the focus. Even more so than that, I like hammock camping under a tarp. It's open and puts you right in the middle of nature.

If I had to choose between a camper and a really nice tent like a wall tent or something, I'd go camper all the way and just bring my hammock too.

March 20, 2015, 11:39:00 PM

Camper!

Bisch

randy grider · March 21, 2015, 12:46:00 AM

I think a pickup truck with a camper shell has got to be the most versatile way to camp. For single nighters, its more than enough for one man, and you can haul lots of camping gear in it. A tent and popup canopy lets you camp in fair comfort, and its less to get stuck, manuver, and buy fuel for. I have a 25 ft camper and diesel truck, but dont pull it more than a few hours from home as it just costs too much.