Tent packing question

[superfish]

I just received my Half Dome 2 from the big brown truck - couple days ago.
I'm working on how to pack it. Obviously space is at a premium. There are folders and suffers. I've tried putting the tent in a compressor bag but that just makes a hard semi-round blob. Then I tried putting both the tent and the sleeping bag loose in the SEAL bag. That wasn't so good either. Hard to compress. When I put both in their respective stuff bags they are the wrong (too wide) shape for the SEAL bag.

1--have you ever used a stuff bag for a half Dome. Did it harm the tent??
2-- suggestions??

This is what it looked like at the end of the last trip. I would like to avoid the traveling gypsy look. I'm going to try folding the tent loose in the SEAL bag.
Perhaps I'll need to get a waterproof duffel with a different shape.

The Magna is my bike of choice -- so we're not changing that. I know that this might be easier with a BMW touring bike; but I don't want one. Nothing personal to you BMW owners.

[bluepoof]

i've used a stuff sack in the past for my Sierra Designs tent, with no damage at all to the tent.

[Mellow]

I folded my tent once.. when I first got it.. never could get it back in the bag it came in... have only stuffed it... My apex tent have suffered no damages due to this approach.

[Mellow]

I folded my tent once.. when I first got it.. never could get it back in the bag it came in... have only stuffed it... My apex tent have suffered no damages due to this approach.

[SCoffman1]

I use the Helen2Wheels bags. She recommends using a cord tie sack for your tent. Her rationale is that your tent is frequently wet when packed at the campsite from dew. A sealed sack wouldn't let it ventilate any. She has these cord tie sacks that are cinched at the end but still leaves it open some. Not a lot of ventilation. It won't really dry out, but it's not sealed in there. Here is a link to a PDF file that she developed on packing.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/downloads/HelenTwowheels.pdf

I like her bags. I use a sealed roll top sack for my sleeping bag and a cord tie sack for my tent and one for my Kermit chair.

Steve

[SCoffman1]

I use the Helen2Wheels bags. She recommends using a cord tie sack for your tent. Her rationale is that your tent is frequently wet when packed at the campsite from dew. A sealed sack wouldn't let it ventilate any. She has these cord tie sacks that are cinched at the end but still leaves it open some. Not a lot of ventilation. It won't really dry out, but it's not sealed in there. Here is a link to a PDF file that she developed on packing.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/downloads/HelenTwowheels.pdf

I like her bags. I use a sealed roll top sack for my sleeping bag and a cord tie sack for my tent and one for my Kermit chair.

Steve

[bluepoof]

Oh, good point re Helen2Wheels. I love the roll top sack from her that I use for my sleeping bag and thermarest.

[Ripshod]

Helen knows her business. At any rate Superfish, you'll not want to pack your sleeping bag anywhere touching your tent.

I use a six-year old Half Dome. Mine packs longer than most light tents - it's thin, but 22" long. That isn't a big problem because I have other gear that long so I have room for it but - I wondered if they'd cut that folded pole length down so the Half Dome packs shorter. Mine has always fold/rolled down to slide in its bag easily but I think that tent's been through a lot of design changes.

I think your pack job is clean. As long as it all goes in the same direction as the bike, I'd say it's packed fine. There is a huge variety of waterproof pack bags out there. You should be able to find a bag that'll make it just the shape you want.

[HOGCDR]

My half dome goes back into the bag it came in, also put in my Half Dome foot print, replaced to stakes with Wally nail stakes. Never put sleeping bag with tent, allot of junk on tent, and moisture. Tent poles are your issue, mine are only 18", my tent is a 04.

[sandman]

" I would like to avoid the traveling gypsy look."

Speaking from my esteemed position as a charter member, too late you are an official member of the Jed Clampett Motocamping Club.

How 'bout a Bronson Bag??

[wwells]

Not fold the tent? :eek:I just fold my footprint and tent together as if they were connected. That way I unfold them together for set up... :confused:but stuffing may actually be better. Hasn't anyone ever mentioned that old people don't like change? But I think I'm going to try to fight through this and make the change. P^

[Trailace]

The direction that came with my Northface tent said to fold it to the width wanted and then roll it. Works well for me. Since I camp almost every night putting the tent up wet in a waterproof bag is not an issue and it keep my other stuff for getting wet or damp. I would not keep it that way for more than a day or two. I carry the fly and tent in a waterproof bag however if the fly gets wet and the tent is dry I split them and put the tent in it own bag so the only thing wet is the fly.

I find that with my bigger tent it works out better to keep the fly and tent in their own smaller bags. It’s not as hard to pack it that way. Try it next time and let me know if it works better for ya.

[punk_emo_tx]

As long as it all goes in the same direction as the bike, I'd say it's packed fine.

P^P^P^

[superfish]

Sandman (Gerry if I may),
I've been thinking about my packing situation and your comments. You may have put your charter member finger on the most important point. I have given the issue some more thought and I am happy to have my 25 year old bike take my 71 year old body down the road with out too much trouble no matter how it looks. As Ripshod suggests as long as it all goes in the same direction I'm OK. I considered the Bronson bag but these old eyes can't take all the sparkly things in front of me.

So I think I will just switch gears and be happy to be a member of the
member of the Jed Clampett Motocamping Club. I never have been to adept at sleek and svelte anyway.

BTW: I do appreciate all your comments and will look into "Helen's" stuff. And, I will keep the tent separate from the sleeping bag (I knew that).

[Clamper]

Jed Clampett Motocamping Club, now that there is funny:D

[Ironheadziggy76]

Bob, I had a V65 Sabre that I put 134,000 miles on. P^ I loved that bike, but ended up giving it to my brother. Stupid move, he ended up pawning it a few months later. :mad: Honda's V4s are wonderful engines, smooth and powerful.

[superfish]

Ziggy,
The first part of my spring trip will be to NC by Deal's Gap. The Spring Get Together (SGT) probably 40 of the early 80's V4s of every description. Lot of fun and a lot of great bikes.

[bigTom]

So. Would this fit into the Jed Clampet school of MC packing? That was taken in December, the first time I took my table and heavy (new) sleeping bag at the same time. It's a little smoother, now.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Another Jed here! :D

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/Ironheadziggy76/IMG_0002.jpg

[Motocentaur]

I always stuff a tent. When you fold it the same way over and over, the fabric can weaken along the creases that form. Plus, it's easier.

I've also found that an over-sized stuff sack allows you to bend and squish it into oddly shaped spaces better than the tight, taut original sack.

You could also wrap up your poles in the middle of your sleeping pad, if you use one; then the tent can be stored even more compactly. I used to do this with my Apex, which had long pole sections. My Gunnison 2 will just barely fit into my topcase with its poles.

[superfish]

Well not so fast there. I don't think that any just slightly sloppy,slick packkin', big side case type of guys should just automatically get into "The Jedd Clampett". Although Ziggy and BigTom seem to be well qualified.

[Black and Blue]

Someone calling for Jed.:D

[Mellow]

How appropriate... given the Arkansas Hillbilly Roundup is next month... I may have to strap some extra crap on my bike just so I fit in. Okay, where's my miniature Foosball game.

[fredric]

I was planning on bringing Old Blue with me. Does Devil's Den allow dogs?

[Trailace]

I was planning on bringing Old Blue with me. Does Devil's Den allow dogs?
Off their web site.
"Pets are welcome in Arkansas State Parks campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash, caged or otherwise restrained to protect the pets and avoid disturbing other."

[Mr. Guy]

Another Jed here! :D

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/Ironheadziggy76/IMG_0002.jpg

Now Steve,

That's to clean. A real Clampet requires that each individual small stuff sack be tied to the outside of the bike, not placed in larger bags and securely strapped to the bike.:D

Guy

[SCoffman1]

Sandman (Gerry if I may),
BTW: I do appreciate all your comments and will look into "Helen's" stuff. And, I will keep the tent separate from the sleeping bag (I knew that).

Bob: Here is my "Helen's" stuff packed on the bike.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Now Steve,

That's to clean. A real Clampet requires that each individual small stuff sack be tied to the outside of the bike, not placed in larger bags and securely strapped to the bike.:D

Guy

Guy I was trying hard to be neat on this trip! :D I was practicing my packing for the AK trip.

I only wish I had taken some pictures of my old bike with the Kroger bags hanging from the mirrors after getting groceries, and two bags of ice setting on the gas tank. Ah the good old days! :p

[bigTom]

Hey! My picture is right in my yard, it gets worse coming home.

Last time out I took wood, too. I'll see if I can find a picture of that:)

[VFR]

Hey! My picture is right in my yard, it gets worse coming home.

Last time out I took wood, too. I'll see if I can find a picture of that:)


I was thinking that shot looked different than when I saw it in Borrego Springs.

So far my camping stuff all fits in one not-so-big duffle. However, now that I am adding more, I will have to get a larger duffle or start strapping bags onto it. Problem is - this duffle has bungees for attaching to the bike along with hold-down rings & loops to attach additional stuff. I can't seem to find another duffle like that. Most duffles/dry bags are just bags with no attaching points/straps/bungees/etc.

Larry

[Ripshod]

(snip) ... Problem is - this duffle has bungees for attaching to the bike along with hold-down rings & loops to attach additional stuff. I can't seem to find another duffle like that. Most duffles/dry bags are just bags with no attaching points/straps/bungees/etc.

Here you go. (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/MotoFizz-Camping-Seat-Bags-Small-Medium--Large-p-16405.html)

[VFR]

Yep, looked at that one. I was thinking of the medium size. It appears that the top opening doesn't go all the way across, so you have to put your stuff in & move it to the sides or go in the ends. I may end up there as it looks like the best option so far.

I have a Roadgear duffle that all my camping gear goes into now. Cooking gear fits in the two end pockets & bike cover in the front one. Everything else in the middle with tent & tarp poles & Kermit chair strapped on the top.

Larry

[superfish]

Just to close out the tent packing issue -- I ended up folding it and carrying it in the tent bag inside a waterproof bag. Orange in the picture.

I did 5134 miles by going from Vermont to NC, Mississippi (two daughters and families), Michigan (one daughter and family) and back to Northfield, Vt. It was good to see the kids,grand kids and the bulge created by the future great grand kid.

The good:

The 1983 V65 Magna took it all in stride. Only one small problem in Georgia -- It just sputtered and quit going down the road. The short answer is that the positive battery connection had vibrated loose. My fault, must not have tightened it properly. Tightened and made it to the campground and found the Negative side loose. Strictly operator (mechanic) problem.

The new REI Half Dome tent worked very well.

All the stuff I added to the bike (rack from 1982 Sabre, PVC tool carrier, GPS, Sirius radio and amplifier) worked well.

TourMaster rain jacket worked very well.



The not so good:

I can ride in the rain, I have ridden in the rain; but I don't like to ride in the rain. Much too much rain on this trip. I didn't get to Michigan's UP because of the rain.

My FieldSheer waterproof boots are not at all waterproof. They will get an email.

One of my Etymotic ER-6i stopped working so I ordered a new set from Amazon and had them sent ahead to my daughter's house.

All told it was a good trip. Although I haven't had much urge to ride in the last couple of days.

Her is a pic of a Magna in touring bike mode. It's been described as the Jed Clampett method of packing.




http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2090/img1000medium.th.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1000medium.jpg)

[Motocentaur]

My method is to stuff tents and sleeping bags rather than folding. The trick is to ditch the tight-fitting sacks that they come with and use bigger ones. This way, they are more pliable and can take advantage of all the oddly shapped nooks and grannies of space on the bike.

The poles get rolled up in the middle of my sleeping pad.

[Ripshod]

My method is to stuff tents and sleeping bags rather than folding. The trick is to ditch the tight-fitting sacks that they come with and use bigger ones. This way, they are more pliable and can take advantage of all the oddly shapped nooks and grannies of space on the bike.

The poles get rolled up in the middle of my sleeping pad.

I do the opposite with my sleeping bags. My summer bag came in a compression bag. It squishes down to a ball smaller and tighter than a football. The winter bag came with a huge bag so I got a compression bag for it from Campmor. It's just a little bigger when compressed.

The tent folds and rolls into its 22" long bag but it's skinny.

[TPadden]

Helen knows her business. At any rate Superfish, you'll not want to pack your sleeping bag anywhere touching your tent..

I roll up my tent with the Thermarest and Big Agnes Bag inside; been doing it for years and they definitely touch :D.

I can (and have) rolled them up while under the fly and groundcloth in the pouring rain and kept tent, mat, and sleeping bag dry. Poles, fly, groundcloth, and stakes go in another bag.

[Ripshod]

I can (and have) rolled them up while under the fly and groundcloth in the pouring rain and kept tent, mat, and sleeping bag dry. Poles, fly, groundcloth, and stakes go in another bag.

Yeah, the fly is the only thing that gets wet so sometimes I leave it out of the tent bag and just stick it, along with the Noah's Tarp, in the bungee web on top of the Moto Fizz bag. In good weather they dry out soon. In bad weather they don't really have to get dry.

[Ripshod]

Yep, looked at that one. I was thinking of the medium size. It appears that the top opening doesn't go all the way across, so you have to put your stuff in & move it to the sides or go in the ends.

Not really. Both side panels zip open. I rarely open the top unless I'm trying to dig out one particular item from the middle. It's easier to slide everything in from the side.

[Liv2Ride]

First I think that you are packed fine. Depending on the situation I will use either my Overboard waterproof roll-top duffle or my Sealine waterproof 55L bag. Tent, stove, tarp, poles, sleeping bag etc. all go in either of those bags. My clothes etc., go in my Motofizz bag.

I prefer compressing my tent, sleeping bag and a number of other things. However, I don't store anything in their compressed state when not camping. I roll/fold the entire tent (footprint, body & fly) as one package and put them in the compression sack. When I return from camping I set everything out to clean and dry. A couple of days later I fold and roll the whole package and store them loosely in the bag that comes with the tent.

[Blues Traveler]

I've been using the Seattle Sports roll top Latitude stuff sack duffles for all the gear stowed on the outside of my bike. There are 3 different sizes and I use all three.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_0303.jpg

These bags roll up on the side and have a one way valve that allows you to get all the air out for minimum size. I threw the bags away a long time ago that came with my tent and sleeping bag. The tent I fold up flat along with the rainfly and footprint. Rain fly goes in first, followed by the poles, then the tent, and on top the footprint. This way I can pull each item out as I need them in the order they are used. A bit too organized but it alway works out great and sets up fast.

The Seattle Sport bags are waterproof and have been very durable. When I bought mine (REI, kayak and canoe section) they were blue. Now they apear to be red. http://seattlesportsco.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=26&idcategory=11.

[superfish]

Keith,
I like the bags with the side openings. I've filed the page in my "things to improve" file. I think that motorcycles pack long thing things better than short fat ones.

[HarpoF6]

Got a Half dome & thermarest in the blue waterproof roll top on the back... This was in Colorado during a 2 week trip from California to Ohio and looped back taking the northern route...camped out most days

[kalexander64]

For what it's worth, all of my "shelter" equipment (potentially wet) is packed in it's own bag. That includes the tent proper, poles/stakes rain fly and ground tarp. Sleeping gear (dry) is packed in a H2W bag. The tent has been folded down to not exceed the length of the poles. It's usually one well rolled burrito of poles at the core, THEN tent, THEN fly, velcro strapped to make it manageable, THEN the ground tarp rolled around that. If the tarp is a muddy mess, it goes into a garbage bag so as to not mess up the fly/tent bundle. The "shelter" gear bag IS big enough to back it as two rolls if need be.

The "shelter" bag is a Granite Gear large, water proof roll top. When I need ventilation, I can narrow the neck (not rolled) and secure with my own velcro. My tent is a Marmot Aeros 3P, so the tent proper is 99% mesh. Not too worried about that part being wet. When the rain fly get's soaked, IT goes into a H2W mesh bag that straps on to the H2W sleeping gear bag to dry out at road speed...I'll shift it around at stops so it all dries out plus that orange and red fly in a flapping mesh bag, strapped onto the back of my bike is yet one more visual aid for the cager who's in their SUV, texting on their cell phone and eating a bowl of cereal.

That's right...eating a bowl of cereal. That's the dumbest cager stunt I've seen to date.

Anyhow... my tent packing advice.

Kevin A