Bike friendly tents -

[hardonthemerch]

I'm in the market for a new tent, and the below are the most important points of interest.

- Small is important. (packed dimensions)
- 2 person. Doesn't have to have any bells or whistles
- simple to erect in low light or windy weather (not sure about those quick erect tents...anyone got any first hand info?)
- weight... this isn't real crucial, as a smaller heavy package would be more ideal than a larger lighter package. - Pretty much will be carried on top of a t-bag or similiar.
- durable. I hate buying those $30 store brand tents that rip easily

I'd like a old army pup style if I could find one with a floor maybe. - Just seeing what others may have found or be using.

[14Frisco]

On my road trips I carry a REI Half Dome tent, http://www.rei.com/product/728308.  Good stuff.

[SCRACAR29]

The best in motorcycle friendly camping gear is found at a quality BICYCLE store. This stuff is compact and lightweight. I have a sleeping bag that packs down so small it looks like a quart container.

[Dennis The Menace]

I get all my camping and hiking gear from REI.  Lots of great products to take on the road.

menace

[82fxrstroker]

  Check out Black Diamond's single wall tents.  There not cheap but they are good quality, easy to put up, very light and pack small.

[Scurvy]

I use the REI roadrunner II. In the summer I leave behind the tent portion and only pack the fly, ground cover and poles. Makes for a very compact, 2 person tent. Zipper on each side so either person can get up at night without disturbing the other, and tritium zipper handles so you can find them in the dark.

[Ed Y]

I've been using these tents on bike trips for over 20 years. Either by myself or with the wife. Does require getting dressed laying down though. No big to me but lots of people can't handle that.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___24450

[Goog]

Walmart, Ozark trail 6'x5' Junior dome tent. $12. It will fit two and it packs up small (fits in hard saddlebags or tour pak on my E-glide.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8571876

[Namvet]

I picked up a 29.95 tent from walmart that fits in the saddle bag. sleeps two, works fine. When I pack
it on the bike I also carry a small sheet of plastic to put down as ground cover. Heavy rain, I stay in a hotel.

[hardonthemerch]

I'm gonna probably go with a Eureka Timberline. It packs to 6X24 and looks like a good quality piece.

[03cvo]

on the same ( almost ) subject what you guys sleeping on? this is kind expensive but i cannot sleep directly on the ground. makes a guy awful ornery in the AM.

http://www.luxurylite.com/cotindex.html
 
it could be a couple inches wider but on the whole it's not bad. creeks a little when you're rolling over but what the hey...

it does rool down to next to nothing and  weighs in at under 3lbs. big plus is the size

[Deye76]

I'm gonna probably go with a Eureka Timberline. It packs to 6X24 and looks like a good quality piece.

It is a good quality tent. When I camped, 25 yrs ago , it's what I carried. In a bad storm one year with winds up to 50mph, it was the only one standing when the storm passed. I wasn't sure they still produced them.

[the Grump]

Another cool site, you guys might like. A lot of good stuff!  www.majorsurplus.com

[FLH_Rider]

I have several tents (different sizes) I like the Eureka Tetragon 7 if clips onto two poles and I can set up by myself in 5 minutes or less.
It has a large rain fly. Most don't and if your in a rain storm with the smaller rain fly's rain tends to get blown in under the fly.
The only problem with the Eureka's is you have to have a separate ground sheet.

[DarrellV]

Here is what we have. With Alum. poles ...

http://www.eurekatent.com/p-57-apex-2xt-tent.aspx

We love it and I camp often, maybe 12-24 times a year. It has a door on each side so if one of us has to get out {middle of the night} it makes things so much easier. Plus with the rain flap zipped you have this bigger grass area for your boots etc. on the out side of your sleeping area.

[hardonthemerch]

Ya know... That tent in the above link packs smaller than the one I was thinkin of... I haven't ordered yet, so I believe you just changed my mind. - Now to price shop for that one.

[hardonthemerch]

I'm not sure I follow this statement.

"The only problem with the Eureka's is you have to have a separate ground sheet."

[sawbrk1]

I have the Apex II also. It stands up good to the wind, and I use a blow up queen size mattress in mine. It covers just about the whole floor.

[Jeffd]

I'm gonna probably go with a Eureka Timberline. It packs to 6X24 and looks like a good quality piece.

I have a Timberline that I have had for approximately 30 years.  It still is as good as the day I bought it.  I have spent many stormy nights in it and never had a problem.  It is a little tight for two if it is raining because you end up touching the sides of the tent.  If solo no problem.  I use a piece of plastic for a ground cloth and have used the same piece of plastic for probably 15 years.  I can set it up in the dark with no flashlight.  I keep thinking I want to get a lighter newer tent but I have a hard time getting one because this one has been so good to me.

[hardonthemerch]

I'm gonna probably go with a Eureka Timberline. It packs to 6X24 and looks like a good quality piece.

I have a Timberline that I have had for approximately 30 years.  It still is as good as the day I bought it.  I have spent many stormy nights in it and never had a problem.  It is a little tight for two if it is raining because you end up touching the sides of the tent.  If solo no problem.  I use a piece of plastic for a ground cloth and have used the same piece of plastic for probably 15 years.  I can set it up in the dark with no flashlight.  I keep thinking I want to get a lighter newer tent but I have a hard time getting one because this one has been so good to me.

So that model doesnt come with a "bottom or floor" ? is that what your saying when you mention the plastic for underneath?

[Scooterfish]

They will have a bottom/ floor, usually a bath tub floor where the floor comes up 12 inches on the side so the seam is not on the ground, You just cut a piece of plastic the foot print of the tent to put underneath. Don`t let the plastic stick out from the floor when it rains or you will have a water bed. don`t ask how I learned this

[Jeffd]

what Scooterfish said.  they have a floor but you want a ground cloth to keep the floor from getting wet and to protect it from rocks etc.  cut the ground cloth slightly smaller then the floor.  I like scooterfish learned the hard way many years ago.

[FLH_Rider]

THe floor in the Euraka's are the same material as the walls. You need to have a ground sheet (piece of heavy plastic) to protect it from rocks, snags and as said to make it waterproof.
Some tents have a waterproof floor that you do not need to have a ground sheet with.

[Cousin It]

 Afew years ago I bought a tent,2 sleeping bags and 2 small stools in a kit from Drag Specialties.Packed smaller than most 2 person dome tents. I cant remember the name, so Im going to get my catalog and see if they are still available. Found it! Sportzpak. Mummy tent and nice bags. Checking with drag to see if they are still in stock.
Gene

[Cousin It]

 Nope.  Out of stock, no longer available. And I dont remember paying as much for it as the catalog saysGene