Category Archives: Tents

Selecting the Right Folding Canopy for You

There are many good reasons to be considering purchase of a folding canopy. If you have a family that likes to use the backyard, or you like weekend outings to the beach, mountains or the local park, then you probably have seen other groups enjoying greater comfort and safety thanks to their canopy tent. You may have noticed how easily they put their canopies up and took them down–folding canopies collapse quickly to load in the car and take anywhere. They are available to all families thanks to their prices–from $50 to $200 according to size and features selected. Most home improvement stores, and retail stores that feature outdoor gear, have some versions in stock.

Swiss Gear makes a great 10 x 10 “Smart Shade” canopy. It is tough, easy to use and offers lots of shade-100 square feet. It is a superior example of products available in this category. The canopy is treated so that it will block ultraviolet radiation so that the shade provided is total, no matter how strong the sun. You do not need so much as a screwdriver to get it up and protecting you–it is available for use within minutes. This canopy set-up assumes you will be enjoying it in all kinds of weather, as it has been made water-resistant. The UV protection helps protect any of the six different colors you choose from fading. The interior room at the center is 9 feet. Yet with all this, is weighs only 36 lbs. and fits tidily in a nifty carrying case so you can take it anywhere and store it safely. The price for this much quality, size and features is $160. The price is above average, but owners give it good marks for important features such as keeping heat away from the interior better than similar models, and the fact it is made to withstand rain.

A bit more economical one, at $100 even, is the “Palm Springs Outdoor Pop-Up” model canopy. This also provides a 10 x 10 foot area of shade, large enough for most gatherings and special events such as weddings or graduation parties or just a big family get-together. Although is covers a large area, it is so easy to erect and take down that owners like to take it to other places to supply shade and comfort and protection from the elements. Perfect places are picnics, the beach or camping trips. It is ready to use in just a minute of effort, without need of special weights or supports to make it sturdy. This Pop-Up is constructed with steel for the framing poles, important for an outdoor product because that metal not only resists rust it provides the strength of steel to the structure. They do also add to the weight of the tent–it is 50 lbs. A clever technique to protect the material from tearing in the wind or from use is the employment of Velcro to secure the canopy and poles. The only knock that owners have put on this product is that it cannot stand up under a rainfall–too much rain can make the canvas sag and then collapse as water accumulates. The tent is not designed to handle rain—the material has not been treated to make it water resistant, and if exposed to moisture, does not resist mold.

Benefits to Owning Tent Trailers

Everybody can use a much needed vacation whether it is to get away from the routines of life or the stress of work. Unfortunately, vacations can put more stress on us because of the amount it costs to take them! For many it just isn’t reasonable to go on a vacation every month or weekend. The costs of hotels and airfare aren’t budget friendly. Owning a trailer tent can make a weekend trip much more reasonable.

Most of us live pretty close to a wilderness area of some sort whether it’s the beach or the mountains or even the desert. The possibilities are endless. On the other hand, not all of us are meant to be serious campers. We like the comforts our homes and lives offer. Tent trailers offer a nice compromise. Although they aren’t made as luxurious or as spacious as a RV they offer a nice in between.

First, they are much more affordable than a motorhome or RV. Some RV’s can be more than a home mortgage. You can get a tent trailer for a few thousand dollars or less making it much easier to fit into the budget. Ok, you might be cringing when you think about a few thousand dollars. The fact is even going on a big vacation once or twice a year can cost close to that but you will be able to enjoy this for many years to come.

Second, they are much smaller. They are designed to be compact and easy to transport. Many even are made to be stacked on their sides so you can store them easier when they are at home.
Third, they are a better option than a traditional camping tent especially if you aren’t such an outdoor enthusiast. Camping with tents is great if you love sleeping on the hard ground and waking up with condensation built up all around you. While a tent trailer is still just a tent it has a few extra perks along with it. It is raised up off the ground so you aren’t going to wake up with a rock lodged in your back. Also, because it’s up higher off the ground you don’t have to worry about accidentally pitching it where all the water runs off when it rains. You also won’t have to worry about getting a ground covering either.

Lastly, it gives you a great excuse to get away even if it is just for the weekend. Pack up a bunch of those non perishables you have in the house, grab some clothes and a few basic camping supplies and hook up the tent trailer. It is that easy. We all could use more excuses to relax and have a little fun. Enjoying the outdoors is a great way to do so.

Check The Weather Before Packing Your Camping Equipment

The type of camping equipment you may need for a safe, enjoyable outing depends on quite a few different things, such as your health and age, the type of weather you are likely to encounter, and where you will be camping at. A young, healthy person could take a sleeping bag, throw it on the ground and be perfectly happy, while folks who have trouble getting up and down, whether from age or health, would need at least some camp chairs and a cot if not a camper to sleep in. So you do need to consider not only yourself, but also those going camping with you to make an appropriate decision on some of the equipment.

A tent is essential camping gear as far as I am concerned. The weather, as well as the time of year and climate for where you are going can determine the type of tent you need. If it will be rainy or a super cold, even snowy climate, you may need a bigger tent, as you will no doubt be spending a good majority of your time in it. This could also mean you need a heater that you can use inside the tent.

Whether you are able to have a campfire to cook over, or you may need a propane camp stove is something you should to find out ahead of time. Most of the parks where you can camp are set up with campfire pits and some even have BBQ grills for you to use. Find this out before packing your cooking gear as you use different pots and pans to cook over an open fire.

Of course, if you have a camper, that usually has all the gear you need, but if you do not, gather up the tent, sleeping bags, cots, a cook stove, heater (if needed), pots, pans, cooking utensils, plates, cups, eating utensils, and chairs to sit on around the campfire. Take the bug spray so you get to eat more than the mosquitoes do. Do not forget the food or it will be a really short trip.

Go take a family camping trip

A lot of people enjoy family camping; which can be very enjoyable, especially for kids. Family camping can help strengthen the bonds between family members; it is also a great way to relax and forget the different problems of everyday life.

The reason why you would bring your family with you on a family camping trip may vary. Some people want to be very active with their families, and the great outdoors help them do this. Other families go camping with their families to escape the different stresses and problems of everyday life. Going out in the woods with just you and a pop up tent can be a great experience.

Be sure that you check which family members are going with you on this trip. Each family member has different needs so make sure you know who is going with you on this camping trip, weeks in advance. You should also plan activities because some of your family members might get bored because they are not used to going camping. By doing this you can plan activities that everyone will enjoy and this will make your family camping trip all the more enjoyable. This goes for all other things regarding your family camping trip. Tailor your camping trip for your family because what works for other families may prove to be very boring, if your family is put in the same position. Doing this will make your family camping trip a lot more fun for you and for your family.

Choose a campsite that is big enough for you and your family and one that will provide a good level of comfort for you and your family. When planning a family camping trip let the members of your family make plans with you, or at least solicit their opinions. You do not want to do something that nobody agrees with just because your family members didn’t have any input in planning the family camping trip.

A family camping trip is a great way to teach the younger members of your family some survival skills, since there is no TV or computer of any kind in your campsite, it should be easy for you to convince them to do this if they are uncooperative.

Aside from some of the obvious hardships that come with planning a family camping trip and the stress of setting everything up once you are there, family camping trips can be fun and very rewarding. It may seem hard at first but it is very rewarding. There’s nothing like family bonding in a 3 man tent.

Tent purchasing basics

Whether you are a long time experienced camper or a first time adventurer in the wilderness, you will need a good tent if you are going to maximize your camping experience. A lot of people always worry when they purchase tents because there are such a wide variety of products available. All of them seemingly appear to be decent quality since a tent’s appearance can be quite deceiving, but the true test of a tent’s real value is how it functions in the real world. With the wrong choice of tent, a camping experience can spiral into a cold and watery experience where the camper may never want to return to a campground again, but with the right tent, a camping trip can be very memorable and really fun.

When looking around for a tent you will want to think about what type of camper you are in terms of season and the weather. Three season tents will fit most of your camping adventures as long as you don’t venture out into the cold and challenging climate during the winter months. Three season tents will be absolutely perfect for the casual camper or people who are interested only in easy and light camping during the summer. A first time camper will probably want to go with a sturdy dome tent for their strong structure and the ease at which they can be set up. Dome tents are much shorter than larger cabin tents but the trade off comes from minimal effort in setup and also greater protection from the wind.

Other factors to consider are the material the tent is constructed of and how well the tent is ventilated on the sides and top. You will always want a tent that can stand up to the harsh rain with openings that close tightly, but also a tent with easily accessible openings (possibly thin mesh) for when it gets hot. Remember, a tent can be very uncomfortable if it’s cold and rainy but it can be equally as unbearable with the intense hot sun beating down on it and trapping warm air within. Overall, take into account of what type of tent you need whether it is a 4-person tent or a 6-man tent and with the proper preparation and research you will discover a good tent that will compliment your camping needs.

Boneblogger: Science and the outdoors

Exploring the natural world