How do you roll?

[exv]

What's your ideal camp setup?. I know what works for one guy doesn't always work best for another. So, I want to hear what works best for you and why.

I'm planning on setting myself up a bit better this year, after 14 days looking for elk last fall I realized very quickly a proper camp would let me hunt harder and longer. My individual situation is probably different than some but I'd imagine a lot of people would fall into this category. So here's where I'm at with my thought process. I need a rig that one guy can manage and not just setup but own and maintain. Something that will work for pre season scouting, a day hunt here and there, 10 day elk archery season, quick salmon fishing trip and heck while where at it let's throw in some northern moose hunting. Maybe a buddy wants to tag along?, no problem!. Now let me be clear about this, I have zero interest investing time and money for other peoples selfless gain. Everyone contributes, but being able to share this sport with friends and family is part of the fun and I intend on being able to make that possible. I often find myself hunting solo due however and enjoy that too.

After doing a fair bit of research online wall tents seem to be the ultimate hunting shelter. Warm wood stove, comfy bed and all the room you could ask for. All the work and effort must be worth it, but it sounds like a lot of work and effort in my opinion. Not to mention after 4 days plans change and you want to move camp. If the wall tent tent is the main camp "bigger the better" must ring true and now its a 2+ person task to really use. Perhaps a truck camper is the answer?. Rolling over in a comfy bed to click on your propane furnace and here is spark to life must be pretty nice. Its a tiny home, but you have to accept the fact you will be towing a trailer if you plan on taking much. A trailer that requires insurance and maintenance. There are so many aspects to consider that you could go on forever.

This fall my ideal or dream hunting setup would be a 3/4 ton truck with a popup or very lightweight and minimal hard wall camper. I'd have a utility trailer with my atv, a lockable chest freezer, generator and any other trip specific equipment. In addition it would be pretty sassy to have a small wall tent to use as a cook shack, common area, drying area, late season hunting when a popup camper wouldn't work. I figure a small 8x10 wall tent would be portable enough id use it and would be more efficient to heat. Plus with bunk bed cots you could still sleep a few guys like sardines in there. A deluxe wall tent with a 5' porch really gets the blood flowing. I feel like this setup would allow me the most options and be the most mobile. I like the idea of having a comfortable base camp I can return to after a few days of spiking out to recharge. I really like the idea of a freezer and generator for extended multiple animal or long road trip hunts. With a truck camper i could hunt solo, be a little bit safer i feel like, avoid hotel bills on longer trips and it would be so easy for weekend hunts. The right camper i could leave on almost year round except snowmobiling season. So, if you see a guy in a tiny tent, beside a broke down f150 freezing his arse off in the back country of region 4 next fall you know who it is, but ill still be out there! :lol:

[Ferenc]

For a outside shelter I put together on the cheap a Emt pole tent shelter.. Zap straps to fasten the tarp to the poles.. One man set up and nice to have..drop the camper and then you have two more options to travel.. Truck/quad.. Do it all the time. Emt is 3/4 "

[wideopenthrottle]

you described our set up to a tee...wall tent (heavy tarp on metal frame) with wood stove, cots to sleep on. Porch section for cooking and sitting out of the rain. small camper for the old fella that we take off the truck for longer than just a weekend trips. generator freezer and quad all in the cargo trailer. we set up in a couple of hours and tear down in less than that..feels like home

[Drillbit]

Enclosed trailer with a propane furnace out of a camper and cots. Awnings on both sides.

Un-hook and use the truck if you need to.
Pull out the ATV, set up the bed and put a table out under the awning with a coleman stove.

Fast and easy to pack up and move.

[exv]

you described our set up to a tee...wall tent (heavy tarp on metal frame) with wood stove, cots to sleep on. Porch section for cooking and sitting out of the rain. small camper for the old fella that we take off the truck for longer than just a weekend trips. generator freezer and quad all in the cargo trailer. we set up in a couple of hours and tear down in less than that..feels like home

What size tent you run?. I'm thinking 8x10 with 3 truss or 12x14 with 4 truss frame. The bigger 3 truss frame tents don't seem like they would be as study. What do I know thou!

[chris]

If I'm not hunting from my cabin which is almost exclusively what I do now, then I just sleep in the back of the truck. I hunt mainly solo and don't see the need for anything fancy. A week long trip out of the truck is fine by me. A thick foam mat is the key to a warm night.

[exv]

Base camp last year. Yup, the freezer was probly a little big, but we used it!. Yeah the roof leaked. Spent over 30 cold nights in or beside this ol unit and would do it again. Haha there is alot of stories from these trips.

[Fella]

Tent trailer in the spring, and for some reason we slept in a 6 man summer tent this November. Wasn't too bad, cot with a thick foamy and nice thick sleeping bag. Slept in long johns with a toque on and would have been sweating but the nice cool winter wind kept things just right.

[wideopenthrottle]

What size tent you run?. I'm thinking 8x10 with 3 truss or 12x14 with 4 truss frame. The bigger 3 truss frame tents don't seem like they would be as study. What do I know thou!
we have extra pipe and connectors so we can go 2,3 or 4 sections....don't know dimensions cuz it can vary depending on which pipes we use where... we can make it slightly narrower and taller or slightly shorter and wider...we just bunch up/fold the tarp at the non door end

[Kopper]

Don't worry about the strength of a three truss. We always have used my dads camper but last year I became a big boy and bought a wall tent. 10x12 w/5ft porch from Deluxe Wall Tents. My fav camping set up by far. Lots of room for two dudes on the floor plus gear. Three dudes is doable just need to be more organized. Spent 20 or so days in it last fall. Stove keeps you toasty in -15. Don't be a cheapo and neglect the aluminum frame; makes it way easier to set up. I have set it up and taken it down myself but a second set of hands makes it super easy.

We took it as high as the old road would allow on last falls goat hunt. Many in past where a truck could go, or even a full size sxs. Plunked it down right on a ridge top in some sub alpine and anchored it well. Pretty strong gusts but no issue. The comfort of that with the stove sure beats the hell out of a light tent.

Early season, when it doesn't get much below zero we just use a lightweight tent. That would probably be your best choice if solo. Don't know if I'd set up the wall tent and go solo if it wasn't for more than 4 days. Can't get much better than a wall tent for the cost per sq feet of room. Did I mention wall tents are great?

I don't know your financial situation nor do I want to know but upgrading to a 3/4 ton and camper is a lot of dough.... A canopy on your 150 is always an option.

[exv]

Thanks for the input on wall tents. All about finding a happy balance that will cover most bases.

[frase]

My hunting partner and another couple of guys we hunt with have wall tents all nicely equipped but they both (along with myself) now have campers. Mine is an old 1977 Frontier beater but no leaks and has a stove, fridge, and heater. Also bring along a generator and electric heater for when it gets really cold and for charging batteries. Have larger trailer which can hold 2 atv's or one plus a freezer if required. Usually we have an extra truck or two around and sometimes we bring a boat. The wall tents are fine and comfortable but all in all I prefer the camper. We also have a travel trailers but do not use them for hunting. Evenings are spent around a fire outside. My camper is light and I have a 3/4 ton short box with an 8 ft camper. Camper is worth next to nothing, maybe 500. to 800.

[.264winmag]

Couldn't imagine not having a woodstove to dry out riggin on hunts you speak of. Tough to beat a good wall tent but we have no frame for ours, pita to set up sometimes. Prefer the Cabelas outfitter ISQ tent now. Super easy to set up anywhere without trees etc.
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/49CA4C57-8AE9-46D4-8F87-19DCA54D333C.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/49CA4C57-8AE9-46D4-8F87-19DCA54D333C.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/F5230517-340C-43A7-8754-9AD42381E8EA.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/F5230517-340C-43A7-8754-9AD42381E8EA.jpg.html)
Picked up used on here for around 2k

[RiverRunner]

the setup…. just need a bigger trailer and a quad or sxs..

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/rodflyrod/IMG_4536.jpg (http://s11.photobucket.com/user/rodflyrod/media/IMG_4536.jpg.html)

[gmachine19]

We used this tent for our moose hunt in November

http://www.kakaducamping.com/collections/camper-trailer-tents/products/ridgeline-zenith-trailer-tent

It's very fast to take down and to assemble. It was -20ish C outside but with a good wood stove, it was nice and cozy inside.

[HarryToolips]

If I'm not hunting from my cabin which is almost exclusively what I do now, then I just sleep in the back of the truck. I hunt mainly solo and don't see the need for anything fancy. A week long trip out of the truck is fine by me. A thick foam mat is the key to a warm night.
This is what I do, though I'm on a tight budget...load everything in the utility trailer, tarped, and sleep in the back of my SUV...easy setup when hunting solo..shoot something and there's always room in the trailer..

[todbartell]

We usually take a pickup pulling an enclosed trailer.

14x17 wall tent
ATV
walk in cooler built into front of trailer

Only downside is not being able to transport 2 ATV, a sled deck would cure that

Hunting is a great family trip, so often camp looks like this

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11986514_10153214754577992_616401011241311862_n.jp g?oh=efa3947f0382bd3a9ec32381a9f43235&oe=57624807

[Ferenc]

the setup…. just need a bigger trailer and a quad or sxs..

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/rodflyrod/IMG_4536.jpg (http://s11.photobucket.com/user/rodflyrod/media/IMG_4536.jpg.html)
Nice set up... Have the same trailer almost, I made a bracket to mount spare on tailgate .. Frees up the front and made up holders for the wedco style gas containers.. 4 of them.. Jackall bracket on top of the fender.. You can really trick out this style of trailer... No need to go bigger. : )

[BiG Boar]

I'll be honest. You sort of need multiple set ups. Most guys on here do a 2 week trip per year. You need to set up a wall tent and quad from it. Or tow a trailer, or hunt from the cabin.

A serious hunter that hunts various places and various animals needs access to several types of shelters.

a 2 man tent for hike ins

a wall tent and stove for that comfy trip with the old timers

a trailer for when you're with the wife

a 6 man tent for a longer warmer trip when you need more room and are driving farther.

You can't do it all with any one tent. Multiple people need more room, farther 20 hour drives Campers are hard on gas.

Many factors to consider, no one tent or structure will hunt the whole of BC.

[exv]

I'll be honest. You sort of need multiple set ups. Most guys on here do a 2 week trip per year. You need to set up a wall tent and quad from it. Or tow a trailer, or hunt from the cabin.

A serious hunter that hunts various places and various animals needs access to several types of shelters.

a 2 man tent for hike ins

a wall tent and stove for that comfy trip with the old timers

a trailer for when you're with the wife

a 6 man tent for a longer warmer trip when you need more room and are driving farther.

You can't do it all with any one tent. Multiple people need more room, farther 20 hour drives Campers are hard on gas.

Many factors to consider, no one tent or structure will hunt the whole of BC.

Pretty much the reality of the situation. Thanks for the input.

[Camp Cook]

My set up for quick get aways I never take the camper off this truck now and the trailer is always hooked up for a quick weekend getaway.

My boys Honda 70 is parked on the other side of my bike.

Weather was good so no need to set up tarps etc.

Bikes are parked in the garage now and the snowmobile is now in the trailer will be swapping them around soon.

I agree on multiple setups I go from 2 man - 4 man tents for when we hike/bike into alpine lakes have roof racks and a 12' X 32" jon boat on the trailer now for interior lakes, a 6lbs Dalai Lama Alpacka Raft pack raft for alpine lake fishing.

I've used wall tents over the years but they are huge and heavy so I'm now looking into an Alaskan Oven tent want to see one before I leap I'd look at wall tents again as well but want something lighter than I have used in the past..

http://www.hunt101.com/data/552/medium/Dec_13_2015_049.JPG

[nature girl]

We have a truck and canopy. On the lip of the truck bed under the canopy we put a piece of plywood the width of the truck bed and about 3' for the length. We clamp her down and we put most of our gear up there. And we use a 6" foam for sleeping that goes on the bed of the truck.. We have slept in the back of that for 9 nights at the most. It is great you want to move camp throw your stuff in and away you go. You can be in prime deer hunting spots and not have to get up extra early in the morning to get ready for hunting as you are already there. Get yourself a little propane heater and a good sleeping bag and away you go. IF your buddy wants to come along he can sleep in the front of your truck. Check out on google truck cap camping ideas.

[hunter1947]

I have three set ups all can be used for hunts and long stays I use my truck as a spike camp when I venture a long ways from my main camp
I take a few coolers and small propane bottles with a small burner to cook on a few pots and others cooking needs with some food my truck
works well for a spike camp when I need to use the truck..

My spike camp.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/truck_4x4_19943.JPG

Number two set up is having a 8 foot camper that I use in the summer late fall months I take the camper off the truck and set up for use works
good for early fall hunts.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/00012.JPG


Number three is using the wall tent in late fall weather or early season hunts this set up will work all year around and is the most comfortable
way to camp.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2174.JPG

Having a ubuilt trailer and the truck makes for good use when packing the wall tent etc to go on your hunt..

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/002241.JPG

Hope this will help somewhat good luck on whatever way you chose..

[caddisguy]

This is how caddisguy roles... my most common base camp for 2-7 day trips... cozy!

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/12030265_10156125935895487_3612619283094726948_o_z psxtjvmr2r.jpg

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/10481547_10154789724955487_2458115784946216139_o_z pspmhe1eku.jpg

[caddisguy]

Full and breakfast accommodations

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/12273592_10156226844010487_6305615562274194635_o_z psavggi702.jpg

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/12185462_10156125936660487_5821354690435621924_o_z ps04i5raws.jpg

[tuner]

Caddis, how do manage to turn your jeep into a sleeper for 2?

[caddisguy]

Caddis, how do manage to turn your jeep into a sleeper for 2?

We're both pretty small and don't take up too much space which is probably key. Guessing this would work for most people under 5'10 and maybe under 180. We don't have back seats either... the roll-and-tumble bench seat pops out super easy and is almost always in storage.

We take the gear out (usually 1-2 70gal roughneck rubbermaids and maybe a cooler/wood) and then one of three possible configurations.

- seats down and all the way back and sleep on the seats with a foot rest to keep the knees relatively straight
- seats all the way forward and curl up in the back (perfect for one person to stretch out diagonally across the back, but a bit rough for two if both like to stretch out)
- one seat forward, one seat back

We usually prefer the first method, especially in the winter as the seats give a little bit more insulation. We have done -20C with crappy sleeping bags but lots of extra blankets. It is like sleeping in a freezer and no-where near as comfortable as a tent, but great in the rain... we probably do 30+ trips March through December in the lower rainland... saves a lot of time not having to set up / tear down a tent and then dry it out at home. Doesn't work for backpacking alpine trips of course ;-P

[caddisguy]

And the seats forward method:

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/545594_10152087945355487_1806303456_n_zpsduyck35q. jpg

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/527063_10152087849005487_181227171_n_zpss7kr5aeb.j pg

[exv]

Hunter1947, yup .. that would do just fine. Things seems pretty comfortable down your way!.

[tuner]

Thanx for the explanation Caddis, it might just be reason I was looking for,to justify a purchase of a lightly used two door wrangler, the ability to sleep in a hunting rig is a must for me. Thanx again.

[375shooter]

I think that a 2 door wrangler is not a very good place to get a good nights sleep. If it's the same as the 4 door (which I have), the front seats don not recline all the way down. They only go maybe 3/4 the way down, at most. That's not far enough, for me at least, to be comfortable enough. It's not possible to lay on your side, which is the only way I can really sleep. Also the rear seat is not wide enough for the average adult to be able to stretch out enough. Maybe the TJ (which is what Caddisguy has) may be different. The 4 door wrangler on the other hand, is very comfortable for 1 person. Just fold the rear seat down and sleep in the back. It may work for 2, if the second person is someone who you like to be very close to (wife/girlfriend).

[caddisguy]

I think that a 2 door wrangler is not a very good place to get a good nights sleep. If it's the same as the 4 door (which I have), the front seats don not recline all the way down. They only go maybe 3/4 the way down, at most. That's not far enough, for me at least, to be comfortable enough. It's not possible to lay on your side, which is the only way I can really sleep. Also the rear seat is not wide enough for the average adult to be able to stretch out enough. Maybe the TJ (which is what Caddisguy has) may be different. The 4 door wrangler on the other hand, is very comfortable for 1 person. Just fold the rear seat down and sleep in the back. It may work for 2, if the second person is someone who you like to be very close to (wife/girlfriend).

Mine is a 2003. The seats go down pretty far (you can see in one of those pics) which I believe would be the same 97-06. I think the JK's (after 06) don't go down quite as far. I am able to sleep on either side. The seatbelt latch gets kind of annoying though and I usually have to tuck something in as a buffer. I wouldn't call it a good nights sleep by any means, but we're young enough we can rough it out. We probably average 60-80 nights a year sleeping in the jeep, maybe more. We actually just took out the carpets tonight and gave it a thorough cleaning... probably leave the carpets out (might even do it up with bedliner) as it is a lot more healthy that way. I figure if you're gonna spend that much time in any environment, you don't want it to be dusty/dirty/moldy/etc as it will mess with you and make you for under the weather.

Sleeping in the back, one can stretch all the way out, diagonally head on the drivers side rear wheel well and feet towards the passenger seat which goes further forward than the drivers side. Perfect for one person up to 5'10 to stretch all the way out but if there's two people spooning (pretty sure I'd only do this with my wife, or a very straight and secure blacktail assassin) one needs to tuck their legs a bit. I like the option of rolling over between right-back-left so I prefer to just sleep in the drivers seat... and heck I can fire up the engine and blow some heat in....screw around with the accessories, get out of trouble quick if a bear is messing with the jeep (had paw prints on the soft windows right where my head was before... since only a few milometers separated my head from those prints we put camp chairs or rifles in as barriers now for early warning now)

[caddisguy]

Thanx for the explanation Caddis, it might just be reason I was looking for,to justify a purchase of a lightly used two door wrangler, the ability to sleep in a hunting rig is a must for me. Thanx again.

Anytime... spent hundreds of nights in there, moderately comfy. I imagine many rigs are great to sleep in.. probably cherokees, 4 runners, trucks with canopies, vans, etc. Heck I've spent a few dozen nights in a ford windstar and it was great (full size air matress!!) other than having to back up hills in reverse to get places. We like the trail worthiness of the jeep so we're willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort for a bit more trail ability. Pretty much any vehicle though, there's a way. It's not for everybody, but if you like to get out frequently and don't want to deal with wall tents, tents, trailers, etc every time it's great. Late fall and winter though, just gotta remember sleeping in any vehicle, you might as well be sleeping in your freezer so decent sleeping bags, blankets, etc are key. Hand warmers, hot rocks, hot water bottles etc are all great. Beverages stay in the cooler or in the sleeping bag so they dont freeze up... everything wants to freeze.

[hunter1947]

With my two inner door panels taken out and a platform I made for in front of the seat gives me the room I need to stretch out and roll over without my arm falling off the seat when in my bedding I sleep better in the front of my truck cab seat then that in my bed at home..it's a real nice spike camp ,,why drive back to your main camp when you have ventured 40k or more to a area you're trying out just stay there that night and you are there for first light to hunt,,I use my truck to sleep in when I am on a shed hunt where ever I will end up that day..

[jdmck]

Retiring on feb 29th just received my new walltent from deluxe wall tents go up ep willies puddle on march 8th and pick up my new quad from sprectra power sports and were good to go