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Campers vs. Camping

7K views 43 replies 33 participants last post by  Fortuneteller 
#1 ·
It's funny how the threads in this forum seem to be all about the camper trailer (noun) and not much about camping (verb) or campers (adj, or is that another noun?).
 
#2 ·
The wife & I go camping occasionally with our camper. It's a toy hauler, and so, we take a pair of bikes with us when we do. Also, we will occasionally pack the pull behind trailer and go with just the Hondas, and when we do, we sometimes have reservations at a KOA with camping Kabin's. One time, we stayed at a camping cabin at a campground just outside Sturgis too.














How's that?
 
#3 ·
Turning wrenches for 40plus years killed my back. Tents are out of the question since I was 43 years old. I used to tent camp only till one day I could not get dressed on ground anymore . So answer your question , most are just too dang old to camping without trailer .
 
#4 ·
I used to love to camp. I did it as a Boy Scout, and then in the Army(not as much fun). And after marriage, I made several trips on the bike and camped. Sometimes in real campgrounds and sometimes where I could just find a good place to pitch a tent.

I took the wife with me on one of those trips and she did wonderful. But when the first son came we stopped travelling on a motorcycle and started camping with the car. Eventually after a trip to Nova Scotia we graduated to a pull behind pop-up camper. We used that for several years and then got a real travel trailer with heat, air conditioning and a toilet. We camped all over the east coast with that trailer. We had a blast!

And then I got my first real touring bike and took a cross country trip with my youngest son(he was 12) and he and I camped. So when I got home I suggested that she and I take a trip on the bike and camp so we went to the motorcycle races at VIR. When we got home, she explained to me that henceforth if we were going to travel by motorcycle, then camping would have to involve a real bed, a porcelain toilet with shower. And a TV would be nice!

I made a few trips after that and enjoyed myself camping with my old tent, but all of our travel since 1990 has resulted in motel rooms. Does it cost more--probably but this makes it more of a vacation for her with no camp chores and she does not have to eat my camp cooking!

I might someday convince her to get a motorhome but if not I will also continue to enjoy the comfort of motels.
 
#5 ·
My first camping experience with my then-new-ish wife, I laid out what seemed an embarrassment of luxury to an infantry Marine but somehow didn't quite clear her bar for tolerable misery, to say nothing of pleasure.

We managed to move to a tolerable and even happy middle over time. We have plans to make a concerted push to get out more this year, but the two new dogs will put a crimp in the moto- aspect of motocamping. To my chagrin.

We'll probably end up with you old decrepit folks eventually. I'm just a slow learner. :joke:
 
#6 ·
Planning on camping this year without tent or camper. Camped some last year in a tent but sleep was difficult with considerable back problems. Was looking for a lees-ure lite camper but found a different solution. Will be leaving the tent packed and will camp sleeping in a hammock under a tarp. The tarp will be big enough for the hammock and cover bike, this will make packing/unpacking when it's raining much easier. Found a hammock to be very comfortable and solved the back problems. Actually sleep better in my hammock than my bed.
 
#7 ·
Did the tent on ground thing. Was ok. Bought got kompact kamp and really enjoy it. Off ground / easy set up n take down.
 
#8 ·
We have done everything from the pics below (and yes we are under every capacity on both the toy hauler and the Highlander in fact our only problem is remembering to stay 65-70 mph on the freeways):





But once we were poor and lived with this:

 
#9 ·
I've done lots of camping and if I'm attending an event where it is a "camping" event I'll camp. Otherwise, Motels.

When I'm doing long days, I much prefer to ride longer, get a Motel, have a shower, up early and leave. No unpacking, setting up tent, putting away a wet tent etc.

Now, as I approach Retirement, if I'm doing a month long trip I may reconsider and do some camping in between Motels.
 
#33 ·
I'm with you, 1st SGT. After spending 36 years on the road sleeping in motels ( in a bed that who knows how many people have slept in before)the idea of vacationing in another motel makes me ill. Nothing like sitting around a campfire with friends after a good day of riding, sipping on a fine scotch and looking at the stars. Gives me wanderlust thinking about it. Can't get that in a motel. I gotta get my bike otta the shop and go someplace.
 
#11 ·
I started out with a tent when on bike trips for about 6 years. It got old putting the tent up every night and taking it down and packing everything up in the morning. I went to a Roll A Home and love it. Set up in under 10 minutes. Comfortable bed, I can stand up to change, and even have room for a folding chair inside when it is raining out. Packing up is just as easy. I stay in campgrounds, so it is worth it for me.
 
#22 ·
What he said! I went to a Lees-ure Lite and it is SOOOO much better than a tent for all the reasons mentioned above... There are prob'ly 20 in our chapter who pull campers - most are Lees-ure Lites.


Don't leave home without it:laugh:
 
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#12 ·
I have a cargo trailer that I pull behind the bike with all my camping goods, I have tent camped several times, but as I get older, the knee's just can't take the crawling around on the ground.So this winter I bought a used Lees-ure Lite camper and am just waiting for the snow to melt and it to warm up a little and I'm going camping to try it out. The wife has not interest in camping, so I'm on my own. I have a bucket list of places I want to go and camp. My first destanation is Moab Utah area. Just can't wait....
 
#13 ·
Bob, when in Moab, be sure to go to Dead Horse Point and consider getting down inside (and probably lost in) the Fiery Furnace area of Arches.

All, I like the idea of the trailers and even got in line (too late) for one that was on sale here recently. My comment in the original post was not meant as anti-trailer, just the observation that the talk here is mostly about the camper trailers and very little about the camping and camper people.
 
#15 ·
I, am a man, I am supposed to be rough and tough as a severe storm, rock hard like a mountain is steadfast, and able to do anything with nothing. I have slept out under the stars, with little more that the riding suit I had on for warmth. I have backpacked into a wilderness with the lightest and smallest of 1 man tents made. I have ENJOYED those treks, more than I can relate by use of words. I am now arthritic ( some) and the cold beats me up in a heartbeat. Tent camping has a speacial place in my heart because of the places I have woke up at. The exiting of my familiar sleeping bag will always bring back fond memories. It's funny, but I don't really recall the urban mornings so much. Selective memories to be sure. I now pamper myself to a 4 star or better motel when I travel, but dislike waking up in a room, trying to remember which way the bathroom is in the dark, needing to let the others sleep. I'm first up because I'm the day planner. I will always love motorcycle camping, but realize my limberness is becoming less as I age and must do what I need to continue enjoying riding by staying in the motels. I open the window in the room most times. I can still enjoy a good story from those that do camp by tent, so feel free to share. I'll make the popcorn.
 
#16 · (Edited)
I have found that my preferences and needs change over time. I use to camp out a lot in tents when my kids were young. And in the late '90s my wife and I very much enjoyed camping in our Bunkhouse camper. We did a lot of camping on many bike trips for a few years but I sold it about four years after I purchased it. Then in 2011, I made a solo coast to coast month-long motorcycle trip and after spending 20 nights in motels I thought maybe another camper trailer might be a more economical way to travel for future coast to coast trips that I was planning to make. I purchased a nice used Kwik-Kamp prior to my 2013 trip and had plans to camp as many nights as possible for that month on the road. On that trip to the PNW, I camped only on the first and second night away from home and I discovered something very important to me. The convenience (and time savings) of staying in a motel and not having to set-up and take down the camper, not having to walk to the bathhouse or privy, not having to cook and clean up or ride into town for a meal when all I wanted to do was put my feet up and watch TV was worth a lot of money to me. After using that Kwik-Kamp only two nights, I sold it when I got back home. I know everyone is different and some people still prefer the camping scene, but as I age, I am no longer one of them. Now my idea of "roughing it" is staying in a Motel 6. :thumbup:
 
#17 ·
When I retired in 2009 we got a Time Out tent trailer for our Wing to tow around the country. We did several 6,000 mile trips and while it was a wonderful experience, it was a lot of work loading and unloading that trailer. We could never get comfortable in it. After two years we sold it and got a 5th wheel.

We continued to cris-cross the US but missed having our Wing with us. We traded the 5th wheel for a toy hauler 5th wheel and took our Wing with us everywhere we went.

We've been camping in style for the past three years - 41' long, four TV's with Directv, three air conditioners, fireplace, bath and a half, and a garage that is also a private bedroom for guests. Yep we're spoiling ourselves.

We take several long trips each year and many of shorter duration. We can't get enough of getting away and our bike is always with us.
 
#27 ·
I don't understand people who make comments like this on a forum like this. From my perspective camping and touring motorcycles compliment each other (whether tent or trailer) Leading a 10 day ride with a group of Seniors from Arizona, through Utah, Wyoming, Montana and back while camping most of the way made the ride more memorable by 10 fold. 2 of the riders were in their early 70s said they wouldn't have thought about camping but were so glad they did. Sitting around a campfire talking about the day's ride and planning for the next. Meeting other people in the CG (most couldn't believe that old guys still rode and slept in tents) Great food and camaraderie. Camping, let alone tent camping, is not for everyone; but it is a great part of riding.
 
#24 ·
Raised kids, Camped in tents, Had 3 different motorcycle campers, Yup been there done that, Even owned a money pit older C Class motorhome that I pulled bikes behind. Found out that with motorhomes. You pay, Buy them new and you pay dearly. Buy them old....& they always need something. Either way you pay.
Have always been a camper at heart. Just seems as you age, How one goes about it changes.
Went years with out camping. And missed it! Last year I found a small 2 yr old 16 ft Forrest River Wolf Pup. Really enjoyed it! Got our feet wet again! Then last fall as I was winterizing it I went to buy a part I thought I needed & bought a new 2017 19 ft Spree Escape With a slide out. And a used Ford Explorer with a V8 engine to pull it. So we're pretty excited for this years warm weather season.
For local campouts My Bride can drive the camper & me ride the bike.
Long distances I have a trailer to load bikes on, Can ride & motel Or just take the camper.
One of these years I just want to take a vacation & just be a camper vagabond! Point & go!
 
#26 · (Edited)
I like camping ...... easy camping. That is in great weather and in great locations camping rocks!..... in great weather it's also super easy. Don't need much....... if I need to camp to get out of the weather..... I want a hotel/motel/cabin.

We like the simplicity of traveling on the bike without much of a plan. Roll around where you want. The problem is in the height of the season in the high demand locations, hotels may be booked and over priced for me. So that's where I would like to travel prepared for camping if needed..... minimally and comfortably....... some locations I just want the campground experience...... no comparison to a motel..... national parks and monuments come to mind. ...... I'm very content sitting next to my coffee pot listening to the birds chirp surrounded by like minded folks.

Last summer we took a big trip with the RV and I wanted my bike most of the trip..... but reality is we were on a family of 3 vacation..... we planned on getting a toyhauler for this summer..... but we decided to delay that until next summer...... so I think a toyhauler is in the future.

In the end I want choices and I want it all.....
 
#28 ·
I will second that 1st Sgt!! This IS a camping forum. I hang out on the other forum also. Lots of people just don't go wandering around the net to see what is out there. My wife and I like to camp out for most of the reasons everyone else has mentioned. It always strikes us a amusing how when we pull into a camp ground on the wing pulling the Aspen Classic and then set up, on all the questions from the people driving the big motor homes. They just can't believe how much space is in a little trailer that can be pulled behind a motorcycle. It is always fun to visit with people from all parts of the USA. We have not been able to use the camper the last 2 summers because of my medical issues. They have been resolved and now this summer hopefully we can use the camper at least once a month if not more. Our weather is not always the nicest as some of you experience in the southern states. I guess that is the price you pay for living in a clean air state. I am soon to be 72 and enjoy camping very much. My Dad and Mom camped until shortly before he passed away just short of his 82nd birthday. I hope to be able to do the same if not longer.
 
#29 ·
Ya, it's due to the name, "Motorcycle Campers" Perhaps if it was changed to "Motorcycle Camping" It might get more camping related posts.
Like so many others here I tent camped for about 40 years and sleeping on the ground was loosing its enjoyment as I aged. A few years ago in preparation for an extended early retirement trip I picked up a used Roll-A-Home camper to try to save a few $$$ over tent camping and hitting hotels every few days. After taking two 3-4 week vacations with the camper I am so pleased with it. As a person who has to use a C-pap for sleeping I can have a power supply in the camper that will power it plus charge phones and power some lights. I have the standard model and it sets up quickly and the cargo area is large enough that I can bring all kinds of crap that I never use :laugh: I have been focusing in cutting it down to the basics and this year I will get to take my retirement trip after a delay due to two years of cancer treatment!

Yes Motocamper.com has a bunch of camping related topics also Adventure rider also has a lot of camping and camping gear topics.
 
#32 ·
Ya, it's due to the name, "Motorcycle Campers" Perhaps if it was changed to "Motorcycle Camping" It might get more camping related posts.
Yeah, maybe. But it's not named "Camper Trailers" so you'd think there's already room for a middle ground if there was going to be one. I think it's less the forum title (which rarely self-police anyway) and perhaps just a) the demographic and interests of the group here; b) the nut roll that lots of the forums down in the sub-boards / focus groups section experience.

+1 to motocampers and other fine sites being out there. No shortage of resources available. Just not in this specific forum, unless you're interested in a used trailer! >:)

My observation on how it has played out. Not a cry for help or change.

There's a bit of camping commentary here throughout, mostly in the General and the Rides forums, and folks who seem to partake. All is as it is.
 
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