Downsizing From a Fifth Wheeler To A Tent

[RangeMaggotBob]

Yup, we're downsizing to a tent. Temporarily. We decided to take a 30 day plus or minus road trip. So we bought a tent, sleeping bag, and a few more basics that will fit in the back of our Hyundai Santa Fe. (coffee pot, frying pan, H20, etc.) Figure on hitting a motel/hotel every 5 or 6 days for showering up and doing laundry. Gonna head north in Missouri and somehow make our way to Mt. Rushmore, then over to Montana, down south to big wonderful Wyoming, then maybe south to the Rockies. No reservations, just hoping to find campgrounds along the way, and if not, camping anywhere we can. We love to fish, so hoping to find a few ponds along the way. Never been to any of those state except for Wyoming, Colorado, and everything west of there. Anything off-the-wall to expect in Iowa/Nebraska? Or should we just shoot through there and get to the Dakotas? And we didn't get rid of our 5th wheeler, just trying something different. Back to basics I guess. Thanks!

[boondocking]

[mysery1]

Cool, when camping solo that's how I like to go.

[ppine]

I camp a lot in summer in remote places and go light and fast with a pickup. I mostly sleep in the back of the truck with a canopy. I have plenty of pads to sleep on. It is a lot easier to boondock in National Forests without the trailer.

In spring and fall when campgrounds are more quiet I like to bring the trailer. It is a blessing in the cold and with longer nights.

I still do river trips and use a small tent for those. Then we get to some really remote places that beautiful with no one around. It is worth sleeping in a tent. The last few trips I have just rolled out on the ground with no tent.

Backpacking is becoming less frequent now. I still bring a tarp for that or just roll out on the ground.

[Jim34RL]

I knew a couple who sold us their Star Craft 8 Pop-up tailer in the early 80's. they went back to tent camping (pup tents). They were in their early 50's and wanted to backpack and canoe in the Boundry waters of Minnesota.

I was way too old even than to lay down on the wet dewy grass and wake up to cook over a smokey fire, I was in my thirties at the time.

So, have fun and let us know how your back is feeling and your trip.

[aceinspp]

Enjoy and Later RJD

[chrisski]

It’s amazing the extra places tent camping allows. You get so much closer to what you want.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Brings back memories of tent camping with our young daughter out of our Toyota Corolla with only a tent. Park rangers said 'full up' until we told them we wanted a tent campsite.

Get a 5-7 day cooler or one that operates on a cigarette lighter to keep things cold. Get a good app for you phone like ParkAdvisor to find parks and services.

If you're headed for Mount Rushmore, make certain that you stop at Badlands National Park. Devil's tower is just a bit north. Custer State Park is in that area if you like Bison and looks like a great place to fish.

Safe journey.

[D W]

"TENT CAMPING", where you pay big bucks to sleep outside.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Brings back memories of tent camping with our young daughter out of our Toyota Corolla with only a tent. Park rangers said 'full up' until we told them we wanted a tent campsite.

Get a 5-7 day cooler or one that operates on a cigarette lighter to keep things cold. Get a good app for you phone like ParkAdvisor to find parks and services.

If you're headed for Mount Rushmore, make certain that you stop at Badlands National Park. Devil's tower is just a bit north. Custer State Park is in that area if you like Bison and looks like a great place to fish.

Safe journey.

There's a whole thread on South Dakota camping. Must be a dozen do-not-miss sites including Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse memorial, Wall Drug, Corn Palace, Black Hills, Badlands, Dinosaur Park (Rapid City), Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Deadwood, and more. Google is your friend.

[RangeMaggotBob]

Thank you for all the replies!

[Odyknuck]

All I can say is Brave Souls!

[fipntdot]

Custer State Park in South Dakota is awesome.


Iowa has a lot of state and COE parks that are easy to get into. Keep an eye out however, because many close up mid to late October due to freeze possibility.

[dangerranger]

I like tent camping and all the places that will let me go, but My body said no more sleeping on the ground. Thats why we bought our current TT.
Enjoy it while you still can! DR

[UP WANDERER]

That should be quite the adventure, let Us know how it goes.

[Mokurt]

Watch out for hail storms in a tent!

[Danhikeski]

I recently bought a rooftop tent and mounted in back of truck on a rack. The last few camping trips (all this year) hasn’t been with our wolf pup 16bhs. The tent is a 3 person, but really 2…. It has been nice! I still setup another tent to throw anything in, especially if I need to use the truck (take out sleeping stuff, fold up tent, drive off). We never cooked inside the camper so setting up an outdoor kitchen is the same with the blackstone and/or jetboil.

[redvalk]

should be quite the adventure. I sure couldn't do it anymore.....sleep on the ground in a tent. Heck, I find myself thankful to get back to my big full King bed at home after 4 to 5 days in the travel trailer "Queen" bed. I couldn't even think of trying to sleep on the ground anymore.........

Do it while ya' still can............and have fun

[Midwest Ed]

My tent camping days were how I started, but it was also just backpacking through wilderness areas. I thoroughly enjoyed being totally alone, far from another human.

After my marriage, the backpacking was over as my wife's idea of camping was when I would only let her take just one suitcase up to the hotel room. Now that she's gone and I'm retired, I bought my trailer 4 years ago.

It has been very difficult for me to switch my mindset from carrying everything on my back that is needed to SURVIVE, and keeping the weight under 40 - 50 pounds, to the HUGE advantages of the trailer. I could suddenly "carry" 2000 pounds in the trailer plus another 1000+ in the truck. I still haven't adjusted.

If there's something that I (or anyone) might have the remotest chance of needing then I'm bringing it. I really need to pair down, but for now if you need any sort of repair or even something of convenience, just ask. I can most likely have it with me.

Even though my hiking days are long over I still bring all the backpacking equipment (tent, water filter, stove, etc.).... just in case.

Have fun with the car camping. We made a similar trip 20 years ago. Check out a more northerly route out west through ND, great fishing on Missouri River, plus Teddy Roosevelt NP. From there drop down to Bad Lands & Mt. Rushmore; west to Devils Tower(don't miss) & Big Horn Mountains; north to Custer Battlefield(best ever), then Yellowstone, before making it to Colorado(Cog Train up Pikes Peak). I was sad we missed Glacier NP.

I was surprised at the number of tent only sites (with 15 to 20 amp electric) in many campgrounds.

Have fun.

[garywilson]

Nice.
If in Elk Country, you should be able to hear them whistling/bugling...timing is about right.

If in Griz country, I'd probably want to sleep in a tree, the car, or a motel...timing is about right.

You should be able to get into an early snow... timing good for that, too!

Since it is hunting season cranking up, if you are in a small town where hunters go...you can probably find showers for a small fee at high school or other fundraising location. Might want to invest in an orange vest if you are going to wander very far.

Have a great time!