After thinking much about it, how do ya'll carry your tent on rides off the pavement (ex. Trans America Trail)? I'm currently running a Wolfman Mini Beta and was planning on just lashing it to the outside of the bag with the included straps. I'm scared, however, because I don't want to low/high side and end up ripping my waterproof tent haha. Ideas? Thanks!
You can compress the tent and rain fly to the size of a folgers coffee can. Get a compression dry bag and stuff it!!!! I like these: http://www.granitegearstore.com/Block-Solid-Compression-Sack-P143C52.aspx Then it should fit in your luggage bag (I'm assuming, I don't know the details of the Wolfman Mini Beta).
Whatever you do, don't use just stretchy bungee cords to hold it on. I've watched a tent bounce loose from that. Rok straps are great, much more secure.
second on that, it can bounce loose without even knowing, and means you lose the tent or it gets damaged in the fall. Using a stronger canvas bag instead of the nylon default is a good idea if you are packing the tent outside your luggage.
I purchased a bag with loops and straps and simply strapped in it on the na k of my.seat. the loops key the tent from sliding off
I strap it on the back, on top. I strap it so that I can still access whatever is below it. I have always worked on the principal that it will be the last thing to go back on the bike in the morning and that I want to access whatever is underneath it during the day. I use rok straps I have noticed that a lot of people put their tent into their panniers, yet I often have to pack up the tent when it is wet, either from dew or rain. I dont like the idea of stuffing wet stuff inside my panniers and have always strapped it to the outside. I'm just wondering how the "tent in the pannier" brigade deal with packing the wet tent? Cheers David
OH no that picture rears it's ugly head. If you can don't pack the tent w/ the poles that way you can compress the tent. If you fit it on the back then put it in a heavy duty duffel bag this will protect it. If not there then in a saddle bag. If wet then place the tent in a mesh bag to let air dry during the day's ride if you put a wet tent in a duffel it will make everything else wet..
Tent is in green bag left, 4 inch pad is in the red bag, right and my sleeping bag is my back rest in the yellow bag
good question. a wet tent drys out in 10-15 minutes once it's set up. i took a mesh bag and tried letting the tent dry out, it worked but the tent dried out fast enough at the next day's campsite, so i stopped using the mesh bag. i put almost everything for camping in one pannier. tent, footprint, air mattress, sleeping bag. all in one liner bag. i just grab and go. poles are in the topcase. whatever works. take a bunch of small trips and figure out what's best for you. that's the best answer.
Thanks for the tips guys! Helps me brainstorm on my decision. what my initial plan was resembles Yamwow's setup, but I'm simply afraid that when (not if) I fall on my tat trip I will rip my tent... I guess I could compress and store it in the bag, but there goes more (of my already limited) storage space...
go to walmart, in the camping sections they have Ozark brand stuff sacs. 3 different sizes for $8. I think they may be a bit small. They have introduced a bigger size, stuff sack. It holds my tent, poles, etc., along with my tarp, and my lil camp chair. I think it was $20 I had a pair of sneakers (in one of the small ones), they came off the bike doing around 100. 3 small holes and no marks on my shoes. that was worth $3 Never underestimate a WalMart Camper
think of creative ways to save space and weight. you can compress your clothes as well. make sure you have synthetic, convertible clothes. instead of carrying sneakers, i use some aqua socks. they pack down very small! i'm usually in my riding gear, anyways. instead of a sweater and rain jacket, i use my gerbings jacket and rain liners. it goes on and on....just look for dual use stuff. you can take some luxuries, though.... you probably won't be going hwy speeds on the TAT so i wouldn't be too concerned. look at some TAT trip reports and see what the experts did. but that's the fun/pain of camping: trying to figure out wtf to bring and where to put it all. good luck!
+1 on the Walmart bags. Depending on what size tent you have, Walmart will have one to fit. Just pick up their 3 pack, or bigger if you have a bigger tent. It will keep it dry (or wet) and protect it from falls. I usually carry the 3 pack with me to put odds and ends in if the need arises.
Dry bag for me. I usually carry three on my bike on long trips. Two small ones on top of my panniers and one large one with the tent in it on top of those.
I don't use a dry bag for my tent because it's usually still wet when I pack it up in the morning. Better off with it in something that will allow the moisture to escape.