SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Here are the promised pics of the tent installed on the van. This was at the Chasawitzka River campground this past week.
Set up was pretty straight forward. Just like putting up a regular tent. The cool part is that you can erect the tent, then pick it up and move it into position at the back of the van. Then all you do is pull the "sock" over the back of the van and strap it in. The tent can also be used as a stand alone without the van at all. Also to keep the doors from trying to close I used a heavy duty bungee cord on each door and strapped it to the fenders on each side.
Set up was pretty straight forward. Just like putting up a regular tent. The cool part is that you can erect the tent, then pick it up and move it into position at the back of the van. Then all you do is pull the "sock" over the back of the van and strap it in. The tent can also be used as a stand alone without the van at all. Also to keep the doors from trying to close I used a heavy duty bungee cord on each door and strapped it to the fenders on each side.
Jim<><
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Cool. The sock is definitely a good idea.
When I 1st saw the pic, I was sure it had to have been a post from last summer/early fall. After all, who the hell goes camping in February with all that snow....'xceptin' mebbe rednecks from the southern states. Gawd, I hate y'all
When I 1st saw the pic, I was sure it had to have been a post from last summer/early fall. After all, who the hell goes camping in February with all that snow....'xceptin' mebbe rednecks from the southern states. Gawd, I hate y'all
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"
Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"
Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson
Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Peter, I also thought the photo was from last fall or summer. What a surprise to see that it was recent!
Rob Shaver
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Haha, sorry Petey. If it helps at all we did have a cold night on Thursday. It got down to around 40 or so. One of those "make your face freeze" when you're out from under the sleeping bag nights. Just more excuse to snuggle closer to mommapeter wrote:Cool. The sock is definitely a good idea.
When I 1st saw the pic, I was sure it had to have been a post from last summer/early fall. After all, who the hell goes camping in February with all that snow....'xceptin' mebbe rednecks from the southern states. Gawd, I hate y'all
We still went swimmin' though the next day
Jim<><
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
C'mon spring!
1999 AWD Astro purchased January 2007
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
why wait for spring there is great winter snow camping done it once this year. shoeshoe in set up tent big fire your all set.
99 sle awd safari
Another addition to cash for clunkers.
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
That's ok thunder, send me a postcard instead....
Truth is I'd love to go camping at least one weekend in the winter. I still haven't had the chance to try out the Tramper when it's cold out. Maybe one day...
I'm curious, how much did the tent run you? Does it have a floor? Also, do you think it'd be easy enuf to convert for use on the sliding door? I could see having a tent like yours connected to the side of the Tramper and the other end of the tent connected to my screen enclosure.
Truth is I'd love to go camping at least one weekend in the winter. I still haven't had the chance to try out the Tramper when it's cold out. Maybe one day...
I'm curious, how much did the tent run you? Does it have a floor? Also, do you think it'd be easy enuf to convert for use on the sliding door? I could see having a tent like yours connected to the side of the Tramper and the other end of the tent connected to my screen enclosure.
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"
Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"
Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
I see you got the optional rain fly and HAD to try it out in the nasty weather, you seemed to have that day
1999 LS AWD 3" Lift,4.10's,Snowplow,9500lb Ramsey winch
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
The tent cost $230. About a week after I got it when we went to order the larger rainfly I noticed they have the same tent with a screen porch attached now for the same price!peter wrote:I'm curious, how much did the tent run you? Does it have a floor? Also, do you think it'd be easy enuf to convert for use on the sliding door? I could see having a tent like yours connected to the side of the Tramper and the other end of the tent connected to my screen enclosure.
As far as modifying it to fit the side door opening, I don't think you'll be able to do it and still stay dry if it rains. The sock fits snug over the rear of the van, then you sinch it up with the straps attached.
Jim<><
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Haha, well, we do live in Florida. They say if you don't like the weather down here just hang out for a few hours and it will change for you. We didn't see any rain though the whole time we were there. Sure was pretty....dunedog wrote:I see you got the optional rain fly and HAD to try it out in the nasty weather, you seemed to have that day
The optional rain fly is really a must for Florida camping. The one it came with would be fine in a dryer climate say out west somewhere.
Jim<><
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
BTDTmidnighthunder89 wrote:why wait for spring there is great winter snow camping done it once this year. shoeshoe in set up tent big fire your all set.
1999 AWD Astro purchased January 2007
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
2" Overland Vans Lift Kit, Add-a-Leaf, Shackles, Torsion Bars Cranked 1"
AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery w/Isolator
Helwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
Auburn Gear Pro Series Limited-Slip Differential
BFG AT KO 235/75/15
Cragar Nomad I Wheels
Dearly Departed 1990 RWD Shorty owned since day one.
Sold Feb 2007 with 193k miles.
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 278
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Man, I would love to do that. I really do love the cold. I guess because I don't have to live in it all winter long. When I was stationed in PA and got to experience the lake effect snow, it was great. We just hung out outside all the time playing in the snow until we couldn't feel our toes! Then it was time to come in and get something hot. One time my wife and I layed down in the front yard on a blanket under the clear skys and sunshine and sipped on some iced tea! It reminded us of the white sand beaches in the panhandle of Florida... Folks in the neighborhood thought we were nuts. We weren't brave enough to put on our swin suits thoughmidnighthunder89 wrote:why wait for spring there is great winter snow camping done it once this year. shoeshoe in set up tent big fire your all set.
Jim<><
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
'99 Astro 4X2, (RIP) 4" Overland Lift, 31X10.50/15 BF Goodrich AT T/A KO,
Rancho RS5000 shocks, Rockford Fosgate RFX9000, Red Top Optima, K&N Filter
'98 Astro 4X2 (SOLD)
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Haha! That's a great story Mr dawgs. Funny how it's such a novelty to you southern natives.
Personally I've had enough of the cold & snow to last a lifetime.
Peter, you DON'T want to be camping down here in the summer.
It is BLAZING hot. My daughter saw people at the Disney campground once with A/C in their tent!!
Nice tent, BTW! =D>
Personally I've had enough of the cold & snow to last a lifetime.
Peter, you DON'T want to be camping down here in the summer.
It is BLAZING hot. My daughter saw people at the Disney campground once with A/C in their tent!!
Nice tent, BTW! =D>
The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.
~Ayn Rand
'96 RWD Astro. 155K
~Ayn Rand
'96 RWD Astro. 155K
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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
how is the space inside the tent alone spaciouse or a little cramped now that i know it'll fit my safari i'm definetly getting one..... probably
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
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1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use
Check out the Bass Pro Shops store in the Vaughn Mills plaza just off the 400,they have those exact tents,was there with my oldest about 1 month ago, store is nothing short of awesome.Cobra wrote:how is the space inside the tent alone spaciouse or a little cramped now that i know it'll fit my safari i'm definetly getting one..... probably