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SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:34 pm
by 9dawgs
Here are the promised pics of the tent installed on the van. This was at the Chasawitzka River campground this past week.

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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.

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:39 pm
by peter
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 :butthead:

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:44 pm
by SafariRob
Peter, I also thought the photo was from last fall or summer. What a surprise to see that it was recent!

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:45 pm
by 9dawgs
peter 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 :butthead:
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 momma :muhaha:

We still went swimmin' though the next day \:D/

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Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:57 pm
by WVKayaker
C'mon spring!

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:10 pm
by midnighthunder89
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.

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:47 am
by peter
That's ok thunder, send me a postcard instead.... :muhaha:
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.

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:06 am
by dunedog
I see you got the optional rain fly and HAD to try it out in the nasty weather, you seemed to have that day :whistle:

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:36 pm
by 9dawgs
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.
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!

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.

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:40 pm
by 9dawgs
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 :whistle:
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....

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.

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:43 pm
by WVKayaker
midnighthunder89 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.
BTDT

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:45 pm
by 9dawgs
midnighthunder89 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.
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 though :yawinkle:

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:28 pm
by dumb lady
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!! :rolleyes:

Nice tent, BTW! =D>

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:31 pm
by Cobra
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 :partyman:

Re: SportZ Mini-van Tent in use

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:48 pm
by astrozam
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 :partyman:
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.