tents vs campers

[huntinhick]

So after reading a ton of posts in my search for tents it seems like most people here tent camp vs using a campers is this due to cost, portablity or just because?  also when you are setting a tent up in the snow what do you do dig down to the groud or just sit it up on the snow?

thanks
carl

[Recurve-Elk]

My family and I are a die hard tent family.  For a few main reasons, fresh air, and mobility.  Our whole hunting group had used tents for over 20 years.  Then one year 3 of the crew got campers.  Now its a debate to where we go to camp because they don't want to take them down the rough roads.  Also I find we spend most of the time couped up in the campers instead of outside around the campfire, or around the BBQ.  Dad and I still use our tents, and still set up the army tent for cooking and hanging out, because it gets real tight when you got 8 guys in a little camper    The other thing I noticed is that the guys with the campers tend to sleep in longer and hunt less. 

That said, I don't mind campers at all.  I just wish we spent more time outside, and could get deeper in the woods like we used to. (this is all speaking about elk country so its pretty rough for the campers.)

[let.it.fly]

neither, a tarp strung up when weathe is bad, a bed roll and a sleeping bag.

[GoldTip]

Went to a camper about 4 years ago.  Certainly some drawbacks, and we still have all our tents, so we use them when it is easier to get closer to where we want to hunt by using tents than to use a camper.  Used my 26' toyhauler last year when Moose hunting, got it where I wanted it without any problems, will use it again this fall when we hunt the Dayton unit for my buddies rifle cow tag.  Definitely nicer to have a camper if the weather is rainy and windy.  But we still spend most our time around the campfire if the weather is conducive to that. 

[Skyvalhunter]

Hammock

[MikeWalking]

Snow Camping.   When I find my spot I measure off, by eye, the size of a "pad" I want and with my pack & snowshoes still on spend a least 20 minutes walking back and forth over it packing it down real good. Then walk off to the side a bit, maybe pack down a trail to a pee spot. I'll then drop the pack, pull out the tent set it up, set it aside, change layers as needed, kill some time if the weather is OK. The idea being to let the spot you just tramped down settle and harden a bit.  Put the tent in place, stakes it out and then dig a ramp down to the door. At least knee deep. That way you can walk up to the tent, turn and sit in the door, get in and out without crawling and kicking snow into it.

Then you can get creative, carving a spot to rest your feet on.  If I'll be there long enough I'll A-Frame a large tarp real low with my tent just under it on end. Then dig a pit under it using the snow to make a wall around the edges. Carve out a cook spot, ramp out, benches etc...spent weeks and months that way

A camper is out  of my $$ reach, have a few tents, a Hennesy Hammock, best sleep ever if you can block the draft underneath. And one of the benes of my Grand Cherokee over my old Cherokee is I can stretch out fully and sleep in that. Which I'll be doing tonight if I get away from here and start packing for a quick overnighter on a nearby ridge top...

[JackOfAllTrades]

Base camp is a 29' Jayco LGT. Sometimes even if I'm alone. Definately with the famdamily.

Scouting trips might be a speed run with truck/canopy and/or basecamp tent, and/or backpack with Bivy bag and hammock.

For the last 20 years, I've had some sort of hard walled camper/trailer at all times. (4 trailers/1 camper) I've always had a canopy for my trucks. I have hunted for a week at a time out of canopy and never set up a tent. Other times, a tent was a basecamp. It all depended on where I was going and what weather I expected to encounter.

Each has it's dis/advantages. Someday I'd like to pick up a wall tent.

-Steve

[NWBREW]

Cabin 

[gasman]

I have a wall tent, but when the hunting party gets smaller or i have to pack up by my self, for get it. I bought a camper.

I spend a lot of days in the woods alone. i tow my jeep to where i decide to camp, park the truck and i am golden. If i decide to camp off teh beaten path, then i have a tent for that, but most time i am happy with my camper. I added a motorcycle carrier to my accesories and now leave the jeep at home and ride around to places i want to go, but come hunting season i will probably have a trailer to haul both jeep and bike at the same time., i could probably fit the quad on it to. Better to be over prepaired then under......


I still spend most my time by the fire, if teh weather is crappy, i will break out the pop-up canopy and sit under it next to a fire. It's great to have a warm dry camper to excape to but the love of the camp fire is far none......

Besides, my camper (freezer) makes ice for my drinks 

[alecvg]

I use tents because I can't pack a camper in on my back.

[HoofsandWings]

Tents do have this small disadvantage.

http://www.ktvq.com/news/update-bear-attack-leaves-one-dead-and-injures-two-at-campground-near-cooke-city/

[rasbo]

love tents,but after elk hunting out of our trailer,ah its great,i can tow it just about anywhere I need to be.we still spend the same amount of time around the fire,just dont get those monkey ass smells anymore with a shower everyday,and hearing the heater kick on makes life so nice.Big plus here..my wife loves it,if shes a happy camper thats all it to me..

[huntinhick]

the reason I am asking is that I have a small SUV, a suzuki sidekick sport.  I love it, goes anywhere at 25-35 miles a gallon but will only pull a max of 1500lbs.  I am trying to decide if I want to keep it and go tents (cheaper all the way around) or pony up and get a bigger ride and a camper I am really leaning towards the tent route for most stuff.  However I plan on some quick weekend trips over to the east side for coyotes, turkey and ducks in the winter and I am worried about comfort in the snow.  I don't want to spend hours digging a 12x12 hole to put a tent up in the snow!  sounds like the tent is going to be the way to go though,  I tend to go places that a camper would not follow well.  maybe I will get one of these little slide in campers for a pickup and drop it in my utility trailer for the quick hunts http://www.livinlite.com/camper-overview.php

[gasman]

How about a Tent Trailer 
Light weight, roomy, heater, stove, sink, water, some even come with a shower. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

Huntlakewood uses one and likes it.
I borrowed one once, and took a trip to Yellowstone, it worked out great for us. No sleeping on the ground 

[Buckmark]

I have a wall tent, but when the hunting party gets smaller or i have to pack up by my self, for get it. I bought a camper.

I spend a lot of days in the woods alone. i tow my jeep to where i decide to camp, park the truck and i am golden. If i decide to camp off teh beaten path, then i have a tent for that, but most time i am happy with my camper. I added a motorcycle carrier to my accesories and now leave the jeep at home and ride around to places i want to go, but come hunting season i will probably have a trailer to haul both jeep and bike at the same time., i could probably fit the quad on it to. Better to be over prepaired then under......


I still spend most my time by the fire, if teh weather is crappy, i will break out the pop-up canopy and sit under it next to a fire. It's great to have a warm dry camper to excape to but the love of the camp fire is far none......

Besides, my camper (freezer) makes ice for my drinks  
*

And microwave popcorn for the movie