Wall Tent or Travel Trailer???

[Secret Squirrel]

Okay...so I am thinking that I need some new digs for my hunting camps, do I get a wall tent or a travel trailer.  Who has what and what is your experience with them and hidden drawbacks?

[Hyde]

I remember a discussion about this a year ago or so.  A little snooping in the archives will get you all the info you probably want.  For me.... I've had both, LOVE the wall tent, but the trailer works better for me. 

[YellowDog]

This is a loaded queston  .  I think it depends on your hunting style and how much you would use a travel trailer other than for hunting.  I have a wall tent and won't give it up but I am considering a toy hauler travel trailer purchase this coming spring.  I ride motorcycles and want to camp during the summer and have a/c, shower, bathroom, nice bed, heater, etc.  I am also a little less than 2 years of employment from having up to 13 weeks of paid time off and I think it would be sweet to travel and hunt as much as possible in various states but don't want to do that camping out all the time and/or paying for hotels. 

[pianoman9701]

We did an RV trailer this year and it rocked. 1/2 hour setup and breakdown and all the rest of the time for hunting. Unless you're packing in, my vote is definitely a trailer.

[longrangekiller]

depends were u are going i got both and i use the wall tent more because i dont like taking my trailer up muddy bumpy roads but thats my opinion lol they both are great

[CplRaines]

I've done a kind of hybrid thing.  See the last several picsI posted in this thread - http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,84405.0.html

Depends on where and when you are gonna hunt.

If you hunt late seasons when you are gonna be wet most of the time like I do, a travel trailer doesn't cut it in my opinion. Tough to dry out and dry your clothes in a trailer.
But in a wall tent with wood stove, drying is easy.

[netcoyote]

Another MAJOR consideration is what type of weather you expect to encounter during your trip. I've had the opportunity to try out both wall tent an trailer in two separate hunting trips to Montana. The first trip was in an area of about 7,000 ft elevation in November and I thought my trailer would be great with all the amenities like propane heat, indoor cooking, running water, shower and indoor toilet. What I had underestimated was the effect of the extreme cold on the trailer. I spent literally hours trying to keep water pipes from freezing, rigging up a makeshift skirt by cutting up tarps and duct taping it to the trailer. Moisture in the propane lines caused problems. Cooking inside released moisture which quickly condensed on the windows and froze into big slabs. When the weather warmed, the ice melted and I had water damage in the walls and cabinets.

On the second trip we camped in the same area but a little lower elevation and used a wall tent. We rigged up a separate cook tent outside the living quarters. This worked out pretty well. We didn't have the amenities but I didn't miss all the hassles of dealing with an RV.

If you are not expecting sub-freezing temperatures during your trip, it's probably a toss-up. There are some places that are harder to get to with an RV and if you get it in to camp and then a snow storm dumps on you, better make sure you can still haul out. That gravel road you drove in on can be a sheet of ice coming out.

Bottom line is that there is no perfect solution. You have to weigh all the factors of your trip before you decide.

[losdaddy7]

My  .

Trailers are great for many conditions, although not all.  There have been quite a few years where we've seen weather come in and all the trailers packup and head down low rather than risk a treacherous drive down the mountain.  As has been said before, it depends where you hunt and when. 
Now, with a wall tent, as far as I'm concerned, the options are pretty unlimited.  You don't have to worry about roads for the trailer or sub-zero temps.  You can also pack in with a wall tent and go with a log frame setup. 
If you want the most options for future years, my preference would be a wall tent.  Anywhere, anytime.....

 

[Chadrick60]

Okay...so I am thinking that I need some new digs for my hunting camps, do I get a wall tent or a travel trailer.  Who has what and what is your experience with them and hidden drawbacks?

Squirrel, I have a 2005 KZ Sportsman. 20ft travel trailer. Short enough to get it up in the woods and just as much ground clearance as a 3/4 ton truck. insulated with REAL insulation and the plumbing is all inside. Never had a problem taking it camping or hunting wherever I wanted to go.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Some times it's just a Bivy bag and tarp.

But there are times when I want a wall tent. 

Often though:....

[Chadrick60]

Some times it's just a Bivy bag and tarp.

But there are times when I want a wall tent. 

Often though:....

[Boss .300 winmag]

Some times it's just a Bivy bag and tarp.

But there are times when I want a wall tent. 

Often though:....
that probably has more sq footage than most members homes!

[TheHunt]

no kidding.  That trailer looks like it is about 35 feet

[YellowDog]

Okay...so I am thinking that I need some new digs for my hunting camps, do I get a wall tent or a travel trailer.  Who has what and what is your experience with them and hidden drawbacks?

Squirrel, I have a 2005 KZ Sportsman. 20ft travel trailer. Short enough to get it up in the woods and just as much ground clearance as a 3/4 ton truck. insulated with REAL insulation and the plumbing is all inside. Never had a problem taking it camping or hunting wherever I wanted to go.

I'm planning on buying a toyhauler this spring and was wondering if your trailer is 20' overall length or is it more like 24' overall?  Just curious to see if the overall length is close to what I am looking at since you said you don't have any problem getting to where you want.  I'm looking at a 21-22 that is actually closer to 26' overall length

[JackOfAllTrades]

Trailer length is normally measured from the tongue/hitch attachment to the rear bumper. Many fifthwheels have a bit of forward overhang.

By the way... My photo above is an illusion with an extended cab long bed truck. The trailer is only 29' long.  (Turns like it's a 50' refer though.)

-Steve

[Chadrick60]

Okay...so I am thinking that I need some new digs for my hunting camps, do I get a wall tent or a travel trailer.  Who has what and what is your experience with them and hidden drawbacks?

Squirrel, I have a 2005 KZ Sportsman. 20ft travel trailer. Short enough to get it up in the woods and just as much ground clearance as a 3/4 ton truck. insulated with REAL insulation and the plumbing is all inside. Never had a problem taking it camping or hunting wherever I wanted to go.

I'm planning on buying a toyhauler this spring and was wondering if your trailer is 20' overall length or is it more like 24' overall?  Just curious to see if the overall length is close to what I am looking at since you said you don't have any problem getting to where you want.  I'm looking at a 21-22 that is actually closer to 26' overall length

I think I am like 23' overall. I am also going to buy a 30' Raptor toyhauler in the next year or two. But I will miss this little guy. It has been great to me. I have had it since new and it has never leaked or gave me any trouble. Trying to convince the wife I should keep it for the guys trips.

[MHWASH]

Trailer length is normally measured from the tongue/hitch attachment to the rear bumper. Many fifthwheels have a bit of forward overhang.

By the way... My photo above is an illusion with an extended cab long bed truck. The trailer is only 29' long.  (Turns like it's a 50' refer though.)

-Steve

 Sometime in the late '90s the trailer makers started measuring just the living space. Basically a 24' trailer went to a 20' foot trailer. Just keep it in mind when looking.

[Hurricane]

I have done the tent thing the last few years and finally got tired of the set up and take down. This year at the Tacoma Dome RV Show I got a good deal on a 18' but more like 20' Forest River Stealth Toy Hauler and man what a much better way to go. The set up and pack up was so much easier. One of My best investments.

[throttlejocky20]

We use a wall tent 100 % of the time. We usually have our teent set up in 20 min and ready to hunt in less than an hour. IMO trailers are nice but if you have a wall tent set up right with a stove and floor there is alot more room inside and you dont have to worry about the roads or snow.

[arees]

For me it is a wall tent without a doubt.  The trailer may be faster to set up and you may spend less time driving in because you are limited in where you can take it.  The tent with a wood stove wins when the temperature drops below freezing or the rain starts.  With the tent and wood stove you can actually dry your gear out and I've never had the black water tank on my tent freeze.

[high country]

I watched the rodeo as all the trailers tried to get off timberwolf one elk season........not a fun time for a few. We weathered the storm in the tent and came out later on chains.

[Tinner]

If you have a small group of friends the tent is the way to go, It takes a little work setting up and then of coarse hanging to dry when you get home.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I watched the rodeo as all the trailers tried to get off timberwolf one elk season........not a fun time for a few. We weathered the storm in the tent and came out later on chains.

I've seen rigs chain up and together and creap out of the Panther creek 4 corners cross roads area after Elk season. I keep chains for the trailer and all four wheels for the truck from fall through winter.

-Steve

[high country]

I realllllly like wood heat......and 18 miles to the gallon loaded.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I realllllly like wood heat......and 18 miles to the gallon loaded.

I really like wood heat.  But I also like a queen bed I can stretch out on, running water, lights at the flick of a switch, no mice, refrigerated foods, a shower at the end of the week, ... All at 16mpg loaded. The list goes on.

But I think I'd like to have a wall tent too. 

-Steve

[Boss .300 winmag]

Dude just go buy both and be done with it! it's almost deer season If you hunt with a rifle. Have the best of both worlds, you deserve it.

[TheHunt]

A buddy of mine purchased a 5th wheel that has stalls for 3 horses and two slide outs with a full bath, queen size beds, etc..  He paid $73,000 for the setup.  I sure is sweet but it is also something like 42 feet long.  It is pretty sweet but with that length he is not going to access very many places. 

He drove it up to Kerny horse camp at the top of Blewet pass for a horse back riding weekend and those switch backs caused him to some nervous times.

[high country]

Steve....stop believing the trip computer. if Ford made trucks that got 16 mpg loaded we would have a fleet of them.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Steve....stop believing the trip computer. if Ford made trucks that got 16 mpg loaded we would have a fleet of them.

I don't have a trip computer.  I do the math every time I put 36 gallons of fuel in the 38 gallon tank. (Yes, fuel economy does drop a bit (~1mpg) for hiway 20 because of the turns/incline, but most anywhere else in the state I can get 16mpg loaded with 29' trailer easily if I keep my foot out of it. (62mph) (tough for me to do sometimes)  Eastern Wa with a good quartering cross or head wind can affect any rig's fuel economy, but without wind... Not an issue.  Best has been 21mpg empty Lynden to Kelso and back.  Otherwise, 19mpg empty is the norm on the highway. On summer fuel I get 17+mpg driving daily when I can keep my foot out of it. (winter fuel is less) I have a rural commute. With the ZF6spd I do tow in overdrive. Zoodad cold air intake mod, 4" downpipe and 4" straight exhaust. No chip.

Not all 6.0 Fords are junk.  But the Cummins or the Ford 7.3s are known for better fuel economy.  I hear that the 6.4's really drop the ball when it comes to fuel economy. I don't know anyone with a DuraIsusu that makes good fuel mileage claims.   As far as needing a fleet of them... How many employee/drivers drive like they are paying for the fuel? 

-Steve

[Secret Squirrel]

I would love to get both...but my bank account could not afford it.  I do a lot of camping in the summer and I might just start with a small travel trailer.  The easy set up and multiple uses a year will make it worth while...my truck won't do as wel on gas as I am lucky to get 17 MPG, Dodge ram 5.7 Hemi.  It sounds too good to keep my foot not slamming on the gas! 

[follow maggie]

I have both and use both, depending on time of year and where I'm going.  Everyone should have both.  More toys is always better.

[Secret Squirrel]

The man who dies with the most toys WINS!

[MHWASH]

Get the camper first, you'll get more use out of it. Have the axels flipped, this will give you more ground clearence, and allow you to get a little further in.

[Rooster1981]

This really comes down to how you hunt, and whats exceptable for comfort. I have hunted out of both and will never give up my wall tent. I sold my trailer a couple years ago and dont plan on buying another one. In fact I am planning on buying another tent, this time the 12x20. I like the tents because I feel that i get more freedom of where i can set up camp, and where I can hunt. If I want to tow my horse trailer and take the horses I just trow the tent in the bed of the truck and go. I love the wood stove, I had never been so warm and comfortable while hunting before I had a wood stove. Rain, wind, snow, doesn't matter if you buy a good quality tent, which are about 1/4 the cost of a nice used trailer.

[Secret Squirrel]

I will most likely get a trailer first as it would be perfect for me and my wife.  I need to find some new hunting buddies as most of the guys I was with this last deer camp were up to some shady *censored*.  I do not want to be involved or even hear about it later back at camp.   So it looks like I need to find a new hunting group.  Funny thing was...I was the only one to fill my tag! Karma is a bitch!

[mtman]

Use a wall tent. If nothing else you will feel more like a man.