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