camping gear packing suggestions

[starky]

Just recently purchased a tent, 3 person, 6.2 lbs.
Now I'm looking for a couple of sleeping bags and some other camping items.
Seems my wife is ready to give camping a try.
I'm sure that there are some real experts here that can offer up some suggestions about packing techniques, gear essentials, etc.
Don't have a tope rack yet, is it needed?
Can you put gear on the top of the side cases?
Do most people take some cooking equip with them or just eat out?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Cheers.
Joel

[taylorjn]

We found we LOVE camping. Started packing the bike, then a very small trailer, now on our second Bushtec (www.bushtec.com). Don't even know it's back there. Gobs of room (which we managed to fill - twice?). Great engineered item.

Oh, yes you can pack it on the bike, but sleeping gear AND food AND cooking gear for 2 . . . . .

[strsout]

Just recently purchased a tent, 3 person, 6.2 lbs.
Now I'm looking for a couple of sleeping bags and some other camping items.
Seems my wife is ready to give camping a try.
I'm sure that there are some real experts here that can offer up some suggestions about packing techniques, gear essentials, etc.
Don't have a tope rack yet, is it needed?
Can you put gear on the top of the side cases?
Do most people take some cooking equip with them or just eat out?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Cheers.
Joel

The white and I are doing a lot of camping trips recently.
For tent we are using Moutain gear (5.2lbs)
for sleepping bags AND pads we are using Big Agnes. It packs light and small.
The sleeping bags are the Lost Ranger 15F
the pads are the air mattress which goes inside the sleeping bag (trust me on that: makes a big difference because you will wake up in the morning and the pad STILL under you :) :) )

the tent with poles and footpring, 2 pads, 2 slepping bags, 2 pillows, and some extra itens fits inside that Light Grey BMW rack bag. I'm sure you saw it, but just to give you the idea. Weight 11ponds total.

food will go on the rear trunk if the trip os just for couple days, or we do groceries shop every night, before set camping. Eliane carries it on the plastic bags from the shop to the campsite. And yes... it happens once: the bag rips off and all the food went to the road :) :)

The both side bags goes with clouths, cooking gear and else.

[cfell]

Having the post here is coool... Maybe we can have a "camping thread" to help keep things in one place?

[Daza]

Joel,

Vacuum bags.... the kind that you dont need a pump for 'cause you need to repack the stuff to come home. There are a few brands that you "evacuate" by rolling up tightly which expels the air through a one way valve, once the air's expelled you unroll and they pack flat.

We put clothes in them, makes a big difference to the space required.

[starky]

The white and I are doing a lot of camping trips recently.
For tent we are using Moutain gear (5.2lbs)
for sleepping bags AND pads we are using Big Agnes. It packs light and small.
The sleeping bags are the Lost Ranger 15F
the pads are the air mattress which goes inside the sleeping bag (trust me on that: makes a big difference because you will wake up in the morning and the pad STILL under you :) :) )

the tent with poles and footpring, 2 pads, 2 slepping bags, 2 pillows, and some extra itens fits inside that Light Grey BMW rack bag. I'm sure you saw it, but just to give you the idea. Weight 11ponds total.

food will go on the rear trunk if the trip os just for couple days, or we do groceries shop every night, before set camping. Eliane carries it on the plastic bags from the shop to the campsite. And yes... it happens once: the bag rips off and all the food went to the road :) :)

The both side bags goes with clouths, cooking gear and else.

Is it possible to starp things on top of the side cases?

I haven't seen the BMW top rack bag, but it would sem ike a lot of stuff up so high.

What about the compression bags. Any experience with those?

[ksailor]

I fashoned a motorcycle cooking set that fits into the trunk with the coffee pot; cast iron skillet; single burner stove; white gas fuel jug; foldable 2 gal water jug; hatchet; hunting knife; and shaving kit. Left side bag - air matress; tools; sneakers; sleeping bag. Right side bag (CD changer)- tent; camara. Tied on trunk rack - canoe bag with clothse; towel; raingear; extra helmet.

May want to consider towing a trailer if your wife really enjoys the camping scene. Time will tell.

Happy trails.

[starky]

I fashoned a motorcycle cooking set that fits into the trunk with the coffee pot; cast iron skillet; single burner stove; white gas fuel jug; foldable 2 gal water jug; hatchet; hunting knife; and shaving kit. Left side bag - air matress; tools; sneakers; sleeping bag. Right side bag (CD changer)- tent; camara. Tied on trunk rack - canoe bag with clothse; towel; raingear; extra helmet.

May want to consider towing a trailer if your wife really enjoys the camping scene. Time will tell.

Happy trails.

Pics would be great.
Why the clothes in the top bag rather than the side cases/
It sems that the tent form, ie cylinrical, and the sleeping bags would be better suited for the compression bags and being put on top of the trunk.

Alos, I guess a tank bag becomes a must.

Isn;t cast iron a little heavy. I love coking with them but...?

[ihbond]

I definitely suggest A heat source that uses Unleaded GAS. you can take some of your gas from the tank to fill it up. It does a pretty good job of boiling more water then the canisters. REI I have always found to be a good brand, as they stand behind what they sell.

After going on a 3 week trip, 2 up..lots of camping we had found that the UNi-GO trailer had helped out tons! There was once a post on the old site and folks took snapshots of what their camping gear consisted of. Pretty cool to see what others had to offer. Also Found that A marsee tank bag helped out as well to fig other stuff.

Make sure you seal the seems if need be in you tent and clothes. Also a led headlight was way useful for reading at night or just going out in the night to hit the bathroom.

Some of the dry fods are great, some are terrible. Some will require things like eggs or egg like products..etc..etc..etc. So know what you are getting into and try the food out first! Nothing worse then buying dried food that taste like $^%^@.

Stay away from cotton products for clothes..not good once the get soaked or wet.

anyhow check out the REI web site for ideas...good luck

[wardenross]

Is it possible to starp things on top of the side cases?
Easy, we pack our cloths in the sleeping bags. Then tie them to the side case handles. The sleeping bags make good arm rests too!

Pics below...

[cfell]

Hey guys, how a bout a video of your LT "packing" procedure? Picter worth a thousand words and all...

[strsout]

Is it possible to starp things on top of the side cases?

I haven't seen the BMW top rack bag, but it would sem ike a lot of stuff up so high.

What about the compression bags. Any experience with those?

I never used compression bags. What I do is rool up clotes. Packs pretty good, but I would guess that compression bagas will do even better.
The reazon I don't like it is that one needs to open it every time you need a new clothe. With rool up you just pick what the one you want.

I never felt the need to put the bags on the outside of side cases. I would say that my wife pack very light. We camp to Alaska last summer for 21 days on that original setup.
I will find some picures and I will post here.

[strsout]

Some picture of my packing gear

1) all eletronics (laptop, gps, camera, ipod, chargers, tripod, etc...
2) all other stuff
3) all packed
4) how it looks on the bike
5) inside the tent
6) outside the tent

[avonfloater]

Check out REI and retailers that cater to river runners. Self-supported multi-day kayak trips require small, light weight items that can serve the touring motorcyclist very well. You can also find a variety of waterproof bags that might fit your gear and needs.

[c00k1e]

One thing you may want to get yourself is the Honda ST1100 tank bag. Massive amount of storage in it, fits the K12lt better than the ST1100!!
I also have a tankbag for the boot - but only keep light stuff in it.
Roll mats can strap to the top of the side cases, at a push, but a box rack would make things a lot easier (I dont have one yet)
main rule Keep the weightier items low

[tmgs]

Just recently purchased a tent, 3 person, 6.2 lbs.
Now I'm looking for a couple of sleeping bags and some other camping items.
Seems my wife is ready to give camping a try.
I'm sure that there are some real experts here that can offer up some suggestions about packing techniques, gear essentials, etc.
Don't have a tope rack yet, is it needed?
Can you put gear on the top of the side cases?
Do most people take some cooking equip with them or just eat out?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Cheers.
Joel


gear

thermarest sleeping pads you will want two of them one for you one for her, if you love her <g>, they pack small and are self inflating and VERY confortable

sleeping bags buy the Slumberjacks period end of story-
they are warm and pack very small and last in fact both those products last a LONG TIME about 70 bucks a piece so for four items you will have 280 bucks for the best gear out there! IMHO, thermorest also makes pillow tha tpack very small,

also get a small ground cover for under your tent, it will help keep the dampness off your tent, I use a woods tent that is made in canada it unfolds like a umbrella, setup in minutes, you can only buy them from canadian tire

i carry two small inexpensive fold up chairs as well as a
a fold up cooler, that i have made straps to so it can strap on top of the gear.

i use my straps i made to tie everything together so i can lift it in one piece not fight it while i use two straps to tie it to the bike



shoot almost forgot, two ther things that make it nice, there are little small flat square tent lights that can vecro to tht einside tiop of your tent, they take up no room and work well, also a headlight , just a headlight that straps to the top of your head (Duh) if you get in late it makes it really sweet for setting up your camping gear

ok that;s it

your done you have your list!

[starky]

Some picture of my packing gear

1) all eletronics (laptop, gps, camera, ipod, chargers, tripod, etc...
2) all other stuff
3) all packed
4) how it looks on the bike
5) inside the tent
6) outside the tent

Thanks for the pics, that's an incredible amount of stuff that you've got packed. Looks like your totally outfitted.
I guess the Canadian Five dollar bill keeps you thinking of a nice long trip or you just can't get rid of it down in California:)

By the looks of it I'll need some bags like the Kathy's which will definatly make better use of the side bag space than the 2 small LL Bean bags we have been stuffing in.

[tmgs]

Is it possible to starp things on top of the side cases?

I haven't seen the BMW top rack bag, but it would sem ike a lot of stuff up so high.

What about the compression bags. Any experience with those?

compression bags (good ones) work good, we keep clothes in the saddle bags, sleeping bags in compression bags along with the thermarests, tent and cahirs strapped to the top of the tour pack No problem

[strsout]

gear

thermarest sleeping pads you will want two of them one for you one for her, if you love her <g>, they pack small and are self inflating and VERY confortable

sleeping bags buy the Slumberjacks period end of story-
they are warm and pack very small and last in fact both those products last a LONG TIME


Hi Tom,
as I'm always looking for a better gear, how small the Slumberjacks leeping bags pack?
I have the Big Agnes, feather, that packs as a boll format, with about 8" round.
It weigths about 2 pounds each.
Can you tell us how light and how small it packs?

Thank you
Elton

[tomandrosie]

One thing you may want to get yourself is the Honda ST1100 tank bag. Massive amount of storage in it, fits the K12lt better than the ST1100!!
I also have a tankbag for the boot - but only keep light stuff in it.
Roll mats can strap to the top of the side cases, at a push, but a box rack would make things a lot easier (I dont have one yet)
main rule Keep the weightier items low

Your recommendation for the ST1100 tankbag picques my interest. Finding a large capacity tankbag that doesn't interfere with the handlebars is a real challenge on the LT, with it's low, swept-back handlebars. Are you referring to a bag made by Honda, or one of the aftermarket bags like Chase Harper or RKA. A photo of the bag on the bike would be very helpful. Thanks

-tom

[tmgs]

Hi Tom,
as I'm always looking for a better gear, how small the Slumberjacks leeping bags pack?
I have the Big Agnes, feather, that packs as a boll format, with about 8" round.
It weigths about 2 pounds each.
Can you tell us how light and how small it packs?

Thank you
Elton

I don't know what they weigh, but Im sure they pack smaller than 8" and probably 10-12" long, heck I just stuff them in thier bag put both of them in a stuff sack along with other junk and compress strap on the bike, shoot i might have a pic of them allpacked toghter, sometimes if sjut a overnigher we put them and our clothes in a compression bag and drop them in the saddle bag

,

I looked in the garage but they aren;t in there, i'm sure they are in the basement, I'll check them in a bit ok,

tom

[ksailor]

Originally posted by starky
Pics would be great.
Why the clothes in the top bag rather than the side cases/
It sems that the tent form, ie cylinrical, and the sleeping bags would be better suited for the compression bags and being put on top of the trunk

The trunk rack is plastic and scratches very easily so I keep soft stuff on top. Wrap the canoe bag in a towel and strap it to the trunk that way the tent poles don't scratch the rack or trunk.

The cast iron skillet is heavy but goes in the bottom of the trunk with the cook set inside of it. Fits like a glove. Will take some pix.

[wardenross]

Your recommendation for the ST1100 tankbag picques my interest. Finding a large capacity tankbag that doesn't interfere with the handlebars is a real challenge on the LT, with it's low, swept-back handlebars. Are you referring to a bag made by Honda, or one of the aftermarket bags like Chase Harper or RKA. A photo of the bag on the bike would be very helpful. Thanks-tom

Marsee makes a large bag that fits the LT perfectly (thanks Don Arthur).

See below..

[tony]

Howdy:

I hope you are doing great.

Here is a crappy picture of what we use.

We use Helen's products as they are great-

http://www.helen2wheels.com/products/sacks_rolltop.html

The bags above the side cases are medium bags. Each has a thermarest, sleeping bag, pillow, and a couple of towels.

The top bag is a large bag that has our clothes in it. We also put long sleeve warm items at the top of the bag so we can get to them if we get chilly.

In one side case we keep our tent, poles, stakes, tarp, and tools. The other side carries a desantis bag that we load up with various items that we use on the trip like sandles, tanning lotion, bathroom items and such.

The top case we put the cooler - http://polarbearcoolers.com/ which works great. This leaves us plenty of extra room for quick reach items and souvenirs along the way.

Lastly we use the BMW tankbag and have flashlights, leatherman, pens, notepads, camera and such.

[c00k1e]

...........

The bags above the side cases are medium bags. Each has a thermarest, sleeping bag, pillow, and a couple of towels.

....

How do you find is best to attatch bags to the panniers?

[tony]

How do you find is best to attatch bags to the panniers?

For the side bags we use one of Helen's straps specific for the K12-

http://www.helen2wheels.com/products/straps.html

That strap is under the top case and can be tucked in behind the passenger seat when not being used. Then attatched to the frame on each side under the passenger seat I have a generic strap similar to these-

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Frame-Loops-Royale-p-16201.html

They stick out just a bit when not in use and are not obtrusive. When we are traveling we then use the Aerostich D-type straps-

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-D-Type-Cargo-Straps-p-16202.html

attached to these and then around the front of each bag.

This way the side bags are attached very securely. You can still get into the side cases if you need to but it is kind of tight when the side bags are strapped on. We usually only go into the side cases once we have arrived at our destination and unstrapped the side bags.

I hope this helps.

[c00k1e]

Thanks Toney - I am trying to get Kathy to post to the UK
Are her straps all you needs or do you need everything you mentioned?

[avonfloater]

BSR Products makes a Flatbed Luggage Rack that can work well for those riding solo and wanting to carry camping gear. It mounts over the pillion seat and provides a large flat surface that gear can be lashed to. Obviously it won't work for two-up riding. You can see photos at their web site bsrproducts.com The rack would have benefits for solo riders since it keeps the load low and off the top case.

[dcwchfc]

I tied 2 loops around each sleeping bag, then another 2 lines between them, such that the passenger can sit on the lines, pulling the bags up into an 'armrest position'. Then I rested the tent on top, such that the passenger has a 'book rest', to read, or jot notes, or sleep. I lean on the tent so passenger is pretty well snugged in.
Each passenger gets a saddlebag, and the trunk is for cooking gear, rain gear, and fleece or heated vests. Suggest tiniest cook gear available (check out REI and Campmoor), lightweight stoves, pots/pans come in little sets.
Start out minimally, and you'll get the hang of it quickly.
Use quick dry undergarments, and shirts, wickable preferred, and don't be afraid to use the laundry facilities every 3 days or so.
I wear the same clothes til they feel 'gummy'. Then it's time to change!
That's why the quick dry clothes, rinse em out, hang em up, and they should be pretty dry by morning.
Drink lots of water.
I carried a bag (bladder) from a box of wine, so I would have a convenient supply of water for cooking cleaning in the campsite
I found a little stove cooking kit (It's in the White Horse Press catalog) at about $80 that will boil water in under 2 minutes, you can cook rice, instant oatmeal etc in it and eat it when it cools. Rinse out the cup, no dishes!
good luck and enjoy the sunrises!!!!!

[cyclecamper]

Some alternatives to always be aware of:

If I have a planned destination, I ship camping gear and some clothes via UPS or USPS, for the few bucks it's worth every cent not to deal with it en-route.

COnsider wearing old clothes on the way out, and throwing them out daily. Consider buying some clothes en-route. Pack less.

Consider Wal-Mart sleeping bags, they're so cheap they're disposable.

Or consider Cabella's excellent down squared-off bags, shaped like the old Coleman junk but light and compressible and warm and SOOOO comfy, baffles at the zipper, etc. all the high-tech frills but 2 of them zip together for a romantic experience with plenty of room to .... well, spread your legs.

Where to pack folding chairs is a traditional problem, I shortened the legs on a tripod chair just the teensiest bit, and strap it in various locations...usually across the back of the bike.

I have the large, strong Harley rack atop my topcase. The matching expandable Harley bag holds plenty of light stuff you might want to access en-route. But I also a large assortment of backpacks and Ventura luggage system bags that I clip onto the rack using those mountaneering clips, not ideal locations to carry weight but at least not so high, they sit above the hard saddlebags or behind the topcase.

I added some handy eyelets for attaching bungees, and have some more somewhere I want to add on too...

[Hilton]

Gas (petrol) stoves are very handy (but can be a bit sooty) Visit a model RC hobby shop to buy a hand cranked fuel pump. Buy the small filter to weight the pipe into the tank. Sucks fuel from the LT tank very well.
ThermaRest mattress. Very comfortable
We use featherdown duvet (Doona's) Buy the long channel type to disperse the feathers as required to suit temp.
LED flashlights. Last forever
Light weight cook gear, but add a heat dispersal mat to the burner, as the chance to burn food is then reduced
Depending on the area of travel, a water filter is good. We use Katadyn. Also a purifier for really "suspect" supplies
A trailer really helps too. :-)

[c00k1e]

Your recommendation for the ST1100 tankbag picques my interest. Finding a large capacity tankbag that doesn't interfere with the handlebars is a real challenge on the LT, with it's low, swept-back handlebars. Are you referring to a bag made by Honda, or one of the aftermarket bags like Chase Harper or RKA. A photo of the bag on the bike would be very helpful. Thanks

-tom

Honda's own bag. It has a clear map top and water cover. Loads of pockets and very sturdy.
Picked mine up 2nd hand off ebay for about $40.
One tip though - you do want to stuff it full. I have found that putting shoes in the lowest compartment gives it a very stiff base. MP3 player and other gadges in the top half. Money and documents in sides.
If it isnt full, use a bungie to keep it from wobbling.
Sterio can be accesed and as the fuel fill is on the side, it is less of a problem than it is on a Pan

[SeaMarshal]

Having the post here is coool... Maybe we can have a "camping thread" to help keep things in one place?

http://www.ibmwr.org/market/

quite a bit of stuff here