Foamie Side Tent

[katrinad]

It snowed today, so naturally I'm dreaming of camping season.

We camp with our foamie and an EZUp the past few years. Our EZup needs replacing, but I'm wondering if there is a better answer. The fireban last summer, combined with bar closures (our retreat when it rains all day!), has had me considering upgrading our trailer so we can have somewhere to sit inside and hang out for longer periods of time than a foamie. Maybe we'd even splurge and run a tent heater occasionally. I came across the OzTent, which seems to meet several of my criteria, although I don't think I can justify the high cost. It's cheaper than a new trailer I guess.

Ideal requirements:
Lightweight (trying to cut weight on my foamie to keep my current tow vehicle)
Goes up quickly.
Waterproof
Walls, or can add side walls easily
Can sustain high winds
Bonus: Can attach to the foamie somehow.

Any recommendations?

[TimC]

One option is the Hasika Screen tent. "Playing with Sticks" on youtube has a good review video about it. I don't have one yet but thinking of pulling the trigger on it soon.

Tim

[gudmund]

am in the process of doing 'kind of' the same' - BUT am putting the costly "$$$" plan into play with the installation of a roof rack to mount a fold out awning to. Either one of the 180 or 270degree versions w/'future' drop down sides. Yes, they are not cheap, but I just love the 'future' thought of being able to swing it out for use in a minute or so anywhere, even when just pulling to the edge of the road for a travel break. They look to be so versatile but yes, the overall $$$ with buying the awning along with the rack to mount it too is going to be a costly factor in going this route. (have already purchased a roof-rack from Hiker Trailer($300wship$) and will be installing it one of these days, once the weather improves) Right now, the awning I am favoring is at $700 for the 180version (and $900 for the 270d one if I go that route instead ) Take care

[katrinad]

Unfortunately, since it's a foamie I don't have anywhere to mount a roof rack into. We take frequent day trips when we camp, so it's not as useful to add an awning to my tow vehicle either.

I'm not so much worried about cost. Because anything is cheaper than building out a campervan or buying a 10k trailer + 25k truck. So a $500 tent is small potatoes in comparison.

I just came across Quick-Set tents which seem to fit the bill if I buy the optional side panels. Not quite sure how it would do in high winds. I've also tossed around the idea of the ice fishing type tents all the restaurants are using. Still open for more options!

[gudmund]

years ago I had looked at what is called a 'boot' tent which has one side that expands out opening up to 'boot' up around the back of the teardrop galley creating a totally enclosed area. Just something more to think about (have seen these for sale at Cabela's in $2/$300 range)

[dogcatcher]

NTK TRANSFORM Camping Tent,

https://youtu.be/FKwHyvpCq-c

[edgeau]

I know you said a roof rack is not an option but my side awnings came with some simple L brackets that I then screwed into my cross members. (Do you have cross members in a foamie?)
They go up really quickly with two people but are a pain with one. You can get walls for them. I use decent guy ropes and they are fine in high winds. For more space I then throw a tarp over the lot but that may be more than you need.



Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Toytaco2]

I've been looking for a side tent option for awhile too and never found anything that I thought would work very well and most cost more than I was willing to spend experimenting. But, I picked this model by SlumberJack up a couple of months ago https://slumberjack.com/slumber-shack-4-person-tent/. Be sure to check out the short video at the bottom of the pictures of the tent. I haven't had a chance to actually use it yet, but, it has all kinds of possibilities. The awning can attach to the TD hatch at the rear of the camper, or be used to the side by attaching it to a roof rack or footman loops as I'm planning to do. I think it could be placed with the tent opening facing the TD side doors, or "sideways to the TD with the awning running down the side of the TD. Seems like I'll have a number of options. Probably not the perfect solution for all circumstances, but, I think its got good potential. And, I picked up for $100 less than the list price from Dick's Sporting Goods during one of those "on-line flash sale" things.

I'm anxious to give it a go on the next outing.

Mike

[breb]

We bought the ARCHAUS Tentris shelter at Letsgoaero. It comes with arch tent , half walls with built in screen , or you can option in the full inner screen room and you can do like we did and
pick up the hatch accessory hatch wall with elastic opening. I did make a make an attachment for the I eyebrow drip cap over the door which allowed the elastic on the hatch wall of tent to join up tightly against trailer.

[Tomterrific]

Wal-Mart sells a tent that attaches to one side of a 10 x 10 canopy. It was only $40 the last I looked. It seemed such a good idea and so inexpensive that I almost bought one. Now this thread has me thinking it may mount on the side of a tiny trailer.


Tt

[bobhenry]

I have configured our 10 x 10 pop up in many different ways and as long as it was well tied down never a problem. Side curtains in cold or rainy weather were a welcome addition.

[Socal Tom]

It snowed today, so naturally I'm dreaming of camping season.

We camp with our foamie and an EZUp the past few years. Our EZup needs replacing, but I'm wondering if there is a better answer. The fireban last summer, combined with bar closures (our retreat when it rains all day!), has had me considering upgrading our trailer so we can have somewhere to sit inside and hang out for longer periods of time than a foamie. Maybe we'd even splurge and run a tent heater occasionally. I came across the OzTent, which seems to meet several of my criteria, although I don't think I can justify the high cost. It's cheaper than a new trailer I guess.

Ideal requirements:
Lightweight (trying to cut weight on my foamie to keep my current tow vehicle)
Goes up quickly.
Waterproof
Walls, or can add side walls easily
Can sustain high winds
Bonus: Can attach to the foamie somehow.

Any recommendations?

I'd be really hesitant to attach anything to a foamy in windy conditions. I think your best bet is probably an ez-up style awning. You can by sides for many of them. You "could" probably make some brackets on the frame that would secure the legs. In a high wind, put The TV on the windy side and strap it down to it on that side and attached to the TD on the other side it would probably stay put until the fabric or the frame come apart.

[katrinad]

I'd be really hesitant to attach anything to a foamy in windy conditions. I think your best bet is probably an ez-up style awning. You can by sides for many of them. You "could" probably make some brackets on the frame that would secure the legs. In a high wind, put The TV on the windy side and strap it down to it on that side and attached to the TD on the other side it would probably stay put until the fabric or the frame come apart.

Very good point. I was thinking more like tie down straps that go around the wheels or frame like you see on some of the SUV tents. I definitely don't trust anything attached to the sides or roof! I was hoping to find something other than an EZup, since I don't want to pay $40/sidewall plus another $100 for the tent. And whenever DH asks me if I want to put up the EZUp, I always say no it is too much work. haha. I feel like for $300 total I could get something easier to put up and higher quality, but maybe not! I tend to always want to update and optimize whenever something wears out. So this could be just another case where I'm looking for the "perfect" solution, when an EZup gets me 75% of the way there.

I still like to see all the options!

[Socal Tom]

I'd be really hesitant to attach anything to a foamy in windy conditions. I think your best bet is probably an ez-up style awning. You can by sides for many of them. You "could" probably make some brackets on the frame that would secure the legs. In a high wind, put The TV on the windy side and strap it down to it on that side and attached to the TD on the other side it would probably stay put until the fabric or the frame come apart.

Very good point. I was thinking more like tie down straps that go around the wheels or frame like you see on some of the SUV tents. I definitely don't trust anything attached to the sides or roof! I was hoping to find something other than an EZup, since I don't want to pay $40/sidewall plus another $100 for the tent. And whenever DH asks me if I want to put up the EZUp, I always say no it is too much work. haha. I feel like for $300 total I could get something easier to put up and higher quality, but maybe not! I tend to always want to update and optimize whenever something wears out. So this could be just another case where I'm looking for the "perfect" solution, when an EZup gets me 75% of the way there.

I still like to see all the options!

What we do out here where we are dodging the sun instead of the rain is to wrap this stuff around the sides.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/6-ft-x-20-f ... /313769172

I usually pick up one of the cheap $80 awnings every couple of years. Your side pieces will probably last through multiple tops, and you can probably find or make something that will suit your needs that doesn't cost a mint.

[bobhenry]

I bought my ezup in 2012. It served us for 8 years camping. I was able to purchase it very slightly used for $65.00. The top has finally worn thru so it was relegated to a shade top for the dogs 10 x 10 day time enclosure with the aid of a new 12 x 12 tarp overcoat. Bought a Coleman to replace the old retired one and am very disappointed. The first chance I get I will find another ezup. If the cost is aAveraged over the years of service I think it was a great investment. By the way if you look close at the picture with the state park picnic table you will se it was tethered to it and tied off to the trailer frame at the tail light ! ALWAYS tie them down and they will last forever.


UPDATE never brag on this forum it is bad luck. We had a super heavy wet snow Saturday night. I should have thought and removed the top but DUH !

Long story short I shoveled 500 pounds of snow off of the collapsed top before I could even drag it out of the dog pen enclosure. Frame is "FUBARED" I shouldn't have bragged