The_Vintagers
Georgia USA
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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most of the Fed CGs have a 25x25 area for tent
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Mongo71
Longwood FL
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Joined: 03/05/2007
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Having tent camped this time of year in the same areas you are planning I only have one word "RAIN" Believe me, should you get socked in for a week during a storm like Hanna (Been there done that.) 16 x 10 will seem microscopic. Particularly with children. This is your domicile for a week, make it as comfortable as you can. If you want, pack along a bivy or other small tent for any overnight treks you might take. As far as propane heaters go, be VERY careful. If it isn't catalytic, like the Coleman black cat, I would pass and go with more blankets. As far as bags go... Well, you are from South Florida so what passes as "coolish" up there could be very uncomfortable for you. This is car camping, so my philosophy is better to have than need. Bring extra blankets. You never know. Hope you enjoy. I flew all around the country with my 9X9 Coleman. Never let me down in 75 M.P.H. winds on Cayo Costa or monsoon rains in Central Florida. Still have it. Wish you all well.
2004 Lincoln Aviator
1997 Starcraft Venture 1706 P/U The "Tiltin' Hilton"
If you are going to be dumb, then you better be tough!
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Happy Harry
Redding, California
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Joined: 04/17/2007
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One thing I like to have is a 12x12 plastic tarp with four corner poles and one center pole, pleanty of 1/8" nylon rope, and some tent stakes, To put a top over your cooking area.
Also another piece of plastic tarp so you can kinda enclose the cooking area on the sides, at least on two sides, to block a cold wind.
What I use to attach the sides to the top plastic are medium sized carpenter clamps, they work real good and don't cost too much.
Good tent camping to you,
Harry
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Jellobiafra
Cape Coral, FL
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Joined: 09/06/2008
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Happy Harry wrote:One thing I like to have is a 12x12 plastic tarp with four corner poles and one center pole, pleanty of 1/8" nylon rope, and some tent stakes, To put a top over your cooking area.
Also another piece of plastic tarp so you can kinda enclose the cooking area on the sides, at least on two sides, to block a cold wind.
What I use to attach the sides to the top plastic are medium sized carpenter clamps, they work real good and don't cost too much.
Good tent camping to you,
Harry
Good idea. I hadn't thought about what we'd do about eating if it rained on our fire or was really windy. Guess that's why I'm posting here, LOL!
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niks97cobra
Aiken, SC
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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mister_d wrote:We tent camped for years in tents that size w/o a problem.
The list for what to bring depends on the camper - with the scouts everything had to go in a backpack whereas when we had a kid we brought everything except the kitchen sink (if my wife could have fit it she would have brought it).
I suggest you do a 1 night backyard test first - if you need something write it down - then when you actually go take a small notebook to write even more down. You could just say to hell with it and camp nearby a wallyworld and run up there for everything you decide you need(:
This is good thought. Always do a test run so you know what you may need. The first tent camping trip is always the hardest experience because you forget to bring something.
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TheGov
Hayden, Alabama
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Joined: 08/01/2008
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We are a family of 4 and had a 16x10 tent, by the time you add the air matters and clothes and sleeping bags there is not a lot of room and it feels pretty small. Hope yall have a great time. Best of luck to you.
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Mongo71
Longwood FL
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"Hrm...the rain thing was something I actually looked into, and found that on average, October is supposed to be one of the driest months of the year."
Yep, reminds me of when I used to believe in voodoo, witchcraft and other primitive superstitions like the weather bureau. I have been caught in more freak rain, snow and sleet storms... All during the weather bureau's "Dry Season" More is better when family camping. As one other reply here said, when the luggage and supplies are inside, there won't be much room left. So true. If you are "polar-inclined" those sleeping bags should be fine. But I cannot caution you enough to check out those portable propane heaters. There is one in particular that doubles as a stove. It acts as a heater when standing vertical, but will empty a cannister of propane in two seconds if the valve is fully open and it gets knocked over. Needless to say, this would be a bummer inside a tent. Whatever you do, go have fun doing it. The Blue Ridge is gorgeous that time of year.
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pudellvr
NC/SC/VA
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We bought a 10x17 last year at the end of season at sam's. We went on our first family camping trip this early summer and it was great. The 2 kids were each on an air mattress and dh on a self inflating and I on a cot. There was still a good amount of room for clothes and moving around. I am looking for a tarp bigger than our tent to go over. It rains every day in the Smokies. It either rains in the day or in the middle of the night. We were beside some long term (10 day) tenters. They set up a great tarp over their tents and were as dry as dust!!! We went in early June. Temps at night in the 40's. We stayed in Cherokee, NC (farther N than Asheville. Great park called Indian Creek Campground.
Have fun!!
Trish
(who has lurked here for more than a year!)
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The_Vintagers
Georgia USA
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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OK, Now, set it up in the yard, spend a night outdoors, and see if any issues arrive. For us, the test showed we needed a "chamber pot" to eliminate the overnight sojourns to the privvy.
Many campgrounds will require a 2 night stay, so if you are moving every night, it could be twice as expensive as you anticiapte.
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johnvan
Montreal
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Joined: 07/29/2007
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I just started tent camping this summer and had the same concern about size as you. I bought the Eureka Copper Canyon 12 x 15 which is also quite huge. I camped twice, no problem at the first campground, second was a little tight but it worked fine.
All that space was great, 2 playpens, 2 X-large cots and a portable toilet and still plenty of room.
I definately recommend the cot over an air mattress.
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