9 Side Entry Tents for Small Camper Trailers: Expand Your Living Space!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มิ.ย. 2024
- You don't have to feel cramped in a small camper trailer. It's actually quite the opposite. In this video, we'll unveil our top 9 picks for small camper trailer annex tents that are perfect for expanding your living space and enhancing your camping experience. Say goodbye to tight quarters, rain, wind, and sun. These innovative side entry tents will make you never want to leave camp, seriously that's how comfortable they really are. Throughout this video we will show you how these tents are set up, the features, and any drawbacks they may have. We will be highlighting the best options on the market, from compact tents for couples to spacious family-sized annexes. Whether you're looking for extra space or just want to make life a little easier in bad weather, one of these tents is bound to be the perfect solution for you!
🟢Interested in all the gear we use and abuse when camping? www.amazon.com/shop/playingwi...
🟢Want to see our LARGE playlist of small camper trailer walkthroughs? • Why Teardrops are BETT...
🟡KAMPKEEPER SUV Car Tent amzn.to/40a0HZN
🟡REDCAMP Waterproof Car Awning amzn.to/3MIfV5d
🟡Hasika Versatility Teardrop Awning amzn.to/3UCOFqx Promo code for 15% off 15PlaywStick
🟡MoonShade Portable Vehicle Awning amzn.to/4167btH
🟡Wintent Versatile Car Tent by Laduta amzn.to/3UIU9Qx
🟡Laaioo SUV Tent Alternative amzn.to/41cYgXF or amzn.to/3mDhcQa
🟡Nature Hike Gabled Tarp can buy on AliExpress for $77 www.aliexpress.com/i/32568027... otherwise it is almost $300 and out of stock on the US Nature Hike Site. Looks like they made a better alternative with beefier fabric amzn.to/3UJ0kUF
🟡Gerber Stakeout MultiTool bit.ly/41B2nwk
🟡Wintent Screen Room amzn.to/3UJwYpm
🟡Hasika Screen Camping Tent amzn.to/3oggUzb
🟡Gazelle Tent G6 model with awning and 2nd door: amzn.to/3L9SC2O
🟡Our favorite Clam tent (small, but big enough to cover a picnic tablel) amzn.to/3KROxzb
🟡Joolca Ensuite Triple www.joolca.com/products/ensui...
🟡I had trouble finding the blue instant pop-up tent. Many are sold out. Here are links to the sold out product as well as similar products. There seem to be negative reviews, but all are about putting the tent away. Remember don't lose those instructions!
us.amazon.com/Laaioo-SUV-Tent...
www.amazon.com/SHANTRA-Waterp...
us.amazon.com/MOGICS-Carsule/...
🟢Our previous video on the best side entry tents: • 5 BEST Teardrop Camper...
🟢If you are interested in rooftop awnings (270 awnings) check out this video "The Truth About Rooftop Awnings" • Roof-Top Awnings are N...
🟢Our favorite budget side entry tent: • Our Teardrop BOONDOCKI...
🟢How you can easily turn any tent with only one door into a side entry tent: • Who says Teardrop Trai...
🟢Video with ground stakes (13 Remarkable Pieces of Gear): • 13 Remarkable Camping ...
🟢Side Entry Tent/ Annex Tent Playlist: • Teardrop Trailer Tents...
🟢Trailer gear that will make life easier on the road playlist: • Trailer Gear That Will...
🟡Want a Better Camping Experience? We suggest you check out our playlists to help you get started. Click here: / playingwithsticks
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Wrap each guyline in a ziploc baggie. You can leave the guy lines tied to the tarp and just zip the ziploc closed as much as possible. This keeps them from getting all tangled up and makes for a neat and tidy bag. Then when you put up the tarp just toss the baggies into the tarp bag.
I had the same idea ( only I haven’t actually tried it myself). It makes sense to me.
That sounds too simple. I think that is why I overlooked something like this. THANK YOU!
Agreed. I am looking forward to trying this.
I just coil them. The baggie idea is interesting, but at some point they will rip or otherwise break down. And then their just more plastic trash. I could see seeing small bags to do the same thing, but would last longer.
I've seen one TH-camr (I think it was Wintertrekker) use ponytail elastics to keep each of his guy lines under control. He just wraps the guy lines around his fingers, then twists the hair tie around them.
As ever, this is yet another excellent video by Drew. Putting up and pulling down so many tents/awnings in succession deserves huge round of applause! Thank you for going to so much effort for our benefit. It was good of you to acknowledge that you think that you are imposing your style of camp on us, but to be honest, I feel that is inevitable and par for the course. Not that I really got that impression anyway. Many campsites in Japan have uneven ground and I know that some campsites in the UK do too, therefore demonstrating on uneven ground is actually quite beneficial. If something works well on uneven ground, then it stands to reason that it will work better on a flat, even surface. Good job Drew!!
Thanks Andrew! I appreciate the kind words. One of the takeaways I had from using these tents throughout the summer was time associated with setup. I didn't realize with some of these tent styles how vastly different a flat ground setup vs an uneven setup could be. Uneven ground required a lot of guess and check. Put in a stake, pull up the stake, move the stake. Oops, now this side is sagging, but this side is too tight. I really made me value the simple tents. But also at the same time it made me value the more versatile tents as well. I found if it couldn't work in one particular variation, I could typically just set it up in another variation and it would do just fine.
I cut a piece of cardboard off a box to wrap cables - for a guyline like that it might be 4"x1", basically a stubby bookmark. Put two notches on each end, stick the loose end of your guyline through one notch, spool it around the cardboard, and finish by putting the grommet end of the guyline through the nearest end notch to hold it. I'll use a little clip or clothespin to hold the wrapped cord to the fabric while we fold everything up, pulling them off as we finish. Cardboard is also the way to handle string lights, especially the solar/battery ones with the thin bare copper or thin insulated wire. You can use something more waterproof, but I've always been fine with my cardboard and it's not hard to make more if you lose a few.
(All credit to my mother, who's been storing Christmas lights on paper towel cores since the 80s.)
Love it! We store Christmas lights this way as well. But I never thought about transferring this style to guylines. So simple, but makes sense!
Wow! Thanks for the demo of all these canopies. This is exactly the video I’m looking for to help me up my weekend SUV camping experience. Much appreciated!
You are most welcome. It feels really good to know this video was helpful.
You should check the Kelty, I have the Backroads, has a back door and a window you can close or open, the sides can be rolled out for privacy or rolled in for ventilation an better view, you can hook it to a roof rack or your tires, almost like a small tent or awning depending how you want. Easy set up by myself (66 year old woman) and I’ve been able to McGiver it (very easy) to extend like a big vestibule to my tent or my little 6’ pop up gazebo. I’ve found so many uses for it. I can close it and use for a fast shower in a pinch since it doesn’t have a floor.
We should have highlighted you for a segment in this video. Love your ingenuity. Since you wrote us I have been looing into this Kelty awning. It looks really special.
@@PlayingwithSticks it doesn’t come with poles but if you have them I lift the part that curves towards the ground, making it like a regular awning, if the weather gets rough take them out and close the sides, you’ll be protected from the rain, it does pretty good in wind and rain, you can stand up and move comfortably around, just remember is not a tent but has performed pretty good.
I just bought one of these and waiting for it to arrive. I wondered about lifting the ground end. I bought this for a side room. Still researching coverage for galley area. I don’t want anything closed in.
@@carmenmartinez2882 I had some old tents given to me I threw away the tents but kept the poles. I was going to use them on another tent but they may work with some of these shelters. 73
I would love to see a video about camping in heavy rains and how what gear works the best. Small campers, wet clothes, cooking, humidity and airflow all are challenges that are difficult to manuver. For me staying dry and warm is the main reason that I camp with anything more than a sleeping pad in the first place.
Thank you! My worry also. In SUV in Oregon. Have ARB awning/room that’s great-as long as#1 light wind #2 there’s dry days coming so I can put out to dry & not mildew. IF windy & rainy, I have ugly tarp that I attach by my entry door with clamps to rack. I’m able to throw shoes in plastic bin kept outside, take off wet stuff & hang from window under tarp (2 suction cups/wood dowel). As long as ugly tarp doesn’t blow away, it keeps wet stuff outside. Doesn’t dry them but controls dampness inside (mold). Also put window guards on so windows always open. There has to be a better way 😊
Thank for value packed video Drew. Your quality & insights are always top notch.
So glad to hear you enjoyed this. That really makes my day. Sometimes when I put videos like this out I wonder "Is it just me who enjoys this stuff or will others appreciate it as well." It is always nice to get confirmation from the community that there is value in these videos I enjoy making.
You do an incredible job of showing so many options and so thoroughly. Nobody does it better. Great job and thanks for sharing.
Especially children. Brave!, loving. Thank you!!
Just like your 3 tent in one shower tent, I stumbled across a kind of strange solution that answered a lot of my problems. A Gazelle T-8 Hub tent, which is this gigantic compartmentalized pop up tent that sleeps up to 8 people. I'm kind of a minimalist, at first I did not like the idea of the tent at all when I first saw it because it is just a monstrosity of a tent. The size and bulk of it was an instant turnoff. But the more I thought about it, it really combined a lot of different uses for me that I used to use different stand alone shelters for. One compartment side I can keep all windows and doors zipped down to the bug netting and open and acts as kind of my Clamshell equivalent that I lounge around in and avoid insets while still enjoying the sights/sounds/smells of the outdoors. The other compartment I keep all zipped up and I use it as a privacy/changing room and dry space to store/cook/keep things dry in weather. If you got young ones, they can sleep there (who don't arent as sensitive to sleeping on the ground as us older folks) without everyone trying to squeeze into the teardrop. Because it's an instant pop up, I can set it up and tear it down in minutes even by myself ... much faster than setting up individual shelters for each purpose, especially it if involves threading telescope poles. It also has two entrances, like the T4, so I can butt one end up against my teardrop door and move in and out into the tent with minimum exposure to the elements.
Well this is the video I needed. Thank you. I’ve been down the rabbit hole with other shelter options for my Bean. Ones that don’t involve a lot of set up and take down effort. There are some here that might do the trick. I want something for rainy weather shelter for the galley and still go round and round about a sun shade for my square awning. The low on the horizon morning and afternoon sun render it useless for shade.
For cords: I loop them around my hand and elbow like any cord (smaller loop for shorter/thinner cords) and then I tie it into a simple overhand knot. You have to do this individually with each cord. They will be easy to grab out of any storage setup and will be much less tangled. Don’t be tempted to tie two or more cords together like this. You’ll end up with a tangles mess.
Good point on the sun angle. On some of our favorite awnings this summer, Nature Hike included, we had some issues during certain sun angles. That is why I am starting to really appreciate simple awnings like the redwing. Add a rear shade to that awning that can be rolled up when not needed and you have something really special there. Like you I think it comes down to a number of factors. For me it is versatility, packability, and durability. Hard to get all three in the same package. And then the big one is quick setup. The more my camping style changes, the more important this is for me. I used to love the long setups. It was the joy of camping for me. But now that the boys are growing, I find I am more excited to get out in the wild and want to spend less time setting up the camp and building my outdoor living room. I appreciate your cord instructions. I have almost tried this. But like you said, I found myself getting lazy and tying two or more together. I will have to give this another try. I am interested to see what I end up going with. I have heard a few great suggestions so far.
same thing here with the cords .... kinda like I wrap my electrical cords around my hand and elbow...better size for me to handle and store
Again like seeing family campers!!!
I was just researching awning for a Runaway camper and this vid changes everything. These seem like a better option than a connected roll out style awning.
This is exactly the video I needed! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
So glad to hear this! Thank you for the feedback.
Excellent review! Very thorough and informative.
Thanks Javier. I appreciate the kind words.
Good video. We use a couple of free standing shade tents, a tarp with poles, and one similar to the first one you showed. We use it at the door and just stake it to the ground without the poles. We got some upgraded suction cups from Harbor Freight. Does well to provide that rain shelter at the entry door. Plus it adds a little privacy too. Thinking about adding another shelter to our gear. Good to see this. It got me thinking again. To me these are more versatile than a permanently mounted awning.
Hi Garret! Great to see you. I'm with you on the versatility comment. Even if we owned a permanently mounted awning we would still bring out one of these to either supplement the original awning or to replace it in certain scenarios.
This was great and I bet a lot of work! My teardrop doesn't have top rails so these wouldn't work for me but I see good options for car, van, or railed teardrops. I am always grateful for your videos and that you have expanded to a very wide field in teardrop reviews that meet the camping styles of more people.
There is a wind limit for all these tents but the sturdiness of most of them is new for their target jobs.
Thanks!
I am glad you brought this up Jenn. I was trying so hard to pack so many tents into one video I may have edited out a very important feature on the majority of these tents. Because most of them are designed for vehicles in mind they have extremely large straps. That was always the issue with our simple 4X8 teardrop. Everything seemed to just slide off because we had no attachment points. In the end we upgraded our 3mm attachments to some more permanent attachments. But, with these you don't need to do that. These tent straps will reach all the way across in most cases and if not can come down at an angle to tie off at a number of points. I had this in my original video, but ended up taking it out. I'm kicking myself for that. They strap best to the wheels of your trailer. But you can also strap it to the frame, to the ground, etc. I used these on a number of small trailers and had great results. The only trailer that really struggled with these was the trailer we had when I shot this video. It was our cargo trailer. It was a bit tall for many of the awnings and it had a sharp rain gutter where the awnings attached. Basically any wind and it probably would have shredded most of these tents. Glad to hear you appreciate the expansion. At first it was to expand my horizons. But now I just find it fun trying to find solutions for all of us. It has become a bit of an obsession. This summer we will have our first video dedicated to people with physical disabilities. I am really excited to share that one. The star of the show is going to shine. Her father worked with a company to build a trailer specific to her needs. Good point on the wind limits. Very true. Especially for the larger awnings. That is one benefit I forgot to mention about smaller awnings. Yes, less coverage, but much more manageable in storms.
We have 2 of the Hasika awnings, and love them! They are inexpensive, fold up small and incredibly versatile. We've even purchased some tarps of the same fabric we use chip bag clamps to make privacy walls. Highly recommend.
I'm often surprised by their tents. We have owned a few now. When I get them out of the box I always tell May we have to treat them very gently. They just look like they will fall apart. But, with gentle treatment all of our have held up well. Great idea with the privacy walls. Since making this video I am seeing more awnings coming out with the rear privacy wall attached. I like the concept!
The Hasika upgraded awning has the long sides built on.. it will make a completely enclosed area I made a posted a short video if you have a couple minutes to check it out
@@PlayingwithSticks the Hasika upgraded full sided awning probably isn't as nice as the Kelty backroads but with the discount less than half the price will get you in the awning game I would definitely take your advice and use it very gently. I love your channel you have a beautiful family my friend you are wonderful man! I won't be using the awning and a heavy application quite like you so I should be okay.... I do have the clam pavilion quickset also I just got the rainfly for it !! I'm so excited to use them together with my no-build minivan
Great video Drew , informative and entertaining. So many cool side entry tents out there. Thanks for showing the pluses and minuses as always. Hope you guys are all doing well.
Thanks Don! Good to see you. I bet Bodhi is getting HUGE! I haven't been over to the channel in a while. All is well over here. We will be heading back to the States starting tomorrow. So looking forward to smelling that fresh mountain air.
@@PlayingwithSticks Bodhi had his 1 year birthday on Wednesday and checks in at 82 lbs of pure joy ! 😂. Safe travels.
Oh wow! That year went fast. I definitely am behind on your videos. He is huge now!
Really love your channel, gives me so much ideas.
Keep the good work
Thank you so much for the kind words. It is really nice to hear.
Thanks for another great episode.
This is giving me lots of ideas for our Casita.
Happy Camping!
Glad you enjoyed it Allen.I found that certain suction cups work really well with a Casita. This opens up numerous awning/tent possibilities.
Great video again.I have the Hasika teardrop awning for my Van side,I love it so much for it creating different shade options, I also attached it to my SUV or trailer,it is really universal.
I put my guide lines inside a lightweight fabric pouch that you can make or buy with a winch string to keep the line attached to the tent and inside the pouch. Works great.
I've never really paid much attention to these. Will definitely check these out!
Great stuff! Love seeing the KJ as the test vehicle… we put an Ironman 4x4 awning room on mine, but I’ve struggled with it in the wind (been nonstop). Seems like a great room tho. I may consider adding one of these for the back hatch.
I love my little KJ, but I am so sick of the window motors going out. To the point I think I will try to find a new tow vehicle this summer. Being afraid to roll down the windows every time I install a new motor is starting to wear me out. Haha. Other than that she has held up great. Best $5,000 ever spent. I was a bit skeptical when the comments on the channel started coming in about her. But, like our older Cherokee Sport she has done very well for the family. I bought the Cherokee off of my mother a little over 15 years ago. She actually paid more when she bought it new to remove all the electronic windows and such. I thought she was going a little overboard. Now I really appreciate what she did! Darn windows! As we now camp in similar areas to you, we are learning a lot about wind. The Ironman 4X4 awning would have worked great for us in Alaska. But in the Mountain West we have had so many issues with our 270 awning. I still think it has it's place at the campsite, but I don't depend on it anymore. I would definitely pick up one of these awnings to pair with the 270 as a back up or additional coverage.
Great content as usual! So many cool options here!
Great seeing you! Glad you enjoyed this.
thanks for the reviews
Amazing review. Detailed and great insights. 🥇
Thanks Zack! That means a lot to us.
@Drew, what I use for my guylines is the smallest Niteize gear ties that will work with the size of my guyline. Those gear ties are amazing.
That is a great idea! And one I will be highly considering. Now how to find the best prices on these Niteize ties?
Although I currently carry 3 tents: a Gazelle T4, a 3-person tent with a large vestibule, and a lightweight backpacking tent; I have not purchased a large, separate screen room (primarily because I haven’t found one that looks like it is made to withstand strong winds). If I had to buy one today, I would probably go with the Gazelle (simply based on my experience with the T4), but since I typically do most of my travel during the spring and fall (and not at low altitudes in the heat of summer), the T4 is a suitable substitute for a bug-protected space (with all the windows open and the rainfly removed, it provides decent ventilation).
For shade, I use inexpensive tarps with structural fiberglass frames and telescoping poles (like the first tarp Drew shows in his video comparison). And most often, as Drew demonstrated, I deploy these tarps with one end pegged directly to the ground. In my experience, large, wrap-around awnings are not suitable for very windy conditions. But, my main complaint about permanent awnings is they cannot be adapted to the diverse conditions found in many campsites. With independent shade tarps, I can deploy them wherever they’re needed and position them in a myriad of ways. And I have verified that with winds below 30 mph, they are reliable, especially if one end is firmly attached to a roof rack and the other end is pegged and guyed to the ground. In my usage, the Campmore tarps available on Amazon (I’ve had 3 of them over the years) last approximately two years before the seams and stress points begin to deteriorate enough that the tarps become unreliable and need to be replaced (the fabric is showing its age from sun exposure about that same time). Because I use them in high wind situations, I have broken several of the Delrin attachment points in the corners, and also broken one fiberglass support rod (during a 35 mph gust that turned the tarp inside-out 😊). The sectional poles that come with the tarps are heavy and not very good, so I substitute Green Ants telescoping poles instead.
What a great post here. This could be a video in itself. And I completely agree with your philosophy regarding these awnings. I feel the same way about the versatility. I’m going to have to look up the green ants telescoping poles. That’s a new one to me.
@@PlayingwithSticks
I misspoke. Should have typed Green Elephant 🐘
Drew, thanks so much for a timely video. I had been a tent camper my whole life, but when I hit my 60’s I was tired of the process of pitching and taking down a tent. We got an InTech Luna as our teardrop and really love it. I soon accessorized it with a toilet/dressing tent, a KingCamp canopy and a 4 pole screen tent where the poles flex into a dome. Every trip we take, it seems, involve rain storms. Yesterday I saw an ad on Facebook for the Carsule enclosure very much like one by another name in your video. That started me on a search for similar products but none of the products showed them with a teardrop. Your video answered all of my questions and then some. I love the versatility of the KingCamp, having gotten some heavy duty suction cups. to use instead of the attachment cords. The year before last August we took a circle tour around Lake Superior. The first couple of days were a surprise-heavy winds coming eastward off the lake with a lot of rain. There were several other teardrops in the campground with us, and everyone was improvising shelters and windbreaks with tarps or purpose built tents. Some of them looked downright cozy in that miserably weather. My husband didn’t want to leave the shelter of our Luna so I pitched the screen tent by myself, taking twice as long as it should have because of the weather, first time set up and being surrounded by so many trees, that I couldn’t maneuver the poles into the sleeves. Only one side had a solid door. So remembering that trip, I want something that will shelter the galley from wind, rain, bugs etc. I want to keep the cost down and keep it simple. We haven’t used the screenhouse since that day. I had hoped that it would fit over the hatch of our galley -not even close. Do like my privacy tent, affordable and quick to put up with two people (I need help with the high fasteners) and am still working on a modification that connects to the side door of the Luna. The hole is there, I just need to sew on a collar to seal it up.
Thanks for the review and discussion of the different products. Some definitely looked better for my use and budget. BTW, our tow vehicle is a full Ford Transit so some of these products could be used on the side or rear doors of that.
Thank you for the video.
You are most welcome! Great seeing you on here.
Drew I use a bar tensioner on my guylines, I buy then from lawson equipment company. I put them up high (not by the stake) These take up slack and tangle less but are best to easily keep your tarp tight. If you like them as much as I do you will put them on all your tents and tarps. simple design but most effective never loosen easy to adjust with a flick. They also sell great cordage. The better the cordage the less likely they get tangled. Tarp socks are awesome too.
I backpack but am two weeks away from building my first teardrop here in Salem Oregon. Thanks for all of your informative videos. I borrowed Design ideas from Vistabule, Bean, Camp Inn Oregon Trail R and Aero Teardrop.
After Pat's video where he discussed this subject, I am noticing them more and more on people's setups. I'm really glad you are sharing this. Now you have me wondering why do you put them up high, not near the stakes. In the other videos I have seen people placing them near the stakes. Never mind...I just looked these up. They are not what I thought they were. I thought you were referring to springs. www.lawsonequipment.com/products/bartensioners. And I completely agree on the cordage. Just testing these tents this summer I noticed big differences in how they tucked away. And your last sentence was exactly what I hoped to hear some day. I like to tell folks in the comments that I don't make these videos for people to buy these specific trailers. A lot of people get mad at the prices. Which I understand. But I don't want these videos to be about the price. I want them to be about the design. What works, what doesn't. What works for you, but maybe not me, etc. I see this channel is one large story arc. And hopefully, if I am doing my job well, each video will give you one more useful piece of information to tie into that narrative. So it is so neat seeing you see this industry the way I do. Everybody brings great things to the table. Every design decision will typically come with some sort of trade-off. But, when you end up building your own trailer for yourself, the trade-offs are greatly minimized. Very little sacrifices are made because you only have to consider your own use scenarios. And in my opinion you took some great trailers to pull from. The next video will actually be from Oregon Trailer R. I have been excited to highlight them on the channel. Welcome to the club Joe! You will find many, if not most of us come from a backpacking background. A teardrop makes one of the best backpacking base camps. We return to our "wound licking trailer," and then back to the next loop trail.
Ha! A fellow _The Chosen_ fan! 😀
I opted for the teal hoodie. 😉
I really like the teal as well. It reminds me of Dallas. I so appreciate what he and his team is doing.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yes. I really enjoy the show. I took my grandson to the Christmas special a couple of years ago too. 😊
I believe that was the year they introduced the teal hoodies. I bought him one too, and we wore them to the show. 😊
Purchased the Hasika 2 entry from the earlier video. Haven’t used it yet with my newly acquired trailer (a Meerkat also on your recommendation), but friends used it for their covered kitchen & loved it. As always, thanks for the time you take to share information.
Thanks Drew! A great review of some interesting awning/tent options!
Brad, THANK YOU! You are going to have to stop giving me coffee money. I am quitting coffee for the next week. It ramps up my claustrophobia when flying, so no coffee until I set foot on solid ground in the States. Haha.
@@PlayingwithSticks HA! Don't want you freaking out and getting kicked off the plane! Have a safe trip! I am curious how the annex room to the Bean compares to these awning/tents in your review! 🤔
Thanks for the great info. Getting a camp inn 550 next summer! Looking at tarps and other things to make camping comfortable.
It’s time consuming but I wrap mine. Keeps it tidy.
We use an ARB awning with the room attachment on our NuCamp T@G. My wife cut an entry door in the room and added elastic so it attaches around the trailer door. It is a game changer. The awning stays attached to the trailer but the room comes in a bag that can be a little bulky. I unfortunately (I screwed up the room zipper) had a chance to deal with ARB service and they were wonderful. I highly recommend.
Can’t wait to see the joolca review. Has been on my list forever!
I am looking forward to hearing how the Joolca works out. 😊
I am so excited to put it to the test. Ask May, I am a side entry tent junky. When I find a good configuration I love them almost as much as I love a teardrop. A little over a week and we will be back in the States giving it a try. And I HOPE it works, because we are designing part of the new trailer around this tent. We originally were going to make our own proprietary shelter ( I was hoping to do something out of composite). But, this round I decided to give the Joolca a shot as it would be more suitable for others to use as well.
Qué onda amigo!
I took me a little but I'm back and with a big smile after enjoying this video - thank you so much for bringing all these products that adds more options for enjoying the outdoors. Around here I won't trust much of having even grounds, reason of why I preferred the options that can be "floating" or fixed with hight adjustable poles - that Redcamp got my attention.
Now I'm really feeling on going out camping again before the heat hits for real.
Once again: Thank you very much for including the size convertions Drew - you're the best!
Btw that Patriot campers bag… have you tried one of those expandable trailers already??
Great info. I'm pretty much set with a Clam and a Hasika. I also wish the clam had another door. Nice to see what's available if I need a replacement.
Man, you are so versatile at this demonstration stuff!TY for sharing!
Love this comment! I appreciate the kind words. Glad you are enjoying the videos. .
Great options! I really like The Chosen hoodie as well! 😁
Good eye you have there with that hoodie comment.
Thanks so much for your time Drew. I really enjoy all your videos. This one’s very interesting night on a cricket side door pops up. Would you recommend one of these awnings or screened in porches for my cricket?
Excellent comparison 👍
Thanks Patrick! I appreciate you chiming in.
We have used the Slumberjack Roadhouse for a few years while camping in the back of the truck bed with cap. Just bought an Intech Flyer Pursue. It's galley arrangement is posing an issue with trying to adapt the awning to cover it though.
For a teardrop canopy for the back, I believe it is important to have one that does not interfere with opening and closing the hatchback galley on the back. It is good to use the trailer for helping to hold the canopy since it is a solid anchor.
When camping I heat up water in large stainless steal pots
On pfopane stove or camp fire. I use
2 - 5 gallon buckets and mix in cool water to
Perfect warm/hot water temp. I use a calabash
Bowl as a laddle and a wash cloth Biodegradable
Soap . It works,I get squeaky clean. And it feels
WAY better than cold water.
Nice to see you again, Drew! 😊
Best regards to May and the kids. 😊
Same to you. I just told May and the boys you said hi. May said hi back. The boys didn't even look up from their legos. I will have to work on that respect thing a bit. Haha.
@@PlayingwithSticks 😀
Thanks. 😊
Excellent reviews. 25:14 Can't wait to see the Joolca.
I am looking for one that will block wind when trying to light and cook on stove. I think the Kelty one that was suggested in the comments here might be a good one for my teardrop. Thank you so much for putting all the effort into this great video. Much appreciated. I will try out your suggestion for the stake puller too.
I agree with Carmen. I think it was Carmen who was mentioning the Kelty. It looks like a great little/big canopy. And we have had good experiences in the past with Kelty tarps.
Thanks!
Thank you so much! We really appreciate this.
I can use these suggestions with my new jeep too!!! Tks
Got the Kelty Backroads. Need lots of room to set up. Has window and door and flaps for sides that can tie up out of the way. Plenty of room for me, dog, chair, and more. Don't need guylines unless lots of wind. It goes fine over the galley or at the side. Probably need large tarp to keep it out of dirt. It is just right for my LG Five Wide rough rider. Probably too huge for me, but oh well. Need step stool to reach up to get it in place and tie it.
Hey Drew
I had to order tailveil the original one. For the teardrop!
Just remember my passed post all old tents or side tents. The price’s are cheaper 3-4 or more years ago. Then now. Prices are just higher now! It is hard when you switch to a different Teardrop. Trying to use your same gear. There all doesn’t all work differently from trailer to trailer
I have the kelty backroads and love it. You should highlight that one
Consider it done! I actually made a whole video about it this summer
For guy lines I will tie each one in a loose slip knot. Then wrap a twisty tie (like the ones from a bread package) around the knot to secure it. I used to make the knots tight but then had issues getting them undone.
Thank you so much for sharing this. We have had similar variations in the comments so far but you were the first to use bread ties. And I appreciate the detail of keeping to not lose. That’s something we’ve been experimenting with.
Great video Drew, perfect solution for the Teardrop. Love the biggest one in green! Greetings from the Netherlands
Glad you enjoyed it. I am still shocked that people from all over the world are joining this little community. I can't remember if I mentioned it in the video, but the green is my favorite as well. Sort of. Since the video the one that has replaced it for me is the Kelty Backroads. I don't know if you have them in the Netherlands, but it is a great awning.
I just remebered. In our video that just came out today about winter camping that awning in the video is the Kelty awning I was referring to.
@@PlayingwithSticks Drew, you have a great you tube channel for teardrop owners. I follow you since the beginning of the channel and it has grown a lot. We only have the first awning from the video here in the Netherlands. Keep up the great work!!
Do what they do with long weaving warp. Make a loop, pull through another loop, repeat. Pull the end through when you are out of rope. Should keep them from tangling
Hey Drew, Have you ever done a tutorial on how to properly reverse a small trailer? We had our shakedown with our Runaway RangeRunner a few weeks ago and it was an awkard space and had to approve at an awkard angle to avoid hitting a tree / neighbor... luckily he was super cool and moved some of his things to give me more space.
I watched your video on backup cameras, and that's on the shopping list, but just some helpful tips would be great... small trailers, I'm findng, are ornery!.
Wow thumbs 👍
Glad you liked the tents/awnings Gail!
I have the LAAIOO. I love it! It's good in 30 mph wind as long as it is staked the the ground and has lead lines going further out. Taken it down, I had lost the directions but found a youtube video for it. Ps. Love your channel.
This is what we need to hear. Thank you! Every time we had it up, it was as calm of weather as you could get. We are excited to put this tent through a few more scenarios this summer. The bummer is this tent seems to be out of stock almost everywhere. And if it is in stock they are charging 3x the price for it.
@@agirlnakedinthehalljewelry4223 I ended up linking the Mogics and one other as well in the description beings the LAAIOO one was out. Thanks for sharing.
Check out Dutchwaregear cord winder for thos loose guy lines during storage. I use them on my hammocks because I hate all the loose lines.
Better Guylines for wind: 40 some years ago, before all of the versatile canopies we have today were available we just had the square tarp canopies with 5 poles and guylines on the corners, and the strong winds played havoc on these sails! I tossed the guylines and made my own with 3/16" rope tied permanently to a rubber bungee cord and with a cord tension adjuster on the rope (homemade with pieces of hardwood). Using these instead keeps the tarps tight and allows them to flex in the wind a bit, but came back to position. These have extended the life of my canopies and I have continued to use the same guylines now for any canopy I purchase and these would work well with the canopies you demoed. Yes I occasionally have to replace the rubber bungees. My corner guylines now are 1 bungee with two adjustable ropes.
Good idea, I hadn’t thought about that. Thanks
I like this Andrew! I am really glad you shared your solution. In our 13 Remarkable Camping Gadgets video Pat shares a similar setup. But more on the expensive side using springs. I like the idea of replacing the springs with bungees. I also like how you mentioned this over stakes. My initial reaction was to get better stakes. But, I bet if I tried your method I would have pretty good results with my original hardware.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thanks! I use the 7-8" long nail stakes with the plastic "T" on the head end and they work fine. The thin stakes that typically come with tents and canopies are usually not very good.
That’s similar to what we use as well. But unfortunately, the last set we bought had the glow-in-the-dark hooks and those ones tend to break off pretty fast.
But an awning is difficult in the wind? :) That Joolka looks very handy and very much looking forward to that review. The most impressive thing about this video was how much content you fit and that you did it on your own. Bravo Drew Bravo !! There's like a solution for everyone contained in this video and I can see use cases for each. Camping out of a car or extending the abilities of a small teardrop these things certainly add some functionality. See you got some more mileage out of the gear video...cudos...lol As far as guylines I just roll em up in the awning and they never are tangled. We use a shower tent as well and do the same thing. Never have had a problem with entanglement. Maybe it's in the way you're rolling it up when you pack it away. not sure. Great video as always Drew
Haha! I thought of you again when I saw that moon style awning lifting in that video. I will admit though, even though these awnings can be a bit unruly in high winds I can always get them up and down without hurting myself or damaging anything. Well, down at least. I have given up a few times trying to put them up. But I think I could have done it if I persisted or wasn't so prideful and just asked someone for help. :) LIke you I have been a guyline roll up guy. But this summer I tangled quite a few. My guess is because I was using so many I became a bit careless with my rolling process. My biggest struggle though was with the Nature Hike awning. I was constantly tangling them. And I think that was because of the guy line materials. They never naturally laid. They tend to have memory and are a bit stiff. This led to a lot of tangling. Like Pat, I am learning spending a bit more on gear has much better return on investment than I originally thought. I am turning into a quality gear junky! And you are a bit to blame for that. Haha.
We recently got the gazelle g6 deluxe tent. It’s big and heavy, but we think it will dramatically increase our living space and comfort!
I'm hoping at some point they make one about the size of the Venture Clam Shell. But I think that is wishful thinking. A smaller footprint would be nice for those tight camping spaces. Big enough to fit a table, but nothing more. I agree though that the G6 is awesome. It seems to hit everything we need, minus the additional size. Glad to see these manufacturers pushing the envelope a bit.
Do you use the G6 over the galley area or stand alone separate?
Nice video. I love all the different ideas. The weak link with most of the tent you showed are the fiberglass poles. The ends split, they just don’t last. Chances are if you buy one, you’ll be replacing the poles long before the tent wears out. They’re expensive, but replacement aluminum poles are the way to go.
I agree with you; I hate fiberglass poles, too. However, having gone through 3 of these tarps in the last 6 years (one of them retired and two still in service), I have only had one fiberglass pole break (in a 35 mph wind gust). I temporarily repaired the fiberglass pole (by wrapping it with Gorilla tape) and continued to use the tarp for the rest of my two-month trip. During that same storm, I had my expensive 3-person tent (with state of the art aluminum poles) deployed. It got flattened several times by gusts, and after I returned home, I had to have 3 aluminum sections replaced (because they bent).
So, in my opinion, replacing the fiberglass poles with aluminum will not solve the problem; these tarps simply have too much wind area to survive for long above 25 mph.The actual weak link in these cheap tarps are the attachment structures in the corners where they are sewn to the fabric. These anchors are subject to tremendous torque stresses and after a couple of years, the sewing starts to fail. Bottom line for me, as long as the tarps remain cheap, replacing them every 2 or 3 years is a cost effective strategy.
@@thomaslewis1268 You make good points. Although I don’t like the “disposable economy” we sometimes live in it.
Agreed. I think the only shelter in this video that had aluminum poles was the Moon Shade awning.
Great points. And I like your way of thinking! I keep hoping for the return of quality components in America, but at a working person's prices. I realize I am a dreamer. But it is really unfortunate that we have to pay 3x the price to get anything of quality these days. I will say when it comes to fiberglass poles of the past and today they have definitely advanced. That splitting and fiberglass in the hands issue we all grew up with isn't near as noticeable today. I am not sure what sort of process and resin they are using today, but it obviously has improved.
Quick question. Has anyone tried using a plain tarp like the Kelty Noah’s tarp as a awning/ canopy for shade/ rainy days (especially over teardrop gallery)? If so, would you recommend it??
Love the sweatshirt brother, represent!
That was the first thing I noticed… “Hey, he’s got his Come And See hoodie on”
( ADHD moment 😆)
Love it! A little nod to my brothers and sisters.
Besides the meaning and lifestyle behind the words. That hoodie is so comfortable! It's a win-win for me.
You are correct, they are so comfy and warm. My wife loves hers very much. It's her go to ice fishing attire.
@@jaspatters1 Ice fishing. The boys miss it so much!
I have a cheaper copy of the Moonshade, which is why I’ll buy the better quality Moonshade, eventually.
I’ve used it with two teardrops, a Jeep and currently on a camper converted SUV. Smaller space but easier to maintain. I set it up with poles, but pre-stake a pair of sand stakes. At night or in heavy wind I drop the poles and attach the back end to the ground at the sand stakes. It has weathered 40mph gusts in heavy rain. I mount it to the vehicle with 4 (redundant) suction cups.
Running the X cross support poles on the inside of the rig I can hang clothes and towels to dry.
Perfect solo rig.
Good point. I think these budget "moonshades" are great starter awnings. But at some point if you find them useful a Moonshade would be a good investment. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain your process. I hope a lot of people get to read your comment. It is very helpful.
Been enjoying your channel for a long time. I have a 2009 caravan no build I just bought the upgraded hasika awning it turns into a fully closed room I have used it twice and I am very impressed You can use it in a lot of different ways on the side of your vehicle or the rear of your vehicle I posted a very short video if you get a minute or two to check it out
Hello!! All
For our side tents. We usually use two tents
Kodiak four season tent for the cooler areas. That we camp in has better heat retention. Been holding out very well I agree needs to be a one person set up.
Warmer temperatures. We used L.L. Bean woodland screen shelter this one’s held up very well which is over 12 years old. And again a one person set up. set up within five minutes or less. That all depends on conditions when setting up! If you find used tents great condition price can be better.
Thanks!! Drew
Happy camping ⛺️
Love your setup. Do you ever use a stove with that Kodiak cabin tent setup? I often thought that would be fun with a teardrop. And I wondered if the cabin was small enough how much heat would move into that teardrop if the door was left open and there was a good seal between the trailer and the canvas tent? I just looked up the LL Bean shelter. That looks really nice. I am finding, similar to you, that to get something of high quality in this area you have to pay a pretty good amount. But, these shelters last season after season and can often pay for themselves in one trip when the bugs or weather goes south.
@@PlayingwithSticks tent size 10’X10’
Have teardrop has a heating & mr. Heater for tent. We use the galley stove..
Thanks for the reply’s!!
Happy camping to an all safe travels.
I get the moon tent 2 of them for the side doors then one of the others for the kitchen dinner cover I not put the toilet by where I eat & make food lol good video
Kevin do you happen to remember the name of the tent/awning you are using for your kitchen area? Someone on here pointed out that they now make a Moonshade XL edition. I just went and checked it out. It is 9' X 12'.
I have a Hasika that goes on the back of my SUV! I also have a similar umbrella type tent. But it takes off in wind gusts! I had to lower the pole side to the ground after the storm. After getting it untwisted. I also forgot to close the window and it was too late it was pouring and I got all wet😂😂😂. Live and learn! Oh no..I hate pop ups! I have a shower that I fight with for 10 min every time!!! I also set up by myself and I’m 5 feet and 63….so I do struggle a bit with all my gear. 😂
I leave guy lines attached to my tarps, and figure-8 wrap them (over thumb, over pinkie, repeat) to keep them from tangling. The end I wrap around the bundle to keep in place like normal.
I’ve learned to take pictures of instructions and save them where I can find them.
I like how you think! I do a similar thing any time I disassemble something in the garage. Putting things back together is so much easier than it used to be.
We went camping for the 70's my children were 13, 14 and 1at the time.
do you own a barn? where do you store all your gear? I'm always impressed with your vid quality. you managed to set up and tear down a lot of tents all in one vid. as always, thanks for sharing and God bless
Haha. I have a few friends and cousins who line up for all the gear. The gear I love, I selfishly keep and you see in the background of videos. Everything else either goes to my mother (top priority in terms of who gets gear), my cousin and college roommate, and then after that it is a free for all with family and friends. They make for great stocking stuffers at holiday parties and family get togethers. But, yes during my gear round up periods it is quite awful. I tend to hold onto gear for about 2 seasons before giving it away. It can fill up that barn quite well. And yes, the family does own a barn or two between the home and the ranch. But in reality most of it ends up in the cargo trailer. Thanks for the really kind comments Dave. I always appreciate them. I knew these video would be quite a challenge trying to fit so many tents into one episode. But I didn't want to string it along. God bless you as well Dave. God is good!
The best way that I have found to store any lines or ropes is to fold them in half by their length twice and then do a change stitch the full length of them, they will not come undone and they’re easily accessible.
Use small carabiners for easy use. Wrap guide line around stakes. Everything is there.
I like it! Thank you
I wind my guy lines in a figure 8 (looping over thumb and pinky) then use a rubber band or hair tie to keep them from unwinding.
I use nite ize small figure 9 s biners with guy lines for mine. Keep the clipped with stakes and easy tension. Super fast set up.😅
Thank you for making this video. I see many purposes for some of these Tents/Tarps. Have you considered something like the SlumberJack or Kelty Tarps? I just roll up my Guylines and tie them into themselves.
Yes, the slumberjack and kelty style tarps are still my favorite. I was trying to go a little outside the mold this time and try something new. I know slumbjack and kelty have a few non-traditional shapes as well. After trying this "tail tarp" I have the itch to try some more newer styles. As with many things in camping it probably won't beat the good old traditional style. But it is fun to try. And thanks for the advice. I just learned about "hanking cord" I have been doing this but between my elbow and hand. This seems to be a much better method. Thanks or sharing Eric. Looks like I will give rolling up another try.
@@PlayingwithSticks I love my SlumberJack! I like the designs on a few that you showcased here as well. Thank you, again.
If you ever want to get on an oil rig next time you come to the US, I can make that happen. Ha - Also a little short course on oil and gas generation, migration, and, production. Just for context on old oil fields that are seemingly 'refilled' - me and my friends bought a famous legacy field in Oklahoma for $110,000,000 in 2018, drilled 100 horizontal wells in it, produced over a half billion dollars of oil then sold the project for $335,000,000. Doesn't have anything to do with extremophile organisms. It has to do with original recovery factors and equilibration of a now lower pressure reservoir after they shut-in or plug the wells. Most reservoirs in the world only have 10-15% recovery factors. Now, there are extremophiles that cause problems in already producing reservoirs - often times if 'bugs' are introduced, they can expand their colonies and excrete H2S and now you have a hot, dangerous reservoir. But no dude, the volume, the chemical characteristics, the oil is from the original source rock.
With the guylines I wrap them around themselves, starting at the tent instead of at the end. And the last thing I do is a slip knot to hold it together. All you have to do for setup is pull the end and it completely unwinds itself.
Interesting... So I have been doing this. But getting lazy and often attaching multiple together. I thought that was probably my issues. But, I have also been starting from the end. Looks like I will be starting from the tent. Thank you so much for answering this one. I knew I was just a little off. And I had a feeling it would be something really simple.
Ranger bands. IE bicycle innertube crosscut into 1/2 pieces heavy duty rubber bands basically.
I like the sound of this! Thank you.
Haha on the gut - I think I'm a little taller but have basically the same build. Same problem area - front gut - and the sides above my pelvis is the first place to start packing fat. Cool shelters - more for my Jeep for sure. We got the CLAM for the HD truck/Toy hauler trips as our outside shelter.
Outdoor Gear Review just did the Gazelle (its the one that pops up the most on Amazon for me) and the smaller version did ok except for a small leak by the door during a heavy-duty rainstorm. The single door on the CLAM is a drawback - It is also very large to pack (the 11.5x11.5 shelter we got is almost 6 feet long in the bag). But with the three kids and dogs, I think it will be a good shelter for us this summer.
Yep, we do have the same. The sides is my first place as well. And yes, these would pair great with a Jeep. The toy hauler sounds fun. Sounds like you have some fun toys.
Yes, the size can be a drawback. But the tradeoff is well worth it. Having such a nice shelter that sets up and tears down almost instantly is so nice to have. .
I'm still a clam fan. I like the ability to stand alone. I also want complete bug proof. My question to you, does the screen material allow for enough Breeze? Great video!
We are big Clam fans as well. What I find is differing opinions based on where you live. Those up north or using the Clam at elevation seem to have no issues with the bug meshing. However, those in warmer climates find the meshing greatly limits the airflow. And I agree. My cheap tents with thin meshing are very breathable in hot/sweltering weather. But the clam, being thicker and strong meshing does tend to limit that airflow.
Fold guide ropes about 5" to 6" and put a rubber band around them. Easy peezy!!!!
I pick number 8 for extra room camping. My wife can sleep in it using her army cot. I can sleep anywhere inside the car. I dont get claustrophobic in small spaces. 73
Hi Drew have you tested anything that will stand up in heavy winds ?I winter camp in Scotland and have just about finished a custom all alloy trailer and need a setup for very bad weather ??
Hi Drew,
Thank you first off for all your videos. We got a teardrop with a roof tent. Currently, we are using an Ozark Canopy tent as a family room area. I also have an Alvandor for buggy trips. Wanted a clam, but lengthwise wouldn’t fit in my minivan trunk. But I would like to upgrade someday. Debating between an attached rooftop awning like the one you have on your Bean, an Hasika awning (so can cook in the rain), or something like the Nature Hike tarp. I have to fit 6 people (2 adults and 4 littles). What if your favorite tent to use? Which would you suggest?? Thank you! Mandy
I forgot to add. Also, I am considering a Mountain shade dome as well.
With our awning room on one side and a screened tent on the other, we turned our six feet wide runaway camper into a 24-foot wide camper and living area.
YESSSS!!!! I like how you think. And it is 24 feet of usable space. What I find is that the outdoor living rooms are so much more practical than the indoor spaces because you are not living out of a hallway and competing for space with everyone. It truly lives like a house, not a trailer.
I’m curious about the kelty backroads. It has sides.
I was so excited to see a family camping I was distracted by texting in comments.
Easy guy line organization: One end is tied to the tent/tarp, so I fold it in half (bring the bottom of the GL to the top, its now 1/2 the length) tie a simple knot somewhere in the top half of the GL. Problem solved.
Which is your go to for awning over galley? I’m struggling finding one that is able to be put up with one person and not closed in.
My solution to tangle free lines:
Roll the tarp, with the lines getting rolled up inside of them, and then use snake skins tubes to slide down over the rolled up tarp, then coil the tubes into the bag. When unrolling the tarp, the lines unroll with it and I've never had a tangle. Super fast and easy.
Are you talking about snakeskins like this? www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/tarp-skins/ I like the idea of not having to individually roll the guy lines. I tried this a few times this summer with just the regular bag. I was hoping I could make some channels/folds that kept them in place. Sometimes it worked for me, sometimes it didn't. But that bag was just obviously too big to keep it consistently tangle free.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yup, that's exactly what I'm referring to. Really easy to slide them over if two ends of the tarp are still in tension.
I used scruncii’s to wrap the guy lines.