Unusual thread-tent design questions?

[bobbyrandall]

Hello all,
I am in Thailand at the moment, running around on Yamaha Fino 110cc scooter....I am doing some 3 person tent manufacturing business,this is going to be an inflatable tent. I am sorting material, cutting, colours at the moment. However I have had this idea for a long time, so need some input from all..... I have really always wanted to make a smaller model JUST for MOTORBIKERS, so need from all of you, ideal size, (persons, 1 or 2) camo or coloured (which one if coloured) ideal size, (or maximum you can fit on a bike) I know the smaller the better!!....packed weight....and any ideas you personally have for a tent in relation specifically to motorbike travel........thanks in advance.........!!!

[backofbeyond]

If this thread has wings be prepared for a deluge of ideas and specifications, most of which will be mutually exclusive

I'll kick things off with a few ideas and comments about what I look for in a tent. I'll probably forget to include a lot of stuff but here's my first thoughts:

Firstly, I'm not massively enthusiastic about inflatable tents, and even less so about their use on a bike trip. I want the thing to go up and stay up even when I'm drunk in a thunderstorm.

Bikers, by and large, cart loads of gear along with them and need more space than the usual one man/ two man etc seem to give you. I have a two man tent that's only just big enough inside to take me and all my luggage and a three man tent that's my tent of choice for me on my own.

Porch space is important as I want somewhere that isn't inside the tent to put all my wet clothing and luggage overnight.

Inside the sleeping compartment I want - a minimum height of 120cm, preferably 130cm, so I'm not crawling around, a good bug screen door as well as a normal door and zips on them that don't jam when I try to undo them in the middle of the night. Also, a number of pockets inside where I can put things off the ground - keys, glasses, phone, a tent light etc.

Weight isn't quite as important as it is for backpackers but somewhere between three and four kg would be good. I also want the thing to fold down into a recognisable shape so I can strap it to the bike, plus a bag that it fits into when its wet and I haven't folded it quite as per the instructions.

I'd hope it would be waterproof - both from the top and from below. I dislike having to put an extra groundsheet under the tent as the built in one has been skimped on to keep the sticker weight down. I really want it to be stable in wind - so probably no tunnel construction.

No camo colour please. I'd feel like an idiot putting it up in a commercial campsite and I don't want a military connection in other places. At the other extreme no hi-vis orange or any "survival" connection colour. And just to close off the rest of the colour spectrum, dark colours make for a womb like interior gloom for winter camping or anywhere where there are low light levels. I want to be able to tell when it's morning.

[bobbyrandall]

..every single word has been noted..thanks....keep them coming!!....this is a quality tent, I am sourcing every single piece of material and its design and colour that goes into it...most of the above is anticipated, but lots of new useful info there....! Are two pockets (already drawn up) enough? and a choice of colours, then, to include camo for the stealth camping brigade? (This is a dome type tent....the outside is silver, the inside is a sky-blue, there is a vestibule, I will re-check the height, it has a bug door and window at the back...)...does anyone need to be able to see in all four directions, I can put small peek slits in both side too?

[DaveGetsLost]

Three features that I always look for are 1) flow-through ventilation, 2) a door that is protected from rain when getting in and out, and 32) self-supporting.

1) So many "dome" tents have rain flies that are full caps although some have a top vent. On a hot still night my body will heat one of those up unbearably. A short ridge pole (or inflatable tube) can provide cover for taller windows. I can cover up for cold camping, but when it's hot I want air flow.

2) The 3 tents I have liked best also used that short ridge to have an almost vertical door. Domes and pyramids have doors that open "up" to let rain fall on the tent floor while I'm getting in and out or shedding rain gear and boots.

3) A tent that requires pegs may work in 95% of camp sites, but I spend enough nights at places where pegs will barely penetrate the surface even after finding a stout log to use as a mallet.

My '79 Sierra Designs Aireflex, my '90 REI Half Dome, and my '12 REI Camp Dome all have had these 3 features. I bought 2 other tents in '11 looking for more floor space for the weight and both tents were uncomfortable for me and I sold them to get the features that are important for me.

As backofbeyond said, some features will be mutually exclusive. I don't use a porch or vestibule. Much of my gear remains locked on my bike and I take in only what's needed at night (plus camera, etc.).

I prefer a tent that is bright inside. Any color is probably OK outside. 360-degree vision would be OK, but not a big requirement for me.

[photographicsafaris]

"Heavy duty & light weight" ground sheet that comes up the sides about 4 inches.

Really waterproof Fly sheet. that could have the ends raised off the ground to increase ventilation, but to fall about 1 ft clear of the tent edges.

Inner section of genuine mosquito net and the ability to zip on panels over this for cold weather

Massive ventilation opposite the door.

Good sized protected area for Cooking.

I wouldn't be interested in anything inflatable.

[juanvaldez650]

Freestanding
low pack weight
short pack length
stealthy color

[zedsdead]

I currently life in my tent, have for most of the last year. It is falling apart and so I have just ordered another one. It is now discontinued and it was hard to find one. But due to it being the right one I would not change.

I am 6'4" and to be honest dome tents just wind me up. You loose too much height around the edges. Inflatable would definitely be a no. It will puncture and the constant movement of putting it up, putting it away and the rough treatment of strapping it to a bike will make the patches lift. The heat in places like Morocco and the like will also help the patches to move. Ask anyone who has tried to use a normal repair on an inner tube in these conditions. It may work but just cannot be relied upon. The floor has be of the tub variety and heavy duty. A lot of foreign sites are rough gravel as standard. This soon destroys the floors waterproofing. A neutral outside colour is best. I wild camp a lot and would not pick a bright colour, I don't want to attract visitors. Dirty green is the best. And however the door is made just ensure that it can be open in the rain but not let water drip inside the tent. Just because it is raining doesn't mean I want the door closed. Lastly good mosquito netting to allow ventilation, light and comfort in the heat. The nightly death hunt was a ritual for a good few countries. Outer door open due to the heat but netting in place. A wonderful way to sleep.

Zed.

[Blommetje]

Length! I'm 1.90 tall and sleeping I stretch my feet out. Always either my feet are poking in the fabric or I have to stick my head out.

Stealthy color: darkish green. No camo.

Also what I really miss... the option to leave a piece open above your face, so you can gaze at the stars! I'm outdoors camping but can't see any of it. My next tent needs this!

Basic other features like good ventilation, strong easy handling zippers, fast to pitch (not so many pegs!), strong for stormy weather.

Looking forward to see some sketches!

Alex