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How big a dry bag do I need for tent/sleeping pad? How big a dry bag do I need for tent/sleeping pad?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
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  #1  
Old 14 Aug 2012
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How big a dry bag do I need for tent/sleeping pad?
I was wondering how big a dry roll bag in LITRES I will need for a tent and sleeping pad?

Should I get a bag just big enough for the tent and pad or get something with a little extra space for my wet weather gear stuffed in on top? What else are you guys putting in your dry bags?

I will be doing some Australia based touring on my Bonneville T100 with a giant loop great basin. Will be doing south america on a smaller bike (400cc or less) so weight is an issue.

Any thoughts on what works size wise would be most appreciated.

cheers,

James
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  #2  
Old 14 Aug 2012
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Was wondering the same thing myself, so look forward to reading the threads
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Old 14 Aug 2012
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Our Vaude Mark II tent fits into a 22ltr Ortlieb roll bag with a little bit of space at the top. If you roll it really tight, you might be able to roll a thermarest around the tent too.

I would think a 40ltr (or even 50) will be a good size, but not sure how big your tent is. You don't have to use all of the 40 ltr (or 50) anyway...
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Old 14 Aug 2012
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Originally Posted by Pumbaa View Post
Our Vaude Mark II tent fits into a 22ltr Ortlieb roll bag with a little bit of space at the top. If you roll it really tight, you might be able to roll a thermarest around the tent too.

I would think a 40ltr (or even 50) will be a good size, but not sure how big your tent is. You don't have to use all of the 40 ltr (or 50) anyway...
Thanks for that. Still Researching the tent as well. How is the Vaude tent?
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Old 14 Aug 2012
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Originally Posted by realmc26 View Post
Thanks for that. Still Researching the tent as well. How is the Vaude tent?
We absolutely love our tent, maybe with the exception of cooking in bad weather. The vestibules are good for storing bags/shoes/boots etc, and ventilation is also good. Entrance on both side of tent too. I think we have the long version (can't remember). I would've preferred the lightweight one now, but when we bought it originally, our travel arrangements was in 4x4/motorbike, so the extra 1.5kg wasn't really a problem. This trip we're on bicycles. Ours weigh about 4kg, and the lighter one about 2.5kg.

Very easy and quick to put up (might be a little bit harder to put up with only one person). Excellent in bad weather. Probably takes about 2 minutes to put it up if you need to get out of the rain. Including tent pegs, maybe 4-5 minutes, but you don't need the pegs in order to get it up.

Not sure if these are still available....
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Old 14 Aug 2012
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Hmm, thats a bit odd.

I carry my tent just rolled up inside the waterproof groundsheet part. I use a bag ( quite large for my bulky but very warm coleman 450 sleeping bag. My camp bed is rolled into its original holdall. my folding chair rests flat packed but upright against the top box which is where I store my clothes and anything that needs to be dry.

Heavy stuff, cooking/food/ tools and parts go in the saddlebags.
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Old 15 Aug 2012
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Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
Hmm, thats a bit odd.

I carry my tent just rolled up inside the waterproof groundsheet part. I use a bag ( quite large for my bulky but very warm coleman 450 sleeping bag. My camp bed is rolled into its original holdall. my folding chair rests flat packed but upright against the top box which is where I store my clothes and anything that needs to be dry.

Heavy stuff, cooking/food/ tools and parts go in the saddlebags.
Using a dry bag is odd?
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  #8  
Old 15 Aug 2012
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If the tent is wet when you pack it, it becomes a not-very-dry bag

Andy
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Old 16 Aug 2012
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Originally Posted by realmc26 View Post
Using a dry bag is odd?
Not per se, but I keep my sleeping bag in a dry bag, not my tent.

but if you want to pack it in a bag, just roll it up and take it to a shop that sells bags and find one that fits.
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  #10  
Old 16 Aug 2012
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ok I see the point of not putting a wet tent in a dry bag with other gear but I'm presuming you want to keep a dry tent dry by having it in a waterproof bag of some description?
I presumed having the tent,sleeping,pad, wet weather gear in one bag would be better than having it all lashed down separately. The sleeping bag will go in the Giant loop bag.
Maybe a small waterproof sac for the tent then into the dry bag with the other stuff?
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  #11  
Old 29 Aug 2012
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I use two dry bags, one solely for my bed, and the other for my tent/tarp and any potentially wet things, they do a good job of protecting the tent from chafing and dirt too.
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  #12  
Old 30 Aug 2012
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dry bag
I use 50 ltr bag (for tent, sleeping bag, air mattress) and I have enought place (if I need it) for some other thinks. I hate "tight" bags because I had to "push" things in and out every time I need something.
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  #13  
Old 30 Aug 2012
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The biggest restriction on size is the length of your poles, so don't be afraid to pack them separately. That way you can roll the tent to match the bag, not struggle to find a bag to match the tent.
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  #14  
Old 2 Sep 2012
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Thanks for the replies. Anybody else with thoughts on the use of 1 or more dry bags?
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