View Full Version : Tarp in a private campground (KOA, etc...)
mweinstone
08-22-2007, 07:38
Edited for being too pitiful :D (Begging for a date in the women's forum)
I'm going to be taking a road trip on my motorcycle soon and I would like to camp along the way. This seems like the perfect oportunity for me to practice tarp camping. My only problem is what do I do if the only camping places are like KOAs? Anyone here ever set up a tarp at a KOA? Any tips? I can't take a tent and a tarp as theres not a whole lot of space on the CBR and I'd like to pack light.
Thanks
peter_pan
08-22-2007, 20:05
I ride a BMW K1200LT and take a 7-24 day trip each summer.... We hammock three nights then hotel a nite for clean-up/logistic replenishment.... RV camps are the worst... few trees... those that are there are often 20-30 feet apart, tent areas with trees are sparce.... State parks and National forest camp areas are generally good ( watch out for "nothing tied to trees" rules in State areas).... Almost all will let you find a spot before checking in.....Look for places with creeks and water, especially in arid areas, there you will find trees.....
Best advice is stop early find the spot....and always have a plan B site within range of the available daylight and amount of butt you have left.
Pan
Thanks peter_pan, good info. Any specific tips on a tarp? My concern is mainly that I'll end up at a koa that only has paved sites (hear of it happening!). Ever happen to you? What did you do? Thanks agian for the info and I hope I hear from more people that ride :banana
Jim Adams
08-23-2007, 02:06
Most campgrounds don't have trees for your tarp as Peter Pan stated. I tarp constantly while backpacking and canoeing and I am also a sport biker. The only advice that I can give you is that if it is late in the day and you already have monkeybutt and are forced to stay in one of these campgrounds just try to make the best of it. Get the best meal that you can in the area, take a hot shower and tie your tarp between the picnic table and your bike. BEWARE! If it is windy, try to pull another picnic table onto your site as the wind on your tarp can pull your bike over! If a second table isn't availabe, drape your tarp over the windward side of the table, tie it off to the table and sleep under it.
If the above scenario happens, just do your best and tomorrow, get a room.
geek
gah, I've heard about the tarp pulling over the bike :eek: it always worries me, if I tie off lower on the bike it would be better right?
Thanks
Farr Away
08-23-2007, 06:48
When we tarp, we often use our hiking poles to set the tarp up. It's very doable to set one up with 2 poles and no trees. Any chance you'd have room to carry a couple of collapsed hiking poles?
gsingjane
08-23-2007, 06:52
Also be prepared to meet many, many people... everyone will find an excuse to wander over and see why you aren't in an RV...
Jane in CT
Gray Blazer
08-23-2007, 06:57
A true trash hiker would never pay to camp anywhere. If there's no where to camp for free, that's why your car seat reclines. I hope this helps someone.
Difficult to do with a motorcycle though:rolleyes:
Alligator
08-23-2007, 12:48
If you picked up one pole or used a stick you could stand that between the picnic bench and the table top. You should be able to tie it down easy enough to the table top. Two strings at 45 degree angles ought to do it, and you could even attach a third to the bench. Attach one corner of the tarp to the pole top and run it out in the flying wedge (flying V?) configuration. I'm thinking the bench wouldn't interfere much as there is some empty space in this setup.
If you have a pole, you can also set up the tarp in a pyramid shape, one side is open some. I use this setup when it rains.
Gray Blazer
08-23-2007, 14:13
Difficult to do with a motorcycle though:rolleyes:
Whoops, I'm not psychic or I would have thought of that.
Whoops, I'm not psychic or I would have thought of that.
No mystical skills needed. Just read post #2.:sun
Gray Blazer
08-24-2007, 07:55
No mystical skills needed. Just read post #2.:sun
OMG, now I have to read all of every post.....as Popeye would mumble, "How embarrassking!":banana
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-24-2007, 09:06
I have tarped at an RV-type camp in the tent area once (forgot to bring my tent :o). I did a flying diamond by tying off to a lantern pole on one side and used a hiking pole to increase the headroom. See SgtRock's page on tarp-tying (http://hikinghq.net/gear/tarp.html)for some suggestions
Alligator
08-24-2007, 10:32
I have tarped at an RV-type camp in the tent area once (forgot to bring my tent :o). I did a flying diamond by tying off to a lantern pole on one side and used a hiking pole to increase the headroom. See SgtRock's page on tarp-tying for some suggestionsThat's it flying diamond. Couldn't quite get that one out:o .
Gray Blazer
08-24-2007, 10:34
Can you tie one or two ends to the mororcycle?
peter_pan
08-24-2007, 15:27
Most campgrounds don't have trees for your tarp as Peter Pan stated. I tarp constantly while backpacking and canoeing and I am also a sport biker. The only advice that I can give you is that if it is late in the day and you already have monkeybutt and are forced to stay in one of these campgrounds just try to make the best of it. Get the best meal that you can in the area, take a hot shower and tie your tarp between the picnic table and your bike. BEWARE! If it is windy, try to pull another picnic table onto your site as the wind on your tarp can pull your bike over! If a second table isn't availabe, drape your tarp over the windward side of the table, tie it off to the table and sleep under it.
If the above scenario happens, just do your best and tomorrow, get a room.
geek
Jim Adams, et al,
I've done this successfully a few times over the years..... Use the flying wedge with one point tied to the left side handle bar grip, assuming the kickstand is on the left side and lock the front wheel.... Easy and sturdy, force goes against the Kick stand vs the potential to pull it over when done to the otherside, where you are relying only on the weight of the bike to keep it from being pulled over.
Pan
Thanks everyone for the info. Peter pan, So I should put three corners to the ground and then the high one to the grip? Sounds good to me! I always lock the forks anyways so no worries about forgetting that, just gotta remember my kick stand plate :rolleyes: Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!
peter_pan
08-25-2007, 08:22
Thanks everyone for the info. Peter pan, So I should put three corners to the ground and then the high one to the grip? Sounds good to me! I always lock the forks anyways so no worries about forgetting that, just gotta remember my kick stand plate :rolleyes: Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!
Yup.... put a string on your kick stand plate, if not there already.....Then you pick it up while on the bike.... also if you drop it down you can slide it under with your foot.... really easy in practice and way safer than installing when off the bike...If you use a tank bag store it there.....If you don't use a tank bag consider it, really nice for all the nicities..... harley folk may like the three section back of the wind screen answer.... same benefits
Pan