Oct 23, 2014
New to Camping... A Camper's Perspective
Completely new to camping. Camping is something that I’ve wanted to learn how to do for a long time. Because I had no idea what to do, it’s something that I never ventured to. My FTC camping experience began at the North Carolina Overland Expo "East" in an Oztent RV2 Tent...
Noticed very quickly how knowledgeable Randy from Family Tent Camping is. I would recommend signing up for his camping tips on the FTC website.
Elements - One day at the Overland Expo East we had a whole lot of rain, there were 6 tents set up that are made by Oztent. No water got through any of the 6 tents. Another day was very windy and the same tents withstood the wind. Being a brand new camper, I appreciated the durability of the equipment.
Set up and take down of the tents were very simple and easy. This helped making camping a good experience. Having equipment that even a brand new camper can operate makes the experience much more enjoyable. It has been intimidating to camp in the past - not knowing how to set up a tent. Seeing how easy the Oztents are to set up took that fear away.
Jimmy
Find the right camping gear, from the beginner to the season camper, we gotcha covered! Visit www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Labels:
camping,
camping tips,
family camping,
malamoo tent,
overland expo,
oztent
Aug 29, 2014
Disabled Veteran is Happy with Oztent RV2
Kim,
Just wanted to let you know the OzTent RV-2 came this morning. FedEx knocked on my door at 1030 with two boxes.
Comments:
I'm 52 and a 100% disabled veteran. I don't have great balance or strength when trying to set up a conventional shock cord type so I thought my camping days were over - until now!
The tent went up in about 17 minutes - part of that was getting it out of the box. (It was packed very well with no obvious damage to the box upon receipt.)It took about another 5 min to tie everything down the way that seemed best.
Take down took 11 min - part of that time was sweeping, folding, and packing up the ground cloth.
The ground cloth definitely helped me to orient where the tent would be set up and assured I had a relatively debris free, level area for the tent - this is a must have to aid with a "best site" set up and to protect the bottom of the tent,the ground cloth extends under the tent & front canopy, is just one more bonus of the OzTent system.
All of the features were as described and very well thought out for efficiency and function. All of the screens, window/door panels, and zippers were obviously well constructed and operated properly.
This is a perfect tent for one or two people +/- a dog.
I can't wait to try this tent out - I'm checking out how my gear will fit and what I will need for my next trip.
Thanks so much - Kaylee and I couldn't be happier!
Regards and Blessings,
Maria and "Kaylee"
For more information on OzTent gear and other quality products visit our website www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Labels:
easy set up tent,
family tent camping,
oztent,
oztent rv2
Jun 25, 2014
10 Tips for Keeping Goods Cold in a Cooler
There is nothing worst (almost) than reaching for a "COLD" drink out of the ice chest on a hot sultry day or night and pulling out a borderline cool one... It's even worse when getting ready to prepare a meal over the campfire and finding out the ice in the cooler wasn't maintaining the proper temps. It's like running the air conditioner with the windows wide open and expecting the entire area to stay cool.
Engel 80 Deep Blue Cooler
1)Keep the ice chest out of the sun,you may need to move periodically to maintain ice condition
2)If possible cool down the inside of your ice chest 24 hours prior trip to avoid making the fresh ice work harder than needed by placing an ice pack inside to start the cooling process.
3)Wrap cooler with a blanket, tarp or a reflective material to deflect sun rays and provide proper insulation.
4)Freeze water in plastic 1/2 gal juice containers and add to your cooler. Since the large bottles take a couple of days to defrost, making a great source for cold drinking water..
5)Avoid using party ice purchased at convenient storesif possible,(tends to melt faster)
6)With your empty plastic bottle, add 1/4 cup of salt to it. Salt in water helps it freeze faster and makes it extra cold, make sure to label them to avoid drinking.
7)Pack your cooler with the frozen food, and raw meats at the bottom near the ice containers, then layer food such as eggs stored in a plastic egg holder to avoid breakage and keeping items needing less refrigeration such as fruit & vegetables are at the top.
8)Minimize opening of cooler hatch, if possible have a 2nd cooler for drinks and snacks to keep the campers happy and the cooler items chillin...Also, when getting inside cooler at night simply stick a cooler light on the inside of lid instead of using a flashlight to keep your hands free.
9)If you are able to find a place that carries "dry ice" it can be very effective when cooling is needed over long periods of time. Make sure to wrap the ice to avoid direct skin contact.
10)Thermal Ice Packs can be placed around food and along the inside of the cooler as well, also having on hand is great for use as a first aid treatment when needed.
What have you found to be an effective cooler tip?
Visit our website for additional gear www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Join our FTC Newsletter for camping tips,product news,special offers & contests!
Engel 80 Deep Blue Cooler
1)Keep the ice chest out of the sun,you may need to move periodically to maintain ice condition
2)If possible cool down the inside of your ice chest 24 hours prior trip to avoid making the fresh ice work harder than needed by placing an ice pack inside to start the cooling process.
3)Wrap cooler with a blanket, tarp or a reflective material to deflect sun rays and provide proper insulation.
4)Freeze water in plastic 1/2 gal juice containers and add to your cooler. Since the large bottles take a couple of days to defrost, making a great source for cold drinking water..
5)Avoid using party ice purchased at convenient storesif possible,(tends to melt faster)
6)With your empty plastic bottle, add 1/4 cup of salt to it. Salt in water helps it freeze faster and makes it extra cold, make sure to label them to avoid drinking.
7)Pack your cooler with the frozen food, and raw meats at the bottom near the ice containers, then layer food such as eggs stored in a plastic egg holder to avoid breakage and keeping items needing less refrigeration such as fruit & vegetables are at the top.
8)Minimize opening of cooler hatch, if possible have a 2nd cooler for drinks and snacks to keep the campers happy and the cooler items chillin...Also, when getting inside cooler at night simply stick a cooler light on the inside of lid instead of using a flashlight to keep your hands free.
9)If you are able to find a place that carries "dry ice" it can be very effective when cooling is needed over long periods of time. Make sure to wrap the ice to avoid direct skin contact.
10)Thermal Ice Packs can be placed around food and along the inside of the cooler as well, also having on hand is great for use as a first aid treatment when needed.
What have you found to be an effective cooler tip?
Visit our website for additional gear www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Join our FTC Newsletter for camping tips,product news,special offers & contests!
Labels:
camping,
camping accessories,
camping tips,
cooler,
engel,
family tent camping,
ice chest
May 29, 2014
Road Trip to Overland Expo 14
What a way to spend "Mother's Day",on a road trip to the Overland Expo event at Mormon Lake campground in Flagstaff, AZ. The Ford & trailer is loaded and ready to roll... Day 1 travel started strong with a few cool pics from a rest stop just shy of Springfield, MO.
The road trip wouldn't be the same without stopping and dodging a few rolls at Lambert's cafe
We managed to stay SW of the severe storms such as tornadoes which were heading NE, but as you can see we had our rough travel passing through Tulsa into Oklahoma city for the night..
On the road again, headed for Texas we happened to spot a shelter that not only provided storm protection but also was a well sourced center for farming history in the pan handle of TX.
New Mexico is our next stop, I'm convinced that advertising billboards and "dust devils" help to keep your attention and break the monotony of counting cactus & tumbleweeds in the middle of nowhere..
It's time for a stretch and bathroom break,while walking through the store at the road stop you can't help but check out the native artwork,jewelry,souveniers and Bears (oh my)....
Flagstaff, AZ. here we come! A restful nights sleep at the Comfort Inn before OVEXPO set up is a great idea, especially for getting things in order before arriving at Mormon Lake campground. The sights along the way were beautiful and well worth the road trip...
SET UP TIME! Finally the time has come to show off our great OzTent products!, the OzTent furniture is arranged to provide not only a place to take a break from walking the event, but also to demonstrate the adjustable lower lumbar support comfort, including the unique 1 of a kind NEW Jet Tent Pilot DX chair and OzTent Gecko chair with it's built in swivel table. The ozTent stretchers were arranged outside of the tents to display the 3 sizes to try out and test the durability & comfort with the built in padding throughout and exclusive 5 year warranty! The OzTent Small Bluescrews came in handy when the wind picked up, they were used to anchor the guy ropes for the OzTent Foxwing Awning and Malamoo 3 second tent models. After the display set up was completed and ready for customers on Friday a.m, it was nice to use the bi-fold table for meal preperation and stayed warm & cozy in our Oztent Rivergum sleeping bags with the additional fleece lining zipped in for additional warmth when the temps overnight bottomed out in the high 30's.
Let the OVEXPO begin! Here are a few shots of the vendors and Happy OzTent RV & Jet Tent owners roughing it in the camping area...
.com/-1IX798jtFg4/U4bVeJZNoSI/AAAAAAAABNs/UlfZjhgzrcQ/s1600/20140517_062900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
The road trip wouldn't be the same without stopping and dodging a few rolls at Lambert's cafe
We managed to stay SW of the severe storms such as tornadoes which were heading NE, but as you can see we had our rough travel passing through Tulsa into Oklahoma city for the night..
On the road again, headed for Texas we happened to spot a shelter that not only provided storm protection but also was a well sourced center for farming history in the pan handle of TX.
New Mexico is our next stop, I'm convinced that advertising billboards and "dust devils" help to keep your attention and break the monotony of counting cactus & tumbleweeds in the middle of nowhere..
It's time for a stretch and bathroom break,while walking through the store at the road stop you can't help but check out the native artwork,jewelry,souveniers and Bears (oh my)....
Flagstaff, AZ. here we come! A restful nights sleep at the Comfort Inn before OVEXPO set up is a great idea, especially for getting things in order before arriving at Mormon Lake campground. The sights along the way were beautiful and well worth the road trip...
SET UP TIME! Finally the time has come to show off our great OzTent products!, the OzTent furniture is arranged to provide not only a place to take a break from walking the event, but also to demonstrate the adjustable lower lumbar support comfort, including the unique 1 of a kind NEW Jet Tent Pilot DX chair and OzTent Gecko chair with it's built in swivel table. The ozTent stretchers were arranged outside of the tents to display the 3 sizes to try out and test the durability & comfort with the built in padding throughout and exclusive 5 year warranty! The OzTent Small Bluescrews came in handy when the wind picked up, they were used to anchor the guy ropes for the OzTent Foxwing Awning and Malamoo 3 second tent models. After the display set up was completed and ready for customers on Friday a.m, it was nice to use the bi-fold table for meal preperation and stayed warm & cozy in our Oztent Rivergum sleeping bags with the additional fleece lining zipped in for additional warmth when the temps overnight bottomed out in the high 30's.
Let the OVEXPO begin! Here are a few shots of the vendors and Happy OzTent RV & Jet Tent owners roughing it in the camping area...
.com/-1IX798jtFg4/U4bVeJZNoSI/AAAAAAAABNs/UlfZjhgzrcQ/s1600/20140517_062900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
Visit our website for hassle free camping gear www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Apr 17, 2014
Tips for Camping in Spring
Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the camping experience! Even though the spring weather & cooler temps can be unpredictable, making Spring camping a bit more challenging. Spring camping requires more planning to "be prepared" by choosing the right gear, date and location with the best weather possibilities. Despite the excess preparation, spring camping still has some great benefits! It is always best to plan for the best weather and be prepared for the worst.
It's been a long winter for most of us, many are feeling "cabin fever" set in and are ready to get out of the house and spend more time enjoying the great outdoors. Spring camping not only provides an escape for hanging out outdoors but to take notice the plants and flowers just starting to come out, trees starting to sprout there leafs, and the wildlife are showing signs of the end of winter.
Spring camping preperations may make some fair weather campers reconsider the idea of camping in the spring, but for those willing to step out, the benefits are fantastic. First, and foremost everyone on your camping trip needs to bring items for staying warm, here are a few key items to keep in mind, clothing is not to be taken likely, layering is a key component to keeping dry and maintaining body temperature.
A good quality, properly rated & fitted sleeping bag is key to a restful sleep. Choose a proper size sleeping bag that fits you and has a temperature rating of a few degrees below the lowest temperature you expect to encounter. It is better to have a sleeping bag that will keep you too warm rather than having one that is not warm enough. Tip#1, when choosing a temperature rating you may also consider purchasing a sleeping bag with a warmer temp rating and installing a sleeping bag liner or an OzTent Rivergum sleeping bag with a removable super soft fleece lining that can be either zipped in or out for easy washing & optimal temperature performance.
With your sleeping bag, you will want some sort of barrier to put between your sleeping bag and the bottom of the tent. An air mattress or a self inflating air mattress is recommended or a camping cot if space allows, this extra layer of insulation will keep the cold ground from seeping into your sleeping bag. You may also want to bring a camp heater that has a switch that will turn it off if it falls over.
Be sure to also bring along plenty of warm, lightweight, waterproof clothing. Layering is the best way to stay warm and dry during a Spring camping trip. Long underwear is also a great way to stay warm Tip#2, keep a few pieces of clothing inside your sleeping bag with you to avoid having to put them on cold to maintain your body temp... Also bring along waterproof footwear and a waterproof jacket to wear while hiking or participating in other outdoor related activities, another item to keep in mind is a dry bag for storing clothing when dealing with wet conditions. The most important single piece of clothing is a hat or head protection. An exposed head loses body heat rapidly,therefore wearing a stocking while in your sleeping bag is another way to keep warm while maintaining body temperature.
As for shelter, make sure you have seam sealed all tent joints and placing a floor saver underneath will not only protect your tent floor but is also a good way to keep dry.
On a closing note Spring weather can be unpredictable and being prepared is the key to spring camping,don't forget the small things, "big doors swing on little hinges", there's nothing worst than showing up on your campsite and forgetting... Download a FREE Gear Checklist to keep with your gear.
Visit our website for all your Spring camping needs www.FamilyTentCamping.com
It's been a long winter for most of us, many are feeling "cabin fever" set in and are ready to get out of the house and spend more time enjoying the great outdoors. Spring camping not only provides an escape for hanging out outdoors but to take notice the plants and flowers just starting to come out, trees starting to sprout there leafs, and the wildlife are showing signs of the end of winter.
Spring camping preperations may make some fair weather campers reconsider the idea of camping in the spring, but for those willing to step out, the benefits are fantastic. First, and foremost everyone on your camping trip needs to bring items for staying warm, here are a few key items to keep in mind, clothing is not to be taken likely, layering is a key component to keeping dry and maintaining body temperature.
A good quality, properly rated & fitted sleeping bag is key to a restful sleep. Choose a proper size sleeping bag that fits you and has a temperature rating of a few degrees below the lowest temperature you expect to encounter. It is better to have a sleeping bag that will keep you too warm rather than having one that is not warm enough. Tip#1, when choosing a temperature rating you may also consider purchasing a sleeping bag with a warmer temp rating and installing a sleeping bag liner or an OzTent Rivergum sleeping bag with a removable super soft fleece lining that can be either zipped in or out for easy washing & optimal temperature performance.
With your sleeping bag, you will want some sort of barrier to put between your sleeping bag and the bottom of the tent. An air mattress or a self inflating air mattress is recommended or a camping cot if space allows, this extra layer of insulation will keep the cold ground from seeping into your sleeping bag. You may also want to bring a camp heater that has a switch that will turn it off if it falls over.
Be sure to also bring along plenty of warm, lightweight, waterproof clothing. Layering is the best way to stay warm and dry during a Spring camping trip. Long underwear is also a great way to stay warm Tip#2, keep a few pieces of clothing inside your sleeping bag with you to avoid having to put them on cold to maintain your body temp... Also bring along waterproof footwear and a waterproof jacket to wear while hiking or participating in other outdoor related activities, another item to keep in mind is a dry bag for storing clothing when dealing with wet conditions. The most important single piece of clothing is a hat or head protection. An exposed head loses body heat rapidly,therefore wearing a stocking while in your sleeping bag is another way to keep warm while maintaining body temperature.
As for shelter, make sure you have seam sealed all tent joints and placing a floor saver underneath will not only protect your tent floor but is also a good way to keep dry.
On a closing note Spring weather can be unpredictable and being prepared is the key to spring camping,don't forget the small things, "big doors swing on little hinges", there's nothing worst than showing up on your campsite and forgetting... Download a FREE Gear Checklist to keep with your gear.
Visit our website for all your Spring camping needs www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Labels:
air mattress,
camping tips,
gear checklist,
oztent,
sleeping bag,
spring camping,
tent
Apr 7, 2014
OzTent RV Set Up & Frame Maintenance Tips
Keeping your OzTent Hassle Free is outlined in this 2 part series, Tips on Setting Up & Maintaining your OzTent RV Tent frame.
When setting up your OzTent make sure to support "top" portion of frame above the doorway at all times to avoid frame twisting, which could cause possible damage. With larger models the frame will be wider, so we suggest moving across top frame with both hands and using one hand to pull up & secure the side slide arm mechanism, then with both hands move across top frame to the other side securing the other slide arm.
Once your OzTent RV has been set up, make sure to strap the velcro tabs provided on the sides of the tent just above & below the slide arm to keep them from releasing in the event of windy conditions. Note: All other velcro fasteners should remain attached to the frame at various points of your OzTent RV to provide quick set up and pack away.
Folding up for pack away, when folding up your OzTent make sure to fold in the "A" side leg first followed by the "B" side leg, when unfolding do the opposite "B" first then "A".
To maintain your OzTent frame, periodically wipe down the entire frame, inside walls & floor with a damp cloth to remove debris and dust.
To maintain smooth operation spray a small amount of "dry" silicone based lubricant to the "inside" slide track mechanism. Avoid using an oil based solution on the slide track, this could cause dust build up, oil residue & possible staining of the inside walls. Note:On occasion the slide arm screws (top & bottom) on each side should be loosened up slightly (not removed) and the screw threads lubricated to prevent squeaking and stiffness.
For a complete frame parts list visit our website
Also visit our website to check out the OzTent accessories
Mar 21, 2014
Jet Tent F30 - Tent Review
At some point in most folks’ lives, they will inevitably get fed up with purchasing cheap, mediocre ‘stuff’. I recently hit that wall and have been pushing to buy higher quality products. Whether it be for my home, my attire, tools, or in this case camping gear, I want the product to last. For years, I’ve bought “name brand” tents from big box stores with exceedingly disappointing results. After being nearly suffocated, and simultaneously drowned, in a collapsed name brand box store tent during a hellacious thunderstorm, we took the time to really ponder our needs.
Being a family of four with two young daughters, we had a few things to consider when shopping for a touring tent. We quickly assembled a list of bullet points of our needs and wants. Not only did we need a tent to fit our family, but we wanted extra room to bring in our gear and even stand up to change our clothes. Beyond that, we required a tent made of robust, weather-tight materials and of quality construction. Furthermore, because of our style of travel, we wanted a tent that was time efficient to set up, take down, and be mostly weather resistant when doing so. I quickly learned that my criteria narrowed my selection to a few quality tents, with certain drawbacks and limitations.
My research led me to choose the Jet Tent F30 model, which is made by OzTent. As the name suggests, OzTent is an Australian company which is world renown for their fast erecting, high quality tent designs. The Jet Tent is of a more conventional design when compared to its more popular brother, the OzTent, but is made of the same heavy duty and weather tight poly-cotton canvas, alloy frame, and heavy PVC tube floor. The Jet Tent F30 we purchased is labeled as a six man tent with dimensions of ten feet by ten feet, and an impressive seven foot center height. This goliath has fit our family of four plus a friend (and all of our gear) with a bit of room to spare. But, due to its size, heavy duty materials, and quick set-up features, the tent is heavy. It weighs in at nearly 65 lbs and measures five feet long and one foot square. The packed bag is quite bulky and we often laugh, feeling as if we’re hoisting a body bag onto the roof of the truck!
There are several notable features that we appreciate. First and foremost is the quick setup time. With some practice we can have a weatherproof shelter within about three minutes. Not as boastful as the OzTent’s 30 second deployment, but with the help of your travel companion (and the motivation of a cool Rocky Mountain rainstorm) setup time can be squeezed down to under 2 minutes. Another great feature that we enjoy is the built in awning. The awning is large enough to allow us to back our vehicle up to the tent, attaching its end to the roof rack, instantly giving us extra shelter from the rain to cook dinner. While we have not made the investment yet, Jet Tent offers additional attachments which enclose the area under the awning plus an additional awning, providing far more usable space out of the weather.
One thing that I admire about this tent is the attention to detail in its design. Two side windows are sheltered by a zippered gusset which allows adequate airflow, but still provides total protection from the elements; while still given the ability to roll the windows up during non-inclement weather. There are several guy lines which stabilize the tent during higher winds, each one has its own storage pocket built into the tent, reducing and hiding the number of stray strings around the tent. The guy ropes also feature a quick cinch attachment, making guying out and tensioning the tent, well, a cinch. The Jet Tent also features handy inside pockets to keep things off the floor; we generally store our glasses, cell phones and flashlights here.
For our readers, please note that the tent is large and heavy in its packaged, transportable form. I highly recommend this tent for families who use a pick up truck or trailer to haul their camping gear; especially those who set up base camp. I load this onto the seven and a half foot high roof of my SUV; needless to say, it’s a work out. In fact this is my only real complaint about the tent. The tent was purchased through the 'United States’ OzTent distributor, FamilyTentCamping.com, and I have received very noteworthy, borderline phenomenal, customer service repairing two minor issues that arose (failed stitching and a broken buckle). Our new Jet Tent has served us well and we’ve now taken refuge in it for over forty nights of camping this year. I humbly say these things as the end consumer who researched and purchased this tent for his family. The retail price is over $1000, which made its purchase a difficult decision, but considering I’ve bought and thrown away nearly $500 worth of tents in recent years, I feel there is value in this product not found in lesser tents. There are few options on the market that compare.
For additional Jet Tent models and sizes visit our Jet Tent selection and watch the Jet Tent setup video
Review by Scott Brown Lifestyles in Light Photography
Jan 16, 2014
Jet Tent Bunker XL Tent Cot by OzTent
Do you like the original Jet Tent Bunker by OzTent, but need a tent cot to be a bit longer, wider or both? We have listened and delivered... Introducing the brand New Jet Tent Bunker Cot XL. It has a slightly different color to the original. The main difference is the New Jet Tent Bunker XL is 6'10" long where the original is 6'5" long. The XL is 2'9" wide and the original is 2'6" wide.
They both provide a 330 lbs weight rating, "built in" padded steel frame stretchers and no-see-um mesh screen throughout. The rain fly on the XL is made of heavy duty ripstop polyester and meets the CPI-84 fire retardant standards,the original Bunker Tent Cot is a blend of ripstop poly-cotton canvas both can easily be removed for full no-see-um insect mesh screen for star gazing on those clear nights. The New Bunker Cot XL will obviously appeal to taller people while their pack size is very much the same as the standard Bunker Cot with a difference of only inches.
Click Here for more info and pricing on the Jet Tent Bunker and Jet Tent Bunker XL
Visit our website www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Labels:
jet tent bunker,
tent cot,
XL tent cot
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)