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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes, it is true that a tent in strong wind is not the best form of lodging. But, if that is all you have or cannot get a 5th wheel into the places you
want to go, not many more options. Neal Johns always has a pop-up camper on his Tacomas, so there is a tent-like mid-section where it raises up. Those
are nice.
As for the comments by Hook: Wish I took a photo during the 60+ mph wind burst, but we were getting hit by sideways rain cuddled under the palapa at
La Perla... but the Instant tent was unbothered. If the windows weren't all open, its contents (our bedding) would have remained dry! We had just
arrived, set up the tent and bedding, then took a swim. That cloudburst arrived so fast (while we were swimming) it was a shock.
Maybe some other Coleman tents have issues in wind, but not the Instant tent? This one may benefit because of the non-rigid corners and always
attached frame on the outside of the tent? It sways and bends but returns to its Borg-cube shape. 
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Sailorv
Junior Nomad
Posts: 52
Registered: 7-11-2017
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Thank you everyone!
The last time I went camping was several years ago. But we do go cruising on our sailboat for months at a time though and there is some crossover.
Husband says we must trailer, not car top, the Tandem Island. It's just too heavy to be lugging on and off and he reminded me how noisy it was up
there (that's right, very noisy!). So it's boat trailer and a decent tent or older needs a little tlc popup trailer. Either setup will cost around the
same, $1k.
The popup provides sleeping off the ground, along with more amenities and storage. Have any of you wished to sleep off the ground? What critters
should we be aware of?
Regarding meth heads/tweakers/bad guys - if you have met your neighbor who seems normal and nice like you, would you feel okay with leaving your dog
or would you still worry of somebody going through your camp? I had no idea about this issue here in Baja. Most everything I've read online says it's
safe and no theft issues of any kind.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Here is some current thinking expressed here:
The coast region as far south as El Rosario:
Only camp in established campgrounds or with a group of other campers, never solo. The riff-raff seems to come from the agricultural areas with many
non-Baja Mexicans brought over from the mainland.
Other areas, use your best judgment. I personally like to camp well out of sight of the highway... well out of sight... where 4WD is needed to get to.
Crooks don't use 4WD to scout the desert seeking victims. They work areas near their cities and towns with easy in and easy out access to the highway.
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nbentley1
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 9-16-2016
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Conception is a must.... and a trailer is the way to go.
  
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18397
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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i only leave in tent the things i am willing to lose. i dont care if tent or sleeping bags get stolen. but i wont leave my dog alone in a campsite.
if doing activities incompatible with dog, then i leave the dog home.
closed tents get hot in full sun, and you should not leave a dog in hot tent for hours.
some types of travel the dogs should just stay home.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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chippy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1722
Registered: 2-2-2010
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Nice rig!Please tell me about the trailer.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Yes, trailer is the way to go, if you want to spend that kind of money on a camping utility trailer.
But, in the end, you are in a tent, right?
Someone mentioned one of the best reasons to go tent; you can fit it in more places than anything on wheels.
Dont forget Craigslist, when thinking about getting a tent. I am in Boise ID right now and just did a search in Outdoors using the term Tent. 79 tents
came up. There are some screaming deals in there like a large Kelty 3 season dome, a Eureka dome, MSR dome. No Marmots, unfortunately. Virtually all
under 100.00. Just inspect the floor of any used tent you are considering. That's where they fail.
The other brand I would avoid is Ozark Trails. Cheap line sold at Walmart and other sporting goods places.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Oh there are some real nasties out there. Scorpions, tarantulas, wasps, snakes, velvet ants. Even coyotes in large groups will turn on you. You'd
better be careful.
There was the night when 30 of them surrounded my campfire. The only thing that saved my life was fire. They fear it. I kept it going all night.
Safety came with the first rays of sunshine. It was a brutal night, I can tell you that.
Normally I say 50 Hail Mary's before going to bed. Seems to work. I learned that from Fredo in Godfather.
[Edited on 12-7-2017 by Skipjack Joe]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18397
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe  |
Oh there are some real nasties out there. Scorpions, tarantulas, wasps, snakes, velvet ants. Even coyotes in large groups will turn on you. You'd
better be careful.
There was the night when 30 of them surrounded my campfire. The only thing that saved my life was fire. They fear it. I kept it going all night.
Safety came with the first rays of sunshine. It was a brutal night, I can tell you that.
Normally I say 50 Hail Mary's before going to bed. Seems to work. I learned that from Fredo in Godfather.
[Edited on 12-7-2017 by Skipjack Joe] |
i worry more about the chupacabras  
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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nbentley1
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 9-16-2016
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Started life on the back of a beer mat after years of having the exact same debate that is taking place on this thread. Pull out kitchen and fridge,
platform raises with electronic actuators to give me the height for the tent annex. Based around an old landrover axle to make sure the bolt patterns
match the truck. Finished it a couple of years ago. Made a couple of trips to Conception, San Ignacio, laguna Hanson and many stops in between, so
plenty of bouncing around and so far no issues or need to make modifications. Anything specifically you are looking for?
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Sailorv
Junior Nomad
Posts: 52
Registered: 7-11-2017
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April in Concepcion or Loreto in mid March - mid April gets how hot?
I know you mean. We may have to leave her with family. She is at that age where they go quick when they get sick, so we really want to include her in
this vacation/adventure. So it's a tough decision.
| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 |
closed tents get hot in full sun, and you should not leave a dog in hot tent for hours.
some types of travel the dogs should just stay home. |
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nbentley1
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 9-16-2016
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| Quote: Originally posted by Sailorv | April in Concepcion or Loreto in mid March - mid April gets how hot?
I know you mean. We may have to leave her with family. She is at that age where they go quick when they get sick, so we really want to include her in
this vacation/adventure. So it's a tough decision.
| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 |
closed tents get hot in full sun, and you should not leave a dog in hot tent for hours.
some types of travel the dogs should just stay home. |
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We were is conception towards the end of Feb earlier in the year and the temps were probably in the low 80's during the day and dropping down at nigh
if I remember. It was very comfortable.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10580
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Make sure the tent has thick poles. I've used those cheap Coleman's and had the thin poles snap in half.
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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I would take the dog. Dog will be fine tied up with shade, food and water.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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i paid $40 for my tent and love it...
You could check out Laguna Manuela which your find by turning towards the beach at Jesus Maria a half hour before Guerrero Negro and there you can
camp in the estuary and launch your boat there and may see some whales there...just be very careful as they are protective of their babies with
strange boats around...or maybe at Magdelena Bay you can use your boat too.
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Sailorv
Junior Nomad
Posts: 52
Registered: 7-11-2017
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| Quote: Originally posted by MMc | I would take the dog. Dog will be fine tied up with shade, food and water.
[/rquote
Thanks MMc because that's what we hoped for. She is totally chill and low maintenance, people love here because of her beautiful coat and her sweet
self - people always go out of their way to pet and spend time with her - we've met great friends just because of her. We're lucky to have her and
want this adventure to be for her too. |
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Sailorv
Junior Nomad
Posts: 52
Registered: 7-11-2017
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Update!
Well after researching it, assessing our needs and limitations we went with a high top conversion van! Bit of a project van but she is now smogged and
4 new tires ready for the road. Now we just need a 16' trailer for the kayak/trimaran.
Making it for March or April is looking more difficult though. That's a bummer, but that's life sometimes.
Anyhow, thanks for everyone's suggestions,
SailorV
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John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe |
There was the night when 30 of them surrounded my campfire. The only thing that saved my life was fire. They fear it. I kept it going all night.
Safety came with the first rays of sunshine. It was a brutal night, I can tell you that.
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Sounds like you stole a scene from "Quigley Down Under."
John
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: Originally posted by Sailorv | Update!
Well after researching it, assessing our needs and limitations we went with a high top conversion van! Bit of a project van but she is now smogged and
4 new tires ready for the road. Now we just need a 16' trailer for the kayak/trimaran.
Making it for March or April is looking more difficult though. That's a bummer, but that's life sometimes.
Anyhow, thanks for everyone's suggestions,
SailorV |
Van conversions with a high top are hot items right now. Used ones are going for as much as they were new. Very versatile vehicles, though usually not
4wd. You really dont have to break down camp much to go get supplies. Just throw the collapsible chairs in. Ford chassis?
Thinking back on some of the big camping advances in my life, I would not be without the RV-style polypropylene camping mats that first surfaced in
the 90s. They are easily cleaned, very mildew resistant, thick enough to protect bare feet from the ground, pass liquids easily (a small section makes
a good shower area) and they dry very fast. They also fold up easily and store compactly, for the capabilities they have.
A 9 x 12 one, outside the entrance to your van, keeps dirt far away and is large enough to set up an outside table, a couple chairs and more. All have
either loops for stakes or grommets.
Walmart has them for cheap.
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Sailorv
Junior Nomad
Posts: 52
Registered: 7-11-2017
Member Is Offline
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Hook,
You're telling me!!! C-vans from the 80s with 200k miles asking $4-5k here in Cali. Low miles, man some 10k, crazy.
We bought a project since hubby is a mechanic and boat restorer. She is tip top now and with 4 new tires feeling confident about Baja. Yes, we will be
sleeping in the van.
Oh and Chevy, hubs had a ford chassis cargo van before, he said no way we were going ford.
However, we have a big dog so we are looking into a tent for her to put right outside next to us, and as a potty place for us. Still trying to figure
out what to do there. Your mat sounds like a good suggestion. I was thinking a nice looking roll up carpet but we will be putting practicality first.
We are still unsure about bringing her with us, she is old with long black hair (probably would clip her short for the trip).
What are temp in April like in Mulege- LP?
| Quote: Originally posted by Hook | | Quote: Originally posted by Sailorv | Update!
Well after researching it, assessing our needs and limitations we went with a high top conversion van! Bit of a project van but she is now smogged and
4 new tires ready for the road. Now we just need a 16' trailer for the kayak/trimaran.
Making it for March or April is looking more difficult though. That's a bummer, but that's life sometimes.
Anyhow, thanks for everyone's suggestions,
SailorV |
Van conversions with a high top are hot items right now. Used ones are going for as much as they were new. Very versatile vehicles, though usually not
4wd. You really dont have to break down camp much to go get supplies. Just throw the collapsible chairs in. Ford chassis?
Thinking back on some of the big camping advances in my life, I would not be without the RV-style polypropylene camping mats that first surfaced in
the 90s. They are easily cleaned, very mildew resistant, thick enough to protect bare feet from the ground, pass liquids easily (a small section makes
a good shower area) and they dry very fast. They also fold up easily and store compactly, for the capabilities they have.
A 9 x 12 one, outside the entrance to your van, keeps dirt far away and is large enough to set up an outside table, a couple chairs and more. All have
either loops for stakes or grommets.
Walmart has them for cheap.
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[Edited on 3-2-2018 by Sailorv]
[Edited on 3-2-2018 by Sailorv]
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