Side Tent Side Tent On Concrete Solution

hiadventurer

hiadventurer

Junior Ranger
We have had several occasions where we camped on a concrete pad and would have liked to use our CI side tent. I didn't like the idea of using sand bags. My solution was to use a rubber stall mat. I used a 1/2 inch thick rubber stall mat that measured 3 x 5 feet and cut in two sections each 21.5 x 36 inches. Combined they weigh 25 pounds and lay nicely inside of side tent and keep it very stable on concrete. It has not been wind tested but our first outing with it went well. They both stack nicely in the back of our Outback and take very little room.
 

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So I looked into hiadventurer's solution using a rubber mat. I found 3/4 inch thick rubber
flooring. Cut to the size of the side tent floor (42x36), I figure each mat will be around 40 pounds, which I think should hold the side tent in place even in gusty winds.
 
There was another post here long ago where someone cut 2 pieces of plywood for a floor and gave the dimensions. I did that and have used it for years now. Works anywhere and I never use stakes anymore. The plywood boards are shoved under the mattress when we pack up. I put on a couple coats of varnish to preserve them.
 
We have a pvc frame built from someone's post on the forum. Works great when we have to use it on concrete. I usually carry it just in case the grounds too to drive a tent stake or peg into. We carry in an old bag from a camp chair that bit the dust.
 
hiadventurer said:
We have had several occasions where we camped on a concrete pad and would have liked to use our CI side tent. I didn't like the idea of using sand bags. My solution was to use a rubber stall mat. I used a 1/2 inch thick rubber stall mat that measured 3 x 5 feet and cut in two sections each 21.5 x 36 inches. Combined they weigh 25 pounds and lay nicely inside of side tent and keep it very stable on concrete. It has not been wind tested but our first outing with it went well. They both stack nicely in the back of our Outback and take very little room.
Click to expand...
Hi, can you shower in the side tent and if so where’s the water go, do you just try to sweep it out or are there drain holes? Thanks
 
There are no drain holes. We don't shower there. Don't think it was designed for that purpose. I think there are units designed for that purpose. Know PaHa Que used to make one,

Paha Que' Tepee Shower Tent - Aluminum | REI Co-op

not sure if it's still made.

We do shower while boondocking and use a Road Shower,

Road Shower - The Rack Mounted Solar Shower - Road Shower 4
gclid=CjwKCAjwuqfoBRAEEiwAZErCsuXS-1ErGvF2oIRB54XEqSzFI5u7MLOKrZdqtaaidfHcVk2AYZ3YnxoC9B0QAvD_BwE

and hook up a small 12v dc, pump to it to pressurize it.
 
Thank you , I agree the side tent is not designed for showering purpose but my needs are such that I will probably modify the interior such that 1) the floor and interior sides will not get very wet and 2) the minimal water and bio-degradable earth friendly soap I use will be contained so that I can remove the left over runoff water any where I choose to drain it. This would keep the tent clean and dry and pack dry and keep the immediate ground dry unless/and when it does rain. I plan on using facilities when/where available but I was thinking of my boon docking locations. To keep the side tend interior dry, right off the top of my head I’m thinking of a interior plumbing “shower pan” which is basically like a big square bag that is laid down before the cement and tile when bathroom showers are being constructed. I’ll have to get back with what I decide on. I like the Road shower as well and I already have the roof rack installed and in use for my Batwing Awning. Will have to decide on simple bucket and pump sprayer method or road shower. Being in a wheelchair, the side tent will have to be a multi-purpose room and doing so would be less for me to haul, setup and takedown and pack. Thank you for your great suggestions and links.
 
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Have you thought about one of those light speed privacy shelters?
Mine has a mesh floor that can be up/down, and can definitely double as a dedicated shower/loo.

If you can manage a large flexible solar panel, I'd imagine you can mange one of those popup tents. :)
 
TroutBum said:
Have you thought about one of those light speed privacy shelters?
Mine has a mesh floor that can be up/down, and can definitely double as a dedicated shower/loo.

If you can manage a large flexible solar panel, I'd imagine you can mange one of those popup tents. :)
Click to expand...
Yea and not the best pics demonstrating the size of that panel, I did not look happy but I was, I was worn out! I do like the pop up and it be my first choice, but since I have the side tent, I’d want to make use of it and not have an additional piece of gear to put up and stake down then pack up. My issue is it’s difficult to dress in my chair to exit the pop up, and i don’t want much distance from shower location and the camper. Don’t want a towel or robe to blow in the wind, yikes!!!. (Pop up will probably will be the immediate solution though)
 
RollingRob said:
Hi, can you shower in the side tent and if so where’s the water go, do you just try to sweep it out or are there drain holes? Thanks
Click to expand...

i have a separate tent for showering (but have yet to use it).

my thought is that one could easily turn the side tent into a shower. One solution is to create a square tub out of waterproof fabric that has sides and a drawstring. Put in ties to hold the sides up while showering once done, exit the tent, pull the drawstring and drag what is now a water bag outside.

another solution is to put holes, eg with grommets and heat-sealed edges, in the bottom of the side tent floor, probably close to the sides and/or door. To control where the water goes on the outside you could use a piece of plastic or waterproof fabric underneath the floor, propped up on the edges you don’t want the water going and extending out and away on the side you do want to direct water to. Once Most of the water has flowed away, just remove that fabric. Or, fold it up underneath the side tent to act as a waterproof ground cloth to limit water coming back up through the floor.

A fancy twist on solution two would be to install those self sealing waterproof zippers into the floor, instead of grommet holes. Then you’d unzip the slots while showering and zip back up when done.

very interested to know what solutions turn out to work best for you. Happy camping!
 
We use 2-gallon collapsing totes which I am 99.44% sure were intended to be used to transport coffee (brewed) in cardboard boxes.

These work incredibly well, weighing about 15 pounds each when filled they hold the tent corners down very nicely.

They also collapse flat and take up nearly any space, we just carry them in the sink when traveling.

The first place I found them was here. One of my youtube providers found and recommended it for drinking water. But even for that, the price seemed crazy expensive.

My wife one-upped me. She found these --- a lot better deal at twice the price for what looks like gromets.

Here's the best part, they work great as weights...but they also make re-filling the tanks easy!!! The caps fit into the gravity feed hole, a quick lift of the back end so the water pours in. 2 gallons go in as quickly as a beer bong from our more youthful days :) Not an exaggeration --- 2 gallons go in in just a few seconds without losing much water to spillage...maybe a cup or two? Less when I'm not showing off.

We use the 2 1/2 gallon bags, and they work perfectly well for both weight and for water tank fills. $30 for a set. We've used ours for 2 seasons now, and I'm going to replace them just because they are yellowing and starting to look a little gross -- no leaks yet. $15 a year for a solution this good is a deal!
 
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