What Temps do you use your Flip Pac?

[LovinPSDs]

So after seeing a really clean build out on this web page... http://www.goose-gear.com/ A Flip Pac has gained my attention again. So I'll pitch it out there for everyone's feedback.

How cold do you go in your Flip Pac?

Does the fly help retain heat at all??

Have you used any supplemental heat?


I'd love to put a Flip Pac in an 8ft CCLB F350 and have room for 4 full sized adults. My wife and I are going to start spending summer vacations with her sister and husband. I think it would be a fun way to travel. Just wondering how deep into the season you guys use your Flip Pacs?

Thanks guys!

 

[Dave Bennett]

That's my rig

I've seen temps near zero. The fly helps a tiny bit but in the end it is a giant tent and that's a lot of airspace. For heat I am using the Propex Heatsource 2000 from AT and it makes a world of difference. That said, a quality sleeping bag rated at the right temperature range is priceless.

http://store.adventuretrailers.com/categories/HEATER/

 

[mtnbike28]

I camped last weekend in low 20s. I think the rain fly helps some with heat, since it was snowing, it was a no brainer to use it anyway.

As Dave said, a good sleeping bag is all you need. I have a cheap fleece liner, a $85 Campmor 15? degree bag and then cover me with a cheap Coleman sleeping bag. Wearing a beanie cap and long underwear, I was close to too warm at night.

I have the cheap Coleman Cat heater (but did not take it this trip) 1. I can not sleep with it on (afraid it will burn down the whole truck) 2. Releases so much moisture, it feels colder away from the heater.

I did cook inside the Flippac (cheap Coleman one burner backpacking stove - ummm see a trend here?) and watched the temperature rise inside 10-15 degrees as I cooked dinner and make hot drinks.

I also cover the windows with reflectix (sp?) bubble wrap stuff and place a blue backpacking mat on the side of the Flippac where I sleep when it goes below 20.

YMMV

 

[Dave Bennett]

I like the idea of using the reflectix stuff as a thermal barrier

 

[casejeep]

I camped at 10 degrees and it was pretty freaking cold. I used the Solo Rainfly but mine had 6 vents and did little. There is such a large volume of air (even with the "hammocks" fully open), your body heat won't help. Im going camping at the Grand Canyon ( lows in the 20's) this weekend and have learned for 2 very very cold nights last weekend. The problem I had was loosing heat though the mattress.

Bought two reflective window shades and Thermorest type air mattresses. The plan is to place the window shades on the standard form mattress followed by the Thermorests followed by a thin mattress form topper.

I also got a queen side sleeping bag. Ill report to let everyone know how it works.

 

[brianjwilson]

More critically (to me), who uses theirs frequently in the rain? Not the occasional shower but extended cold/damp conditions with wind etc.
I almost never see a flippac west of the cascades up here, I imagine it would be a pain to dry out or put up/tear down the rainfly in driving rain and wind.

 

[casejeep]

Well the fly completely covers the tent part of the Flipac. I think if you kept the rainfly on when the tent is up you wouldnt have a problem because the tent would never get wet.

More critically (to me), who uses theirs frequently in the rain? Not the occasional shower but extended cold/damp conditions with wind etc.
I almost never see a flippac west of the cascades up here, I imagine it would be a pain to dry out or put up/tear down the rainfly in driving rain and wind.

 

[BillTex]

My wife and I are going to start spending summer vacations with her sister and husband. I think it would be a fun way to travel. Just wondering how deep into the season you guys use your Flip Pacs?

Thanks guys!

ummm...if your plan is to go summer camping...why does temp matter?

 

[LovinPSDs]

Summer vacations are the reason to buy it... The rest of the year is a reason to use it :sombrero:

I'm torn between a flippac build or a pop-up camper. I have a feeling the wife will really want a shower when it comes down to it. I really like Dave's build out though. Looks great.

 

[BillTex]

I am always amazed at what some Folks will go through to avoid a camper. You've got a 1 ton. Put a camper on it and be happy. Happy Wife too...

 

[casejeep]

A Flipac is just another form of tent camping. You poop in the woods and its cold at night. Think of it as glorified sleeping in the bed of your truck.

Summer vacations are the reason to buy it... The rest of the year is a reason to use it :sombrero:

I'm torn between a flippac build or a pop-up camper. I have a feeling the wife will really want a shower when it comes down to it. I really like Dave's build out though. Looks great.

 

[Camelfilter]

A Flipac is just another form of tent camping. You poop in the woods and its cold at night. Think of it as glorified sleeping in the bed of your truck.

Kind-of. I'm getting old & like my comforts...

Super sturdy even in gail force winds. Been in those conditions now 3 times in the FP, where it would have likely flattened my previous ground tents and made for very bad nights.

I don't poop in the woods anymore. Plenty of room for facilities, either a cassette toilet or a bin/wag bag setup (my current waste system). I'm considering switching over to a cassette as they are about the same size, with a slightly smaller consumables cost-the plus side being multi-use vs single use.

I also bring along a catalytic heater, the one I use is a "big buddy" the one with 2 elements & can use 2 1lb propane canisters or my 5lb. I've only used the high setting a couple times, and in those instances for only a few minutes before turning it down to medium or even low. Plenty warm for me--but I do not sleep with it on. I have a smoke detector & 2 CO detectors, the heater has never set off either (catalytics supposedly may become contaminated over time with dust & such). It has an automatic low O2 shutoff as well.

I have set off one CO detector once while making coffee with a jetboil, so as in any confined space vent accordingly esp while cooking/heating.

Shower? Sure. I've a Coleman hot water on demand, haven't used it camping yet, but it'll be perfect for when I do. Sure it'll be outdoors, but I have a few options for privacy. I think there are/were a couple folks here who setup there FP for an indoor shower.

There are a lot if things to consider between an FP and a pop up or regular slide-in. For me and my use it'd be between an FP and a popup only, with the FP currently being perfect for my needs.

The bonus is the slightly lower profile as my truck is my daily driver & I just found 2 parking spots at my garage at work where I'll fit (with my smaller snow tires on). With a pop-up, I'm not 100% sure, but find it unlikely I'd fit as I only have ~1.5"clearance. Will save me the hassle of moving my truck several times per shift during snow storms for plowing operations, or worst case scenario, giving my keys to security for them to move it if in busy.

 

[BillTex]

Kind-of. I'm getting old & like my comforts...

Super sturdy even in gail force winds. Been in those conditions now 3 times in the FP, where it would have likely flattened my previous ground tents and made for very bad nights.

I don't poop in the woods anymore. Plenty of room for facilities, either a cassette toilet or a bin/wag bag setup (my current waste system). I'm considering switching over to a cassette as they are about the same size, with a slightly smaller consumables cost-the plus side being multi-use vs single use.

I also bring along a catalytic heater, the one I use is a "big buddy" the one with 2 elements & can use 2 1lb propane canisters or my 5lb. I've only used the high setting a couple times, and in those instances for only a few minutes before turning it down to medium or even low. Plenty warm for me--but I do not sleep with it on. I have a smoke detector & 2 CO detectors, the heater has never set off either (catalytics supposedly may become contaminated over time with dust & such). It has an automatic low O2 shutoff as well.

I have set off one CO detector once while making coffee with a jetboil, so as in any confined space vent accordingly esp while cooking/heating.

Shower? Sure. I've a Coleman hot water on demand, haven't used it camping yet, but it'll be perfect for when I do. Sure it'll be outdoors, but I have a few options for privacy. I think there are/were a couple folks here who setup there FP for an indoor shower.

There are a lot if things to consider between an FP and a pop up or regular slide-in. For me and my use it'd be between an FP and a popup only, with the FP currently being perfect for my needs.

The bonus is the slightly lower profile as my truck is my daily driver & I just found 2 parking spots at my garage at work where I'll fit (with my smaller snow tires on). With a pop-up, I'm not 100% sure, but find it unlikely I'd fit as I only have ~1.5"clearance. Will save me the hassle of moving my truck several times per shift during snow storms for plowing operations, or worst case scenario, giving my keys to security for them to move it if in busy.

We just open the door and walk in; fridge, beds, stove, bath, shower, heat, lights...you get the idea. When we get home we just put the jacks down and drive off. The camper is still ready to go for the next trip. In 20 minutes, we can load up and hit the road again.
Like I said, it amazes me what some Folks will go through to avoid a camper.
Sleeping in a cold/damp tent on top of the roof? No thanks...

 

[Clutch]

We just open the door and walk in; fridge, beds, stove, bath, shower, heat, lights...you get the idea. When we get home we just put the jacks down and drive off. The camper is still ready to go for the next trip. In 20 minutes, we can load up and hit the road again.
Like I said, it amazes me what some Folks will go through to avoid a camper.
Sleeping in a cold/damp tent on top of the roof? No thanks...

Or....it is for people who are tired of putting up a tent, but still like tent camping. My better half preferred our Wildernest over a Four Wheel Camper, said it felt more open and like a tree house. Made her feel like a kid again.

We stayed pretty toasty in it during the cold months...I don't trust propane heat in the camper, so I went with a Honda generator and a 1500w 5100 BTU electric heater. Some reflective foil bubble insulation under the mattress and a waxed canvas tarp over the tent, kept it amazingly warm. We had a VW Westfalia as well, so kind of on the same style of camping, we like that.

 

[Camelfilter]

Or....it is for people who are tired of putting up a tent, but still like tent camping. My better half preferred our Wildernest over a Four Wheel Camper, said it felt more open and like a tree house. Made her feel like a kid again.

We stayed pretty toasty in it during the cold months...I don't trust propane heat in the camper, so I went with a Honda generator and a 1500w 5100 BTU electric heater. Some reflective foil bubble insulation under the mattress and a waxed canvas tarp over the tent, kept it amazingly warm. We had a VW Westfalia as well, so kind of on the same style of camping, we like that.

Good thinking on the generator/electric heater combo. A couple on the Dirt Roads Across Maine trip had that setup & seemed pretty comfy/happy with it.

If I recall correctly I think they had 6 hours run time on there gen (could be wrong on that). It was pretty quiet too & I actually liked the hum of it as it helped me sleep. I'd figure one of those newer generators with a remote control would be even handier at extending the usage times/comfort.

I'll have to do a test on my portable Honda knock-off (Kipor 2000sinewave) on a trip sometime to get a good feel for its capabilities.

I bought it for extended home power outages for a song, plus my upstairs neighbors are older & I'd hate for them to be cold/too hot etc in the midst of a storm/heat wave.