Time to Setup Completely

[cyclone]

I have no idea how long it takes us - but backing in is probably the worst of it.  The rest depends on how much we decide to set up.  We have a camp kitchen thing that is big and heavy and we don't set it up on shorter trips.  We also have an EZ up; this also does not get used on all trips.  Leveling is quick with the Bal and the actual setting up of the camper doesn't take long.  And, the awning is now quick and easy since we switched it to a Carefree.  

As far as breaking camp - well the time is proportionate to the amount of equipment set up to begin with.  We do take longer than some folks do, since we clean it completely before leaving.  We don't pop up after getting home unless we had to take it down with wet canvas.  I'd rather spend an extra 20 minutes (or whatever) cleaning it out at the cg than deal with popping up later.

[JimS]

Well, after cranking up the popup, deploy the awning, assemble the solar panel brackets and set up the panel, get all the food in the correct places, set up the kid's area and sleeping quarters, get the kayaks off the top of the truck (unlock the locking cables, undo the straps and tie-downs and stow) assemble the paddles and mount / stow the safety gear, get the mountain bikes ready, get the fly-fishing gear ready and the rods assembled,  set up the shelter over the table, collect firewood, fill the 35 gal water tank using jugs and a hand pump, light the fridge and hot water heater, set up the sink drain, fuel and pressurize the lantern, string a cloths line, pay the camp fee and make sure, since this is bear country (Griz) that anything that might attract a bear is properly stowed and locked away and emergency / safety items are easily at hand but not obvious to those who would have issues.
A two - three week dry camping trip takes a lot of "do'ins".  For my last trip, four days in Death Valley, all was done in about an hour.

[oreo57]

Hey, Jim, I Thought you liked to boondocking ?? That site in your picture looks more like dry camping but is a very nice site....where was that campground?

[dthurk]

It can be wildly variable for us with our TT.  If it's raining out and after dark, it's about as long as it takes to back it in, maybe 2 minutes.  We'll leave it hitched, no stabs, no chocks.  It also depends on how ambitious we feel.  If we're lazy, setup can take us days.  We usually work at it rather consistently, but don't get worried about time.  If we get tired we sit for a bit and don't worry about it.

[3ontheGo]

The longer the trip, the longer the setup and tear-down. Our last beach trip included bikes, boogie boards, wetsuits, beach toys, etc. That adds to it. Not to mention getting sand out of and off of everything.

If it's gonna be a long tear-down/pack-up, I make lunches while I'm making breakfast and stick them in the cooler in the TV. That way, once we're all torn down and hitched up, we can just hit the road and make good time.

[JimS]

Hey, Jim, I Thought you liked to boondocking ?? That site in your picture looks more like dry camping but is a very nice site....where was that campground?

The campground is the Kintla Lake campground in Glacier NP.  It is at the end of many miles of a single track dirt road, that can be rather rough and very narrow in places.  The only conveniences are a hand pump and a couple of pit toilets.  I do boondock in Death Valley and in the So. Cal desert and occasionally in other places as the mood and time allows.
Here's a view of the lake that my wife took a fews years ago.  (I was out fishing and didn't have the camera.  Sure glad she did!)

[JimS]

Also, here's a view of the campgorund from my site toward the lake.  I like to stay back form the lake because the storms off the lake can bring violent winds.  I've seen large trees come down.  The RV in the far right had the rear caved from a falling tree some years ago.

[dkradcliffe]

It takes us probably 30-45 minutes to completely set up.  Depends if I help my wife on the inside or not.  We get it popped up in minutes.  Its kind of a battle drill for us!  There are ARTEP standards to be met by god!

That includes beds made, kitchen set up, chairs out and general organization that didnt happen before the trip.  I will say that my wife usually puts in several hours at home in prep for a trip though.  I think that is what makes the difference.  She has everything organized in the camper before we leave.  Usually only a handful of things are thrown in the van at the last minute.

Take down is a little longer - the motivation jsut isnt the same.  Plus we try to get it set so that we dont have to pop back up when we get home.  Dirty laundry is in the van, awnign is wiped clean etc.  It may take an hour or more to get packed up - depending if I am "supervising the kids" or actually helping!

[BirdMan]

Mike, it took me 45min to minimally setup last Friday night in the dark.  Though the next morning it took me 3-1/2 hours round trip and $90 to go to the closest grocery store and buy all the groceries I left at home.  Because I always look at the bright side of things this gave me an opportunity to spend time with myself to reflect without DW for a nice peaceful ride back to camp... of course with the 12pack of Corona I bought at the store.  Once I got off the pavement on the way back I drank three of them during the next hour of 4-wheeling back to camp.

[JAL&JKL]

When we had the pup I always cleaned as I packed away. Did not want to have to pop up again when we arrived home. But believe me, the older (58 & 62 yrs.) you get, the longer it takes. The hybrid is easier, can leave a few more details until we get home.

[magnmike]

Most everyone is making me feel normal (with the exception of Cajun Camper)!  We too have a lot of extras that help contribute to time.  Removing bikes from rack on top, priming potty, setting up potty tent, making beds, etc.  All with a 9 and 3 year old running around.

We too clean as we break camp so camper is ready to go next go round.
I like the ideas of making sandwiches on take down day.  I'm always starved by the time we are pulling out of camp.

[CajunCamper]

Most everyone is making me feel normal (with the exception of Cajun Camper)!  We too have a lot of extras that help contribute to time.  Removing bikes from rack on top, priming potty, setting up potty tent, making beds, etc.  All with a 9 and 3 year old running around.

We too clean as we break camp so camper is ready to go next go round.
I like the ideas of making sandwiches on take down day.  I'm always starved by the time we are pulling out of camp.

magnmike, didn't mean to make you feel abnormal, I started camping when I was 3 years old 44 years ago with my family and it has been a passion of mine all those years. I remember lugging around the heavy canvas cabin tent with all the poles. The tent always stunk and leaked everytime it sprinkled. Over the years we have loaded the house into a trailer and took it all with us to a campground, once I got married and had my own kids we tent camped with much more modern and lighter equipment, and learned to carry the minimum while on 5 day backpacking trips. When we bought our pop up 10 years ago, the boys were young and we once again loaded down with everything you can imagine. With each trip we learned to leave more and more things at home until now where we bring only the things we really need to have a good time. We just don't like all the clutter that all the un-necessary stuff adds to our campsite. The bonus is that it doesn't take long to pack, set up and tear down. Our kids started camping at an early age and learned how to pack and set up a campsite like the rest of us. They both had their duties so that when setting up our tent or pop up and campsite they were participating in the set up.


CajunCamper

[CajunCamper]

Oh by the way magnmike, my oldest son was a wrestler in high school and his high school used to wrestle the high school team from Hoover Alabama and they were outstanding.

CajunCamper

[flyfisherman]

Most everyone is making me feel normal (with the exception of Cajun Camper)!  We too have a lot of extras that help contribute to time.  Removing bikes from rack on top, priming potty, setting up potty tent, making beds, etc.  All with a 9 and 3 year old running around.

We too clean as we break camp so camper is ready to go next go round.
I like the ideas of making sandwiches on take down day.  I'm always starved by the time we are pulling out of camp.

And in my case I also have the bikes, plus the canoe which usually rides the top of the  PU ... all take time to load and unload ... but having them along are worth the extra time. Also, the cast iron dutch oven ... heavy, takes extra space to store and extra time to clean; however, great biscuits for breakfast and dump cake for fireside desserts ... well worth the extra time of cleaning and packing backup again. Same for my hammock ~ extra to carry and stow away, but great for afternoon napping in the shade!

Time to time I'll take the canoe, fishing gear, a frying pan, a couple of potatoes, an onion and the dome tent for an overnight downriver fishing trip and travel as light as anyone. But the popup camper has a certain sense of camping luxury to it, if no more than being off the ground and the ability to tote extra "stuff".



Fly

[magnmike]

magnmike, didn't mean to make you feel abnormal,


CajunCamper

Just giving you a hard time.  Your timeframe did take me by surprise though.  My wife would think that is a world's record.  Glad to know you know something about Hoover other than the football program on MTV!