💙Subscribe - ruclips.net/user/ireneironfitness 💻 Website - ireneironfitness.com 💵 Store - www.amazon.com/shop/ireneironfitness 👫 ABOUT US➡ Hello! We are Aaron and Chris, a fulltime RV couple that lives and works in our Airstream Interstate Sprinter Van. We run an online fitness and nutrition coaching business (Irene Iron Fitness) while traveling all around the country. Follow along the journey with us! 🚐Read our Story: ireneironfitness.com/quitting-our-jobs-traveling-the-country/ 💪Shop Online Coaching Packages: ireneironfitness.com/online-fitness-and-nutrition-coaching-packages/ 🍎Browse IIF Healthy Recipes: ireneironfitness.com/healthyrecipes/ 🚌Airstream Ambassadors: www.airstream.com/blog/aaron-and-christine/ 💎IIF AFFILIATES: These are programs and products we use, love, and recommend! 👉Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/ireneironfitness 👉Rad Power Bikes bit.ly/3lbsaGM 👉Battle Born Batteries battlebornbatteries.com?afmc=2n 👉Undersun Resistance Bands: bit.ly/2RiP41C 💰 "IreneIron" for 10% off all kits, bundles,etc 👉Lebert Fitness: lebertfitness.com/?ref=IreneIronFitness 👉Thousand Trails: mbsy.co/DLw8W 💰 Save $100 👉Harvest Hosts: harvesthosts.refr.cc/ireneiron 💰 Save 15% "HHFRIENDS15" 👉MontKush:www.montkush.com/shop/ 💰 Use discount code "IreneIron" for 30% off 💎SOCIAL MEDIA 🎥RUclips (Subscribe!): ruclips.net/user/ireneironfitness 💻Website: ireneironfitness.com 📸Instagram: instagram.com/ireneironfitness/ 💙Facebook: facebook.com/ireneironfitness/ 🍁Pinterest: pin.it/cdyalputqukcq4
I, like most here, would never do this. But,,, I’m 66 and love my Big Ass Class A with all the creature comforts. But you go! I so enjoy watching your adventures!
Lol. You have almost the same exact set I have on my ecodiesl lgladiator. Same rack, same stove, Yakima tent , but same style. I added memery foem to ours. I did switch the bolts to black that are round and use a torques bit. I purchased the sawtooth tonnue cover because it's stretchable which allows me to put more in it. My little gladiator bed doesn't have a lot off space, but fits down trails better. And I added power , USB and arb plug in the bed of it. So far so good. We added the arb awning with the bug net. That thing is a life saver from the bugs and sun
Nice! Sounds like a sweet set up you have. Definitely need some reprieve from the bugs! Love the gladiators..... but a tad too small for us for fulltime rving.
Fiji water for coffee water man y’all living large! I have the same blackstone and folding table love them, the griddle cooks so fast and easy to clean..Having That tent off the ground is a game changer .
Not sure if mentioned b4 but colored lights are ideal bc red lights do not attract the bugs. I live in north FL and night-afternoon bugs in spring summer and fall are the worst.. watch out for yellow flies. They feel like someone burned you with a cigarette.. use spray with Permethrin for ticks and flies
Awesome. I'm considering the f350 6.7 crew with 6.5' bed too, which is how i found your channel as im researching. Your channel is pretty cool and really enjoy the few vids I've watched so far. Carry on and I'll be subscribing.
Don't they make a slide in truck camper that doesn't cover the cab? I know several parks that don't allow soft sided tents due to wildlife. I would want to be able to go to any park without limitations.
Hi i'm a bit late but are the fans provide white noise ? What about shower black bags to slide between the top of the bed and the tent ? It would be useful for quick outside showers and to clean the dish. Enjoy 😉
Hello Pivoine! The fans are pretty quiet on low, but do provide a bit of white noise on med or higher. We do need to figure out a shower method for sure...thanks for the idea!
Maybe a screen tent shelter to cook in before residing to the tent? No bugs and is very inexpensive. You would have to find a little space to store, it but worth it.
Watching you set up your camp for the evening really reminded me of why I hated camping out of the back of my Jeep using an RTT. Just the amount of setup and takedown every day (assuming you moving around) was so exhausting for me and was the sole reason why I purchased a class B RV last year. The one sole good thing for this kind of setup, though is your ability to go offroad where an RV cannot. If I ever pitch a tent again, it'll be way too soon!
This is going to be better than any reality tv. Just think of the experiences to come-rain (and packing up in the rain), wind (especially those sneaky night time storms) and more! Going to be exciting stuff. You’re braver than I am, that’s for sure! Can’t wait for the next episode!
Very cool set up. Going everywhere, any where you want. Tenting is way less hassle than dragging a bulky, fuel consuming RV, we have been camping in our rooftop tent since 2017, awesome piece of kit, when you are not lazy. Have fun
I have a Blackstone 17 in same as you. I purchased a 5LB lp bottle which holds the same amount five of the green bottles. You can have refilled at any LP dealer it fills like like 20LB. It is very light and easy to transport.
Oh, that's a great tip. I totally didn't think about those smaller lp containers. 20lb is too big for us right now, but maybe that 5lb would be perfect.
I've done it all, from Tent to RV, from Alaska to Africa. Ultimately the issues with the bugs and weather, overshadow any benefits of a tent. Nice to be young and adventurous. You will have something to tell your grandchildren about. Best of luck!
Try a Thermacel for the bugs....just wait until you get your new RV it will feel like this all over again. We were told a month ago it would be 5 to 6 months waiting for a rack for our jeep rubicon and just as long or longer for a tent...we aren't ready yet for one any longer since our travel plans were interupted by a tragic unexpected death in our family.
An "Instant-Up" screen room is great for those buggy areas. Takes just a couple of minutes. $150-$25O super light but does take up a little space. They also provide a sense of security if you want to leave your kitchen / table & chairs setup while your hiking around. Light rain and dew protection. With thin side covers you have privacy for potty or shower too. We love ours, just make sure the walls are straight up enough to give you the space you need to move. Have fun!!
We purchased an Airstream in 2020. Before that we did the tent camp/backcountry. I love the comforts of the Airstream but have recently decided to take our tent and if there is a backcountry site that is available I want to go sleep in the tent sometimes. I miss the sounds of nature at night! Can't wait to watch your adventures!
@@IreneIronTravels Thank you for sharing your new experience with us. it feels like you two are really roughing it now compared to when you had the Class B. Look forward to your next videos.
beautiful area. Definitely a big change for you guys, but it's temporary, and I hope that you just enjoy this different type of camping in the meantime. Think of ALL the experience you will have! Awesome.
Reading thru comments I saw discussion on Chris solving bathroom situation. Try the Go Girl. I did a review on it, but not sure how you would use it when you can’t stand up in the tent. Maybe practice on your knees in a safe, forgiving area. Whatever you do, push the apparatus you choose towards you and don’t squeeze it at all....unless you want a mess🤪. Oh also have a big bottle to urinate in and DON’T close the air flow off when you put the end into the bottle neck . Hope this helps quicken the learning process and makes for a much more enjoyable pee-time!
It's temporary but you are living in a tent compared to the airstream. It's really night and day- very different. I would never like this but glad you are good with it. Happy travels
Congrats on your first night with your Tent and new setup. Not sure if you know this but there are clothing lines that repel bugs and are quite comfortable to boot. We have shirts, pants and hats from LLBean that do the trick.
You guys are nuts! At least those bug bites will be attractive bug bites. Yep, a Quick-set Clam room would be a good idea if you have room in the truck bed. Looking forward to the Smokies and the summer. Best wishes.
Hey, you tried it ! Why not? I'm still lusting after one of those 25' Globetrotters though. Ordered a Cybertruck in 2019 and I'm guessing around late '23 for delivery. The 200kwh battery pack will come in handy when camping in a NF or NP for extended periods :-) The optional rear hatch on the Globetrotter sealed the deal. Overall length should still be ok for smaller State and Fed campgrounds. Sounds like you two had a pretty awesome time overall....Bullfrogs to sleep by...you BTDT ! True camping ;-) Enjoy more adventures!
Good evening Chris and Aaron!! Woo hoo! Many congrats scoring your 1st tent night!! Aaron....congrats on a great electrical system install! Chris......a superb idea to pre prep your foods! That made for a quick transition from arrival to eating. Yes...can definitely see many tent life videos coming up; going to the bathroom, shower/shaving, life during rain storms, putting camp up or taking it down in rain, etc. Those fans look awesome! I'm betting those may be great in our trailers too! And...the light rope seemed to be great too. May want to incorporate that into the trailer bedroom too. I am really happy you had a good Georgia tent night!! I've trained there in the army for months and months. I can't recall 1 night being quite as good of a night that you two had. Yes...there is a bathing spot in the Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park; take a dip in the Fontana Lake. And, while there, you can walk across the dam and take a journey on the Appalachian Trail. So, I'm in Orange County CA for a few days currently. I did go test ride a Juiced E-bike on Friday. Today, I test drove several Rad ebikes such as what you had. All in all, I think the Juiced is closer to what would work for us in the CO mountains. But, the Rad really only differs by having a smaller battery amp hours. Rad's are $1000 cheaper per bike. I'll look forward talking to you two about your bikes and inquiring if you feel you need more range. I'd think we would get a bike for myself and wife and then see how the range works out for us. However, maybe 1 extra battery between the 2 of us could be a satisfactory solution. A Rad bike + an extra battery is still cheaper than a Juiced. Definitely stuff to think about. My wife gets sore wrists easily; especially if any weight is supported by her hands. So, my test riding of the various models was indecisive enough that I'd like to bring her on a future CA trip and we go down to San Diego store front to let her test ride a Rad too. For me, the Rover would work. I think it would work for her too. But, the city model could also work, I think. Safe travels!!
Oh, the young and flexibility. Leaving a great Airstream Van for 3-4 months and doing this is pretty cool. I thought you had gone wacko, but get the deal with the travel trailer and being able to really go off grid with the "truckster" and the tent from time to time, etc. Good for you guys. Awesome actually. I have a friend who wanted to really go off grid with his Malbec, they are loving every moment of it. Enjoy and safe travels.
We do. We had a pretty good habit of always locking the van at night and if we left. Even in campgrounds or in the middle of nowhere. We have all our stuff in there and we're always in new places that we just don't know the neighborhoods.
I am loving your new setup. I am sure many people are going to learn from & copy it. If you haven’t tried the green bottle of Johnson’s baby creamy oil, aloe & vitamin e. It works amazing against mosquitoes. I have found it mainly at Walmart & I am sure Amazon’s sells it. It has a nice neutral sent. Mosquitoes love me, so I always have this with me in the summer.
Glad your first night was a success and rain free. We’re anxious to see where you guys are staying in GSMNP. Cades Cove is really cool with all the history of the people who use to lived there, but our favorite will always be Elkmont. I’m hesitant to even mention this special campground since it’s nearly impossible to get reservations as it is. But having a river front site there in my mind is truly camping nirvana. Something extra special there are the synchronized fire flies that only happen about two weeks out of the year in late May early June. So special you literally need to win a lottery to get a ticket. Look it up.
Seems like the tent will be ok for the short term while waiting for your trailer. I keep wondering why you didn’t keep the van until the trailer was ready. I couldn’t physically do the tent, nor would I enjoy it. I have done them all from tent to class C, pull trailers, pop ups. No A’s. Have my class B right now and love it. But everyone needs what meets their needs. I can see you guys popping champagne first night in the trailer, after the tent experience. Maybe dancing outside even if it’s raining lol. It will feel like you are moving into a palace. So are you out of the apartment now?
Yes, it would have definitely been easier to just keep the van, but it sold a lot quicker than expected. We're ready for a new adventure so it will all work out! And yes looking forward to the new RV and there could be a dance out two! We are on night 10 in the tent with a couple nights at a friend's house. We'll be visiting family in WI and MN so we'll split time at house and in the tent, but then we'll be heading west and doing more boondocking.
You guys are KILLING me. I cannot imagine what you were thinking about with this truck camper. ESPECIALLY in the HOT & HUMID summer. Should have stayed in the nice cool Condo until you new rig arrived! Good luck. I live in Knoxville and wondering if I may pass you on the road somewhere!! Fingers crossed the time for delivery of the nice new "House" pass quickly. There is not a chance in hell I would consider what you are doing. But thats the difference between my 70 year old self and you young whipper-snappers !! Ha Ha
Uhhhhhggggggg, humid weather and fans at night. I always hated that you were hot, but with the humidity and fans your body thinks you are cold. Not sure how you guys can do it!! I love traveling and the outdoors, but I like to be comfortable at night!!
It is a tough change for sure! Overnights have been in the 60's so far, but when it stays in the high 70's and 80's we're gonna be in trouble for sure!
@@IreneIronTravels yeah just got mine and it's been great. I overland with a bunch of guys and they all have switched to hardshells. The covers get so tedious!
I'm too old for the van life, I just purchased a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area. I lived in my van for eight months which is OK but I'm more happy in a traditional home. I'll keep my camper van for a weekend or a week at a time camping.
Ah yes. The TITO Stick 👍 what if I gave you a pee container? Hmmm.🤪. Also get a colored LED strip for inside that you can set to red or amber. It won't attract the bugs.
🤣 Maybe we'll stick a couple Titofied stickers on those blue jugs! 💙 The led strip came with the tent, but I noticed the same brand/style in Amazon with bi color amber. Might have to switch, cause the bugz are real! 🐛
Best wishes on your new adventure. Not something I would do, but I’m not as young as you either. I loved the way you rolled in the van, and I hope to do some similar traveling in the near future.
I’m happy to see you guys finally use the tent. Something I learned somewhere RUclips, a suggestion is to buy the 5 pound propane canister then you can get it refilled for the same price as the little green one.
We love the frogs and have them around our lakehouse. Mosquitos are no fun though. Try Johnson's Baby Creamy Oil for mosquito protection. I grew up in southern Georgia on the coast. It, honestly, works better than anything else I've ever tried. Love the rooftop tent, but that trailer will be great!
Curious, when you took the cover off and unfolded the tent it looked to me like the cover got caught in the hinge area of the tent floor... or, is the cover attached at that point and you can't remove it completely????
Yeah the cover is attached to the bottom of the floor and only zips on 3 sides. It can get in the way a bit sometimes but there is room for it to unfold.
@@IreneIronTravels Thanks for the info and quick reply! Yep tenting is an adventure for sure! You will do fine especially with your positivity and abilities to adjust on the fly. Keep smiling and don't sweat the small stuff. Keep in mind also that its all small stuff!
Call Battleborn, and confirm what I'm saying, but you shouldn't have your battery on its side, there's liquids inside the battery that could spill out.
Hey there, thanks for the comment. These batteries are good to be mounted in any position. Really helps with unique setups like ours. ruclips.net/video/2hie8L04v7E/видео.html Thanks for watching!
Yes, definitely looking forward to heading west in a month or two and finding some remote boondocking the van just couldn't go. We really did have that van setup up good for about a week, but we're also looking forward to the new ORV trailer for longer and more comfortable stays. Then take the truck tent out further for a night or two.
@@IreneIronTravelsNice, its just that you did have a very sweet van. Stay safe and happy travels.. FYI I normally don't comment but have been following the two of you from the beginning of your travels.
Thanks, appreciate you following since the beginning. Truthfully....we loved that van..... it was so comfortable and easy to travel the country, but the small space just got to us a bit after 2.5 years. It's such a tiny living for 2 people full time. The only thing I would change is 4x4, more ground clearance, and more solar. I could see is going back to a van one day!
omg I was so wanting to tell you the cover is caught in the joint lol ...think about ppl in hospital beds that use urinals....it can be done, male and female alike...yall did good.. love the way you keep it real.
Your first experience in the tent looked perfect, with perfect weather. What are you going to do when it rains? Do you have like a clam shell or something? I’d suggest your first purchase on the road is an extension cord for the coffee maker, and a tarp or some way to keep the rain out when you need to plug something into your renergy. 😀
Yeah I hear ya, it's a good size for sleeping 55" x 92" , but not much else!! We haven't used the Clam yet because we are moving every day.....but that will be some nice extra space.
Beautiful location! Congratulations on your first night in tent! Welcome to the South were the frogs serenade you to sleep at night! I keep a can of Off Bug Spray in the door pocket of our vehicle and do a quick spray as soon as my feet touch the ground...it helps! I would careful about using any blue lights outside/around your tent. Bugs love blue lights (think about bug-zappers, they usually use blue light to attract the bugs).
We each have a blue jug, but Chris also uses a device called a "go girl". If you Google that you can see what that is. We are trying to cut off liquid intake at night so we don't have to go in the middle of the night! Its a big change!
I find that after about a week of camping in hot weather, I can go through the night without needing to use the Porta-potti in my truck. Acclimatization causes physiologic optimization. And being young, less of those night time awakenings anyway...
I cannot imagine giving up my Suzie-Q Pleasureway for a tent…a tent is a tent is a tent, no matter where it is mounted. Rough backroads I would sleep in my Jeep….still not a tent.
I’ll stand by my original observation that you will quickly grow tired of this (albeit temporary) setup. Obviously you guys knew of the labor -intenseness of what RVing in a pickup truck with an above-the-truck-bed tent would be, so kudos to you for having the attitude and stamina to muscle through. But it makes me wonder if just renting a pull-behind pop-up camper wouldn’t have been a more efficient and functional way to go. It is so much fun to second-guess other people’s decisions !
Thanks Sue! We haven't found any bugs in the shoe bags yet...... but we're finding out spiders love to climb the tent and make webs from the window poles! 😳
Couldn’t wait for this…but after seeing ur first night…would not be for me…..maybe a weekend thing….but a pain in the butt any longer…..i think novelty will wear off fast……we’ll se how long u last😂 every time u want something un packing and packing ahhhh…..
Yes, the packing and un packing is getting old quick! We also have too much stuff with us for the new RV, so it makes it much worse! But will be an unforgettable summer!!
What an awesome setup and an amazing experience. It’s already easy to see the additional freedom to explore the tent/truck combo is going to provide you. I for one am envious. Looking forward to the next video. 😍😍😍
This was a great video. But the thought kept running thru my head, what does this look like in the rain? Or even worse, packing up in the rain. I suppose this much freedom has a price.
Wouldn’t you know it. Y’all on your way to my area and my wife and I are volunteering at a wildlife refuge in Alabama. I’ll check your progress and may have some suggestions for camping spots. Like the tent!
So cute, love how he brings you coffee. Looks fun for maybe a week, but thats gonna get old quick. Your trailer is not gonna come soon enough, and I sure hope it doesn’t get delayed, I’ve heard others are. Those fans are awesome, just ordered 2 of them. Do you think maybe the frogs were making so much noise cause they were catching the bugs, ya know like coyotes howl when they catch their prey? Safe travels. ☮️❤️🌵
Nope, not buying it. 'Fun' in the same sense that it was fun to put up a tent in the backyard as kids and 'camp out' until the night got dewy and cold. But comfortable? Easy? Desirable to be repeated? Glad you're enjoying yourselves...
@@IreneIronTravels I bought another brand of that style device, but need to practice. The instructions recommend that us ladies practice in the shower first before trying it clothed. I haven’t worked up the courage yet! 😂
I love the reaction to the frogs! Aren’t they the best?! I love sleeping to them IRL and with an Alexa app. :) Do you have a link for that nice thin pillow? Thank you and keep up the great videos!
You're leading a fun life! Try pointing the fan at your bare feet when it's hot; it fools your body into thinking it's on a tropical beach with a breeze.... or is that just me? 😆 You have two, so one over both sets of feet and one over your heads, it'll be a game changer. When you get back to the West Coast/SF area let me know, I'll meet up with you for an eBike ride!
Top Heavy Tent, last years fad, you have to break it down and set it up every time you want to use you vehicle, like your at Yellowstone for a week, how can you explore with out packing up you stupid tent, 7 times, plus $$$% over a ground tent you can leave at your campsite while you explore, no thanks
cvt is so over - rated all these tents are made in same factories in china, they just slap a diff name and minor modifications on it and charge 4-1,000 more
💙Subscribe - ruclips.net/user/ireneironfitness
💻 Website - ireneironfitness.com
💵 Store - www.amazon.com/shop/ireneironfitness
👫 ABOUT US➡ Hello! We are Aaron and Chris, a fulltime RV couple that lives and works in our Airstream Interstate Sprinter Van. We run an online fitness and nutrition coaching business (Irene Iron Fitness) while traveling all around the country. Follow along the journey with us!
🚐Read our Story: ireneironfitness.com/quitting-our-jobs-traveling-the-country/
💪Shop Online Coaching Packages: ireneironfitness.com/online-fitness-and-nutrition-coaching-packages/
🍎Browse IIF Healthy Recipes: ireneironfitness.com/healthyrecipes/
🚌Airstream Ambassadors: www.airstream.com/blog/aaron-and-christine/
💎IIF AFFILIATES: These are programs and products we use, love, and recommend!
👉Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/ireneironfitness
👉Rad Power Bikes bit.ly/3lbsaGM
👉Battle Born Batteries battlebornbatteries.com?afmc=2n
👉Undersun Resistance Bands: bit.ly/2RiP41C 💰 "IreneIron" for 10% off all kits, bundles,etc
👉Lebert Fitness: lebertfitness.com/?ref=IreneIronFitness
👉Thousand Trails: mbsy.co/DLw8W 💰 Save $100
👉Harvest Hosts: harvesthosts.refr.cc/ireneiron 💰 Save 15% "HHFRIENDS15"
👉MontKush:www.montkush.com/shop/ 💰 Use discount code "IreneIron" for 30% off
💎SOCIAL MEDIA
🎥RUclips (Subscribe!): ruclips.net/user/ireneironfitness
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🍁Pinterest: pin.it/cdyalputqukcq4
Hey everyone! Free shoes in a bag! 😜
🤣 Only slightly used!
Georgia in the summertime is glutten for punishment but you are there before the real heat kicks in.
Wow, I love your new set up.
💕💕💕 it's an old video but I love the two of you. You are always true and real.
Thanks so much!😊
I, like most here, would never do this. But,,, I’m 66 and love my Big Ass Class A with all the creature comforts. But you go! I so enjoy watching your adventures!
Lol. You have almost the same exact set I have on my ecodiesl lgladiator. Same rack, same stove, Yakima tent , but same style. I added memery foem to ours. I did switch the bolts to black that are round and use a torques bit. I purchased the sawtooth tonnue cover because it's stretchable which allows me to put more in it. My little gladiator bed doesn't have a lot off space, but fits down trails better. And I added power , USB and arb plug in the bed of it. So far so good. We added the arb awning with the bug net. That thing is a life saver from the bugs and sun
Nice! Sounds like a sweet set up you have. Definitely need some reprieve from the bugs! Love the gladiators..... but a tad too small for us for fulltime rving.
Fiji water for coffee water man y’all living large! I have the same blackstone and folding table love them, the griddle cooks so fast and easy to clean..Having That tent off the ground is a game changer .
😂 Its all working pretty good together!
Not sure if mentioned b4 but colored lights are ideal bc red lights do not attract the bugs. I live in north FL and night-afternoon bugs in spring summer and fall are the worst.. watch out for yellow flies. They feel like someone burned you with a cigarette.. use spray with Permethrin for ticks and flies
Good advice, thanks Julia! The bugs in FL are for real aren't they!🪲🪰
Awesome. I'm considering the f350 6.7 crew with 6.5' bed too, which is how i found your channel as im researching. Your channel is pretty cool and really enjoy the few vids I've watched so far. Carry on and I'll be subscribing.
Thanks appreciate that. You'll love the f350 diesel!
Don't they make a slide in truck camper that doesn't cover the cab? I know several parks that don't allow soft sided tents due to wildlife. I would want to be able to go to any park without limitations.
Hi i'm a bit late but are the fans provide white noise ? What about shower black bags to slide between the top of the bed and the tent ? It would be useful for quick outside showers and to clean the dish. Enjoy 😉
Hello Pivoine! The fans are pretty quiet on low, but do provide a bit of white noise on med or higher. We do need to figure out a shower method for sure...thanks for the idea!
A relaxing camping trip sure is a lot of work.
Can you add a link to where you purchased the pickup truck tent?
Maybe a screen tent shelter to cook in before residing to the tent? No bugs and is very inexpensive. You would have to find a little space to store, it but worth it.
We have a new clam pop up but haven't used it yet. Should work great, thanks!!
@@IreneIronTravels that is a great solution!
Battle Born batteries make camping so much easier...almost like cheating lol.
Totally! We love it too! 💘
Luv your setup just add a popup tent or popup enclosure tent for rain & to extend your living space
Watching you set up your camp for the evening really reminded me of why I hated camping out of the back of my Jeep using an RTT. Just the amount of setup and takedown every day (assuming you moving around) was so exhausting for me and was the sole reason why I purchased a class B RV last year. The one sole good thing for this kind of setup, though is your ability to go offroad where an RV cannot. If I ever pitch a tent again, it'll be way too soon!
We hear ya! A ton more schlepping around! It's a good temp change up for us and looking forward to a fun summer!
This is going to be better than any reality tv. Just think of the experiences to come-rain (and packing up in the rain), wind (especially those sneaky night time storms) and more! Going to be exciting stuff. You’re braver than I am, that’s for sure! Can’t wait for the next episode!
Very cool set up. Going everywhere, any where you want. Tenting is way less hassle than dragging a bulky, fuel consuming RV, we have been camping in our rooftop tent since 2017, awesome piece of kit, when you are not lazy. Have fun
Would you sleep in the truck when it rains and snows?
Sorry if i missed the link, can you please post link for the led strip in tent.
No worries, thanks for watching 😀 amzn.to/3yxwFBB
I have a Blackstone 17 in same as you.
I purchased a 5LB lp bottle which holds the same amount five of the green bottles.
You can have refilled at any LP dealer it fills like like 20LB.
It is very light and easy to transport.
Oh, that's a great tip. I totally didn't think about those smaller lp containers. 20lb is too big for us right now, but maybe that 5lb would be perfect.
Still have my 15 Airstream GT good luck on your new adventure.
what is this battle born battery setup you speak of? what does it consist of and how is it hooked up?
4:45 of this vid I talk about it a little bit. ruclips.net/video/Izn7qkwMl0A/видео.html Full video will be coming out shortly in the future.
I've done it all, from Tent to RV, from Alaska to Africa. Ultimately the issues with the bugs and weather, overshadow any benefits of a tent. Nice to be young and adventurous. You will have something to tell your grandchildren about. Best of luck!
Do you have a link for the fans? Looking for something to move air in race car trailer. Thank you.
Yes, here you go. amzn.to/3htK3RK
Thanks 😊 enjoy!
Try a Thermacel for the bugs....just wait until you get your new RV it will feel like this all over again. We were told a month ago it would be 5 to 6 months waiting for a rack for our jeep rubicon and just as long or longer for a tent...we aren't ready yet for one any longer since our travel plans were interupted by a tragic unexpected death in our family.
An "Instant-Up" screen room is great for those buggy areas. Takes just a couple of minutes. $150-$25O super light but does take up a little space. They also provide a sense of security if you want to leave your kitchen / table & chairs setup while your hiking around. Light rain and dew protection. With thin side covers you have privacy for potty or shower too.
We love ours, just make sure the walls are straight up enough to give you the space you need to move.
Have fun!!
We purchased an Airstream in 2020. Before that we did the tent camp/backcountry. I love the comforts of the Airstream but have recently decided to take our tent and if there is a backcountry site that is available I want to go sleep in the tent sometimes. I miss the sounds of nature at night! Can't wait to watch your adventures!
What are you going to do when it rains?
We do have a pop up screen tent, but it won't be fun in the rain for sure!
@@IreneIronTravels Thank you for sharing your new experience with us. it feels like you two are really roughing it now compared to when you had the Class B. Look forward to your next videos.
beautiful area. Definitely a big change for you guys, but it's temporary, and I hope that you just enjoy this different type of camping in the meantime. Think of ALL the experience you will have! Awesome.
Always the way.....must have conversation while setting up the site. haha. People are awesome !
🤣 Always! We are getting a lot of questions about the RTT!
Reading thru comments I saw discussion on Chris solving bathroom situation. Try the Go Girl. I did a review on it, but not sure how you would use it when you can’t stand up in the tent. Maybe practice on your knees in a safe, forgiving area. Whatever you do, push the apparatus you choose towards you and don’t squeeze it at all....unless you want a mess🤪. Oh also have a big bottle to urinate in and DON’T close the air flow off when you put the end into the bottle neck . Hope this helps quicken the learning process and makes for a much more enjoyable pee-time!
Why not put a little foldable toilet in there with you?
Oh to be young again!!
It's temporary but you are living in a tent compared to the airstream. It's really night and day- very different. I would never like this but glad you are good with it. Happy travels
So happy for you two! It’s inspiring to see you embracing this new adventure. Thanks for taking us along!
That sunset and view was amazing. Those fans are great, better than the AC on in the van ! Enjoy your travels.
Thanks Michael! It was a great first night!
Congrats on your first night with your Tent and new setup. Not sure if you know this but there are clothing lines that repel bugs and are quite comfortable to boot. We have shirts, pants and hats from LLBean that do the trick.
Thanks for the tip! We have heard of cloths like that but never really looked into it.
@@IreneIronTravels oh good. The pants zip off into shorts and the shirt helps keep ya cool even though it’s long sleeve you can roll them up easily.
You guys are nuts! At least those bug bites will be attractive bug bites. Yep, a Quick-set Clam room would be a good idea if you have room in the truck bed. Looking forward to the Smokies and the summer. Best wishes.
Hey, you tried it ! Why not? I'm still lusting after one of those 25' Globetrotters though. Ordered a Cybertruck in 2019 and I'm guessing around late '23 for delivery. The 200kwh battery pack will come in handy when camping in a NF or NP for extended periods :-) The optional rear hatch on the Globetrotter sealed the deal. Overall length should still be ok for smaller State and Fed campgrounds. Sounds like you two had a pretty awesome time overall....Bullfrogs to sleep by...you BTDT ! True camping ;-) Enjoy more adventures!
Good evening Chris and Aaron!!
Woo hoo! Many congrats scoring your 1st tent night!! Aaron....congrats on a great electrical system install! Chris......a superb idea to pre prep your foods! That made for a quick transition from arrival to eating. Yes...can definitely see many tent life videos coming up; going to the bathroom, shower/shaving, life during rain storms, putting camp up or taking it down in rain, etc.
Those fans look awesome! I'm betting those may be great in our trailers too! And...the light rope seemed to be great too. May want to incorporate that into the trailer bedroom too.
I am really happy you had a good Georgia tent night!! I've trained there in the army for months and months. I can't recall 1 night being quite as good of a night that you two had.
Yes...there is a bathing spot in the Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park; take a dip in the Fontana Lake. And, while there, you can walk across the dam and take a journey on the Appalachian Trail.
So, I'm in Orange County CA for a few days currently. I did go test ride a Juiced E-bike on Friday. Today, I test drove several Rad ebikes such as what you had. All in all, I think the Juiced is closer to what would work for us in the CO mountains. But, the Rad really only differs by having a smaller battery amp hours. Rad's are $1000 cheaper per bike. I'll look forward talking to you two about your bikes and inquiring if you feel you need more range. I'd think we would get a bike for myself and wife and then see how the range works out for us. However, maybe 1 extra battery between the 2 of us could be a satisfactory solution. A Rad bike + an extra battery is still cheaper than a Juiced. Definitely stuff to think about. My wife gets sore wrists easily; especially if any weight is supported by her hands. So, my test riding of the various models was indecisive enough that I'd like to bring her on a future CA trip and we go down to San Diego store front to let her test ride a Rad too. For me, the Rover would work. I think it would work for her too. But, the city model could also work, I think.
Safe travels!!
Oh, the young and flexibility. Leaving a great Airstream Van for 3-4 months and doing this is pretty cool. I thought you had gone wacko, but get the deal with the travel trailer and being able to really go off grid with the "truckster" and the tent from time to time, etc. Good for you guys. Awesome actually. I have a friend who wanted to really go off grid with his Malbec, they are loving every moment of it. Enjoy and safe travels.
Thanks Mike! Life is an adventure!!😁
Great vid! Thanks for sharing this next part of your life adventure w/ is!!! Much love ❤️
Thank you! 😊
I guess you lock the truck at night?
We do. We had a pretty good habit of always locking the van at night and if we left. Even in campgrounds or in the middle of nowhere. We have all our stuff in there and we're always in new places that we just don't know the neighborhoods.
I am loving your new setup. I am sure many people are going to learn from & copy it. If you haven’t tried the green bottle of Johnson’s baby creamy oil, aloe & vitamin e. It works amazing against mosquitoes. I have found it mainly at Walmart & I am sure Amazon’s sells it. It has a nice neutral sent. Mosquitoes love me, so I always have this with me in the summer.
Thank you! That is the second mention of that creamy oil and Chris will have to try it. Thanks! 😊🙏
Glad your first night was a success and rain free. We’re anxious to see where you guys are staying in GSMNP. Cades Cove is really cool with all the history of the people who use to lived there, but our favorite will always be Elkmont. I’m hesitant to even mention this special campground since it’s nearly impossible to get reservations as it is. But having a river front site there in my mind is truly camping nirvana. Something extra special there are the synchronized fire flies that only happen about two weeks out of the year in late May early June. So special you literally need to win a lottery to get a ticket. Look it up.
Seems like the tent will be ok for the short term while waiting for your trailer. I keep wondering why you didn’t keep the van until the trailer was ready. I couldn’t physically do the tent, nor would I enjoy it. I have done them all from tent to class C, pull trailers, pop ups. No A’s. Have my class B right now and love it. But everyone needs what meets their needs. I can see you guys popping champagne first night in the trailer, after the tent experience. Maybe dancing outside even if it’s raining lol. It will feel like you are moving into a palace. So are you out of the apartment now?
Yes, it would have definitely been easier to just keep the van, but it sold a lot quicker than expected. We're ready for a new adventure so it will all work out! And yes looking forward to the new RV and there could be a dance out two! We are on night 10 in the tent with a couple nights at a friend's house. We'll be visiting family in WI and MN so we'll split time at house and in the tent, but then we'll be heading west and doing more boondocking.
@@IreneIronTravels you will have a great time! I am in Washington and in the midst of the heatwave. Miserably hot. Montana here I come!
Weren’t you the ones complaining about making the bed in the class B every night😐
Could be......🤣
You guys are KILLING me. I cannot imagine what you were thinking about with this truck camper. ESPECIALLY in the HOT & HUMID summer. Should have stayed in the nice cool Condo until you new rig arrived! Good luck. I live in Knoxville and wondering if I may pass you on the road somewhere!! Fingers crossed the time for delivery of the nice new "House" pass quickly. There is not a chance in hell I would consider what you are doing. But thats the difference between my 70 year old self and you young whipper-snappers !! Ha Ha
limitations. Agree 100%. I want my creature comports. Class A Prevost diesel Pusher with either a Ford F-250 4X4 or a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
The Clam Tent could be a great for bug free Outdoor Lounge. Looking for the next fun trip.
For sure! We have the Clam but haven't used it yet, because we're traveling so quickly. But it should work great!
Uhhhhhggggggg, humid weather and fans at night. I always hated that you were hot, but with the humidity and fans your body thinks you are cold. Not sure how you guys can do it!! I love traveling and the outdoors, but I like to be comfortable at night!!
It is a tough change for sure! Overnights have been in the 60's so far, but when it stays in the high 70's and 80's we're gonna be in trouble for sure!
@@IreneIronTravels when the temps go up it will be time to head west to cooler weather!!
Gonna learn to hate putting the cover back on! Gotta get a hardshell!
I hear ya! We're on night 10 and a hardshell would be pretty sweet. Might be in our future!
@@IreneIronTravels yeah just got mine and it's been great. I overland with a bunch of guys and they all have switched to hardshells. The covers get so tedious!
Keep the positive attitude, it will serve u well. Along with some nice hotel stays!
Thanks Jeff! On night 10 so far and I did promise Chris a few nights in a hotel!
Thanks for the tip on those fans!
👍
Good luck on your new adventures. I'm too old for the cool tent. I'm sticking with the vanlife.
Thanks! Yeah the tent is fun so far, but not for long term!!
I'm too old for the van life, I just purchased a home in the Phoenix metropolitan area. I lived in my van for eight months which is OK but I'm more happy in a traditional home. I'll keep my camper van for a weekend or a week at a time camping.
Ah yes. The TITO Stick 👍 what if I gave you a pee container? Hmmm.🤪. Also get a colored LED strip for inside that you can set to red or amber. It won't attract the bugs.
🤣 Maybe we'll stick a couple Titofied stickers on those blue jugs! 💙 The led strip came with the tent, but I noticed the same brand/style in Amazon with bi color amber. Might have to switch, cause the bugz are real! 🐛
Love watching your new adventures! Great videos!!!
Thanks Karen!😊
Do you fold up the ladder at night or does it support the floor?
The latter does stay down and it is the support for that half of it. It would be pretty cool to have the option of bringing it up though!
Best wishes on your new adventure. Not something I would do, but I’m not as young as you either. I loved the way you rolled in the van, and I hope to do some similar traveling in the near future.
Thanks! Once we get back west we'll be able to find some pretty epic boondocking spots.....I hope.
I’m happy to see you guys finally use the tent. Something I learned somewhere RUclips, a suggestion is to buy the 5 pound propane canister then you can get it refilled for the same price as the little green one.
The Opolar fans are silent. I forget the fan is on.
Sooo nice!
We love the frogs and have them around our lakehouse. Mosquitos are no fun though. Try Johnson's Baby Creamy Oil for mosquito protection. I grew up in southern Georgia on the coast. It, honestly, works better than anything else I've ever tried. Love the rooftop tent, but that trailer will be great!
Curious, when you took the cover off and unfolded the tent it looked to me like the cover got caught in the hinge area of the tent floor... or, is the cover attached at that point and you can't remove it completely????
Yeah the cover is attached to the bottom of the floor and only zips on 3 sides. It can get in the way a bit sometimes but there is room for it to unfold.
@@IreneIronTravels Thanks for the info and quick reply! Yep tenting is an adventure for sure! You will do fine especially with your positivity and abilities to adjust on the fly. Keep smiling and don't sweat the small stuff. Keep in mind also that its all small stuff!
Call Battleborn, and confirm what I'm saying, but you shouldn't have your battery on its side, there's liquids inside the battery that could spill out.
Hey there, thanks for the comment. These batteries are good to be mounted in any position. Really helps with unique setups like ours. ruclips.net/video/2hie8L04v7E/видео.html
Thanks for watching!
so what is the advantage of a roof tent vs a regular tent ... and along with it a nice air mattress and head room ?
Thank you for sharing this interesting video with me and the challenges with rooftop tent !!
BS & Bk
Our pleasure! Thanks Larry BS & BK!
keep these great videos coming.....just ordered the fan/ where did you get the LED light from? thank you in advance
Ours came with the tent, but they sell them on Amazon. Even ones that can be amber and white in color. amzn.to/3x3tUI4
@@IreneIronTravels thank you/ timeline for your trailer?
Scheduled for August build if all goes accordingly!
Nice video! Anywhere you park in grass and walk around, you're going to stir up bugs. Especially close to ponds.
Thanks! Yup, it was pretty buggy there by the water!
We picked up a frog in Atlanta in the RV - discovered it in Louisiana. Pretty freaky!
That's crazy!!🐸
So cool 👍👍
Another great video.
Take Care ~
Safe Travels
Thanks JJ 😊
pretty dang cool,
like livin’ in a treehouse,
like the swiss family robinson…
Are you missing your van yet?
We loved the van for sure and there are times we think about it. But..... life's an adventure and now's the time!
@@IreneIronTravels are you planning on going places that you we unable to go to with the van? Or just changing things up?
Yes, definitely looking forward to heading west in a month or two and finding some remote boondocking the van just couldn't go. We really did have that van setup up good for about a week, but we're also looking forward to the new ORV trailer for longer and more comfortable stays. Then take the truck tent out further for a night or two.
@@IreneIronTravelsNice, its just that you did have a very sweet van. Stay safe and happy travels.. FYI I normally don't comment but have been following the two of you from the beginning of your travels.
Thanks, appreciate you following since the beginning. Truthfully....we loved that van..... it was so comfortable and easy to travel the country, but the small space just got to us a bit after 2.5 years. It's such a tiny living for 2 people full time. The only thing I would change is 4x4, more ground clearance, and more solar. I could see is going back to a van one day!
Have fun with cooking the meals and show them off! People love that
omg I was so wanting to tell you the cover is caught in the joint lol ...think about ppl in hospital beds that use urinals....it can be done, male and female alike...yall did good.. love the way you keep it real.
Thanks Sandra!
Your first experience in the tent looked perfect, with perfect weather. What are you going to do when it rains? Do you have like a clam shell or something? I’d suggest your first purchase on the road is an extension cord for the coffee maker, and a tarp or some way to keep the rain out when you need to plug something into your renergy. 😀
I have to say, the Tent looked Bigger when it was up in the Driveway.
Yeah I hear ya, it's a good size for sleeping 55" x 92" , but not much else!! We haven't used the Clam yet because we are moving every day.....but that will be some nice extra space.
@@IreneIronTravels The Tent being high off the ground reminds of a Tree House.
Beautiful location! Congratulations on your first night in tent! Welcome to the South were the frogs serenade you to sleep at night! I keep a can of Off Bug Spray in the door pocket of our vehicle and do a quick spray as soon as my feet touch the ground...it helps! I would careful about using any blue lights outside/around your tent. Bugs love blue lights (think about bug-zappers, they usually use blue light to attract the bugs).
Can't wait to see your video of how you will make lot in stormy weather. Look like a miserable way to camp.
Glad your 1st night went well 😊 I used the red Solo cup trick and quickly found out I needed a larger cup 😂
you guys are just so adorable! Ahh, to be young and in love.
So my wife is asking I see a blue jug for Aaron’s night time relief, so Chris how did you make that work fo you?
We each have a blue jug, but Chris also uses a device called a "go girl". If you Google that you can see what that is. We are trying to cut off liquid intake at night so we don't have to go in the middle of the night! Its a big change!
I find that after about a week of camping in hot weather, I can go through the night without needing to use the Porta-potti in my truck. Acclimatization causes physiologic optimization. And being young, less of those night time awakenings anyway...
Great video and great idea! Question: Tell me what type of propane bug deflector do you have?? Thx
Thanks! We use a thermocell and it works great on mosquitoes, but not on flies and such. amzn.to/3A7WHNI
I cannot imagine giving up my Suzie-Q Pleasureway for a tent…a tent is a tent is a tent, no matter where it is mounted. Rough backroads I would sleep in my Jeep….still not a tent.
I’ll stand by my original observation that you will quickly grow tired of this (albeit temporary) setup. Obviously you guys knew of the labor -intenseness of what RVing in a pickup truck with an above-the-truck-bed tent would be, so kudos to you for having the attitude and stamina to muscle through. But it makes me wonder if just renting a pull-behind pop-up camper wouldn’t have been a more efficient and functional way to go. It is so much fun to second-guess other people’s decisions !
What bug repellent do you use
It is a thermocell mosquito repellant, which works great on them.....but doesn't really work on flies and such. amzn.to/3dg2Kpq
amzn.to/3A7WHNI
@@IreneIronTravels Thank you very much. Love watching your videos!!!
Looks like Smokey the Bear will be getting some new shoes while you guys are sleeping
🤣🤣🤣🐻
I found this video so funny! But enjoyable. It all looks horrendous! Out of interest was your 'shoe bag' full of bugs in the morning?
Thanks Sue! We haven't found any bugs in the shoe bags yet...... but we're finding out spiders love to climb the tent and make webs from the window poles! 😳
Couldn’t wait for this…but after seeing ur first night…would not be for me…..maybe a weekend thing….but a pain in the butt any longer…..i think novelty will wear off fast……we’ll se how long u last😂 every time u want something un packing and packing ahhhh…..
Yes, the packing and un packing is getting old quick! We also have too much stuff with us for the new RV, so it makes it much worse! But will be an unforgettable summer!!
What an awesome setup and an amazing experience. It’s already easy to see the additional freedom to explore the tent/truck combo is going to provide you. I for one am envious. Looking forward to the next video. 😍😍😍
This was a great video. But the thought kept running thru my head, what does this look like in the rain? Or even worse, packing up in the rain. I suppose this much freedom has a price.
Wouldn’t you know it. Y’all on your way to my area and my wife and I are volunteering at a wildlife refuge in Alabama. I’ll check your progress and may have some suggestions for camping spots.
Like the tent!
So cute, love how he brings you coffee. Looks fun for maybe a week, but thats gonna get old quick. Your trailer is not gonna come soon enough, and I sure hope it doesn’t get delayed, I’ve heard others are. Those fans are awesome, just ordered 2 of them. Do you think maybe the frogs were making so much noise cause they were catching the bugs, ya know like coyotes howl when they catch their prey? Safe travels. ☮️❤️🌵
Love it!❤️ Frogs? Wow just makes me hungry for frog legs.
Nope, not buying it. 'Fun' in the same sense that it was fun to put up a tent in the backyard as kids and 'camp out' until the night got dewy and cold. But comfortable? Easy? Desirable to be repeated? Glad you're enjoying yourselves...
Looks fun, except for the blue jug. As a woman I wouldn’t trust my aim!
Chris is trying out some different devices like the "she wee" , and she'll have to talk about them later!
Hey! Men are not much better at aiming.😂😂
@@patd4u2 Agreed! I’m reminded every time I have to use a unisex Porta pottie.
@@joycem2795 😂
@@IreneIronTravels I bought another brand of that style device, but need to practice. The instructions recommend that us ladies practice in the shower first before trying it clothed. I haven’t worked up the courage yet! 😂
I love the frogs, we live in a wet lands area in Florida, great sleeping sounds, bugs suck. Wait to your first thunder storm. Enjoy the adventure.
I love the reaction to the frogs! Aren’t they the best?! I love sleeping to them IRL and with an Alexa app. :) Do you have a link for that nice thin pillow? Thank you and keep up the great videos!
So fun! Yes, here is the pillow link. amzn.to/2U9wKg0
Thanks! 😊
You're leading a fun life! Try pointing the fan at your bare feet when it's hot; it fools your body into thinking it's on a tropical beach with a breeze.... or is that just me? 😆 You have two, so one over both sets of feet and one over your heads, it'll be a game changer.
When you get back to the West Coast/SF area let me know, I'll meet up with you for an eBike ride!
A tropical breeze sounds pretty darn good! Looking forward to seeing SF again on ebike.... thanks for the invite!
Top Heavy Tent, last years fad, you have to break it down and set it up every time you want to use you vehicle, like your at Yellowstone for a week, how can you explore with out packing up you stupid tent, 7 times, plus $$$% over a ground tent you can leave at your campsite while you explore, no thanks
cvt is so over - rated all these tents are made in same factories in china, they just slap a diff name and minor modifications on it and charge 4-1,000 more