Softopper Camping Tent - Insulation Question

[BRad704]

Hi all... I'm camping 2 nights in Austin, TX this weekend for a mtb race, and the temps should in the upper 30's at night. Would it be worth throwing some moving blankets over the Softopper and tent for insulation? I think it would, and I already have the blankets and will sew them into the right size. I know airflow is also important and the tent doesn't seal great around the tailgate and I plan on having a small electric fan to move air inside also. I don't want to wake up cold AND wet.

Just reality-checking myself on this idea.

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[PoorSpecRanger]

I put a layer of Reflectix up on the inside of my Smart Cap help keep a little heat in and cut down on condensation.

 

[Msfitoy]

If you don't have a good sleeping bag, the fabric won't be of much use...unless you have a Buddy heater as well...

 

[LawnMM]

You never gone camping? You'd do better to put those blankets on yourself, if you need them at all, than on the top of the tent.

You'll screw up the breathability of the membrane doing that and it's not going to make you any warmer.

 

[Tom_C]

I used to do a lot of camping at the beach in a truck tent, and in fall and spring it would be cold. While it may 'help', I honestly don't think the 30's is that cold, especially considering you'll be dressed for the weather and, I assume, will have sleeping bag and blankets. You'll be dressed for the weather, at least I would be, for the inevitable bio break during the night, so you should be fine.

If you plan to do a lot of cold weather trips then it might be worth it if it dips to the 20's, but 30's? Nah.

 

[BRad704]

I've been camping plenty, but don't seekout near freezing temps. I do have a nice 20 degree bag and since I'm not backpacking, will have plenty of space to bring blankets and stuff. Maybe I'm just overthinking all of this with the tent-cover idea.

 

[Tom_C]

Maybe I'm just overthinking all of this with the tent-cover idea.

I think you are. And then if it rains you've got sloppy moving blankets to deal with.

 

[BRad704]

I think you are. And then if it rains you've got sloppy moving blankets to deal with.

Over-thinking is my super power.

Thanks everyone for the quick replys today. I'll skip the sewing and custom fitting of an outer quilt and make sure I've got the right gear INSIDE for myself. I'll also try to remember to get some pics of what the actual setup looks like this weekend.

 

[LawnMM]

Now you're talking ??

 

[Desert Sage]

I'd use a little caution here- if you camp in an area that is paranoid about law-enforcement, you might be mistaken for being undercover.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Brad,

A good sleeping bag is what you really need - that’s a big area to try to warm up and keep it that way overnight. I’ve spent countless nights camping out at MTB races and sometimes just keeping dry was the main focus.

Now for some race advice…when that horn goes off, go as hard and fast as you can for the first third of the race. For the second third, go hard and fast again, then finish the final third hard and fast.

Works…….…every……….time!

But seriously, if you jump out hard for the first 3/4 mile or so, after 1/4 mile, no one’s going to want to maintain that pace and will think you’re nuts - it’s usually not part of their race strategy and they’ll likely settle into race pace.

Once you’ve established some distance where the riders behind you can’t see you on the straight sections between turns, you can get into normal race pace and actively recover from that early burst, just as you would recover from a tough climb during a race. Just remember, you’re in never never land and don’t know where your competitors are. If you don’t have people in the feed zone letting you know how far back the others are, that first string of advice applies. ?

Ride hard, take chances.

Good luck!

 

[BRad704]

Now for some race advice…when that horn goes off, go as hard and fast as you can for the first third of the race. For the second third, go hard and fast again, then finish the final third hard and fast.


Good luck!

Funny, that's how I describe cyclocross racing to people. LOL.

The race is Austin Rattler 60 mile. I've never done it, so technically should have to start in corral 3, but I'm going to see if I can wiggle into corral 2 for a faster paced group start. Goal time is sub-5:30, but I'll be happy under 6hrs.

I did 10hr 29min at Skyway Epic 100 this spring, with comparable elevation per mile. But Skyway is 5-6 LONG climbs, where Rattler should be more rolling all day.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Reminds me of a few of the mass start point-to-point MTB races in British Columbia I used to look forward to.

My only advice for mass start races: Elbows up!

 

[ControlNode]

I have an electric blanket on a foam pad I lay on in the bed, then have an open sleeping bag on the electric blanket and I have two blankets over me, no clothes needed to be nice and warm all night, weather under the tonneau cover, or in the bed tent. Little Jackery Explorer 1500 powers it all night without issue.

 

[Grandaccess]

if you are not over 6 foot, why not just sleep in the back seat? it should even fit you and a large dog

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