fitting tents into rear panniers

[jane_marie]

I have a two preson dome tent approximately how large of a pannier would you suggest to fit5 it?

[staehpj1]

My suggestion is to strap the tent on top of the rear rack.  Better to not have wet stuff inside a pannier IMO.  I roll the tent with the floor on the outside and find that it needs no further protection from the weather than it's non-waterproof stuff sack.

[jane_marie]

That make sense.  Thanks much!

[Pat]

I have Ortlieb Roller Classics - I put the tent in a front pannier and the poles on top of the rear rack.  Overall, I try to keep as much weight as possible on the front spokes.

[geegee]

I use a 20-litre dry sack strapped to the top of the rear rack. In it I stuff the tent, an inflatable sleeping mat and a 6'x8' tarp. I pack the the tarp last so it's easy to access as an emergency shelter in case of a sudden storm, or as a ground sheet for picnic lunches and quick naps.

[Westinghouse]

I use a 10 x 12 tarp. In summer and winter it is more versatile than a tent. Insects are a problem. They are easily repelled with coils and bug juice. If slathering yourself with a chemical irritant sounds like a bad idea, new technologies are available. The tarp is only $12.00-$15.00. An extremely lightweigh insect-net-enclosure can go under the tarp. I stack all shelter materials over the rear rack.

[Blackbear]

Last Summer, St. Louis to Greensboro, NC, I placed two-man tent, footprint and sleeping pad on top of rear rack. Worked well, kept bike stable and left room in panniers.  Blackbear

[janetanorth]

pack tent in one waterproof bag, ground cloth in plastic bag that will be dirty, fly in another bag (may be wet and need drying later in day), poles and stakes (replace stock stakes with something stronger) separately stored to avoid puncturing things.
 unless you have bought a tent specifically for short length poles to fit in a pannier, you most likely will strap them crossways on the rear rack or along the top tube.
cheers!

[DebKirk]

The MTX Trunk Bag by Topeak has fold down panniers. We have them on both bikes. They clip into a rack made by the same folks. The bag is about $100 and the rack is about $40. The MTX has a large storage space in the main compartment. It has a smaller compartment on each side and this is where the panniers store. You can roll around in the daytime using the center compartment for items. When the time comes that you need the panniers, just open the side pockets, and voila.
We have an REI Halfdome 2+. It fits nicely in one pannier and the rain fly and footprint fit into the pannier on the other side. We fasten the poles and stakes to the bike frame using Velcro straps.
Because the bag slides off the rack, it can easily be removed and carried like a day pack for those times when your bike is locked up, you don't want to leave your gear, and the bike will be unattended. It even comes with a shoulder strap for that purpose. We are still impressed with our choice. The price is really reasonable if you figure you will not ever have to buy another one.

[Cycnus]

Here is another idea: http://hennessyhammock.com/articles/cycling/

And for anyone wondering how you can use the hammock where there are no trees or poles handy take a look at all the pictures posted to see some unique configurations for setting a hammock up in other ways. 

I have a hammock and love it.  It's not a perfect solution to every camping challenge - you need to have cold weather protection (sleeping bag, bedroll, layered clothing); you need to have a liner of some sort (unless you buy the bug liner for the bottom of the hammock (I use a ThermaRest inflatable pad) to ward off mosquitoes biting from underneath; however, I find this such an easy unit to carry in my pannier. 

I bought the Explorer Deluxe Asym Classic, 3 lb 2 oz.  The heaviest piece is the rain fly, the hammock weighs very little.  Not everyone's cup of tea, I realize.  Just another option to consider.