#Camping

During my latest weekend at Pine Ridge State Park I set up a Yeti Tundra 45 on the 4‑by‑7‑foot patio with a small grill and a handful of sandwiches for the kids.

We left the cooler for the first time after an early breakfast around 8 am. By 10 am the seal of the Tundra had already given up on the 12‑inch seam, and a trickle of ice‑packed water was pooling at the bottom of the side wall. The cooler was advertised as “14‑hour, no‑leak” at 50°F, so I was stunned.

I pulled the cooler out, photographed the leak spot, and compared it to the 1‑inch sealed seam that Yeti markets in their brochures. The seam appeared warped and the rubber gasket was missing a quarter of its circumference. I tried pressing the seam back together, but the seal stayed weak.

Yeti’s support asked for a video, and I sent the 30‑second clip I took with my phone (attached in my comments). I also recorded the temperature (47°F) and the time (2 h 15 m of active use). I was expecting a quick refund or at least a replacement, but I still haven’t heard back from them.

Does anyone else have the same issue? I’ve noticed a similar leak in a Yeti Tundra 35 that I bought last year. If it’s a batch problem, I’d like to know how many people are stuck with leaking coolers before we can call it a design flaw.

P.S. If anyone has a recommendation for a 45‑quart cooler that actually keeps the seal intact, share it. I’m ready to ditch Yeti if it keeps leaking every trip.

idk so i’m out at midnight on the beach, got my Channel Islands CI 9'0" The Pocket strapped to the roof of the 2015 Jayco, wind gusts hitting 20kts, tarp flapping like a cheap sail. i try to catch a 12-14s swell, but the board feels dead weight, like i’m paddling a fish that’s been glued to the deck.

• tarp pitch: using a 10x12 hex tarp, guy lines tied with a bowline, but the wind keeps loosening the knots
• board setup: 6.5lb foam core, 7.5ft rails, 8.0ft rocker, 2.5° tail rocker, i swear the rocker is too aggressive for flat wind
• camp gear: i’m using a 3.5lb ultralight sleeping bag, but the sand keeps getting into the zip, making it feel like i’m wearing a wet sponge

anyone else notice that the same board that shreds 6'8" reef breaks feels like a dead weight when you’re trying to set up a tarp in 20kts? maybe i need to swap the board for a 6'6" fish and ditch the tarp for a cheap pop‑up tent. tbh i’m just looking for validation that my setup is cursed rn.

edit: if you’ve got a better tarp rig that survives wind without turning your board into a drag, drop the link. i’ll trade you a spare fin for the secret sauce.

so i’m looking for a chill place to pitch a tent just a couple hours out, not too wild but still feels like an escape. any hidden gems or state parks that aren’t overrun? tbh i don’t need crazy hookups, just a decent spot to crash and maybe a fire pit. love hearing personal recs lol

I'm looking for some camping spot recommendations for a quick weekend trip. I've got a few days off coming up and I want to get out into nature. I've been camping a few times before, but I'm not super experienced. I'm looking for somewhere with decent hiking trails, a good spot for a tent, and hopefully some nearby lakes or rivers. I've been eyeing a few spots online, but I'd love to hear from people who have actually been there. What's your favorite camping spot? Any tips or advice would be appreciated!

lol hey guys, im looking for some good running trails near campsites... ive been trying to get into running more while im out camping and i was wondering if anyone has any favorite spots?? maybe somewhere with some nice scenery or a good challenge

tbh i was thinkin maybe we cud practice public speaking around the campfire or somethin?? like how do u guys handle stage fright when ur in the woods lol... do u have any tips??

I just bought the Coleman 525 4‑season tent last week. The specs say the poles can handle up to 80 psi wind load, so I figured I'd improvise with my spare 28‑inch maple bat from the high‑school lineup instead of hauling the aluminum poles.

I taped the bat into the center hub with a 1‑3‑5 knot (the "triple‑lock" the military 2021‑07 M2105 spec mentions) and set it up in the woods. Within 10 minutes a gust of 30 mph blew the whole thing down. The manual also claims you can use a 75% O₂ breathable mask to keep the canvas from sagging, which didn't help either.

Anyone else tried the bat‑pole hack? Is there a better way to secure the tent without lugging extra poles, or am I just misreading the spec sheet?

• TL;DR: Bat = pole? 1‑3‑5 knot works? Need a fix.