Now that I'm entering my sixth decade (sixty years old...older than dirt...ろくじゅうさい) my "toughness" level seems to be receding. The clip-on handlebars on my motorcycle have sprouted risers for a more upright riding position. I have also changed the saddle to a Corbin that increases the "miles before pain" coefficient.
I also find myself turning into a "comfort camper". I was craving a tent in which I could actually stand up to get dressed, so I switched to a Eureka Copper Canyon 4.
Roomy! Sort of a "Tent Mahal".
The ventilation is outstanding for warm weather camping due to the large windows on all sides. (Problematic when it is cold, though. Nearly the entire roof under the rainfly is mesh.) It actually packs in no more room than my previous tent. The upright poles, being steel, are heavier but that is not really a problem for motorcycle camping.
I was also tired of getting up and down from the floor, so I invested in a Roll-A-Cot.
http://www.camptime.com/roll-a-cot.htm When packed it is 36" x 5"...about the same size as the typical folding camp chair. I gave up carrying one of those chairs in lieu of the Roll-A-Cot. The cot is super comfortable and the Mesh fabric tension is adjustable.
The mesh bag case becomes a very handy storage pouch on the side of the cot when assembled. Great for keeping glasses, flashlight, teddy bear or anything you want easy access to while on the cot. Also, because of the height, you can store lots of treasures under the cot, leaving more tent floor space available. I was worried a bit about the point load of the cot legs on the tent floor fabric, so I use sofa slider coasters under them to spread the load. The coaster discs take up nearly no precious packing space.
Poor Guzzi does look a bit like a Pack Mule when loaded out. Is this any way to treat an Italian motorbike?
Tent and sleeping bag are in the Ventura Rack Packs on top, heavier items are in the saddlebags to help keep the CG low. Roll-A-Cot and tent poles are secured under the Ventura rack.
I realize that this may not be 100% in keeping with the thread title regarding camping on the cheap, but I thought the info might be of interest. While not exactly cheap, these aren't break-the-bank type items, either. The Roll-A-Cot is available for about $100, and the while the Copper Canyon 4 tent typically sells for $160 to $180, sales are not uncommon. I found mine on ebay for $139, shipping included.