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hiya i just want some advice please from you fantastic bunch.

is it better to pitch your tent on a groundsheet or not. our tent has a full sig, its a bit of a pig cleaning it when packing up.

if its better what is the best way to do it. we tried it with our very first tent which had sig under the bedrooms but we ended up with puddles under the tent. dont think we did it right. but was thinking of trying it again as i have read about so many people doing this when camping.

Hi

It is better to use another groundsheet under SIG tents as it keeps the bottoms of the SIG nice and clean.

To avoid getting water underneath you need to make sure the footprint groundsheet is not showing from under the tent or water will collect between it and the SIG. We use a tarp from B&Q and have cut it to fit our tent (Other people also suggest using pond liner). You should cut it about 1-2 inches smaller than your tent size to avoid it showing. 

Hope this helps

thats great thanks lynne.

will try that this weekend.

Sorry, Im going to throw a spanner in the works here.  I used a tarp under my sig last week, it was quite a few inches smaller than the sig but after torrential rain water still managed to get between the tarp and the sig and pool right in the middle. 

This didn't cause a problem until the next day, in glorious sunshine, we were congratulating ourselves on taking the tent down in the dry when we discovered the small pond and consequently the sig soaked underneath.

How do you think that happened?  I'm guessing that the rain was driven at an angle maybe and then found its way into a couple of small hollows under the tent.

Clare

B and Q cheapo blue tarps are about a fiver for a 4 x 5, then cut and to right size and stick two together with duc tape.

Clare

Hi Milly

I use http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9273088&fh_view_size=6&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=tarpaulin&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1218706267607&isSearch=true

cut to size and cheap enough too if it gets really ruined.

DC

Quote: Originally posted by Dragoncry on 14/8/2008

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Hi Milly

I use http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9273088&fh_view_size=6&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=tarpaulin&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1218706267607&isSearch=true

cut to size and cheap enough too if it gets really ruined.

DC

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think ive got one of those in garage. thanks DC

No worries Milly.

I've used mine twice now for the longer times away and its been perfect. Kept everything clean and no worries about the tent sig etc.

DC

just been reading this thread, didn't realise you could just use a normal tarpalin as a extra ground sheet for under the tent,

rang hubby up as he works  at our local TP ans they do a basic one  for £2.84, but thats with staff discount!

so thanks for the advise.

Quote: Originally posted by amandawilliams on 14/8/2008

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hiya i just want some advice please from you fantastic bunch.

is it better to pitch your tent on a groundsheet or not. our tent has a full sig, its a bit of a pig cleaning it when packing up.

if its better what is the best way to do it. we tried it with our very first tent which had sig under the bedrooms but we ended up with puddles under the tent. dont think we did it right. but was thinking of trying it again as i have read about so many people doing this when camping.

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Hi everyone,

My tent doesn't have a SIG, per say, it has a centre groundsheet, but the bedrooms at either end have SIGs (yes, I'm technically a newbie lol).

I think I might take our B&Q tarp with us just in case. Going to Skipsea....Seaside Caravan Park. Tarp should help us out.

Many thanks for everyone's comments. Hope the weather stays dry(ish) for all

Quote: Originally posted by tentguy on 14/8/2008

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Hi everyone,

 

My tent doesn't have a SIG, per say, it has a centre groundsheet, but the bedrooms at either end have SIGs (yes, I'm technically a newbie lol).

I think I might take our B&Q tarp with us just in case. Going to Skipsea....Seaside Caravan Park. Tarp should help us out.

Many thanks for everyone's comments. Hope the weather stays dry(ish) for all <IMG alt=21 src="forum_images/smiley1.gif" width=20>

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Hi Rex,

Many thanks for the words of caution.

Would you recommend pegging it down as well?

Quote: Originally posted by tentguy on 14/8/2008

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Hi Rex,

Many thanks for the words of caution.

Would you recommend pegging it down as well?

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