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Has anyone had a problem with a hole developing in their foot print ground sheet?

We have used it two times and on the packing up relised that there was a hole worn through it.  Now I phoned Megastore and they said that they have to have it back for inspection to see whether it is a manufacturing fault or not.  If it isn't a manufacturing fault then I have to pay for the pickup and postage back to me.  My question is how do I know whether it is or not?   There didn't appear to be any stones etc on the ground and the groudsheet was protected by the ZIG in our Norfolk lake.    Is it worth sending it back?  It could cost me £15 to get the thing back if they don't think it is manufacturing.    It really makes me wonder if buying from online shops are worth it.  I was very lucky with my tent as I bought it from a great online shop that accepted the returned tent and replaced it with out a quibble.  Not so sure that I would want to buy from the megastore again!

No problems with my footprint ground sheet. I can understand your dilemma, though!!

Do you have any camping shops close to home, where you could take it in & ask their advice ?

Alternatively, if you contact the manufacturer direct, they may have a retailer closer to home where you could return it, thus saving you postage.

2tents

IS it a big hole ?

Even if you sent it back and it ended up costing you to find out whether it is a manufacturers fault you will still have to pay for the repair if it is caused by something else.

If it was protected by another groundsheet have you checked that to see if that has any holes in it - if it does it could well be you were pitched on a something sharp that has worn/cut through it - were there moles in the field - sharp claws can create holes too.

If there is no hole in the groundsheet that was underneath and you may have caused the damge yourself with out you knowing it.

If its not big I would clean it on both sides and cover the hole in tenacious tape on both sides and replace it when it starts to come away

To me a footprint groundsheet is supposed to be sacrificial.  It is there to protect your ZIG/SIG.  Tape it up an relax safe in the knowledge that it was not a puncture in you £600 tent.  Or have I misread you post? It does almost read that you had your footprint groundsheet inside the tent.

Sorry, my post does read wrong.  I got the ground sheet to stop my ZIG getting dirty.  The footprint does go under the tent, as my ZIG is very strong it doesn't need it for protection just to keep it clean.   I always fold the ground sheet and keep it seperate, as it usually is very dirt.

I think I will do what Velvet kitten suggested and tape it up.  It is not a high price item so no need for me to make a fuss and send it back.  I did expect it to last longer than two trips though and would not buy another one.  I think I would just get a cheap tarp from B & Q.

thanks for all you help.

If you do want another,  Go Outdoors have the SunValley 8 footprint (fits the Norfolk Lake) for £6.00.  We got 2 as I don't think they last forever.  They aren't that heavy though they couldn't possibly charge you £15.00 for carriage that's a rip off.