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Hi all, first post and all that so go easy.

Just got back from our first campling trip and we realy enjoyed it. We went to St David's park in Anglesea for two nights and I think we've got the bug. Still some kit to get but it will come. Anyhow, I think I bought the wrong tent for us, it's the Lichfield Arapaho 6 from argos  http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1428744-10294381?url=http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0192303/Trail/searchtext%3ELICHFIELD.htm and it's a bit draughty, so I was woundering...
Anyone tried using the long strips of wide Velcro tape to fasten the groundsheet to the fly wherever they meet, and also maybe where the groundsheet meets the bedrooms.

All ideas and thoughts welcomed.

Hi pricega,and  welcome to the site.

Did the tent have flaps around the bottom edge of the flysheet ?

if it did, try tucking them in and pegging them under the groundsheet to stop the draughts.

if it doesn't have flaps, the problem I could see with attaching velcro is that it won't reach, if the flysheet stops a couple of inches above the ground.

another thing you could do is to buy a cheap blue tarpaulin, from b&q and make a bigger groundsheet out of it, that extends a few inches up inside the walls of the tent.

It would be difficult to find another tent of that size and quality for the same money, so best to persevere with what you have, with a few modifications.

 I really don't feel the Velcro idea is a good one, as (a) all that Velcro would cost a lot and (b) there's very few sturdy seams to attach it too that won't be fouled by poles, and you don't want to be punching too many holes in the flysheet.

As Debbie says try tucking the stormflaps under the existing groundsheet or making a bigger groundsheet to turn up the sides. You could also try adding more stormflaps round the bedroom areas to tuck under the pods.

BUT...and this is a big BUT...there is a big drawback to trying to eliminate draughts in this sort of tent. The gap round the edge of the flysheet is a deliberate one, because it's part of the ventilation mechanism of the tent. If you cut out draughts (ie the highly necessary air flow!) here then the chance of you ending up with the inside of the flysheet dripping with condensation every morning is extremely high. Not good! So my suggestion is to leave the area round the bedroom pods free and work on getting the stormflaps in the living area good and tight under the groundsheet. Simplest method is just to put your boxes and bags on top of the overlaps.

Hi - we have a similar situation with our Avignon 6.   We have tried putting crates and boxes on the overlaps, but it did look a bit messy (I am a tidy freak when camping!) - not at home.lol

 I am going to put our tent up before we go away this year and fix some plastic eyelets onto both the groundsheet and stormflaps around the living area so I can peg through without damaging the tent.

It hasn't been a prob with draughts as we have only used the tent in France so far, but am planning on introducing a newbie friend in July and want to make sure she loves it as much as me.  What it did let in one night last summer was a little frog, who leapt out of the shadows and then couldn't find a way out.  We were all screaming our heads off, luckily the campsite was virtually empty.  DH managed to shepherd it out whilst me and the kids hid in the bedrooms!

Quote: Originally posted by Bigsis20 on 12/6/2008

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Hi - we have a similar situation with our Avignon 6.   We have tried putting crates and boxes on the overlaps, but it did look a bit messy (I am a tidy freak when camping!) - not at home.lol

 I am going to put our tent up before we go away this year and fix some plastic eyelets onto both the groundsheet and stormflaps around the living area so I can peg through without damaging the tent.

It hasn't been a prob with draughts as we have only used the tent in France so far, but am planning on introducing a newbie friend in July and want to make sure she loves it as much as me.  What it did let in one night last summer was a little frog, who leapt out of the shadows and then couldn't find a way out.  We were all screaming our heads off, luckily the campsite was virtually empty.  DH managed to shepherd it out whilst me and the kids hid in the bedrooms!

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I have to say that any family that has to hide from frogs (Why?????? ) woukd be better off in a SIG tent. Of course you'll stew  in France in high summer in a SIG tent, but at least the frog won't be in there with you!

Frog did choose one of the most tense moments of the DVD we were watching to show himself!  I think its their unpredictability that gets me.

Can cope with any other invaders OK, but as you say we do enjoy opening up when it gets too hot in France.

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 12/6/2008

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Frog was probably more frightened than you - he most likely thought you were after his legs for the barbie.

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