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Topic: muddy tent & other questions

tentaholic

02/9/2008 at 12:35pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 5

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We've just got back from a lovely weekend in the New Forest. Great weather for Fri and Sat but very wet for packing up on Sun. We had to pitch on bare earth which tuned into a mud-bath when it rained - so we now have a wet, muddy and very large tent to deal with (Vango Breckenridge 600). I've tried draping it over various chairs and step ladders in the conservatory but am now wondering whether I should take it into the garden and hose it down to clean it first, then start drying it again? Does anyone have any advice about whether it is easier to dry it first then clean it or the other way round? Unfortunately, our garden isn't big enough to pitch it there.

Secondly - we are now thinking that it was rather greedy to buy such a big tent!!! (I have to admit that we are only a family of three but we thought that the extra space would be handy for when my DS starts wanting to bring friends with him or for longer camping trips in poor weather). We used to have a Halfords family starter pack tent and upgraded after we got hooked on camping. To be honest, I actually felt rather guilty taking up so much space at the campsite just for 3! Anyway, we are now wondering whether to buy yet another tent - something that is better quality than the Halfords tent but smaller than the Breckenridge. I've got a soft spot for Vango based on my old Venture Scout camping days in a force 10 but have read various bad things on this site re poles snapping and groundsheets disintegrating. Is Vango still considered to be a good quality brand? If not, what else is? Also - it seems as though Vango have stopped making the Breckenridge after only one year - does anyone know why this is?

OK ... on to the final question - sorry to have so many! Talking of groundsheets disintegrating, I did notice that ours has lost it's blue coating in several places - just very small patches of white showing, nothing else. I thought that this might have been our fault for not keeping it clean enough over the weekend or for going in with crocs/ wellies on or for pitching on bare earth (although we did have a footprint groundsheet underneath). Is this something I should expect or should I be contacting Vango about it? There is also a very, very small tear in it - but my DH thinks that this was his fault as he snagged it on the roofbox when we got home. Again - any advice or info very welcome.

Thank you for reading such a long post - looking forward to lots of advice

sxis

02/9/2008 at 12:52pm
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We have just come back from the north yorkshire moors tent was pretty muddy round the edges like you we do not have the space to spread the tent out (montana 6) but we borrow my mates drive across the road you could land a b****dy helicopter on it! anyway the OH uses a nearly dry mop and a damp cloth and that does the trick. have you tried a footprint for your tent? we use a tarpaulin which covers about 80% of the groundsheet and saves a lot of work we are going to buy the monty 6 footprint for next year, nice tent the Breckenridge its got a squarish foot print try Aldi they have large tarpaulins/groundsheets in at the moment for £5.99 i think one of the large ones would just about fit under your tent. Camp with what your comfortable in we have the monty 6 for 2 of us but we like the space as well

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I Think Therefore I Am I Think? eh? If all is not lost where is it?

DaveP65

02/9/2008 at 3:43pm
Location: Leigh Lancs
Outfit: Vango Coleman High Gear

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I too have a Vango Breckenridge 600 and was away this weekend. Didn't get that bad but I have garden big enough to pitch in (except front porch) just hosed it down and now letting it dry. Btw very pleased withthe tent.

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Stackman

02/9/2008 at 4:36pm
Location: North Dorset
Outfit: Eurohike Buckingham 6 Classic

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I took our big old Wynnster down to a site near Poole for my sister and her family to use. Not only did I have to put it up and take it down without having the benefit of staying in it, I then had to put it up again in our back garden, hose it off and re-pack it afterwards.

I am such a great brother.

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I can remember when this was all fields.

muddypaws

02/9/2008 at 7:39pm
Location: Bridgend
Outfit: Vango Colorado 600DLX

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Hi,
We've got a vango colorado 600dlx, and we have just returned from a muddy weekend away!!!
We packed our groundsheet into a black bag, until we got home, then hosed it down in the back garden.
We will definately be buying a footprint groundsheet ready for next year, does it go under the bedrooms as well or does it only go under the main living area?
We have a pull in the groundsheet, my husband thinks it may have been the portable toilet, but we don't really know what caused it.
Thanks

kelling

02/9/2008 at 8:05pm
Location: daventry northants
Outfit: cabanon pacific

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ok whats a footprint groundsheet? am i missing something here

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i dont know where i am going but i am on my way!!

mamfa

02/9/2008 at 9:38pm
Location: the flats of norfolk
Outfit: khyam 400 tourer

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A footprint groundsheet is (i think) a groundsheet that is the same size as the tent, that you can then pitch the tent on top of. It saves your SIG and keeps it clean and dry. It also offers a bit more insulation from the cold ground and avoids the possible damage that could be caused from errant stones in the ground. I'm sure i'll be corrected if i'm wrong!!

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Mamfa

It's the wine that makes me say it

Garry C

02/9/2008 at 10:57pm
Location: Berkshire
Outfit: 2008 Bailey Pageant + nissan x-trail

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Quote: Originally posted by mamfa on 02/9/2008
A footprint groundsheet is (i think) a groundsheet that is the same size as the tent, that you can then pitch the tent on top of. It saves your SIG and keeps it clean and dry. It also offers a bit more insulation from the cold ground and avoids the possible damage that could be caused from errant stones in the ground. I'm sure i'll be corrected if i'm wrong!!

you are correct,we never camp without one now and the footprint can be placed in a black bag on site and then hosed down to clean it when you get back home,our tent has a ZIG and we fold this and wipe any damp/mud off ready to put back in the tent bag on site,the ZIG is also handy for packing the main tent away if its muddy as we can roll the tent up with either the ZIG or just the footprint in place to save folding it away on a muddy field...

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2008 Bailey Pageant Champagne series 6 with a Dorema Daytona Awning + Nissan X-Trail + Outwell Trout Lake pollycotton tunnel tent

rozza38

03/9/2008 at 12:12am
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Can you get these footprints made up for your tent or is it a case of making your own?

mamfa

03/9/2008 at 12:17am
Location: the flats of norfolk
Outfit: khyam 400 tourer

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i did investigate having one made, but found one from kyham thanks to rexgrant. check to see if your tent manufactuer has them if not i'd ask rex where you can get them made as i'm not to sure

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Mamfa

It's the wine that makes me say it

colinbess

03/9/2008 at 9:58am
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: IH Motor Campers Oregon Re

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I use a footprint for the grandchildren's tent. Well, it's not really a footprint in that it is simply a rectangle of breathable groundsheet that allows the tent to be pitched on it and does not "fall short". It sticks out a bit here and there, but the sticky out bits are really useful on occasions and prevent bare feet from becoming too muddy.

OK, the built in groundsheet of the tent gets a little muddy at times but it is so little that it is very easy to wash or wipe off.

When we arrive home we simply hang the groundsheet on the clothes line, power squirt it all over at least twice, leave it to dry and pack it away. You can't get it completely clean, but clean enoug.

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Batman lives on in North Yorkshire

tentaholic

05/9/2008 at 1:27pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 5

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Thanks for all the suggestions on how to clean the tent. We eventually managed to dry it by rigging up a system of hooks and ropes in the garage and suspending the tent from the rafters! It is still a bit dirty in places but it has been too wet to get it out on the lawn to clean it fully (apart from the days that I was at work this week when it was sunny - typical!). At least the tent won't get mildew now, so hopefully it won't matter if it stays a bit dirty for a while.

Does anyone have any idea about my other query - why Vango have stopped selling the Breckenridge so soon? I guess I'm suspicious about whether they found a problem with it.

Still think we might get something smaller/ easier to pitch for short trips and am wondering about one of the Quechua pop up tents (we'll have gone from one extreme to the other!) The reviews on here seem pretty good for what they are.

sunvalleysue

05/9/2008 at 2:54pm
Location: The Love Shack
Outfit: BearLake 6 and a hot water bottle.

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I would 100% recommend to anybody get a footprint groundsheet,whether it is the official one for your tent or just a tarp.It will keep the bottom of your SIG clean and will save you a lot of time and effort when you get home.We have just returned from Northumberland and while the footprint was caked in mud the SIG was spotless.

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Sue & Phil
--------------------- I Love My AeroBed

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