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Hello, I'm usually a bit of a lurker but thought I'd join and post as I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.

We have a tent with a detatchable groundsheet in the living area (I am presuming the bedrooms are attatched as they weren't mentioned). What I am wondering is, do I need to buy another groundsheet for under the whole tent or just for under the awning or just under the living area and awning? If I buy one and cut it to size will it split if I put groundsheet pegs in?

I haven't been camping since 2nd year at school and we used my friends 2 man tent then which she pitched so I don't even know how we did that. I am really looking forward to our summer holiday this year but am in a bit of a panic as we are meant to be going on a 2 day test run over Easter.

Thank you for any replies.

Hi Hippychick

Firstly welcome, now you've posted once you'll be adicted...lol

It is usual to buy another groundsheet to put on the ground for the whole area your tent will cover. These are called footprints, most tents have them, sold as add ons or you could just use tarpaulin.

The function of this extra layer is to protect the tent from wet and debris on the ground.

Hope this helps, if not, just reply and I'll try again.

Hello Hippychick

If the tent & bedrooms have a groundsheet sown in (SIG), I would use another cheap plastic groundsheet beneath it to keep it it clean. Make sure the 2nd ground sheet is the same size (a footprint) or slightly smaller. If it sticks out more than the shape of the tent it could allow collect water under your tent. Do you need a groundsheet in the awning? It's often a good area to leave wet stuff in the awning before getting into the tent proper and will drain easier.

Les D

Wow, loads of replies already,  thank you.

I got an easycamp Taranto 600 for my Birthday last year. I think my parents were hinting that camping is fun and a cheap holiday too (once you're kitted up). I can't wait to test it out. I can't find a footprint for it and can't find a groundsheet that is big enough for the whole length as it is 620cm long. Would it be ok to stick 2 pieces together with duck tape or would that just come apart when wet? Should I overlap them too?

Does tarpaulin work ok then and stay in place? Do you feel really guilty killing the grass, I'd be running off hoping the campsite didn't look. Or is it normal to have patchy grass on campsites? Mind you groundsheets kill it too don't they. I don't like the idea of the eco ones that don't really do much to protect your tent.

I think just overlapping them will be Ok if you can't join them. I've only needed to peg the groundsheet down in windy conditions whilst putting the tent up on top.  If you only leave the groundsheet down for a couple of days the grass should recover.

Les D