has anyone camped on all weather pitch. was there much tent damage? has anyone camped with blow up tent on all weather? very worried- suggestions welcome - what can i use to protect my footprint?
If you have the room old carpet works, this what we use under our tents on our retail tent display as it's gravel... definitely get some old carpet and cut it into 6" squares to put under the bases of the beams. The wind can keep moving the base of the beams backwards and forwards ever so slightly causing them to rub.
------------- Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.
Multiple footprints (or one heavy duty tarp/pond liner) to protect the main SIG. Either carpet as Gary says, or those holey foam mats (to allow drainage) for under each air tube.
I've considered this for ours, but then we only have an air tube in each corner.
Not tried it though. The above approach would be more for a last resort situation. Despite having previous success on hard standing (although not gravel as such), I'm not sure I'd be tempted again. Too many risks involved for my liking!
------------- 2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
We've camped a quite a few times on gravel. First with our Bear lake 6, then with our new Harrier XL.
No problems at all, other than some lazy so-and-so not removing all their rock pegs, as I found out when I stood on one
We put down some awning carpet first, which is breathable, and not too bulky and provides an extra slightly padded protective layer. Not the really thin plastic type, the type that's like a fine mesh.....like this
This extends out to cover under the feet of the airbeams, but allows rain to drain through. Then two footprints.
Much prefer it to a patch of mud, and much cleaner on packing down.
Just remember to pack rock pegs and you'll be fine
Quote: Originally posted by camperclan on 01/4/2017
We've camped a quite a few times on gravel. First with our Bear lake 6, then with our new Harrier XL.
No problems at all, other than some lazy so-and-so not removing all their rock pegs, as I found out when I stood on one
We put down some awning carpet first, which is breathable, and not too bulky and provides an extra slightly padded protective layer. Not the really thin plastic type, the type that's like a fine mesh.....like this
This extends out to cover under the feet of the airbeams, but allows rain to drain through. Then two footprints.
Much prefer it to a patch of mud, and much cleaner on packing down.
Just remember to pack rock pegs and you'll be fine
excellent idea re the breathable awning carpet - some sites iv ben enquiring about just now Only have hardstanding pitches avail because the grass is stll too wet and they dont want it turning into mud so early in the season!.
im concerned at the sharp points on some hard standings piercing through the sig on my tents and making little holes in them!
------------- Facebook:- Tent Camping group
Living the Dutch Dream - Karsten 300 pod + extns in Sea Green and Pure Cotton
The hard standing we've always been on hankakampa, was gravel chippings rather than pea shingle, so I do understand your concern.
Can only say with the above layering, we've had no damage at all to our sig.
We always do a good sweep of the pitch first, and if I find any stones which I'm concerned with, I just kick them to one side.
I certainly wouldn't camp on hard standing without the extra layers under the sig, but we do choose hard standing given the choice.
Hope this helps