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Hi all,

We are going on our first camping trip tomorrow and as you all know it will still be raining.  Our tent, sunncamp vario 2005 model does not have a sig but to put it up you have to lay it flat on the ground and thread the poles through.  How do you avoid getting the inside of it soaked?  Do I lay the groundsheets out first then put the tent on them and go from there?  Some quick advice needed here please folks.

The flysheet will air out and dry by the time you get it up and pegged. It doesn`t get saturated just by being on the grass for ten minutes so don`t worry too much.

Yes, it helps to put the groundsheet down but you`ll find the flysheet is bigger than the groundsheet, so it`s still going to get a bit wet if the grass is wet. Don`t get too neurotic about fitting the tent round the groundsheet while pegging out, btw...it`s best to peg out then straighten the groundsheet into position. The flysheet seldom ends up perfectly square due to the ground seldom being perfectly flat.

One comment/tip about pitching the Vario type tents...you have to make absolutely sure you zip up the doorways fully  and pitch without pulling the front face out too tightly. The front door in the Varios need a tiny bit of slack to zip up smoothly.

Hi

There is sometimes the problem that the field is a bit muddy. You could buy a second groundsheet,  to cover the ground where u r going to pitch.  Or, go to the builders supply and ask then to cut a piece of VISQUEEN bigger than the size of your tent. Peg it at the 4 corners.  (Some folk don't like this as the grass can't breathe) but most ground-sheets have the same effect.  Then when the tent is up, remove the visqueen and replace it with your groundsheet.Dont leave it as - if it rains the water will seep into the tent. (Dont forget you will need room to store the visqueen) PS - you can also buy cheap tarpaulins. From screwfix it will cost you about £12.00 + postage for one that measures 5M x 8M. But visqueen is stronger.

if it is the inner you have to errect first, then the best advice is be quick! However, inners generally dryout quick, with a bit of a wipe down in side. If it goes up outer first, then you have nothing to worry about.

One thing you can do, if it is inner first, is to have people hold the flysheet over the tent (if there is enough hands), while you go under it and thread the poles.

Worry more about you getting mud inside, than rain - a littel rain and water is easy to sort out when the thing is up, mud is more of a problem.

hi all, i hadnt really thought about this been a problem as im new to camping but having read these comments ive just rang my broher in-law and asked him to get me a big piece of visqueen from work to use as protection. My only question is do i take it up after puting the fly sheet up or pitch the iner tents over it ?????

happy camping to you all and keep dry this weekend, its gonna be a wet one

Thanks for the tips but the campsite just called to say its water logged so we won't be going tomorrow, have to call on monday to see if any better.  Boo hoo

Rachel

Quote: Originally posted by jamiecbf600 on 26/5/2006

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hi all, i hadnt really thought about this been a problem as im new to camping but having read these comments ive just rang my broher in-law and asked him to get me a big piece of visqueen from work to use as protection. My only question is do i take it up after puting the fly sheet up or pitch the iner tents over it ?????

happy camping to you all and keep dry this weekend, its gonna be a wet one

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pitch over it. This keeps the inners groundsheet clean and dry,just make sure that there is no excess sticking outside from under the flysheet or the rain will collect and run in under the tent.

Quote: Originally posted by Fred + Wilma on 26/5/2006

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Which campsite were you going to Rachel?

Ann

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Warren Farm in Brean, Somerset.  I'm pleased they phoned so as to save us the journey down.  It never even crossed my mind that we wouldn't be going tomorrow.  I'm really disappointed especially as this is the first camping trip.

At least I now know all the gear fits in the car.

Rachel