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Hi

We are off camping in the Lake District next week and we want some advice on what to do if we get there and the ground is wet and also pitching and packing up the tent in the rain. 

We have a  Vango Venture 500 (2006) and it's outer first.  Would it be a good idea to have an additional ground sheet down first, to protect & keep clean, the SIG?

Any other advice about wet camping would also be helpful.

Thanks

if the tent gets wet ensure that you air and dry the bedroom section of your tent THOUROUGHLY the only differance between wet and dry camping is ....you need to dry off camping is all about being outdoors and the oppourtunity to experiance different smells colours and sights in the lakes at any time of year should always be grasped with both hands .do you have water proof trousers and coats these are a good investment as you dont need to worry about clothes etc  also some camp sites in the lakes also have "drying rooms" to dry your wet kit(obv sorry) and most are free due to the high quantity of walkers etc in the are in know that the national trusat site at langdale definatly has one 

hope you enjoy your camp and remember that there  is no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothes.....happy trails  

Hi and welcome to UKCS.
We were away one very wet weekend.   Rain started Friday morning and stayed with us all weekend.   Pitched in torrential rain, and put down in torrential rain.    We didn't put the tent back in its bag, just folded it as best possible in the circumstances and dried it at home.    Not sure about a SIG though - not a groundsheet fan.

Camping can still be enjoyable even in the rain.   We had a bright spell of about 2 hours,  so the children and I had a lovely nature walk by the river.   It was lovely just walking in the wet countryside - enjoying the brief spot of sunshine.   Saw a heron looking for fish (makes a change from the  raiding peoples ponds.

Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 02/8/2006

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The VV500 doesn't have a full SIG, the 2006 model has a toggle in groundsheet that is attached to the front of the bedroom area I think?

Make sure you get the tent pitched squarely and the mudflaps will keep you dry inside,

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thank you

Should these be folded up inside the tent on the front door? Like they are on our profile image?

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/gallery.asp?profile=75665&gall=1

Have to agree with Piglet. We too have a 05 V600DLX.

We used it as Easter and the rain was kind enough to stop long enough for us to pitch and strike in vaguely dry conditions.

The tent though remained dry inside and we too employed the shaking technique to avoid the deluge of run off.

It is all about having the right clothes, for me, as long as it is above about 15 degress then shorts and a tee shirt will do for me and they are relative easy to dry

Have fun

Phil

hi cal and phil

don't worry too much about setting up in the rain .........there will be breaks in the weather so make the most of them

an extra goundsheet can be very handy for keeping things out of the mud .

before you start have a plan ie whos going to spread ground sheet whos going to lay tent out and whos doing the poles and pegs etc once you have the tent up you can shelter for a while get your breath back before starting  unloading the rest of the dry gear that you left in the car

 when its all up you can sit back and laugh at your selves or pat yourselves on the back and say how good you coped

If your are unfortunate to pack up in the rain you can always dry the fly sheet at home

have fun

Hi there

Camping in the rain is second nature to us. Weather can be fantastic until we put trailer on back of car. If it is raining when yoo get there just get your routine in your heads before starting, to save on any delays. We always put the groundsheet down. I also have a cheap door mat/short runner rug for the door entrance. It does help with keeping your groundsheet from getting wet, dirty and slippy. I make them all wipe there feet and then take there shoes off (i sound cruel dont i, i do let them put another pair on), especially on long stays. Then the next guarantee for rain is the night before packing up day. Thats the day when the strong winds and torrential rain come. Just to make sure we have to dry all the tent out when we get home, and for you to be nice and damp for the journey home.

B&Q

£10 for a sheet 4m x 5m, I have two for my Royal Biarritz 6

If you have a buyright's near you, you can get them that size for £5.00.

We got our tarpaulin from B&Q and it's too big for our tent which is 7.5m x 3.6!  Folded over it's perfect.

Caro.