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Pitching on a hill? I would say that the most important things to think about is how you want to sleep (feet down to bottom of the hill), which way the wind is mostly blowing (pitch the door facing away from the wind) and which way you want to get out the tent (not directly into a bramble bush, or your neighbours awning.) And try not to pitch the tent over a hollow or channel.

Only after all that do you worry about water blowing on the groundsheet.If rain is pouring down the hill into your tent, then take the groundsheet up. Seriously. It`s not doing any good there, after all, and the water can`t even seep away into the ground.

Quote: Originally posted by srnet on 04/08/2005

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Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 04/08/2005

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The SIG versus non-SIG argument must be as old as this forum.

I suppose the argument started as soon as the SIG was invented, off course before that time everyone managed perfectly well without them.

It`s purely personal preference in the end.

Absolutly.

I prefer a flysheet first, loose central groundsheet design like my Colorado.

Me too, same arrangement on my Khyam.

 

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I used to dream about a SIG years before they were invented, but didn't think it would be practicable, but now they are and I've got one its absolutely great and I wouldnt be without it, but of course, I have one of the few that don't erect inner 1st.  The only other disadvantages mentioned by non-SIG lovers are the cleaning of the groundsheet, the bulk when packed, and the ventilation.  Well, I use the cheap tarp. underneath as mentioned by many on these forums, and as I don't need such a huge tent as some on here, the pack size is no problem either, and as for ventilation, the Weathermaster Plus has excellent ventilation on the walls and roof, so it doesn't need ankle level ventilation.   Sorry, I'm going on, I know your tents are just want you want and so is mine. 

Quote: Originally posted by Lauren2005 on 04/08/2005

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Absolutly.

I prefer a flysheet first, loose central groundsheet design like my Colorado.

Me too, same arrangement on my Khyam.

 

What does that bit mean? Whats a loose central one? You mean bits of grass poking at the sides not attached, just GS in centre?

Post last edited on 04/08/2005 20:52:19

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Means a loose groundsheet that fits the living area ansd SIGs for the individual pods. It just so happens that I have a cruciform tent where there are three pods facing into a centre area, and the central groundsheet covers this area and out into the tunnel entrance portch, where it has stormflaps on the three sides of the portch.

could it just be that I didnt peg it out correctly? It wasnt too straight!

could it just be that I didnt peg it out correctly? It wasnt too straight!

Quote: Originally posted by Lauren2005 on 04/08/2005

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could it just be that I didnt peg it out correctly? It wasnt too straight!

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Hi Lauren, it might not have been your pegging out, it could have just been the slope of the ground you were pitching on.

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 04/08/2005

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 I do prefer the improved ventilation, lighter pack weight, easier cleaning of the smaller tent sections, no disasters if the central groundsheet tears etc etc. And it`s easier to pitch a flysheet first tent tight IMHO.

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Val, as you know I was highly sceptical about this issue  last year but with the arrival of more flyfirst sewnin groundsheet tents I have gone fully over to the SIG side.

 None of the disadvantages you mention above apply to the Montana 6 which we have. It is very well ventilated, as light and as easy to pitch (or easier) than the highly comparable Colorado 8 we had before, easypeasy to keep clean (just throw a rectangular tarp down before the rectangular tent and bob's your uncle), ditto the tarp protects the groundsheet from tears from underneath and we've never ripped a groundsheet from above before so don't waste time worrying that we're going to start now .

However, given the choice between one of the big inner first dome tents with a SIG and going back to our Colorado 8 without a SIG, it would be the Colorado 8 every time. MT

The 'SIG side', sounds like a war ?

I would camp in either, a tent with a SIG or without, it makes no differance with a SIG or without, you will be warm and dry

Are there really campers who would not camp in a tent unless it had a SIG ?.

Quote: Originally posted by srnet on 04/08/2005

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The 'SIG side', sounds like a war ?

Sorry, Stuart, it was meant to sound like a Star Wars-stylee joke

Are there really campers who would not camp in a tent unless it had a SIG ?.

No idea, not us anyway! MT

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Having camped in both.  I would now never go back to a tent without a SIG.  Perhaps unlike somepeople I can't be man enough.

sounds like a lot of you have an awful lot of experience with all this SIG/no SIG stuff. 

We have a Just Kampers Hamburg awning which we bought earlier in the year & didn't realise that the ground sheet isn't completely sewn in - i.e. it's sewn in everywhere but at the doors where it would normally be zipped.  unfortunately we're wimps, prefer the non-draughty, dryness of SIGs & only really have space in the inner tent for us all to sleep.  there are storm flaps at the doors & we'll have to try tucking them under as suggested (unfortunately, the instructions weren't what they could have been & we're fairly new to this & learning as we go!).  the doors are on every side (6 in all) & our VW is just a 7-seater, not a camper, so we don't have space in there to store all our bits & pieces that we need kept dry. 

sorry, i'm rambling.  basically, what i'm looking for are any suggestions on how to put the awning up properly to minimise water coming in the bottom of the doors as it did when we were last away.  I'm seriously considering some more permanent method of getting the doors to stay shut (i'm feeling some of you may start to suggest selling my awning on ebay & buying another one with a complete sig!), but think that might be a bit drastic, especially if it shouldn't really let water in if we learn how to put it up right.

thanks for your help!!!

I have a non SIG and have stayed in an SIG tent. I prefer the non SIG, more ventilation, less condensation! Dont get really hot either

We went for SIG because of creepy crawlies, but we have just got back from France where we had a 13 hr downpour, the tent inside was dry as a bone as the water passed below the SIG, some of the non SIG campers were having to contend with new waterways coming through the tent. It's all down to your own preference but SIG keeps you dry.

By the way wasn't SIG Capt Scarlets call when everything was OK.