Good Morning.. I said I'd never entertain a tent without a SIG but have obtained a Cabanon Pacific off eBay. It's not a very large tent but I'm uncertain on the best type of groundsheet to use. I'm attracted to a close weave but breathable groundsheet. Would this be best or would another type be more suited ? My intention is to tuck the mud vallance inside the tent and place the groundsheet on top of it and then hang the inner tents on top of that. Definitely out is the cheapo blue tarp from places such as B&Q. Any advice would be much appreciated especially from Rex or perhaps King Cabanon(he knows who he is)
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We have always camped with tents that do not have a full a sig, provided your bedrooms are sig then you wont have any problems. We used to use the heavy duty vinyl groundsheets for the living area but some years ago we switched to the "string vest" breathable type. We find these are much better as they feel nice underfoot and any spillages or dirt just pass through into the ground below, with a solid groundsheet a small spill seems like a river and you always seem to be sweeping up dirt. Yes you will get bugs in (they get in any tent when you open the doors), but they can also get out again easily, the downside to them is that they are quite bulky when folded and are not suitable for very wet weather on soft ground as you could get mud squeezing up through the holes.
We put the cheap blue tarp under the whole area and then put large mats on the top but it depends on the condition of the ground really. Last year the ground was soaking wet and it would have been very unpleasant if we hadn't had two layers of groundsheet under us.
We want to keep the sleeping pods clean for packing away again so I would definately recommend having something underneath those to keep them clean and free from damage.
It's just a case of adapting to the conditions I suppose, if it was dry and grassy and free from stones you could go without anything.
Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 08/4/2008
..My intention is to tuck the mud vallance inside the tent and place the groundsheet on top of it and then hang the inner tents on top of that. ..
That's what I do. I use a deeply unfashionable, eco-unfriendly solid pvc groundsheet, sometimes with a picnic rug on top for a bit of warmth. If I could find a more breathable groundsheet that didn't let puddles and damp come up through the holes I'd use one - but I can't!
Once the groundsheet is dropped on top of the heavy duty vallance, and then stuff, the inners etc on top of that - the vallance doesn't move. MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
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Sorry, I don't know either. Fingers crossed someone will come along with an answer as I'd like to know to.
And I just noticed that it was you who won the very smart looking Pacific which I was watching out of interest on Ebay. Its the same colourway as mine but yours looks like its straight out of the box. Brilliant! MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
We also use a pvc groundsheet when it's boggy and wet (that's the whole of last year then!), up until last year we didn't bother using a groundsheet under the sleeping pods...
If you're trying to recreate a SIG type feel then I think pvc would be your best bet.
Like Spriteite above we prefer not having a groundsheet so that spillages etc just go away. We do have an Ikea plastic backed, washable bath mat that we put outside the bedroom door so at night you're not walking out onto cold grass!
------------- Piglet
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Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 08/4/2008
I said I'd never entertain a tent without a SIG but have obtained a Cabanon Pacific off eBay....
Isn't it odd how people on here, me included, seem to find themselves aquiring tents when they had no intention of doing so? Its very puzzling.
Do you think it could be anything to do with the fact that we're always looking at tent suggestions here, trawling the internet, bookmarking the Ebaytent section and all the little lost tents can sense they'd have a good home with us? MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
I've wanted a Cabanon since I saw MT's last year. What stopped me was the fact it didn't have a sewn in groundsheet. If I can obtain a groundsheet which not only breathes but keeps the mud and water out that'll be fine. If not I'll use a pvc groundsheet but lose all my green credibility. As to eBay..had I bought all the tents I've bookmarked on there I would now have a warehouse full of them. I've already got a very good tent in a Sunncamp Sprint but have always fancied a Cabanon so couldn't resist the Pacific I saw on there. It doesn't look as if it has been used. The curtain is still neatly folded in a plastic pouch. 120 quid...a BARGAIN !! Mrs Safeway is none too pleased though.
I've now got a caravan and two tents...It must be a sickness I have.
Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 08/4/2008 I said I'd never entertain a tent without a SIG but have obtained a Cabanon Pacific off eBay....
Isn't it odd how people on here, me included, seem to find themselves aquiring tents when they had no intention of doing so? Its very puzzling.
Do you think it could be anything to do with the fact that we're always looking at tent suggestions here, trawling the internet, bookmarking the Ebaytent section and all the little lost tents can sense they'd have a good home with us? MT
Speak for yourself, I'm feeling very proud of myself....not only have I not bought a tent since last August, but I have actually sold one...
hi we bought some Army single groung sheets from our local army surplus shop.they are approx 2mt*1mt really strong , light and dark green in color so look ok,wife stitched them together on sawing machine to make a ground sheet 6mt*5mt for our Cabanon Montpell.They were £3 each and will last a long time
We just used the blue woven groundsheets doubled up. We use them also underneath the bedrooms to keep them clean for packing away. We use a large canvas in the living area which keeps our tootsies warm when walking around the tent at night
Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 08/4/2008Good Morning.. I said I'd never entertain a tent without a SIG but have obtained a Cabanon Pacific off eBay. It's not a very large tent but I'm uncertain on the best type of groundsheet to use. I'm attracted to a close weave but breathable groundsheet. Would this be best or would another type be more suited ? My intention is to tuck the mud vallance inside the tent and place the groundsheet on top of it and then hang the inner tents on top of that. Definitely out is the cheapo blue tarp from places such as B&Q. Any advice would be much appreciated especially from Rex or perhaps King Cabanon(he knows who he is)
Hi safeway
The close weave breathable will not stop mud oozing through but are really good when it is hot and dry.
Congratulations on the pacific, get a flexiliner and a close weave on top.The best of both worlds Flexilinersyou can cut it they do not tear or fray cut about 6" oversize so it goes over the mudflaps and up the wall all round connect your bedroom to the corner poles with bungees to stop it moving until your beds in place You then have you fitted ground sheet totally insect and water proof with the warmth of the close weave on top.
Thal bi alrate nar ar kid wi a cabanon
Rex.
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)