I cant speak for the bear lake, but I have a Montana 6 with SIG, it was the old model outwell made before they released the new montana with detachable groundsheet. My friend has the new model, and he just keeps the ground sheet attached all the time, and it does'nt take any more room in the bag. I know the bear lake is a lot bigger, but I should'nt have thought it would make much difference. Hope this helps.
------------- If only I could camp all year round!
This thread discusses the practicalities of packing the Bear Lake up with ZIG attatched! My personal opinion is that it is better to remove it as it only takes a few minutes, enables you to wash it down seperately from the tent canvas, and also makes handling the weight of the tent more managable!
You have made a great choice by the way, you will really notice the difference in quality!
thanks for the advise, read the thread it seems better if you attatch and remove on each camping trip
can not wait for my fist camping trip in it, my old tent the oregan 5 was a great tent and served its perpose but been a family of 2 adults , 2 kids and a dog the space was limited, looking forward for that bit extra space and quality
cheers
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We camped in our new Bear Lake for the first time last week. We detached the groundsheet beforehand, only takes an extra 5 minutes as the zips are great quality and easy to use. Our main reason was so we could hang the tent to fully dry out when we got home which wouldn't have been easy to do with ZIG attached. Also a heavy tent and would be difficult to manoeuvre with ZIG attached.
Can recommend buying a footprint groundsheet, £22 well spent! Keeps flysheet off floor when taking down without ZIG and there was also hardly a mark on the ZIG whereas the footprint was quite muddy.
pitched my new 2008 bl6 in the garden.yeomans said to weather it as the material shrinks slightley when heavy rain makes contact with it.i take it when the tent dries the material expands again and is the same to errect again (quite easy) and not slightly tighter. has anyone got a carpet and are they worth it.its not for me more the high maintenance wife.
With the helpfull advice of this web site and the reviews section,
We're also about to buy a Bear Lake 4. after 12 years of towing a touring caravan which we sold because I was getting fed up of dragging the thing about and the kids have grown up now and doing their own thing... Three years ago we decided to get a tent ,first was a small vango which was well made and bomb proof but too small,then we bought a Royal Georgia, Ideal size for us two and for £130 was excellent value (we had one storm in Cambridge that flattened other tents the Georgia stood up to it). But now this spring we saw the BL4. and both of us like the look of it. so will keep you posted and will be sending a Review
has anyone got a carpet and are they worth it.its not for me more the high maintenance wife.
We have the carpet, more for protection of the groundsheet. Haven't tried to clean it yet, will probably was carpet cleaner and a scrubbing brush. Have woken up on some pretty chilly mornings and it is a bit warmer underfoot than the groundsheet alone. Would also recommend the footprint, stops the groundsheet getting dirty underneath and agreat to lower the flysheet onto when de-camping
------------- Campers: Nature's way of feeding midges!
2010
Easter - cancelled 8-(
April - Hawkshead
May - Riverside Cononley
May - Keswick Mountain Festival
May - High Yedmandale Farm
June - York Cycle show
August - Hartlepool
August - Riverside, Cononley
September - Pillaton "The Return"
We just got our BL6 and will use it in July. We have the carpet as well and have had the carpet for each of our tents. I highly recommend them as they do offer that protection but just make it feel homier. They are protected and spills bead up so wipe them straight away. I have a toddler, teenager, and husband and our carpet took a beating but still looks brand new.
We plan on taking the zig off and on for each trip. Think this will be great if you have to repitch the tent to let it dry faster.
We have yet to get the groundsheet but aim to order soon.
Thanks for all the tips.
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