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Sorry for the delay in responding to recent posts...

Hannah - which retailer says they have a footprint for the Zenith 8 Beyond 'in stock'. I eventually found one seller, ordered it and waited 2 weeks only to be told they couldn't get it from Gelert. When I spoke to Gelert they said they weren't going to produce it and they didn't make any last year so you won't, apparently, be able to find anyone with old stock. When asked why, i was told that there wasn't any demand for it!! It doesn't stop me scanning the web to see if they were telling fibs! I am off in a couple of weeks to The Loire in France and it looks like I am going to have to make one before we go from a couple of huge Tarpaulins from B&Q...

Craig B - I also explored the Hi Gear route and noted the similarity between the Zenith 6 and the Hi Gear Sahara 6 - identical in fact.  Unfortunately, Hi Gear don't to an '8' version of the sahara - and the configuration of the 6 and 8 versions are completely different regarding where the sleeping pods are... so that's no good. Had I known what I know now when i was buying I probably would have gone for the Sahara 6 - just though the extra pod might be useful...

Gelert did promise me that their marketing/sales manager would write to me and tell me why they don't make them but I havem't heard anything.. will let you know if i hear anything...

regards

Barry

Oh well,  

Hi Barry, seems I have joined you in your boat as I too, spent ages thinking over tents and got this one from a 'reputable' manufacturer, and now am very annoyed. I went on campmania.co.uk, they showed it as in stock, when I went to order it came up as being 'out of stock'. Have been hunting high and low but it's no use. Gelert are ignoring me too...their customer service is shocking. I've a good mind to drive to Porthmadog now and tell them what's what!!!

Anyway, have resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to make one myself out of tarp and lump it basically...very disappointed though.

Wish I was going to The Loire...it's sunny (hopefully) Aberdaron, North Wales, for 2 weeks in July/August for me!!

Yes, very disappointing from Gelert. There's clearly no demand at all for the footprint, is there? You, me, and the others who have posted are clearly wrong to be asking for it!  What's maddening is that many of the Gelert dealers are showing the non-existent item on their websites...

Aberdaron in North Wales sounds lovely (just looked it up on Google Maps) - hope the weather in July/Aug is good for you. We have everything crossed for nice weather in France - just a few weeks away now... can't wait!

Just had a glorious week near Saumur in the Loire Valley in France with our Zenith 8. Yes, it is huge but our pitch was more than adequate and we had the most spectacular views across the Loire Valley.

Returning to the the original theme of my first post, I was unable to get hold of a footprint or a carpet for the Zenith before we left for France. We did however buy a huge Tarpaulin. put up the tent and cut out a footprint the week before. I then made good the cut edges with gaffer tape and added some extra eyelets.

Am really glad we did this as it was really helpful to determine the best way round to pitch the tent on the rectangular pitch that we were given. It was easy to swing round the footprint till we had it in the right position for the doors and to allow clearance for the pods and ropes. We didnt have any rain so it wasn't needed to provide protection to the built in ground sheet. It should last as long as the tent so we won't need to get an official one if ever Gelert supply them again.

Re the Carpet - we took along a couple of large picnic mats with the waterproof rubbery backing. They were ok - but we did keep kicking them over each other and tripping up on them where they overlapped. It was nice to have the comfort of something soft underfoot but I'll be looking out for a fitted one for either the Zenith 6 or 8 - or whatever we can find to fit. So far no luck.

The tent was a great success - very roomy and went up with no problems and came down pretty easily too.

regards,

Barry