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Camping under canvas - Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations

Topic: Tent Footprints

Markstu

20/8/2017 at 8:14pm
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Hiya,

I'm a first time camper and I've brought a Freedom Trail Sendero 6 Family Tent.
We used it for the first time this weekend and noticed the bottom of the sown in groundsheet has become muddy and has wet grass stuck to it. I will obviously get my tent out at the next opportunity and give the bottom a clean.
I have looked around and I've noticed most tents have a footprint to match your tent. I can't seem to find one for mine.

If anyone can help me to find one or knows of anything to help me with this it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mark.

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JasonAndclare

20/8/2017 at 8:37pm
Location: West Sussex
Outfit: Obelink Familia 6 Alpkit Ordos 3

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Hi Mark,

Any cheap tarp will do the job, the footprint companies sell to go with their tents tend to be overpriced. Just make sure the tent completely covers the tarp under it, otherwise rain will run between the tarp and your groundsheet, leaving you with a wet pack up again.

I use two cheap tarps from B&Q, with one end folded over to ensure the it fits all under the tent.

Regards,

Jason.

phathamster

21/8/2017 at 7:28am
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I always found the footprint useful for marking out the pitch, as well as the protection benefits.

Often expensive compared to cheap tarp though. As mentioned above, but pegging holes are in the correct places etc.

Bob61

21/8/2017 at 1:28pm
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Buy a waterproof tarpaulin as close to the size of the base of your tent as you can get and preferably slightly undersized for the reason given above...if it sticks out the sides of the tent water will drip onto it and run back underneath between the tarp and the tent groundsheet which is not desirable.

It does not matter if the tarpaulin is short by several inches, even up to a foot, because you rarely walk right on the edge of the tent groundsheet except at the doors. Providing the majority of the tent groundsheet is protected you can wipe off any moisture or mud right on the edges as you fold and roll the tent up.

If you can only get a tarp which is slightly oversized you can fold it or cut it. Some people go to the trouble of cutting them and then hemming them and putting new brass eyelets in but if you can fold it and secure the fold with tape across the middle, there will be no need to do all that.

In my case I just cut it, made holes in it with a sharp tent peg an inch or two from the cut edge, and use those holes for the tarpaulin pegs. Neither the cut edge nor the holes have frayed and I have used it like that for a year or two now.

You don't have to peg the tarp down because the tent will be on top of it anyway but it helps to secure it in windy weather. I use plastic 'mushroom' pegs which have a rounded top and won't damage the tent groundsheet.

Hope that helps.

Post last edited on 21/08/2017 13:32:50

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Markstu

22/8/2017 at 12:37pm
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Hiya,

Thanks for all the advice it's much appreciated.
I guess I will learn all the tricks along the way as me and the family have definitely got the camping bug now!

Mark.

Bob61

22/8/2017 at 1:30pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Markstu on 22/8/2017
Hiya,

Thanks for all the advice it's much appreciated.
I guess I will learn all the tricks along the way as me and the family have definitely got the camping bug now!

Mark.

Hope you have a very large bank account or an understanding bank manager...you will need it!

Good luck

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