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Topic: Footprint advice

Bridol

10/8/2021 at 8:37pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Anantara

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Hi all,

We got a footprint with our new tent as part of a package deal I negotiated. Our old tent which was a hand me down and never had one so I need to ask some stupid questions

I got it out of the bag but it only seems to have loops on the 4 corners, I have bought some footprint/groundsheet pegs. Initial thoughts are it would need more than the 4 corners pegged down (8m x 4.4m tent) so do I literally peg through the footprint at intervals round the edges or is 4 enough?

As it was made for the tent I am assuming (!!??!!) that it will be the right size, my instinct says that it should be slightly smaller than the tent so that it doesn't stick out and allow rain to run down the tent and then between the SIG and footprint. Am I right in this?

Is there anything else I should know? There doesn't seem to be any instructions, and at the end of the day its a flat bit of tarp so I do feel a bit daft asking but want don't to cause myself problems

TIA

Mandy

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woodman2

10/8/2021 at 10:03pm
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Hi Mandy,

The purpose of the footprint is to protect the tent and stop the bottom surface becoming dirty / damaged.

The pegging point in each corner is simply to allow you to peg the footprint in place until the tent is errected on top. You are correct that the footprint should be slightly smaller than the tent itself so that non of the footprint extends beyond the tent otherwise water could get between the top of the footprint and the bottom of the tent floor.

If you need to insert pegs for the internal room divders etc then I would suggest getting an eyelet kit like these.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264329788189?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338365712&toolid=20006&customid=EB14549248&

The first time you errect the tent you will need to carefully punch holes with the pegs and then when you take the tent down you can fit the eyelets everywhere you have made holes.

Make a note on the footprint with a marker pen to indicate the front so you always put the footprint down in the same way, and the holes will then line up.

Happy camping.

WeeAlD

via mobile 10/8/2021 at 10:27pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Airgo horizon 4 tent

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Our Airgo Horizon 4 came with a footprint too.
We lay it out abd check for stones, broken pegs left in the ground and also dips and slopes. This helps us work out the best position for the tent. It is also shaped exactly like the tent. This has 6 pegging points to help maintain the shape.
We then lay the tent over it ensuring that it is covered by pegging the tent at the front and back before inflation.

Bob61

10/8/2021 at 11:44pm
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A footprint doesn't actually need to be pegged down because the tent on top of it stops it going anywhere. However, on a windy day you may have difficulty stopping the footprint from taking off, so a peg in each corner will hold it down long enough for you to get the tent placed on top.

Now...one would assume that if you buy a dedicated footprint for a specific tent that it would fit underneath perfectly. Unfortunately, not always so!

I bought a dedicated footprint for one of my tents and it stuck out in several places so I ended up cutting it down to size. On the plus side, I have used that footprint for at least two other (slightly smaller or different shaped tents) by cutting it to size again, and it is still going strong and used for my present tent.

Incidentally, you are right...it is just a tarp! When I cut mine (which did have more than 4 pegging points) I lost some of the pegging points, so I just made holes where I thought was necessary and I can honestly say that the 'tarp' has never frayed either where cut or where holes were made, so no need for hems and eyelets etc.

Post last edited on 10/08/2021 23:48:53

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cjh_

11/8/2021 at 10:31am
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Outwell Kensington 6 Hi Gear Vanguard

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Hi

With the footprint, you are absolutely correct to make sure that no part of it is showing outside the main tent else you will get water going between the footprint and underneath the tent. Sounds obvious and you would expect that the footprint would be the correct size, however, the footprint for our Outwell Kensington 6 is too wide. We actually fold the sides of the footprint to fit and use mini clingons (https://www.eyelets.co.uk/clingons-the-reuseable-eyelet/) as extra pegging points to keep it in shape. You could use the clingons even if it is the correct size, they are very useful for other things anyway.

Bridol

11/8/2021 at 12:42pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Vango Anantara

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Thanks all for your replies, particularly like the idea of marking the front if I have to pierce it and I have never come across clingons so they look interesting.

Made me chuckle that I bought quite so many pegs when they are not really needed, oh well, newbie error <grin>

Mandy

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cjh_

11/8/2021 at 3:40pm
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Outwell Kensington 6 Hi Gear Vanguard

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The clingons are a great piece of kit, we have about 30 in our spares bag, just in case. On previous tents we have used them as extra pegging points when the shape of the tent is not quite right due to uneven ground etc. Also extremely useful for shade awnings etc when the wind gets up for extra guy lines. They don't damage the fabric at all. And no I don't have shares in the company !!.

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