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Subject Topic: Tarp v`s Footprint - HH? Post Reply Post New Topic
23/6/2012 at 1:03pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift [Challenger Sport] Fairway 514
View #deb#'s Profile View Profile   Reply to #deb# Reply   Quote #deb# Quote  
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Is there much to be gained in terms of waterproofing from going for a footprint groundsheet over plain tarpaulin sheet? Tarp is obviously cheaper but is it any less waterproof? Is the hydrostatic head much different?

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Cheers! Debs


23/6/2012 at 1:30pm
 Location: Chessington Surrey
 Outfit: Outwell Montana Lake
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I asked a similar sort of question recently although more concerned with what weight of tarp to get. General consensus was that the tent branded footprints were actually no different to the bog standard DIY shed type tarps other than being 3 times the price !

Regarding waterproofing, it shouldn't really make any difference as the tents own groundsheet should be more than enough to keep the water out not the footprint.



23/6/2012 at 8:40pm
 Location: March
 Outfit: Sceptre 5 berth van
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I have always made my own footprints from tarps and find them great (mainly keeping the tent clean on wet ground) . It is important to make sure your home made footprint is a couple of inches smaller than the dimensions of your tent, so that any rain doesn't run down your tent and hit the footprint, it hits the grass.


24/6/2012 at 4:32pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Wynnster Eagle 6
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We have a footprint for our tent, (only because it was a bargain! and our tent isn't a regular shape) and to me there doesn't seem any difference to a regular tarp.

As others have said as long as it's slightly smaller than the tent, it should do just fine.

 



24/6/2012 at 5:49pm
 Location: Prescot Merseyside
 Outfit: V.V 500 Outwell Colorado & Sprayway 5
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We have a footprint but only use it on hardstanding / all weather pitches. So we have used it twice.

It didn't offer anything other than an extra layer and stop stones poking through the ground sheet.

I have heard people say it keeps your groundsheet and bedroom pods clean, but you still have to clean the footprint before you pack it away.

So in short.....unless you plan to camp on gravel, IMO you don't need one.



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Why can't we live in the tent..?       


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24/6/2012 at 6:09pm
 Location: Glasgow
 Outfit: Elddis Avante 454
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I like having a footprint as it makes it really easy to get the tent in exactly the right place, lay down the footprint and move it around until it is in the perfect spot then put the tent on top. My footprint is filthy on the underside but the mud and dirt are not rolled up with the tent so not a problem.
A tarp cut the the correct size is just as good as a footprint IMHU.

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We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.



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