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Topic: Tent footprints and puddles

Janex

04/8/2013 at 5:59pm
Location: Warrington
Outfit: Outwell Idaho XL

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Have just returned from a short camping trip in the Forest of Dean. It rained only once (amazingly) but I noticed that the rainwater somehow lodged itself between the footprint of my tent (Outwell Idaho) and the sewn in ground sheet. The water was unable to soak into the ground and therefore was absorbed upwards into the ground sheet where it duly formed little puddles.

Has anyone else had this problem or is it just me??

arcadia

04/8/2013 at 6:36pm
Location: Edinburgh
Outfit: Nevada M

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Yes we have had puddles form on the footprint but fortunately only one small leak up through the SIG due to a wee hole I fixed with tenacity tape. Wonder why you are getting water in - could your SIG have some holes too?

Try to make sure none of your footprint protrudes beyond the end of your tent as it will catch any run off - other than that I'm not sure what else to advise.

JayneJ

04/8/2013 at 7:48pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Kyam Hatfield

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We too experienced this. In our case, the footprint was firmly anchored flat to the ground, and although the skirt of the tent came over the footprint and the corners of the bedroom pods were secured at the top and bottom, when it rained there was also a slight wind and the fabric between the two anchored positioned of the bedroom pod blew slightly away ( albeit only a small amount) from the footprint, so when it rained, it rained onto the footprint and then when the wind died down the rain water was trapped between the footprint and sig with nowhere to drain away to.

I have bought some tarp clips so I can attach them to the skirt of the bedroom pods and anchor them to the ground, thus making sure that the footprint is never exposed if there is any kind of wind.

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Jayne

Campernic

04/8/2013 at 9:36pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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Not a problem I've had luckily but you should make sure your footprint is marginally smaller than your tent. If it's not I suggest you carefully cut it or tuck it under if you're not brave enough to take a big pair of scissors to the item you spent big money on!

Janex

06/8/2013 at 12:48pm
Location: Warrington
Outfit: Outwell Idaho XL

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Thank you all for your tips and advice. As far as I can see there are no holes/tears in the footprint. I guess I need to make sure that the tent is positioned correctly on the it and take it from there.

My other half says that we should just not use the footprint at all - reckons that would be one way of avoiding puddles!

Mucker1884

06/8/2013 at 1:04pm
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings

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Have you previously had this footprint on a hard standing?

I did.... and only noticed the pin holes as I hung it on the line after scrubbing it..... the daylight shone through, giving the appearance of a very starry sky on a clear night!!!
Just a thought!

It would of course alleviate the problem, if you do leave it out.... but then you will go home with a large tent with a very dirty, wet and smelly bottom!!! (As opposed to a dirty, wet and smelly footprint, that can easily be bunged in a bin liner, and sorted out a week on Thursday!!)

I'd suggest finding a solution to the problem, rather than pitching your tent directly on the grass/other.

I prefer the footprint to be about 4" short all the way round, so hopefully no rain can blow under, and get between footprint & SIG.

When striking camp, that 4" strip of wet/dirt around the underside of your SIG can easily be wiped clean and dry, if need be, as you fold/roll up the tent, before bagging it up. Always keep a couple of old towels handy for this.

Mucker
xxx

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July 2012-Dec 2024: 456 nights.

JayneJ

06/8/2013 at 2:01pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Kyam Hatfield

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I would use the footprint. Apart from giving you a dirty base on your SIG if you don't use it, you just never know if there is anything small and sharp (even a small stone)on the ground, which could puncture your SIG.

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Jayne

mikegalagher

06/8/2013 at 2:26pm
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When we de-camped on Friday we had puddles twixt footprint and ZIG. Nothing got through - the BL ZIG is real heavyweight stuff - and when I looked hard at the ground, I could see a little dip just in the area. It had the effect of channelling water in and on to the footprint from where it ran down the ZIG bathtub wall on the two nights we had rain.

Cutting a few more inches off the f/p all round would mitigate this but then more ZIG is in contact with the ground.

Yer pays yer money etc.

On balance, I'm minded to leave the sizing as Outwell designed it.

And next time put me specs on to more carefully check the ground

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Mike

My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it

Prague May/Jun 2017
Lake Annecy Aug 2017

TraceyD

06/8/2013 at 6:42pm
Location: East Ull
Outfit: Kampa Kielder Air 5

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We had the same problem last week too. I think our problem could as Mucker highlighted with regards to the hardstandings as we've been on them a couple of times now. We have a tarp, then the footprint and the the SIG and I think the problem last week was the rain was that heavy and we were on a slight slope, so obviously the rain has to run somewhere. As it was pouring down when we packed up it made no difference anyway as the tent came hom wet and has had to be dried out.

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May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth

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