Its a good idea to insulate underneath the airbed to stop the cold coming up. A picnic blanket or something similar is a good idea.
I feel the cold something rotten and sleep in full thermals and a fleece even in midsummer.
I think its easy to underestimate how cold it can get in a tent at night. If you think about the thick duvet most of us have on our beds in our well insulated houses it stands to reason that the tent is going to feel cold. Some people seem to cope with it better than others but I think you have got to go prepared.
I was quite cold this weekend and was dreading going to bed.
What is a SIG & a Footprint?
We put our tent up then put the gound sheet down and then the bedroom pod, then the airbed etc...should we be putting more down?!
A SIG is a Sewn In Groundsheet and a footprint is a tarp that goes under the tent to keep the SIG clean and helps protect the SIG from stones and such like. Any old one will do as long as it is slightly smaller than the actual tent footprint but you can get specific ones that are made for your tent.
You can also get a ZIG which is a Zipped in Groundsheet.
We have a Eurohike Buckingham 8 and the ground sheet doesnt seem to fit the whole length of the tent - it only goes under one end and then the other bedroom pods are on the ground if you see what I mean?
I am thinking of buying some cheap groundsheet from somewhere to put down then or a tarp (tarpaulin?!) then put teh tent on that.
Quote: Originally posted by canvascomfort on 08/5/2012
Quote: Originally posted by stampy on 07/5/2012
Quote: Originally posted by canvascomfort on 07/5/2012
I've found staying at home indoors most effective We were out at Easter and I was miserable. It was so cold we packed up at night and came home early. It kind of put me off but im trying to find my love for it again so i've joined here, the camping club and got a festival booked for June. So hopefully that combination will get the fever back.
My sister was going to join us on her first ever trip this weekend, and I managed to persuade her to hang on till summer. Being cold is no fun for anyone.
I would say the key is being prepared. From experience, nothing will ever make you be prepared like one bad experience. I remember when I camped alone, I went to shropshire, and it was soooooo cold at night I couldnt believe. I shivered constantly, my body ached from being so tense trying to keep warm, I slept fully clothed and was still cold. I will never, ever go through that again. Now I probably go OTT, but at least I will never suffer again!
Dont give up, just make sure that next time you are prepared :)
Ive been camping for 20+ years Stampy. I just think age might be getting the better of me. I seem to be feeling the cold more now than I was a few years back. Time for a tin tent perhaps?
ahhhh, sorry! I read "trying to find my love for it"..... without the "again", and assumed you were a first timer! lol.
well im just hoping by Whitsun it might have warmed up a little...but.....I am taking....Footprint...SIG..bedroom pod....cardboard from the boxes opened out ....carpet...SIM (aerobed platinum raised)...Thin duvet....fitted sheet ...3 season king size sleeping bag....duvet...and most probably a very large boxer dog ! Do you think Ill be warm enough ? and just in case apart from PJs my fleece onesie ! lol
------------- Coming home back to a caravan
2013
Whit week Kelpie Manorbier
July/Aug Carpenters Farm Isle of Wight
We just survived a night of -2 up in Scotland and our set up was
footprint, tent, foam mat, airbed, fleece protector, fitted sheet, sleeping bags then duvet on top.
We also had poundland bargain hot water bottles, some extra fleece blankets, ehu with fan heater (though i didnt think it made much difference at -2!), thermals and fleece pjs!!
3 season sleeping bags zipped together two hotwater bottles air bed with a layer of small green house bubble plastic on top of the air bed camped in temps as low as -10 with that set up (most important canvas tent warmer than todays modern rubbish )
We were in Northumberland last weekend and it was really cold at night. Frost.
First time ever I've slept with my clothes on. That was second night, 1st night freezing. No EHU by the way.
So here goes. Footprint, SIG, bedroom pod, picnic rugs, foam mats, airbed, good quality sleeping bag, blanket, me inside with clothes on,including, tights, leggings, PJ bottoms, jumper and fleece oh and woolly hat.
Must have looked a picture, but OH was similar except the hat. Gotta laugh.
and just in case apart from PJs my fleece onesie ! lol
Remember that if you need a wee in the night you'll have to practically strip off if wearing a onesie. This might lead to you getting even colder.
I wear fleece PJs for that reason.
This might be TMI, but I have a water infection after this weekend away - caused by holding it allll night cos I didnt want to unzip my onesie. I tend to wake about twice in the night to go when camping (I blame the wine........) and althought the luggable loo means I dont have to venture outside the tent, even the thought of getting out of bed was too much!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Keeping warm at night at the moment
We were out at Easter and I was miserable. It was so cold we packed up at night and came home early. It kind of put me off but im trying to find my love for it again so i've joined here, the camping club and got a festival booked for June. So hopefully that combination will get the fever back.
)
