I have just taken my husband for his FIRST EVER camping holiday to a VERY wet and windy Chepstow Folk Fest last weekend, in our brand new Oregon 5 - which stood up to the gusts and torrential rain REALLY well!
My question is, what do you do with the black 'skirt' around the living area? Do you peg it outwards or tuck it under the ground sheet?
In view of the high winds I tucked ours under the sheet and weighted down the edges with shoes and wellies. The tabs on the edge would suggest that they should be pegged outwards, but this let too much wind into the tent. All videos and written instructions that I have found say nothing about this. The Outwell video is pretty basic and misses out loads; concentrating on the poles and the main guy ropes and leaving the rest up to you! I always peg down as much as possible and, after this weekend, I'm jolly glad I did. I was glad I didn't have to rush out in the dark, wind and rain to peg out the rest of the tent.
skirt goes inside, some models will peg into ground inside the tent under ground sheet, or attach to ground sheet itself to make you snug and draught free.
glad you had fun despite the weather.
------------- Annie :)
Its better to regret things you've done than things you have never tried
From what I understand they are supposed to be pegged outside. My first tent had them only on half of the tent and it was explained that this was to help water run off, a sort of gutter, for when you are on a hill and prevents quite so much water running downhill and under your tent as the water that comes down onto the tent then runs off around it on these gutters.
I have checked out the Outwell site (but I can't seem to access their films The images are all of smiley, happy people in the sunshine! Not one photo of a tent in a howling gale or torrential rain! I suppose that, when the weather is fine, or if you're on a rainy hill one should peg the skirt out, but if it's windy, I like the idea of pegging the skirt under to act as a draught excluder.
My husband did have to admit that, snuggled up with a glass of wine, listening to the wind and rain outside, while being cosy in our tent was actually 'quite nice'! I think I may convert him yet
It's not confusing...this is common practise. Yes, it may be designed to be on the outside, but many people do exactly as you do to create a cosier less draughty interior by laying the groundsheet over the flaps. You got there using common sense. When its really hot, you may well revert to pegging it out on the outside to encourage ventilation.
------------- "All right, let's not panic. I'll make the money by selling one of my livers.I can get by with one." Homer Simpson.
Quote: Originally posted by jane47324 on 08/7/2008
I have checked out the Outwell site (but I can't seem to access their films The images are all of smiley, happy people in the sunshine! Not one photo of a tent in a howling gale or torrential rain! I suppose that, when the weather is fine, or if you're on a rainy hill one should peg the skirt out, but if it's windy, I like the idea of pegging the skirt under to act as a draught excluder.
My husband did have to admit that, snuggled up with a glass of wine, listening to the wind and rain outside, while being cosy in our tent was actually 'quite nice'! I think I may convert him yet
I've just checked the Outwell website. It certainly did take a long time for the video to click in but, eventually, it played. Those flaps did stick out, not in
my old tent only had skirts on half. and we left them sticking out, although they are supposed to stop the rain going under the tent thy collected puddles and think we may have been better off tucking them under. i know you also get these skirts on tents with a SIG and it makes sense to leave them out with that.
i think from other topics i have read talking about this, it's down to personal preference and what ever works best for you.
hi jane, i thought the bottom flap was to protect rubber bands from uv to keep them from perishing, but some tents have the rubbers on the outside of the flap, so then it can be tucked in to stop draughts. confusing, no??
They are made to peg OUTWARDS so the water runs away from the tent,but it is up to you which way you do it.All the Cabanon ones are made to go inside.I suppose if its good enough for Cabanon..............................
Sue.
------------- Sue & Phil
--------------------- I Love My AeroBed
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Topic: Pitching advice please?
The images are all of smiley, happy people in the sunshine! Not one photo of a tent in a howling gale or torrential rain! I suppose that, when the weather is fine, or if you're on a rainy hill one should peg the skirt out, but if it's windy, I like the idea of pegging the skirt under to act as a draught excluder. 
