All ready for first camping trip this weekend and apprehensive as well as excited as going with 8 year old Daughter.
After the camp and when packing up, if it's raining do I just pack up the tent into the bag again and then when I get home should i wait for good weather and unpack to let dry out?
What about if on my return I can't get it straight out to dry as the weather may still be bad.....is there an amount of time that you should only keep a tent wet and damp?
Thanks for any advice as these are the questions that are entering my head and I haven't even got there yet!
------------- Paul.
Took kids to funfair last week, only stayed an hour as only had 300 quid on me!
From what I understand it's better to unpack it in the front room and ensure it's dry and damp-free.
Mold/mildew won't take too long to start growing
Johnny.
------------- A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn.
Hi Paul.
Remove it from the bag and unroll it onto a builders tarp to keep your carpet dry as soon as you can.
Campers have many ways to dry and air a tent over the banister is the favorite or up in the attic over the beams.
But what ever you do do not leave it rolled up in the bag for more than a couple of days, mildew starts very quickly.
All the best
Rex.
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
I would suggest a good supply of black bin liners to shove wet tents, mats, groundsheets into, it's much easier than trying to get things back into their bags and saves getting the bags manky.
I'd try to unpack it within a couple of days even if that meant putting it in the bath and moving it around for a couple of days. You don't have to pitch it to dry it, hanging tents on washing lines is quite popular!
Excellent replies thank you all for some great advice.
I really like this forum and the fact that you all don't get cheesed off with newbies asking questions that you have probably all heard a thousand times before.
So once again thanks for your advice and help please keep it coming.
Not long now!
------------- Paul.
Took kids to funfair last week, only stayed an hour as only had 300 quid on me!
If you don't have space to dry it indoors, and you do have space to pitch it then pitch it as soon as you get home even if its raining and wait for a dry day to take it down.
Quote: Originally posted by felicity 34 on 02/8/2008
If you pitch on top of an extra groundsheet, at least your tent won't be covered in mud.
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Felicity.
This is what I did Felicity. I purchased 2 cheap tarps from B&Q and pitched the tent on that.
It rained quite heavly the night before we packed up. The tent SIG was dry thanks to the tarp.
The rest I dried with a towel as I went along packing it up.
Johnny.
------------- A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn.
A tent like your wont take long to erect. If its raining when you get home erect it and leave it. When the rain stops it will dry out quicker this way than any other. It wont hurt your tent to be out in the rain for a few days.
This happened to us, we had to pack up and leave camp in the rain and it has continued to rain each day since. We draped the tent over the children's climbing-frame in the garden and then as soon as the forecast predicted a couple hours of sun, we pitched it in our neighbour's garden (ours isn't big enough!). There was a pool of water inside which I cleared out, gave the inside a wipe-over and with a bit of sun and a strong wind, the tent was bone-dry in & out in a few hours. All packed away and waiting to go in the loft now!
------------- Angie ~~
~ If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours ~
Someone suggested on here recently a builders sack,the sort you have sand or gravel delivered in.Luckily enough for me a quick text to my mate got me one.Big enough for tent and groundsheet.
Its been an interesting read as we have always had lady luck on our side when striking camp and had a warm sunny day. Dont think OH would put up with a wet tent in the house tho'. Would have to borrow mums double garage!!!!!!
------------- Mamfa
It's the wine that makes me say it
Even if it is raining put it up in the garden and wait for the sun to come out and dry it out (the sun has got to come out eventually surely!). A wet tent is better up than packed away.
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: Thinking Ahead
