Ok, so yesterday we set out to do a test pitch of our Basecamp Ambato 5. It took us 1 hour 15 minutes from when we started taking it out of the bag until we sat down exhausted to take a break. It was almost 30 degrees and we were in the beating down sun, so that didn't help.
We put it away with the ZIG zipped in and folded more conveniently so it should go much quicker the next time.
We got a tarp from our local DIY shop to go under it but it's 4x6 and our tent is 3.5 x 5 ... what do we do with the extra bits? Do we just fold it under? My husband thinks we should pull it out tight and nail it down, and then put holes in it and just put the things to hold the tent down through it. What do you guys think?
For the test pitch we just bunched it up haha we were hot and wanted to get it done :P
Here are a few pics:
My hubby
Before putting in the ZIG
ZIG is in and putting in sleeping pods
Tada!
We leave for our first weekend away tomorrow!!! WHEE!
I would fold the tarp under the tent as if any sticks out & catches the rain (sorry but its always a posibility in good old blighty!) you run the risk of water getting between your tarp & ZIG - the footprints that are designed for their specific tents are marginally smaller all the way round - have a good hol
------------- rescue - my favourite breed of dog :-)
Quote: Originally posted by lms0110 on 06/8/2009
I would fold the tarp under the tent as if any sticks out & catches the rain (sorry but its always a posibility in good old blighty!) you run the risk of water getting between your tarp & ZIG - the footprints that are designed for their specific tents are marginally smaller all the way round - have a good hol
I'm not in the UK, I'm in the Netherlands. There is no footprint for my tent. I was told to get a tarp to protect the ZIG and just put holes in it so the water doesn't accumulate. I just wasn't sure whether w should cut it to be smaller than the tent or leave it full sized (it has holes around the edges for securing it down)
We tried a tarp that was a little bigger and we ended up with a small swimming pool under our tent after a flash rainstorm. Even though it was 'breathable', it wasn't drainable apparently. Always cut it down smaller than your tent size, makes for a much easier life.
Quote: Originally posted by mikegalagher on 06/8/2009
Looks great Xammy <IMG alt=17 src="https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/forum_images/smiley20.gif" width=23 align=absMiddle>
The manufacturers "footprints" are usually an inch or two smaller all round than your tent, for the reasons mentioned above.
Ours has got tags on each corner so we lay it out as a template for the tent, then peg it out. Tent on top. Sorted.
If you cut it down to size camping shops sell hole punch kits/eyelets to do your own new pegging points, and mushroom shaped groundsheet pegs.
Have a great week-end. 30 C over there ?
If only.......
Yup, it was a scorcher today too. It's now 10:15pm and still 21. We are supposed to get thunderstorms tomorrow though, I hope to GOD it's not when we are trying to set up the tent. Somehow I am not too comfortable with holding long metal rods in a thunderstorm!
hehe no that's his bottle of juice. Which was more like tea with the heat. He was flipping it and catching it and I just caught he pic at a weird moment :)
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: We did a test pitch! (Pics)
