Would as very large plastic sheet serve the same purpose as a footprint groundsheet? Going away Monday, bothered that the ground might be a little wet and cant yet afford footprint, but do have a very large plastic sheet x
As long as you cut it to size - that's just a little shorter all the way round your tent, then it should serve the purpose for you. Don't have it sticking out from your tent as it will catch the water and it will pool under your tent. I assume it's heavy duty plastic? You can get cheap tarps from B and Q to fit most tents - a lot cheaper than a tailored footprint.
Hope that helps.
I will have to do similar for this new little Cabanon Etna. Also will need one for the Eldorado. I need to get my act together but have some time this next week before I go off camping to Northumberland.
I use an oversized blue tarp for my tunnel tent, and dont worry about the bits stiking out, I push the tent pegs through the tarp, and have already perforated the parts of the tarp that go under the tent to allow the water to drain away, and not pool. The idea of the footprint is to stop stones poking through the sig, and to keep the mud off, it is best if it is not waterproof as this causes the pooling problem.
------------- Steve.
Aztec Galeria 4 - For weekend camping
Sunncamp Grange Cotton canvas frame tent - For the longer stays.
Quote: Originally posted by angelsis68 on 05/8/2010
Would as very large plastic sheet serve the same purpose as a footprint groundsheet? Going away Monday, bothered that the ground might be a little wet and cant yet afford footprint, but do have a very large plastic sheet x
Thanks all x
This is a country which has produced quality tents for a very long time.
There are many camping stores here, none of which sell , or have ever sold, footprints.(apart from the odd store who sells Outwells)
Does that mean people dont go camping? Of course not.
They use cheap tarps/plastic sheets or, shock horror, nothing at all !
Are footprints a manufacterers way to get more money out of unsuspecting campers? Hell yes
A cheap plastic sheet will do nicely.
If you throw it away though, please put it in a recycle bin if you can :)
Used Wickes 5m x4m tarp. Cost a tenner. It was just a about a foot or so larger than our tent in both directions so we simply folded the edges under. Worked perfectly.
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: plastic sheet as footprint
