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Hi Steve

I did that again, typing a post, then looking somewhere else and losing it so have to start again. Aagh.  I think I will risk it and go away 'unweathered'.  It sort of suits me not to bother (yes, I am very lazy).  Having said that, if it rains tonight, it will be done, too late to take down now.  You seem to like your outwells.  Your BL6 looks massive in the photo.  I can't believe ours is really that big.  It's hard to judge when it's all crammed in in the garden.  So lets hope for really great weather in 2 weeks time. I'm sure everyone will join with us in that.  Bye.

When ours first got rained upon, the inside of the material felt like it had a layer of condensation on - a bit like you get in a polyester tent.

This went away after the first day or so. I can only presume this was due to the swelling of the fibers etc?

In subsequent rain it didn't re-occur.

By the way - anyone else scared of making the inside of their tent dirty if you have to pitch it / take it down in the rain?

Will

We didn't soak our Norfolk lake.  The weather did that on our first weekend away.  No leaks.

We don't like getting the inside of the tent dirty, so now we put down some cheap tarp and when the tent is up lift if out.  I am thinking of getting a footprint ground sheet.

Will

I bought a tarp from B&Q for a few pounds.  They do one 5M x 4M which is just about perfect size for the Bear Lake 6.

Steve

Ok - so I presume you don't peg it down as you couldn't really with the tarp under it?

Also - do you do anything special when you take it down? The ground sheet has to come out first but what then? Surely we'll get the same problem?

I see Steve that you also have a Monty 4 - is that your 'weekend' tent? We're now considering something smaller and easier to erect for those 1 or 2 night away trips.

Will

Will

If you want to use a tarp under the ZIG then tarp goes down first, then the tent is errected on top and finally the ZIG is put in.  Yes the ZIG can be pegged down as a 5M x 4M tarp will leave a gap alway around the edge.

When you take the tent down remove the ZIG and drop the tent onto the tarp.  Fold up and pack the tent then finally lift up the tarp.  Only the tarp should get dirty.

I think it's worthwhile as it saves getting the inside of the tent dirty and you end up with one dirty groundsheet whether you use the tarp or not.

Yes we bought the Monty 4 last year for weekends.  It's considerably easier to put up than the Bear Lake.  I can put the Monty 4 up on my own in 30 minutes but the Bear Lake takes two of us about an hour so far.

Steve

The first one I had was an early (February) 2006 and it had a small leak on one of the vents at the side of the bedroom.  The replacement has been fine.

However as you may already know the Monty 4 has been replaced this year by the Minesota 4.  They're very similar though.

Steve 

Oh ok - I've seen the minesota 4 too but didn't realise the monty was replaced by it.

Hi Guys

I'd love to take a tarp to stop my new tent getting dirty, but with my xtra large bed and all the other paraphernalia I take even for a weekend I'm wondering how we're going to get even this lot into the car.

Buy a bigger car :)

We've an A4 Avant for us 2 and a border collie dog, but will soon be swapping for a Volvo V70 as soon as possible!