Just received my new tent, got an easy camp Licata 400 after a recommendation on here.
I used Wildday.com - as they were the best on price, but also excellent delivery, and also 'upgraded' an airbed I bought FOC - maybe due to stock.
Anyway, had a quick flick through the 'nstructions' and it mentions using a separate groundsheet.
I've heard of people making a groundsheet from a tarp, but what is the purpose when the tent already has a SIG?
Is it just to protect the tent? Necessary?
If I went down the DIY route, would a tarp cut a little undersize be the way to go? Do you just lay the fly out on top and peg as normal, or do you need to peg the groundsheet as well?
Can you tell I'm a newb!!??
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A footprint groundsheet is laid out before you put your tent down - normally used for tents with a SIG, to protect them from debris/discarded pegs and also to provide an extra barrier from the damp.
It also helps keep your tent's SIG clean which is good when you pack it away. A footprint is normally about an inch less than the base of your tent all the way round so no water can run underneath your tent forming puddles. It's also handy for using as a guide to pitch your tent if you have the footprint down first it shows you where your tent will be.
Lots of people make their own from a tarp, but you'll need to make sure none of the tarp protrudes from the edges of the base of your tent as water will run under the tent.
A footprint groundsheet is pretty much a tarp though, but one that is made to size for the tent.
You can buy an eyelet kit form such places as towsure. They also sell tarp pegs which have a flattish top so they won't damage your SIG. A peg in each corner of your footprint will hold it down nicely while you pitch your tent on top.
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We only use pegs to hold it down whilst pitching. We actually remove them for our smaller tents as we have to fold the groundsheet under to fit (we use the same PE groundsheet for both of them). The tent and stuff hold it in position.
Vango do some affordable quality PE groundsheets in various size combinations.
The only concern I'd have about cutting a tarp to size is if it would fray once you've cut it? Might not last that long if it does, unless you can sew the edges back over?
And I'd certainly peg it out at least whilst you're pitching up otherwise you might end up with a giant parachute pretty quickly!
Groundsheets or tarps shouldn't be any more than a tenner, and often cheaper, so if it frays just get another one. Anyway, it won't fray.
You don't need to have eyelets, just peg through the tarp. I only peg temporarily on a gusty day to stop it taking off, once the tent is on top I remove the pegs, but yes, you can buy mushroom top pegs that are designed to peg it down withouth protruding too much at the top.
I use a bit of pondliner, it's got a few holes in it where I've been putting pegs in various places but the ability to protect from stones and twigs is not compromised.
Cheers guys - went up to my local shed and got a 5x4m tarp. Was going to get something a bit heavier like a DC membrane but they were a lot more expensive.
As has been said, if the tarp wears out they're cheap enough to get another.
Anyway - just had my 1st go at pitching the tent!! I reckon it would be quite difficult on my own, but was OK with a helping hand. Had a hard job getting one of the poles in, but then realised afterwards that the tensioner on the other side was pulled tight!!
Wish I had just pegged through the tarp now, as it was a bit of a faff trying to get it to lay properly, with only a few pegs where I had the tarp tucked under. Thought it might rip/fray if I did that.
No bother though, I've got my footprint now :)
Roll on friday when it wll get used in anger over at Afan forest!!
Helen, or anyone else who would know - need a little advice.
Pitched it again tonight to have a go on my own (used a method I saw on youtube, insert pole, pull up and hold upright using guy rope, do the same for other end then insert middle pole. Much quicker!!
Anyway, problem I've got, is both times I've pitched the fly it hasn't been even. The side with the adjustable tensioners on the poles is baggy, but no amount of pulling around seems to get it right. I'm guessing I'm doing something wrong!! The instructions are very basic, and this is the only tunnel tent I've ever pitched!
When I get the poles in, before any pegging, do I need to pull the tensioners tight? All the way tight?
The instructions say to then peg the elastic loops and metal loops, then peg out the groundsheet.
Now to be fair I missed that and pegged the groundsheet out first, then the elastic, but would it really make much difference?
The sides don't seem to have many peg holes at all??
Also, when you pitch the inner, there is a little hole in the middle of the SIG and a loop on the inner. I asume I am meant to peg through here, then pull the drawstring bag around it? No mention of this in the instructions, lol!!
To top it off, it started raining as I was taking it down!
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Topic: New tent - spearate groundsheet?
