I am using a large tarpaulin as a DIY footprint for my tent (Cabanon Biscaya 370) to protect the ZIG. The tarp I have is about a foot longer and wider than the tent, so I would like to cut the tarp to size to minimise the possibility of rainwater collecting between the ZIG and the footprint.
I've never had a 'proper' footprint (and there isn't one available for the Biscaya), so I was wondering how they are normally sized relative to the groundsheet? Are they the same size, or slightly smaller? Next time I pitch the tent I plan to trim the tarp to size, so any advice would be welcome.
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Done this for a couple of tents. Cheap tarp (the blue one) from B&Q. Lay out on lawn and measure out (slightly smaller than tent footprint) and cut. Scissors glide through the B&Q tarp so if you've got a steady hand and good eye you should end up with reasonably straight edges.
If you need to make some new peg points you can either use a proper eyelet kit or a simpler solution is wack a bit of gaffer tape either side of there you wnat to make the hole and make a small cross cut with a Stanley knife.
Depending how big the tent is (the one I have done recently was 7m x 3.5m) should take you about 15 to 20 minutes to do.
Quote: Originally posted by Neighlass on 08/6/2011
Oh cool!
So B&Q do tarp that big then Campasarow?
The gaffa tape trick is somthing else I was wondering about... You just use normal tent pegs for it?
B&Q do some pretty big tarps. The one I bought wasn't the biggest either. I think I paid £11 for mine. It's not the thickest material but it does the job of both giving you a footprint to pitch on and in providing that extra layer of protection to your tent groundsheet.
I use groundsheet pegs (with slightly rounded heads), or some gardening pegs I picked up for about a £1 a packet which have a totally flat head.
My ten year old son has been laughing at me for being on the forum (as I have a forum for everything) but by god it saves you time and gives you some fab tips!
We also used a B+Q tarp under our kampa filey last week - it was a tad too small (ok, about 15 cm too small all round...) but was under £10 and had eyelets in it already - recommended!
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Topic: Size of a DIY footprint
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..) but was under £10 and had eyelets in it already - recommended!
