Never having had a footprint with any of our tents we used one for the first time in France last week,
During that awful thunderstorm and torrential rain it got wet between the footprint and groundsheet, making it squelchy underfoot, this was on our 2nd day and when we packed up after 10days although not having anymore rain and being very hot the water was still there, making packing up very wet. we also had a minute hole in the ground sheet which made the water push through and hence damp carpet.
we were camped on very sand soil as we were next to a beach, so in essence the water should of just sunk into the sand.
we used tenacious tape to repair the hole and all was ok.
Now for my question, we were going to change the footprint to an Ecco carpet with holes in it but would that get bogged down in mud if we camp in very wet weather again with us walking on it, mud squelching through etc.
Seen other breathable footprints which look like they have a weave in them, do they allow water to drain away so this won't happen again.
Or do we revert to not having one at all like we have done for the past 7yrs?
Cheers guys
------------- Duffs54
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
A footprint should be several inches shorter than your tent groundsheet dimensions so that it is well hidden underneath the tent. If any part of it sticks out beyond the edge of the tent then dew or rain running off the flysheet will drip onto it and run back underneath.
I suppose a footprint with holes in may help to get rid of any water that has run back underneath but then you could suffer, on damp ground, with mud oozing through the holes not to mention slugs and other semi-aquatic creatures - lol. However, it would still protect your groundsheet from sharp objects so it's a bit of a compromise I would say.
I would be tempted to cut your existing footprint down a bit if it is too big. Even without a hole in the groundsheet water may start to penetrate after several days sloshing about underneath.
In general terms, I totally, utterly, 100%, without any doubt whatsoever, wholeheartedly, unequivocally agree with Bob.
Keep the (non-breathable) footprint, and reduce it's size* by either double folding and (Gorilla) taping (This will keep the eyelets in place around the edge), or by cutting. Aim for 3"-4" inside the perimeter of the tent base. so not only rain, but also any dew trickling down the flysheet can drip on top of the footprint.
A breathable footprint may give protection against sharps etc, but if water can drain downwards through it, I guess it could just as easily get drawn upwards. That may subsequently drain away again, but I'd imagine any mud/dirt will stay on the underside of your SIG (or ZIG), rendering the whole point of a footprint useless (apart from the aforementioned protection against sharps, so maybe not the whole point!!)
*Denotes:
Of course, if the footprint was already the right size, and the water was due to the ground actually flooding, say an inch or more of standing water, then yes, you would have ultimately been better without a footprint, or even with a breathable one, as the water could have drained away, and the tent groundsheet would have got dirty anyway... but how often do we experience such extremes? 3 years and counting for me, and not experienced it yet... touch wood!
... but I think that green & yellow tent in the middle has a fully zipped door, rather than just velcro tabs across the bottom, so at least it'll still be dry inside!
The groundsheet was showing on one side of the tent by about 1inch, causing the problem you have mentioned which we did not realise would cause such mayhem.
So now we will make the adjustments mentioned as it does save the tent from damage too.
Thanks to Bob and Mucker, we were on hols with Duffs in the same make/model tent and had exactly the same problem. Your advice has reiterated what I was thinking last night. I suppose duck tape would do to secure the folds wouldn't it? Thanks for your very sensible advice.
Cheers
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
A good, and oft-lauded tape is "Gorilla tape". A little more expensive than yer average Duck/Duct Tape, but also a little better/stronger, imo.
I've used it for exactly the same job... double folding my footprint, to reduce the size, whilst keeping all pegging points available around the edge (preferred that to cutting it down).
By double folding, I mean this...
Worked a treat for me.
Which reminds me... I really must get around to doing mine, for my latest tent, as an inch of that is still visible when pitched!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 16/7/2015
... Aim for 3"-4" inside the perimeter of the tent base. so not only rain, but also any dew trickling down the flysheet can drip on top of the footprint...
"Can't"!! "...Can't drip on top of the footprint" not "Can"!
I had a problem with my present tent. I bought the proper footprint for it but it didn't seem to fit properly and stuck out at various places. I measured the footprint and it was exactly as it should be...a few inches short of the tent groundsheet dimensions supplied by the tent manufacturers.
It became apparent the tent was not quite as big as the manufacturers claimed and I had to cut about 10" off the back end of the footprint which then made it fit properly all round.
I wonder how many other tents are smaller than they are claimed to be?
Quote: Originally posted by duffs54 on 17/7/2015Took awhile to understand the drawing lol, got it nowthanks again chaps
I've seen gorilla tape in B&Q
Sorry! Yes you have to fold the "Z", then tape one side, before turning the whole thing over, then taping that side. If at all possible, to make life easier and the finish neater, get someone to pull from each end as it's folded, and walk along the fold(s) to give it a sharper crease, as it will try to spring open on itself!
Tape the full run, and rip it off a little long, then fold back under to the other side.
When both sides are done, make sure the ends are fully covered by tape, so no water can squeeze in between the "pleat".
Obviously, when the width is sorted, you can repeat the whole process across it, so as to shorten the length too, of required.
Keeping the fold/crease where you want it as you tape up, is by far the hardest part. Suggest a few short bits of tape to "tack" it in position.
Once all done, try and fold/roll the footprint (for packing away) in such a way as to not have the tape running down a fold, to avoid straining the tape. For this reason, I'd position your newly taped folds off centre. (You should get a guide of where to fold it by looking at the existing creases you already have in it, and avoiding them).
I assure you, it's a lot easier to do than it is to try and explain in writing. I managed to do our Filey footprint (c.7m x 4m) and our Frinton footprint (Folded down from a wider/longer Icarus footprint) on my own, on the lawn.
PS:
Don't forget... if, for example, you want to reduce the size by 4", that "Pleat" only wants to be 2" wide, as you lose that amount twice, so to speak!
PPS:
When the whole thing is done, before folding and packing away, walk all over the taped area, to effectively apply pressure to the tape (turnover to repeat both sides). Particularly if this has been done on bouncy grass, as opposed to a nice firm flat solid floor.
Mine has stayed 100% in place since first doing it, so around two and a half years thus far... including snow, ice, and general winter weather!
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: Advice please on Footprint
