We’ve just invested in a Berghaus Air 400 (it’s brilliant and perfect for the two of us and dog!) and whilst we have the canopy option at the front, it’s very much a fair weather choice. Hence, we’re pondering whether to tarp the whole tent and create some shelter by the side door, or whether a porch or air shelter is a better option. Obviously price is a factor here too. If I can protect the tent and save some money, even better. Does anyone have thoughts?
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We have experimented with tarps and personally found that they are great in fair weather, but tend to to struggle in windy conditions, but this might be down to our pitching technique.
We now have a Hi-Gear Haven Shelter 300 which is great and can stand up to a good battering by the weather (tested over the bank holiday), however this comes with a different issue, that a large proportion of sites will charge extra for gazebos, and while a tarp could be argued as an add on for the tent, this shelter is pretty obvious as a gazebo.
Hi there, thanks for responding, this is really helpful. I fully agree on the extra charging point, it is very much a thing! I’ll take a look at the Haven 300 and add it to the mix!
I learnt to rig a tarp using the Ridge Line technique, for the tarp to be attached to the Ridge Line and pegging points via karabiners so that it could be taken down with ease.
This way, the Ridge Line can remain rigged up without having to take the whole thing down.
I would strongly advise for a tarp to be taken down at night or when the tent and tarp are unattended for a long period of time, unless it can be certain of light winds and no heavy rain.
I learnt the hard way to find one side of my tarp had collapsed due to rain water pooling overnight; partly my fault for not rigging it with sufficient gradient for rain water to run off effectively.
Have a search for tarps as there are many threads on the subject.
Have fun!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Photo of one of my earlier efforts when I was a tenter:
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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Topic: Tarps, tents, and shelters
