Like a lot of people on here I can't bring myself to pay the price Outwell et all want for their footprint groundsheets so am going to get a non branded tarpaulin to use instead. Any idea of what weight material the manufacturers use for theirs as the choices online range from 90gsm to 615gsm (although the latter is allmost as much as the tent !)
Hi Jim. I don't have an accurate answer but we shelled out for a matching one for our tent and it appears to be made of the exact same stuff as the big garden tarp (own brand, not budget grade) I bought from Homebase.
I've been told that you should make sure it is slightly smaller than the footprint of the tent as if it's bigger water runs in and collects under the tent.
I have sewn groundsheet material on my how sewing machine before so you could alter. I'm sure you could buy the big eyelets somewhere. You can buy a smaller version for dressmaking with a tool that allows you to affix them with a hammer. Do you actually need eyelets? Not sure. I rather think that a few strategically placed heavy things would work.
Thanks for the info, I've just bought a Montana Lake which is either 4.15m x 6.15 so hopefully a standard 4m x 6m should be about perfect and won't need any alterations.
What brand of heavy things do you suggest cant find any on Ebay or our local camping shop
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I paid 9.30 GBP for a 5m x 3m budget 100g/m2 in Oct 11 from Tarpaulines Direct.
One thing peeps should bear in mind is that, the groundsheet should be slightly smaller than the tent's footprint, so that water does not seep in if it rains etc...
DK
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Arsenaldes, I was thinking the beer, the 'portable' travel cot and the otherwise useless husband. Although the beer might get used up quite quickly. Maybe get the husband to lie down rather than sitting?
Oh dear. I think i may have had yet another 'naive' moment.
I've never used a groundsheet/footprint/tarp before, but having read about the benefits on here, i have just been and bought a cheap one today:
http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_32011.htm
I never considered 'gsm' and it doesn't say anything about this on the packaging - do you think it will be adequate?
Also, i have an odd shaped tent (columbia squall ridge) so whichever size of tarp i looked at they would not fit correctly - will i just be able to tuck the spare under itself to avoid this rain pooling problem or will this not be sufficient?
We useda bog standard Homebase tarp (which looks very like the one in your link) which does not specify any gsm but I would say is thinner than the tents SIG, it worked perfectly well. We have used a purpose bought footprint previously but on out new Bear Lake 6 we did not want the extra expense so went with the Homebase one which we already had. Its main purpose is to keep the SIG/ZIG base dry and dirt free and give a little extra protection from stones etc. However I would say that most tent pitches are grass and are free of sharp objects, we always check first anyway.
I would think that using any sort of groundsheet is better than none and I was just being a bit anal trying to get as close to the manufacturers supplied one as I could so really wouldn't sweat it over the lidl purchase, I'm sure it will be fine.
Mr+Mrs H: Tucking it under the tent/folding the groundsheet will be fine. It is only to protect the base of the tent. As you mention just make sure it is slightly smaller than the tent all the way round the base of the tent. This will prevent rain water running off the tent, collecting on the groundsheet and pooling water under your tent.
I bought a bog standard tarp from Homebase, as well. Never given any thought to any gsn.
Bought it, to keep the pod rooms and tub ground sheet clean; and for extra protection. Now I use it , to keep my sig clean,. If it's slightly bigger than your tent, just fold it under, then the rain won't seep under.
heath63
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Topic: What weight tarp for footprint
