Okay, I think you've sold me on the idea. In the last 4 years I've never got the SIG dirty enough to need cleaning at home because I almost always camp places you can choose your own spot (rather than pitches), and I've got a big decked area at home for cleaning it up if it came to it.
But the idea of rolling it all up and having muck over the fly is pretty off putting.
I'll look at the tarp idea though. I'm sure I'll be less resistant to the extra gear when I've found the bigger car I'm looking for - having spent the last few years becoming an expert at Tetris with my current motor has a tendency to make you evaluate exactly what you really need.
Foot print every time! We were allocated a muddy pitch this summer with a tyre welt filled with sloppy mud. We went off and got some straw but the footprint was a real help. I'd have been even more fed up if we had to put our tent straight onto the mud, there was no avoiding it - family tents are expensive bits of kit these days. At the end of a camp it means you pack away a clean tent. It saves work.
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.