The Camping Forum

[uptonfamily]

Hey all

Been off the radar this week (we had THE call from Ofsted on Monday!) Anyway, they'e been and gone so the tent hunt is back on!

We have more or less decided on the Maritsa 700 (typically one of the first we saw!) and we are going for another look at it this morning to be absolutely sure.

It has all the added extras available, carpet, footprint etc but what is the point of a footprint? Am I right in thinking that it is just another groundsheet that goes down for you to put the tent on top of when you pitch it? I get that it maybe protects your SIG but is it really a big deal?

I am thinking we should just get the tent initially and then see how we go. We can look out for deals on the other stuff and maybe ask for them as Christmas presents from the family!

Rachel

[Admin]

Get the footprint from start! 1.it's another layer. 2.it's far easier to clean especially when you pack up in the rain 3. It's cheaper to replace than the sig if you miss a sharp stone or somthing when you pitch

[in-a-tent]

Get the footprint, for all the reasons Andy has given.

Just keeping the SIG clean is reason enough as it gets rolled up with the rest of the tent so the dirt transfers from the SIG onto the rest of the tent. The footprint though is in a separate bag.

Another good thing about the footprint is that when you lay it out you can see where the tent's going to go and reposition it to suit. It's a lot easy to move the footprint around than moving the tent.

[Rob-merlin1973]

Get it from the beginning.
For all the reasons above.
We have had ours from the beginning and it makes life so much easier setting up and keeps all the wet grass off the bottom of the Sig when packing away.
If nothing else the protection to the Sig is worth every penny

[Wayne]

I have a question .

I have never bothered with a footprint or carpet and we have decided to spend money we don't really have and get a foot print and carpet for the the Vermont.
Does it have eyelets, do you peg the footprint out or just lay it down.
I know it seems really obvious, but is there any does and don't you have realized with your own footprints.

Thanks

[Admin]

I have a question .

I have never bothered with a footprint or carpet and we have decided to spend money we don't really have and get a foot print and carpet for the the Vermont.
Does it have eyelets, do you peg the footprint out or just lay it down.
I know it seems really obvious, but is there any does and don't you have realized with your own footprints.

Thanks

I think ours has eyelets.. I peg the corners i think just to stop it from blowing over before i put the tent but thats it..

carpet is just ace especially in the morning

[dadsbeaniemad]

Agree with all ove the above BUT it doesn't have to be THE footprint the manufacturere of the tent makes.

You can buy/make your own. Any tarpthat's big enough will do - you can cut it to size BUT remembeto make it a couple of cm smaller than the tent so it doesn't stick out from under as that will allow water to get under the tent if you do and will sit between the bottom of the tent and the footprint (so a waste of time)

Pond liner is a good thing as it's thicker and will be better for stones but it is more expensive than buying the made to measure footprint.

Tarp can be taped together to make it longer or wider.
You can buy eyelet kits and put your own eyelets in a tarp or you could just peg down at corners.

It's probably a bit more time consuming if you have apod type tent (like the Hartford for example) because of the odd shape .

[Wayne]

Good point Keeley.

I haven't brought a footprint yet for the Carolina, was going to get some more Tarp from work and was thinking of buying an eye kit and making my own as you suggested. Was going to look at the Vermont first and compare the quality etc to what I can get hold of.

Brilliant point about making it smaller to stop water getting between footprint and groundsheet, wouldn't have thought of that. Guess that goes for the genuine ones, make sure no sides are exposed.

Thanks

[Rob-merlin1973]

I have had the footprint from the beginning and mine (like the tent) is a weird shape so i had the origional from the start.

Mine has eyelets all around to peg it down securely. This is a must !!! if you are pitching in any wind and it is not secured then as you go and turn your back to get your tent to put on top, off it blows and the chase begins.

I love the fact i can put the footprint down and move it about to position it on the pitch correctly, and then know that the tent will be in the right position. This isn't a big thing on a rectangular tent but on a weird shaped one like ours it makes a big difference.
As i said before the protection for the sig is exellent and the fact that the sig is always clean and dry when packing up is a bonus.

It is the first outing with our carpet (xmas prezzie from OH)
My mate has always had outwell carpets in his tent though and not only does it keep it nice and warm and snug and protect the sig but it also stopps that annoying bellowing when the wind gets under the edge of the tent and lifts the sig.
Hope this helps

[Wayne]

Yes, thanks looking forward to trying it all out

[Rob-merlin1973]

They really are worth every penny

[Gillsy]

Hi,
If you can't afford the footprint at the moment, just buy a tarp from B & Q , that is what we done for our large tent, we needed 2 & it saved loads of money & worked just as well. In fact for our really small tent, we used bin bags , it just saves all the hassle of mud on the tent.

[Wayne]

We used bin bags for one of our earlier tents, but only to put it in when the wind killed it

[Gillsy]

I havn't had a dead tent yet , must be very sad

My neighbour had a bonfire last week , when i looked out the window i couldn't believe the girlfriend was actually cutting up a tent & burning it !!! Murderer !

[Rob-merlin1973]

the girlfriend was actually cutting up a tent & burning it !!! Murderer !

Report her to the RSPCT