? about tarp under tent

[MIDNIGHT777]

Last year the wife and I bought a Cabelas Alaskan Guide 6 person tent and got some good use out of it. So far it has been fantastic, but I have one complaint..... The tarp that comes with it that you lay on the ground before putting up the tent is [PoorWordUsage]. I cannot believe how solid every other aspect of this tent is, and then they throw in the paper thin tarp. I do have the floor saver that goes INSIDE the tent, which is a nice addition to have.

I was wondering if there is something better out there for me to use. I thought about getting a heftier square tarp, but I am not sure it is my best option. This tent is 6 sided........

Any help is appreciated,

Matt

[goblueM]

I use heavy duty clear plastic. Just buy a big sheet, cut it to size. Works like a charm

[IFallsRon]

I have used black plastic for years. The basic purpose is to keep ground moisture from wicking up through the tent floor.

[echotrail]

I've been using the tarps you buy a Menards, Sams Club, etc. and cut it to size with no problems.

[Ice chaser]

I have always use a ten mil clear plastic and cut it to size. Works good for us. Thick enough to last a while

[Powerstroke]

I guess I'm unclear as to the deficiency of the groundcloth that came with it. Has it torn or punctured? Did something harm the tent floor or do you just think it should be heavier duty?

I have "paper thin" silnylon ground cloths with all my tents and I've never had a problem. Moisture doesn't wick through and they protect the bottom of the tent from anything I couldn't sweep out of the way before tent set-up.

If you're looking to make your own you can buy many different grades of clear poly to make your own footprint.

[Ice chaser]

Powerstroke, I guess the deficiency of the groud cloth is not that it has torn or ripped it is just the quality of the tent. I have never bought a very high quality tent and have had many problems with moisture on the floor. So I use poly for a easy solution its packable and inexpensive.

[Powerstroke]

My question was for midnight777. Since he said he was concerned about the cheapness of the cloth. Groundcloths have one purpose only. You lay it on the ground and pitch the tent on it.

I guess I would say most of my tents have been higher quailty, but on the lower level ones I've used a large tarp for a ground cloth.

If you're concerned about water getting into the tent I would look at the seams. Seam sealing is very easy to do and it should be done at least every other year depending on your tent use. Also, you can buy waterproofing materials and brush them on to treat the floor of your tent or the entire thing. SOme waterproofing solutions you can mix in a large bucket or laundry tub and soak the tent to coat the entire thing. This is especially helpful with rainflys. They suffer the most UV damage and face the most weather so they will need the help the most.

Another possibility I see as to having moisture in the tent is not having enough air movement. If there is not enough circulation in the tent, then condensation will form from humidity or from the water vapor you let off by breathing. This will get the water droplets on the inside of the tent. That is NOT from having a tent thats not very waterproof. Think about the windows on your car fogging up from the inside. Its the same thing only you can't turn on a defroster in the tent. You have to keep windows and vents open so air can circulate and allow the moisture to vent out.

[MIDNIGHT777]

Thanks for the help guys!!

One thing I did forget to mention is that the tarp it came with is damaged and has holes in it. I think it is mainly from setting the tent up one time on less than "ideal" terrain. I am just concerned that if the tarp is getting holes than the tent base is going to be next in line to get holes. The one time we were limited on where to put the tent and had to settle for an area with rocks and debris. We cleared the majority of it, but could not get it all out of the way. This probably would not be an issue if it was always set up on a flat, soft, grassy piece of land.

I just thought there has to be something out there more rugged/durable than the groundcloth this tent came with.

I am either going to get another Cabelas groundcloth like I have now, or buy the highest quality tarp I can find and cut it to shape the tent.

Thanks again, Matt

[Powerstroke]

If you're current groundcloth is got holes in it then its time to upgrade. I would compare the prices of materials. If its cheaper to buy a roll of clear poly than than to get the matching footprint from Cabelas than I would do that. You can probably make 2 or 3 for the price of the factory groundcloth.

[Tinkhamtown]

Gander Mountain has heavy-duty Eureka ground cloths in different sizes. I got one for my 7 X 9 tent and really like it. Worth checking out.

[Xplorer]

Midnight,

I've got an 8 year old original Cabela's XWT 9x9 tent and have just use a Menards tarp underneath and fold under any extra tarp that sticks out. I feel the most important thing is to clear the area as best as possible before putting the groundcloth down to avoid getting holes in the tent. Mine has only has one small hole in the floor where a matchhead broke off when trying to light a lantern on a cold Memorial day trip on Kabetogama.

[Down Deep]

I bought a ground cloth at REI about 5 years ago and it is plastic and holding up fine. I use the tent in VNP and island camping in Canada so the cloth is standing up to some rugged use.

[crazyice]

I just use a cheapola tarp from fleet farm when I go. My tent is also multi sided and not square, but I just made sure to get one that was larger than really needed, also be sure to get one with reinforced grommet holes so you can drive a stake in it. It is nice to have one a little to big as well then you have an area outside of the tent to take off your shoes and such with out tracking the dirt into the tent.

[Finns]

I agree with crazyice using a cheapo tarp - but - if it extends beyond the edge of the tent and it rains you will have some water problems under the tent.

[Powerstroke]

I agree with finns. Having extra tarp outside the footprint of the tent is nice for a door mat, but rain can collect on it and run under the tent allowing water to stay trapped against the floor fabric.

[crazyice]

I see your point about the rain, but honestly I haven't had a problem, but then again, I have only been out in a bad rainstorm camping a couple of times.

[irvingdog]

Tyvek house wrap.

Best under-tent pad ever once you run it through the washing machine about 5 times to get the crinkley noises out of it.....