What goes under your tent?

[Ranga]

After a few attempts at using a tarp under our JetTent, I'm less than satisfied. It protects the floor, but water and dirt still manages to get under and stay there. Hence, when packing up the tent, it still relatively dirty (but not as much as setting up directly on the ground, I 'spose).

I refuse to put our Cgear mat under there, as it's better served for walking on, and too bloody expensive to go under the tent. I thought those square camping mats with the holes in them that join together might be the go (they would add a bit of comfort also), but they're a bit too bulky.

So, I'm figuring some shade cloth might do the trick - keep the dirt off the tent, but let water drain away.

Any suggestions?

[oldyella 76]

For years now we have had shade cloth to put under our tent. It is light and easy to shake the sand out of. Does not take much room. We have it a bit larger to cover the area near the door.
Regards Lindsay.

[Tank]

I would go for the shade cloth, as above is light and folds up small easy to keep clean, if you get it twice the size of the base of the tent you can double it up for extra insulation, cheap as chips, Regards Frank.

[justinc]

x3 for shade cloth. i got given an old outdoor 'sail' from someones deck, it was uv damaged but perfect for matting under a tent. it is heavier than shadecloth, a bit like trampoline material.

jc

[p38arover]

Shade cloth - out the front as well so I don't walk dirt into the tent.

[loanrangie]

Another one for shade cloth , we went camping Melbourne cup weekend 2011 and it ****ed rain for 2 days. I have a large piece of shade cloth that i put under the tent and sunroom which helped a lot with drainage.

[Blknight.aus]

We use a doubled over piece of 75% shade cloth, it extends out about a meter past the normal entrance side of the tent and that works for feet wiping duties.

When you put it down we stretch ours out using the tents floor pegs on one side to anchor it and then if we think its going to be blowy before we peg the other side of the tent down we pull the shade cloth tight then peg it down inside the fold so the peg only goes through the bottom side of the fold and the top layer covers the peg.

[alittlebitconcerned]

Our setup... First layer Austalia, second layer shade cloth, third layer tent.

[stallie]

I bought a eyelet maker off ebay (hammer cutter, little metal jigger and 50 odd eyelets) and put in a bunch of eyelets in the corners of a large piece of shade cloth for tent pegs to hold down. All the benefits of the above. Get it bit enough (or another piece) for the vestibule too.

You can also keep it out when on the move and clip to the roofrack of the car and a tree for a lightweight shade cloth for lunch. Much cheaper than those pull out awnings....

[Landy Smurf]

We use shade cloth too as stallie does we also use eyelets so it does not tear the shade cloth plus the it is easy to use as a sun shelter as you can tie rope through the eyelets. I would like to try the mats with holes that clip together but as you said they can get a bit bulky plus I think they are a bit expensive where as shade cloth is fairly cheap.

[MacMan]

I'll be boring and say shade cloth!

[pushrod]

I am using an underlay from Oztent .. A bit like shade cloth and does keep the moisture away.. It comes in a few different sizes and is about $80.. Have a look on the Oztent website..

Andre

[MacFamily]

Another for shade cloth cheap, easy to store and also easy to clean.

[Bushie]

Never used shadecloth (but heading that way) and have always used a tarp. The disadvantage with a tarp is if there is rain, water gets between the tarp and the floor of the tent and can't dry out, so you take down a tent that you think is dry to find the underfloor is still very wet.

Martyn

[Ranga]

Never used shadecloth (but heading that way) and have always used a tarp. The disadvantage with a tarp is if there is rain, water gets between the tarp and the floor of the tent and can't dry out, so you take down a tent that you think is dry to find the underfloor is still very wet.

Martyn

Exactly what happened to us last week, hence the search for a replacement!

[Blknight.aus]

If you're ever going out camping when we're not (or if we're swagging it) you're welcome to have a test out on our shade cloth.

If your going to a powered site we also have an AC you can borrow for the tent (and no, Im not joking although I'd like to be)

[Hoges]

I use either a P38a, or Navara tub trailer on LR wheels under the tent floor!:eek::wasntme:

[EchiDna]

does anyone bother to brail (sp?) their tent these days?


as for what goes under my tent: my 110 does of course ;-)

[Owl]

I just use good old terrafirma under mine!
Good tent with a decent floor (OK - it's heavy!), is all that's needed. I can fold it up without any canvas touching the floor if the floor is wet / muddy and clean it on the last day of the trip or once home if it's still wet.

[Owl]

does anyone bother to brail (sp?) their tent these days?


as for what goes under my tent: my 110 does of course ;-)


Brail??

[EchiDna]

Brail??

Back in the days of tents without attached floors, you rolled up the walls once the morning dew had dried to air it out and let the sun do its work.

Common practice in army cadets, scouts etc... anywhere using auto tents, 12x12 or similar old school stuff ;-)

[woody]

The tent for the camper trailer has a zip in vinyl floor. We never use it as kids always bring mud dirt and sand inside, so we use a combination of the foam mats and rolling up the sides during the day (weather permitting). Will be looking at shade cloth as well in the future.

[Homestar]

I'll go for something different Ranga. I just keep a small broom in the car and clean the tent up when I pack up. I have a big bit of heavy duty truck trailer curtain that I lay out in front for walking on duties.