Got a tent for Christmas...

[my_vantasy]

...and have already pitched it in the house. The little dog has given her approval, so it's a keeper. Now, I have not owned a tent since the late 80s/early 90s, so I have some questions. (I have been active outdoors in pop-up campers, camping cabins, motorhomes, and borrowed tents.)

The past two summers, I have tent camped with a friend and she loaned me a tent. Before she pitches her tent, she puts down a tarp and pitches the tent on it. I don't remember doing that back in my tent days, so Question 1 is: do I need to put down a tarpaulin first or no?

I have heard a lot about waterproofing or seam sealing a tent. My new tent is your basic nylon, so Question 2 is: do I need to waterproof it or seal the seams or both? It can get pretty rainy in Ohio in the spring and summer. If I need to, which products should I look for or which should I avoid?

I know some of you out there can really help me, and I truly appreciate it.

 

[VanGanesha]

Thanks for the great Traffic tune stuck in my heard!

Dear Mr Vantasy, play us a tune....

I like having a tarp underneath, especially if the ground is damp. I usually keep a few feet of the tarp sticking out in front of the tent door.. gives me a place to remove shoes and keep the dirt from coming inside of the tent.... much the same way the tarp keeps the dirt from the bottom of my tent when I pack it up
I can never get my tent back into the original bag it came in, so the tarp also doubles as a "wrap" for the tent, poles and stakes

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Suppose your giftgiver is trying to tell you something??

A tarp under the tent needs to be just less than the size if the tent or you'll get flooded in the rain.

I don't recall names, but used to get seam sealer at the camping store (like REI). Some of the better tents don't need any treatment.

 

[StarEcho]

The tarp or some people call it "footprint" helps to protect the bottom of the tent. You don't HAVE to use it, of course, but if the ground is wet as VG stated and especially if the ground has sharp stones or gravel or prickers or anything that may damage the tent, I'd rather damage a cheap tarp than an expensive tent. Also easier to sweep off a tarp than the bottom of a tent!!!

I was taught to make sure the ends of the tarp don't extend outside of the tent itself because if it does rain the rain will fall on the tarp and may then have a superhighway to under the tent, so I always folded my tarp so that it ends right at the edge of the tent. But like VG said, I did always keep a bit out at the front because that area had an overhang.

 

[caseyc]

I second the idea of a tarp underneath the tent. Also, does your tent come with a rainfly? A rainfly is another piece that covers over the top of the tent to help keep the rain out. You can go to Sports Authority store (or REI store) to buy a spray that will help to water proof your tent. Not totally necessary, but maybe a good idea. Also, if it's going to be windy, make sure you get the better heavy duty tent stakes to replace the cheapo stakes that the tent usually comes with. Lastly, a good comfy airbed mattress helps you to sleep better versus sleeping on the hard ground. Or get one of those tri-fold portable foam mattress that you can buy at a sports store.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Oh yeah Casey, the air foam sleepingbag mattress is the stuff. Just don't add too much air or you'll roll off the dern thing, LOL.
I couldn't think of it a while ago, but "Play It Again Sports" and other used gear places is where I used to check for camping goodies. Lots of those will take unwanted items in partial trade for stuff you want.

 

[my_vantasy]

Thanks everybody!!

The tent does have a rain fly and I can continue to borrow my friend's air mattress--she has a really nice extra one.

And just so you know, I'm a Ms. Vantasy.

 

[wagoneer]

Remember when the tent is wet do not touch the walls inside this will get the inside wet.-** Ms. very much the same advice you will do well with that setup. Have fun

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Thanks everybody!!

The tent does have a rain fly and I can continue to borrow my friend's air mattress--she has a really nice extra one.

And just so you know, I'm a Ms. Vantasy.

Some people don't like a cot but I do if I'm pitching for more than a few nights. Gives you a place to store things underneath and a feeling of comfort and a place to sit. Hmmm, I wonder how so many here knew not to let their tarp stick out under the tent? :s Been there and done that, once.

 

[wagoneer]

Ha Ha yah been there, 27 years ago on our hunnymoon pitched a tent in a wash in AZ with a foam pad underneath talking about the road to Niagra falls in my 1972 Ply wagon snuggling all warm and cosy on a clear star filled night.3 am I felt like we were sleeping on a cold wet sponge and oh my gosh we were. gully washer.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Ha Ha yah been there, 27 years ago on our hunnymoon pitched a tent in a wash in AZ with a foam pad underneath talking about the road to Niagra falls in my 1972 Ply wagon snuggling all warm and cosy on a clear star filled night.3 am I felt like we were sleeping on a cold wet sponge and oh my gosh we were. gully washer.

I woke up to my cowboy boots floating. I appreciated the cot. It did teach me to observe the lay of the land better. Maybe the ground is smooth and clear because its between mounds, like maybe where water flows? You get smarter or you don't I suppose. You guys could have been killed in a gully washer Adrian.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

As others have said, the purpose of the tarp is to protect the tent floor.

Really good tents have a floor that is waterproof, and wraps up the bottom of the walls by 6 to 10 inches. With a set-up like that, it should'nt matter whether the tarp sticks out from under the tent or not.

Wherever two pieces of cloth are sewn together, it can leak through the the thread holes unless they are sealed with a seam sealer compound. All tents need this, and none come factory sealed because it is very fiddly and labor intensive and would raise the cost of the tent quite a bit.

Regards
John

 

[my_vantasy]

Thanks for all of the great advice...keep it coming!

The tent bottom does extend up the sides by a few inches. A tarp is now on my shopping list.

 

[WanderlustVagabond]

yeah as everyone said, keep the tarp under the tent no farther. I have one that i cut down to fit under my tent, I used some of the left over to sit outside the entrance. Cheap-o welcome mat but it gives me somewhere to sit my boots. Also At Wal-mart the sell a can of stuff called Camp Dry. Its essentially silicone spray but i use it once a year on the lower seams of my tent, hasn't leaked yet through 3 years of Ohio weather. I don't know where you're at in this great state, but if you haven't heard of the AEP ReCreation land, check it out. or send me a message and i can fill you in. Free camping loads of campsites and fishing. you need a permit, but its good for life once you sign it... enjoy the tent.