Anyone know anything about camping and groundsheets?

[Chocolateemergency]

Going camping for the first time this weekend and we don’t have a groundsheet with our tent, the pods/rooms have built in groundsheets but given the sudden change in the weather, I feel we need extra protection for the bedrooms and something for the living area.

I can’t buy one the exact size of our tent so I’m wondering if it’s better to go too big or too small. Does anyone know?

Slightly too small, otherwise water will pool under the tent

Too small so you don't get water running along it inside.

Or, too big and tuck the extra up inside the flysheet wall, but that's a pain.

Do you mean a footprint for under the tent or like another inside layer? If inside you can always use some picnic rugs if you're stuck, we have a big one in the living area that covers half the space but also an old tarp small square by doors to protect against footfall and mud being walked in. In bedrooms we have sims on floor covered with fleecey fitted sheets then sleeping bags.

Get a tarp from a builders merchant/screwfix/diy store cheaper and more waterproof

Or if you bought too big you could fold it?

You can use a tarp and cut it roughly to size.

But do not leave even a Cm sticking out beyond the walls of the tent.

Thank you! I have no clue about things like this.

My DH said to get some tarp but I thought he was just being cheap haha. If it does the job though I’m happy to go cheap. I’ll go smaller, thank you.

I feel embarrassed asking such basic questions but don’t ask don’t learn… do you peg the groundsheet down? If I was to get a bigger one and fold it, how would we then peg it down?

A footprint for the tent will be made to its spec and be exactly the right size and have peg holes in.

Most tarps have eyes in that you can use to peg. I'd make sure that it's pegged near the door and fold it (or cut if you think necessary / can be bothered) for the rest.

If you think the rest needs pegging just do it though the tarp.

Happy camping!

You don't need to peg it down really. The sleeping pods will hold it in place and you will most likely have stuff around the outside walls of your tent to weigh it down. If there are eyelets, you can peg in those but to be honest, it's a pain having pegs inside the tent. You're much more likely to trip over them than a loose bit of tarp

You don't need to peg the one under the sleeping pods, your weight will hold that in place. You might want to peg anything that you are directly walking in or it might ruck up and you can trip. The tarp might have eyelets you can use or just peg through it if you're not too worried about it. Can use duct tape and punch through that if you want a make-shift eyelet. Pro-tip: gaffer tap is a camping essential and can be used for most things.

Ah ok, makes sense. Thank you for your advice. If you have any other wise camping tips for a first timer I’d love to hear them.

Make sure there are no wrinkles and you stretch the footprint out to lay smoothly without ridges or channels. Regardless of whether you have an extra groundsheet underneath the inbuilt one.

Tbh if you're not sure what you're doing you might cause more harm than good putting an extra sheet underneath.

Are you worried about punctures or the waterproof rating of your tent?

www.campsites.co.uk/guides/camping-for-beginners/what-to-take-camping/tent-faq

There are a few points there that might be useful. There's also a camping board on MN with a bunch of threads filled with tips and tricks.

OP, before you buy anything, check with the campsite that you're allowed to use a footprint or tarp. The majority of sites I've stayed at in the last few years haven't allowed them unless they're the 'breathable' type, as they wreck the grass.

@Creamcrackersandricecakes

OP, before you buy anything, check with the campsite that you're allowed to use a footprint or tarp. The majority of sites I've stayed at in the last few years haven't allowed them unless they're the 'breathable' type, as they wreck the grass.

This seems to be a feature on caravan sites and groundsheets in awnings.

There is no way a footprint, whether the brand for the tent or a cut up tarp, wrecks grass anymore than the tent’s own sewn in groundsheet.

OP: a footprint, as an extra groundsheet that goes underneath the whole footprint of the tent is known, is handy because it keeps the underneath of the tent / bedroom pod groundsheet clean and dry, and easier to pack up. Slight extra protection against damage by small stones etc. And in your case will provide a floor for the bit between your two bedroom pods.

As a PP said, MN has a Camping Board, find it under Travel on the main Talk menu.