Wet Gear on a trip

[7xray]

The ground cloth,if you use one, goes on the inside of the tent.

Huh?

I'm sorry but you're wrong. The point of a "ground"cloth / tent footprint is to keep dirt/mud/sand off of the bottom of the tent which can cause abrasion to the fabric and break it down over time. The ground cloth rest on the ground and is made to wear out and be replaced.

Still don't believe me?

My Tent:

https://www.rei.com/product/717787

My Groundcloth / Footprint:

https://www.rei.com/product/732223

Read the description:

This coated nylon taffeta footprint attaches underneath your Mountain Hardwear® Hammerhead 3 tent to protect floor from abrasion and damage.

If you use an groundcloth (on the ground ) make sure it doesn't extend outside the perimeter of your tent. Otherwise when it rains the rain will flow under the tent floor and make a mess. I made a ground "cloth" (plastic) for my tent by setting it up on a piece of fairly heavy visqueen plastic and traced around the tent with a magic marker. Then, because I'm a suspenders and belt kind of guy (metaphorically, don't really wear suspenders) I cut another piece the same shape as the first but about 4" bigger on all sides to put inside the tent.

My tent 60 Second Tent

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

So what do peeps do with wet tents and such on a tour?

I used to tell people: "You just keep camping 'till things dry-out."

Regarding days of rain: If you're riding and camping west-bound across the U.S., you can run through rainstorms (as they usually travel W. to E. -- eastbound can be just the opposite.

Comments here about modern tents almost 'shaking dry' are correct, in my experience. I use a groundcloth, too (under the tent).

Camping and motorcycling can really go-together, I think. There are times when the trip is enhanced by the opportunity to stay .... out (for lack of a better term). I realize, now, that I'm not going to be able to explain this, well.

I camped at a campground once near a couple guys who'd been riding & camping (and moteling some) for a few weeks and, around the campfire, one of them said: "I can't remember any of the motels we stayed in -- but, I can remember all the campsites."

 

[Grumpy]

My wife's idea of camping is a 3 star hotel.

We must be married to the same woman!

jim

 

[brazos parker]

The ground cloth,if you use one, goes on the inside of the tent. Those who put it on the ground beneath the tent either 1: hasn't done much camping

RR, if I were making generalizations like the above, I'd be very careful to make sure I knew what I was talking about. IMHO, FJR1300A is correct. In all my YEARS of backpacking, I never once saw anyone put a groundcloth on the INSIDE of the tent. Groundcloths are cheap insurance compared to the floor of a high quality camping/backpacking tent.

All this and it's not even Friday yet!

 

[Capt. Bob]

I have used Visqueen inside a tent before but....that was in addition to the ground cloth. We used it to reduce mud tracking (from our gear and clothes) on the tent floor.

 

[rapd-rob]

FJR1300a, Use a ground cloth as you wish, as for me & mine I've never seen the need for one, nor like the idea of something that may retain water under my tent.

 

[rapd-rob]

FJR1300a, Use a ground cloth as you wish, as for me & mine I've never seen the need for one, nor like the idea of something that may retain water under my tent.

 

[Geezer]

FJR1300a, Use a ground cloth as you wish, as for me & mine I've never seen the need for one, nor like the idea of something that may retain water under my tent.

I always figured the ground cloth was there to protect the floor of the tent from sharp stuff on the ground. It doesn't have to be waterproof, but it also doesn't hurt as long as the edges don't stick out beyond the walls of the tent. Many lightweight tents have very thin floors. I always sleep on an air mattress so I'm not concerned if the floor of the tent gets damp. Puddles are always bad.

 

[Scottyfizz]

My ex wife and I used to do week long canoe camping trips. I'm 43 years old and I will not sleep on the ground anymore. Like some others I like hot showers and cold cocktails at the end of the day. But when we did camp our Eureka tent and thermarest pads kept us dry. I don't miss those fun times either. Except for the slap and tickle at night. That woman liked the lovin ,but she was quazy! :blink: