How To Set Up A Tarp For Tent Camping

[@somewhere0verthere]

KZbin, while it has many many many many many many problems, is still one of the most informative platforms for learning. Thank you for making this video. I'm quite an amateur but watching camping tip videos has prepared me way more than some tips on camping articles

[@MikeWilley]

I appreciate that and hope that I could help a little. Thanks for watching and commenting. My biggest tip on camping......go. You'll figure the rest out.

[@maureenmccoy8003]

Thank you! This is what I needed to know. I always did it wrong before. Now I know the right way.

[@ruidadgmailcanada8508]

Absorb as much as you can, while you can.

[@mannihh5274]

Really simple and effective. When I was a young boy, my parents took me on several camping trips. First thing my father did, was to identify the high and low spots of the camp ground, of course he sat up the tent in the highest spot available. Then he got some buckets of sand and levelled the place with a slight slope down to the entrance. Next thing was to set up the tent - we used a double walled family tent - and pulled the wind-flaps IN and staked it down, then placed a HD-plastic sheet (cut to the exact size with an overhang of 5" on all sides) on top. The overhang went upwards between the inside and outside wall, preventing rainwater to get in and the living area was covered with an old carpet. Last thing he did was to dig a small trench close to the tent to deviate the rain. Most of the time he would set up additional lines at a hight of some 3' against high winds. With the tent poles covered by homemade leather discs with a small hole in the middle we were always dry, cozy and stormproof without further ado. Sweet memories.

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching and contributing.

[@randyross4298]

Also, fold in a cigarette roll. The rain hits the tent off the cigarette roll to the trench. Bottom of tent is dry. The rain channeled elsewhere.

[@LindaRee]

Finally someone demonstrated the proper placement of the ground tarp. A long time Boy Scout mom thinks you!

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for the feedback. It means a lot.

[@iraa9935]

@@MikeWilleygood job👍🏾

[@rw2588]

Great video. I take my tarp and marked it to fit just slightly smaller than the tent bottom. Then I added 2” and cut along this line. I then turned and sewed the 2” edges down to create a new hem around all sides. I’ve also made larger rain/shade fly awnings this way from cheap tarps which help keep me cool and dry in Florida’s always changing weather. Thanks

[@MikeWilley]

Thats taking it all the way. I love it. Unfortunately my hemming skills aren't something to brag about...lol. Thanks for the comment and I appreciate you watching.

[@wasperminingco]

@@MikeWilley Hey, you can use some banner tape as well. I didn't do that, but I did add in a ton of new grommets and basically "hemmed" it using extra grommets.

[@Steph_7d7]

Thanks for the tip, i just bought a new tent and tips like this make for better camping experiences. Have a great summer.

[@MikeWilley]

You as well. Thanks for the support and I appreciate you watching.

[@usererror5247]

Thank you! I had rain between my tarp and tent last time I went and I couldn't figure out why! First time I went and it rained, like you said "You don't know until you know"! Heading out this weekend and Im excited to do it RIGHT this time!! Thank you!!!

[@MikeWilley]

Thank You so much for the positive feedback. I appreciate your support and comment.

[@Billy.Matson]

Came across this the day(today) before I head out to camp, been doing it wrong for years, this absolutely has helped me!

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for the feedback. It really helps.

[@CaptApril123]

Same here

[@jojobean2845]

This information is perfect timing. I just ordered my camping equipment in plans for my 1st camping trip my birthday weekend in April. I have been watching tons of video on how to setup camp and all the equipment I need, and this is the only video that has explained this. I even ordered my ground tarp a larger size that my tent, but seeing this now, I may return it for a smaller one or just follow your steps.

[@MikeWilley]

Glad it was helpful! Have an awesome time. Thanks for the great feedback.

[@14chstr]

I always thought that larger ground sheet is wrong. This video confirmed it. I also fold my ground sheet maybe 2 - 3 inches shorter than my tent's area but I fold it downwards, not sure what's the difference though :D

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I think its one of the main things people do wrong went tent camping.

[@DZB666]

You're doing it right if you fold it up like in this video then any moisture that gets in is trapped and will pool

[@Man_of_Culture_7]

My tent is 11×9 so I bought a 10×8 tarp. Works great and no folding.

[@MikeWilley]

Thats a pretty perfect setup to keep things easy. Thanks for sharing.

[@Dustoffdoc76]

Such a great point. I have actually hurt a few egos on campgrounds pointing this out. You are right, you don’t know until you do. I agree, but disagree with this video. I see so many comments on here that say the purpose is to keep your tent clean. Well you are outside.. so it is expected to get dirt on your tent. Hello, you're outside! That is what recovery after your trip is for... I agree that is necessary to protect your tent. I have always cleared the ground and placed a small tarp tucked under the tent like this video AND a space blanket inside. It is never wrong to double do things, to keep your gear dry, protected and helps to maintain your body heat from the cold ground. It is not like it weighs so much more if your hiking in, to carry both. Nothing like being stuck out in the middle of the suck with wet $hit. Pack light, but pack smart. Happy camping survivalist!

[@MikeWilley]

I'm with you 100%. Thank you so much for watching and commenting.

[@theknightwhosaysni1356]

Thank you! Off to music festival tomorrow and first time using tarp underneath - your advice greatly appreciated.

[@MikeWilley]

How did you make out?

[@curtriceennis2924]

So very glad I just found this video. I've always kept the tarp big enough to be a little ways "outside" the perimeter of my tent, but, with what you have explained, I see now how I've been setting it all wrong. Have only had some trouble with rain getting inside my tents at the floor area, though. Hopefully, when I set up my NEW tent I just got, I won't have any problems with the rain. It's an ZOT Modified Dome, 10 Person Tent. Am gonna put an older piece of tarp at the "porch" floor area of it. TYSM for sharing your knowledge with us - I will certainly be using this "technique" when I put my new tent up. 👍

[@MikeWilley]

Its a lesson most of us learn the hard way and is more important the larger the tent is. I like the separate tarp concept for the vestibule area, we do the same thing. Thanks for the support and I appreciate you watching.

[@fjb4932]

A tent w/o a porch Iis like a meal w/o dessert, incomplete. ☆

[@matetmolina6482]

Thank you foe thisss!!! We are planning to go camping for our daughter's bday! 😊

[@MikeWilley]

Glad to help. Thanks for watching

[@erichehir9672]

Thanks man I will definitely do it the right way now, cause I’m sick of a wet tent, thanks 🙏

[@MikeWilley]

Thank You for the feedback. Glad I could help.

[@4486xxdawson]

Good job explaining this , im about to make a ground sheet for my tent but im taking a tarp and im going to cut and sew it to the same shape of my tent but i will hem the edges back enough to hide under my tent , thanks for the tip , i figured this was correct as my plans were to do this anyways but good to confirm ,👍

[@MikeWilley]

Sounds great! Love the idea of doing a hem so you don't have to mess with it in the future. Good stuff. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@nicolereadstarot]

If you are using a tarp I'm pretty sure you could just melt the edges

[@clarkmorrison7243]

The easiest groundsheet material to work with is 10 mil black plastic. Big box home stores sell 10' x 100' rolls for about $85, which will make a dozen or more groundsheets for medium size tents. With heavy use you will be wearing out a groundsheet from time to time - you don't want to be spending the time and money to make nylon or polyester groundsheets. The math is easy - my dome tent is 7' x 7', so my groundsheet is 6' x 6', with a little bit cut back at each corner.

[@johnfelps2573]

Wow. I have had water come up through the bottom of my tent many times in the past. Now I know why... Thanks!

[@MikeWilley]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching.

[@wattsdronewilltravel3881]

Good explanation for ground cloth, is it mostly there to protect the bottom of your tent from damage? So having it a couple inches short around the edges it’s not a bad thing at all.

[@MikeWilley]

I'd rather have the edges folded over for the best protection however I've also camped many times with a tarp that comes short. I'd much rather have a tarp short of the footprint of the tent than one sticking out. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@nalatacomameiry8899]

Value information. I’m new at camping and this video was great for me .

[@MikeWilley]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@kenwbrenner]

Nicely Done Mike - thank you for doing this for us!

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for the encouragement. Its my inspiration.

[@paulmckenna5224]

I've been doing it wrong! Thanks for the right-to-the-point video. Fortunately, I've never had a water issue with the floor of my tent (and I've been through some rainy spells!), but I'm doing this from now on!

[@MikeWilley]

Better to learn the easy way...lol. Thanks for watching. Glad to help.

[@SaraCarter-g1v]

Just brilliant advice thank you so much Mike !

[@MikeWilley]

Thank You Sara

[@SaraCarter-g1v]

@@MikeWilley we are just back from a sea kayaking trip to Greenland and after pitching in a different landscape daily for 10 days, we are now well practised and the ground tarp was invaluable on the terrain we pitched up on. The rain wasn't too much of a problem thankfully!

[@nylon8125]

So simple but extremely helpful

[@MikeWilley]

Thank You

[@PineFire]

I am a catastrophic Insurance adjuster, I love the outdoors and spend much time outside camping, backpacking and hiking. One thing that I found fascinating is that this design with the tarp is just like roofs on our homes. We have step flashing, felt, and drip edge - - which are all key components to shedding water off of the roof and towards the ground, away from the vulnerable parts where water desires to seep in. To fold the tarp in from all sides, is the same design and principle!

[@MikeWilley]

Super awesome comment. Thanks for contributing.

[@jimjams20001]

Merci, vous êtes une personne terre-à-terre, j'apprécie cela.

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching.

[@garymarch4711]

Nothing like waking up to a water bed experience (water trapped between the tent and tarp) in your tent! I had my tarp tucked under like you're supposed to. 60mph winds and driving rain still found it's way under. I plan on tucking the tarp on the windward side of my tent at least a foot back this time. Usually not a problem... But those big winds and driving rain change things a bit.

[@MikeWilley]

Once you know, you know. Its just one of those things. I learned the hard way so just trying to save others from dealing with the water bed.

[@harryhawk3542]

Such a helpful video, I've got a question for you if you have the time. We have a large bell tent and the tarp groundsheet we bought to go along with it is slightly bigger in some areas. I'll go and fold under, but should I also peg the tarp under the tent or just peg out the tent on top of it? Seems like from this video we won't really need to, or maybe just peg out a few bits I can where I haven't folded over the pre-made holes?

[@MikeWilley]

I wouldn't worry about staking the tarp down. The weight of the tent will keep it in place. I try to keep it simple. I feel like the more complicated we make things the less we want to go. Great question though. Thanks for watching.

[@sinaimuse6562]

I loved this and thank you! My tent got wet every year and now I know why!

[@MikeWilley]

Glad it was helpful! I learned the same way. I appreciate the view and comment.

[@chouaxo]

This was very helpful! Thank you!

[@MikeWilley]

Thank you for watching. I appreciate your support.

[@adamc154]

Super helpful thanks mate 👍

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for the positive feedback. I appreciate you watching.

[@Tekniverk21]

thank you for explaining it that well 👍

[@MikeWilley]

You're welcome and Thank You so much for the support.

[@carrier6517]

Hi from Adelaide, Australia. Great video and great advice on the ground sheet, now I know as I am heading out camping over the Easter break. Thank you.

[@MikeWilley]

Have a blast Carrie. Super awesome to have views from the land down under. Thank You

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

Huge issue for many..... cheers.. good video.

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for the support Johnny

[@semo7566]

Thank you! What groundsheet are you using? looks great dyi

[@MikeWilley]

Nothing specific really, just a tarp. Thanks for watching.

[@Cleo_and_Mark]

This is something that first-timers don't know. Whenever we see it we point it out to people, usually they are grateful. You do learn it in scouts, but I think fewer people have a scouting background these days.

[@MikeWilley]

I make it a habit of looking at the tent sections of campgrounds. I'd say more than half haven't had that good rain event yet. Once your stuff all gets wet you figure it out quickly. lol Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@photerm7320]

Love the tip. Even tho my opulus comes with a footprint, I wanted to add an extra layer of protection. looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@MikeWilley]

That's a great idea! Its so miserable if water finds its way inside. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jeanprice2514]

Thanks for the tip😀😁👍

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching. I appreciate your support.

[@davidwalesby2426]

when the rain is heavy, heavy then how do you stop the running water from running above the ground sheet and between the bottom of the tent,

[@MikeWilley]

Thats what the fold in the tarp is for. Thanks for watching.

[@davidhughes595]

A separate tarp set up on top of a tent (with ropes) helps a ton during heavy rain.

[@jasonjjj27]

TY for the information.

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching

[@ahayseed654]

The point of a ground cloth is to be a moisture barrier to keep the tent floor dry. Feel the bottom side of the ground cloth or (if no cloth) the bottom of the tent floor the next morning. Most probably flip their tent bottom side up till it drys, before packing.

[@MikeWilley]

Completely agree thats why I wanted to make this video. For years I left the edges of the tarp sticking out past the tent and so when it rains the tarp created more of a pool liner as compared to a moisture barrier. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ShirleyButler-z5m]

We use a water bed liner inside the tent to keep the moisture out. Sized to fit the tent or camper. We have one inside our tent camper then put the bedding in it. Water bed liners have sides that you can tuck everything into to keep it away from the sides of the tent/camper.

[@MikeWilley]

I didn't realize there still were water bed parts. lol. Creative idea, I like it.

[@BullydogProformances]

Wow this is spot on. I recently became homeless and got a tent to stay sheltered....its rained here for the better part of the week and my tent bottom has become a bath tub. Now i know why.

[@MikeWilley]

Sorry to hear you've fallen on hard times. Glad I could help a little. Thanks for watching.

[@BullydogProformances]

@@MikeWilley it's a temporary thing, my job will open back up in the spring...so it like a 4 month camping trip. Sorta lol

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

Just curious what would be the disadvantage to placing the tarp or some kind of padded floor mats inside the tent as opposed to outside the tent? Wouldn't it be easier to just line the inside of the tent with additional padding or layers instead of trying to align it properly underneath the tent?

[@MikeWilley]

Too keep the water out of the tent

[@ricklorion]

This is a rare like from me. 👌

[@MikeWilley]

I love the honesty and the support. Thank You.

[@patriciadavis7444]

GREAT INFO MANY BLESSINGS ❤❤❤❤

[@MikeWilley]

Thank You and to you as well.

[@nicktomato7]

watched this right before i was about to set out my tent, wondering if anything would be different since my tent is so small - but then you set up my exact tent as your example lol

[@MikeWilley]

Thats awesome lol. Thanks for watching Nick

[@jackvoss5841]

An alternative: To protect the bottom of a tent from damage caused by sticks, stones, pull tabs, etc, CLEAN THE DETRITUS AWAY FROM THE TENT AREA. I use the side of a trowel to scrape away these things. Takes about the same amount of time as to spread out a ground cloth. We sometimes place our tent in low spots that gather rainwater. Walk the site. Look at the surface from several angles. Avoid spots that (1) gather puddles of water, or (2) channel flowing water. Waterproof the INSIDE of the tent. Measure the tent floor. From a local hardware, buy a piece of plastic sheeting (visqueen?) large enough to cut out from a piece that is 1 foot longer, and 1 foot wider than the tent floor. Along each edge, fold up a 6” high lip. Miter each corner and secure each corner with duct tape. All tent floors will eventual weep, seep, or leak moisture. After your tent is set up, the FIRST thing you put in it is that plastic bathtub. NEXT, put in your mattress and sleeping bag. This protects the camper! A ground cloth does not protect the camper, nor is it intended to. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@MikeWilley]

Very well thought out and stated. One additional tip would be to spray the seems inside with Watershield.

[@dinomak69]

Oooooh, REI tent. Follow those trends to look fancy.

[@MikeWilley]

I've used everything from a piece of plastic to a $1000 tent. I just like trying all sorts of gear out to see how it performs. Personally, I like REI but I understand the comment. Thanks for watching.

[@dinomak69]

@@MikeWilley I was jokingly poking you in the ribs. Stay cool bro 😎

[@guygatineau281]

Well...l cut my tarp to size. Stiched the side with a sewing maaaâ...chine (hemed) et...voila! None of that folding business when you have to set up in ze rain! Great video none the less!

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for the feedback and I appreciate you watching.

[@earndoggy]

I learned this the hard way about 35 years ago too! And to top it off, the zipper on the tent failed the same night!

[@MikeWilley]

That was probably pretty frustrating. That kind of thing can cause some people to never go back. You don't know until you know. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@philipwatson7883]

Great advice

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks Philip. I appreciate you watching.

[@susanjohnson2816]

Thank You, that was very helpful

[@MikeWilley]

Glad it was helpful! I really appreciate you watching and commenting Susan.

[@ebrian1978]

We fold the tarp downwards that way if any moisture does get caught underneath it doesn't get stuck in the folds.

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching.

[@CheriArt]

Thank you for your video.

[@MikeWilley]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@DevekaBhardwaj]

Wow Thank you for this tip!

[@MikeWilley]

You bet! Thanks for watching

[@roxycolon628]

Do this works for the snow like surviving outdoor like that and rains I don't think so...

[@MikeWilley]

It'll work fine in the snow. Thanks for watching.

[@rebeccataravonschleinitz]

True story: Tent camping with my dad, mom and brother in Canada 1975. Cheap. Rain deluge (at least in my memory as a 5 year-old). My brother and I were literally washed out of our tent on our air-mattresses. We spent (all four of us) the night in the car. End of planned 3 week vacation. Dad decided it was time to buy a used tent trailer. Not ONE camping trip was in any way, shape or form without some disaster until I was 16, when I absolutely refused to ever go camping again. (At least with my dad - bless and keep him safe in the afterlife. He always meant well.)

[@MikeWilley]

Thats hilarious. At least he had the right idea and put it in the time. Thanks for sharing.

[@LarsSmith-rv4ot]

Especially backpacking, I cut thick plastic sheeting just shy of what the footprint is of my tent or you can take one of these tarps and cut it and glue a seam or duct tape it to make a footprint. It's worth the effort. IMO These tarps are fairly cheap and you have a dedicated ground tarp to store with the tent.

[@MikeWilley]

I've seen many people do the exact same thing. Thanks for a great comment.

[@The.positive.pessimist.]

I made that mistake on my last camp trip. It rained overnight and I woke up with PUDDLES of water trapped between the tent and the tarp. Like a shallow water bed. Luckily the bathtub floor did its job, but it was a little troubling.

[@MikeWilley]

Thats literally how I learned. You don't know until you know. Thanks for watching and cheers to dry tents of the future. 🍻

[@cue881-yo7kz]

A good video. A common mistake that a lot of people learn the hard way!

[@MikeWilley]

You don't know until you know. You're exactly right. Thanks for the support.

[@lakwatsanikit]

Thank you for this 👌

[@MikeWilley]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@nicolereadstarot]

I have a HUGE 16 person tent. Can I use more than one tarp? All I have is like 3 small tarps and would rather not buy a huge one

[@MikeWilley]

You can use whatever you have but in order for it to be fully effective it really should be larger than the footprint of the tent. Great question, thanks for watching Nicole.

[@davidbuehler8103]

Why not put the tarp inside the tent? The bottom of the tent gets wet - however - the tarp inside provides the vapor barrier. Been camping for 40 years and never had an issue.

[@MikeWilley]

Because the water would pool in the tent and could potentially get over the edges easier than if its under the tent. It would stay much cleaner though. Thanks for the thought and I appreciate you watching.

[@No_ReGretzky99]

So the morale of the video is to tuck the tarp underneath the tent, then I have the tent overlapping the tarp soldiers buy a smaller tarp than your tent?? ❤❤❤ Thanks for the video man

[@MikeWilley]

Ideally you'd like a tarp about 1" short of each side but the chances of finding a tarp like that are usually slim.

[@AreYouKenneth]

Should I buy a tent ground tarp that's some inches smaller than the tent's floor? Is it better if I buy one that's bigger and then fold it like in the video?

[@MikeWilley]

If you can get a tarp thats 2-3 inches short of the tent perimeter, thats perfect. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Leightr]

I buy plastic sheeting from the hardware store and then cut it a few inches smaller than the tent footprint. the sheeting is also usually thin enough to roll and pack with the tent.

[@TheHoovercm]

Great info, thanks for sharing that! I am new to this and would have done exactly what you said not to do! Thanks! :)

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching Chuck.

[@aunWWc]

This happened to me. Tent got flooded during a storm. Lesson learnt

[@MikeWilley]

You don't know until you know.

[@stevenscop]

@SharpFocus I am going car camping in Ocala National Forest the end of January and the weather should be in the 40s at night and 60s during the day. It may even get a little cooler than that. My 8-year-old tent leaks not only from the top but also from the window areas. I was thinking of getting a 4 mil extra large tarp and covering the tent with it (top and even the windows) and then putting the rainfly on top of that with most likely no Gap. I would raise the tarp above the windows when it's not raining. It rains pretty much every time we go there. Is this a really bad idea? I don't think there will be trees in the spot that we're at so I can't hang it above. Should I just buy a new tent? I'd rather go the tarp route because it's so much less $ and the tent still is holding up otherwise. I'm not too concerned about the temperature during the day inside the tent. I'll have the windows open. More concerned about night time temperature and the condensation.

[@MikeWilley]

A tarp is a perfect line of defense against rain as long as the tarp is waterproof. You could also try spraying the tent seems with tent sealer to help prevent some of the leaks. Sorry for the late response, how did the trip go?

[@neprdc]

Thank you

[@MikeWilley]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@stephenodell1417]

I always cut my tarp about 1”-2” shorter than floor. Or you can buy a foot print for the tent you’re getting. A foot print also works to helps keep the bugs from eating little holes in your tent floor,I live in Florida. Little ants.

[@MikeWilley]

Awesome input. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@LostKamoteLambs]

Thank you for this :)

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@beverlyfletcher6914]

Informative video. I also like your saying, " You dont know til you know". Ive always said that and add to it, " after that , youre just stupid".lol? Thx.

[@MikeWilley]

Its just one of those things. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I appreciate your support.

[@forumicebreaker]

Effective!

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jameskyle7943]

I learned this one the hard way one time years ago. It rained hard that night and I had a miserable experience.

[@MikeWilley]

Been there. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Seth-c4z]

Oh that's the problem thank U brother.

[@MikeWilley]

Glad I could help man....cheers. Thanks for watching.

[@ourtechwriter]

Thank you!

[@MikeWilley]

You're welcome!

[@jonmcgowan]

One pf the problem is companies even high end companies like MSR advertised tarps that are specific to certain tents and then have holes for 10 stakes but they're too big for the tent they're advertised for.

[@MikeWilley]

Completely understand but you see whats going to happen.

[@eco420]

thanks king

[@MikeWilley]

👊 - Thanks for watching and commenting

[@rameylewis7730]

As an Eagle Scout with many years camping experience, I agree with you 100%.

[@MikeWilley]

Thank You, that means a lot. I appreciate your contribution.

[@andrewtv9873]

Are you using the ground cloth to protect the bottom of the tent, or to keep rain out... If to keep rain out put the tarp... IN the tent. Make a bath tub floor and you will stay dry, from the bottom, in a hurricane.

[@MikeWilley]

Both. Putting the tarp inside the tent will not keep rain from entering the tent. It might provide separation from you and the water with you being on top of the tarp but I want to prevent infiltration all together. The best way to do that is exactly how I showed you in the video.

[@robgerety]

My feeling is that the ground tarp is one thing but ultimately the floor of the tent will get tiny holes and lose water proofness. The best way to keep inside of tent dry is to put a water proof layer INSIDE the tent.

[@MikeWilley]

A sprayed waterproofing (seam sealer) would work well. Thanks for watching

[@WalterMasterofNothing]

I teach this to all who will listen. been saying this for years.

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for contributing.

[@jeremycox8261]

I put a ground sheet under my tent once. It was a dry night, but somehow condensation got under my sleeping mat, and when I lifted the tent, the ground sheet was sodden. I really struggled to understand what happened here. It was a dry night. The only moisture inside my tent was underneath my sleeping mat and when I lifted the tent the ground sheet was absolutely dripping with water. I just would love someone to explain to me what happened.

[@MikeWilley]

Sounds like it was a humidity and condensation issue with body heat vs cool air. Thanks for watching.

[@tucker2074]

Thankyou

[@MikeWilley]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@USMC6976]

It's only wrong if it rains or snows. It is right if you want to have a spot to kneel on when entering or leaving the tent on nice days. Or you can place a small diameter branch running from one corner stake to the other under the ground sheet, under the edge of the tent. Then just tuck the tarp a little under the tent. No water will flow under your tent.

[@MikeWilley]

Very true and if your doing a 1 or even 2 nighter with no weather threat, thats no issue but obviously if you're staying any longer than that, might as well set it up so its weather resistant up front so you don't have to do it again when the weather breaks. Thanks for checking out the video and the conversation.

[@jeanettesmith9939]

Thanks❣️👍🏾👍🏾

[@MikeWilley]

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@vinfiddler5469]

I woke up at 3am during a downpour. I was floating until my cheap air mattress popped. Most horrible night camping. I realized way too late how I did the under tarp wrong.

[@MikeWilley]

Thats about as bad as it gets. Sorry you had to go through that. Most of us don't realize how out of hand it can get very fast with a heavy rain. You don't know until you know, but at least now you know. Thanks so much for sharing and watching.

[@LeonDieBoer]

That's why I prefer shade cloth under my tent..

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for contributing and watching.

[@UK_Outdoors.]

Think it's best just to cut the ground sheet to the right size and tape the edges. Folding over is a bit of a faff. But good advice of the principle of the idea

[@MikeWilley]

You could do that but then the chance the tarp shredding on the edges goes way up. I like the fold because it creates a two layer type of barrier at the very edge. Everyone has their own methods.

[@UK_Outdoors.]

@Sharp Focus yeah that's a fair comment. I guess I'm one that likes minimal faff when it comes to setting up.

[@dasfahrer8187]

Do people not dig rain trenches around their tents anymore or something? Been doing that for nearly 50 years now and never have any water issues.

[@MikeWilley]

I think most people allow the tarp to protrude outside the tent footprint. A quick trip around the tent section of the campground reveals exactly how many people do it. Its just like anything in life, you don't know until you know. Thanks for watching and contributing.

[@frankbrehm3281]

That's what I was thinking. I always raked where the tent was going to be set up and dug a small trench around the rear (higher) side of the tent and the two sides. Never had a problem with rain water under the tent.

[@RoughWalkers]

Seriously look up Hikeman Ground Sheets ... they have pegs built into the corners and its thick 😅

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for the tip and I appreciate you watching.

[@toddkruger1223]

Ty

[@MikeWilley]

Thanks for watching.

[@franceshooper2307]

Thanks, now I know, I know.... 😊

[@MikeWilley]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching.

[@TheXanthoman]

Thats why pre manufactured foot prints are made a few inches smaller than the floor of the tent in both directions , so the tent over hangs the foot print by a couple of inches , just common sense

[@MikeWilley]

Most of them, I agree. However in my experience most tents don't include the tarp and make it a seperate item to purchase and then most people resort to something like a standard tarp that doesn't fit perfectly because they aren't aware their expensive tent didn't come with ground protection. I wish tent manufacturers included the matching protection automatically so it didn't resort in people scrambling to find something that works.

[@Theredeemedchild2]

Tarp goes above the tent. Tarp should be twice the length and width. Then get on the same length and 4 feet wider than your tent to go under the tent. Use the extra 4 feet for shoes etc because the one above it stops all rain from hitting the tent and the tarp under the tent.

[@MikeWilley]

Personally I'd much rather have a smaller tarp and put it under the tent. I like the idea of only carrying one tarp / fly but I think it would need to be much bigger than tent to eliminate the risk of glowing rain and water pudding and running towards the tent. I like the thinking though. Thanks for watching.

[@Theredeemedchild2]

@@MikeWilley I addressed that in my original comment. I said to get one the same length (or width) of the tent and then the other dimension should be 4 foot longer than the tent to give you a place for shoes etc. water will not puddle there because your tarp above the tent is double the length and width. Hope that makes more sense.

[@UncleFjester]

While I can't disagree with this, I will say, I get more equity from having the tarp set up to keep dirt & debris out of the tent. Because any amount of rain is gonna get under the tent, no matter how hard you try to stop it. If I may suggest, a test video with two tents set up, wrong vs right, & put yard sprinklers on it for 2 hours and see how little, how much this makes a difference.

[@MikeWilley]

I like the idea alot. I'll look into doing a test. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@albynospyder4120]

I had a tent back in the early 90s that the whole bottom of the tent was made out of that same plastic tarp material. If they were to start making tents like that again, you wouldnt need to have a foitprint. But then they couldn't sell you a footprint.

[@MikeWilley]

They still make bathtub models but most of them are "water resistant" rather than "water proof" so the normal "water resistant" styles lays in water it will eventually leak. Good point though. I'd like to see how long a lot of the models last before leaking. Video Idea.... thanks.

[@blinkspacestudio8892]

Not sure why people set the tarp up with it sticking out and thought the water would go anywhere else but under the tent lol it should be going around the sides.

[@MikeWilley]

Mainly because the tarp is multi-purpose and most don't realize it. Many people will tell you its to protect the bottom of the tent, which is true however the tarp also serves the purpose of protecting the tent from water infiltration. You don't know until you know. Thank for watching and commenting.

[@deeSK8er]

We find out the hard way……lol

[@MikeWilley]

Its like my motto...lol. Thanks for watching.

[@TheGeniuschrist]

I've been setting up my tarp wrong.

[@MikeWilley]

Not anymore. Thanks for watching and glad I could help.