Do you mean a ground sheet for underneath your tent? If so you need to make it or have it made so that it is just a centimeter less in size than the tent floor. If you have it wider and it sticks out beyond the tent, any rain that falls will run down the walls, and gather on your groundsheet and even go under the tent!!! It keeps the bottom of your tent clean, and protects against sharp sticks etc... worthwhile if you spent a lot on your tent.
Another option would be a bit of shade-cloth? or that flooring that people use for under the awning of a caravan.
We put a picnic rug on the floor of the tent (inside) once and liked it so much it goes down every time now.
Oh, so now I know!!!! We had a soft floor camper trailer for 10 years, never, ever put it up without either a tarp (in the beginning) or a shadecloth mat underneath - when we sold it, there was not a single hole in the floor or the canvas - paid $4300, sold for $3500 - $800 for 10 years of good use - went everywhere, including around Australia, and lots of bush camping.
Look after tents or campers and they will look after you - never got wet in it either, even in heavy downpours!!!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I didn't know what a footprint was until I did some searching for ground sheets.
I decided to buy a Black Wolf Tuff Dome tent that has a base of around 2.4m square.
Should I bother with a footprint and if so go with a pre-made one (generally expensive) or make my own from cheapish material?
Has anyone had any personal experience with this and if so what is your recommendation?
A peice of H/D shade cloth works well for this in many applications, tents, camper trailers, roll out awnings. Been using it for yrs, lets the water drain through, sand etc.
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Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
Regarding soft floor campers we also put down heavy plastic sheet underneath then put a carpet square on top of the floor and never got a hole in the floor,plus it was easy to get the dust and dirt out,just shake the carpet.
