Tents

[ASH556]

My entire scouting career, SOP was to place a tarp under your tent (with the edges folded UNDERNEATH the tent so as to not collect water runoff from the tent sides) and another tarp over the tent. If you didn't, you got wet.

Seems to me now, that there should be a tent that doesn't leak. Granted, the only tents I've ever had came from Walmart.

Do they make tents that don't leak or is a Tarp still required? Is there such a thing as a lightweight tarp?

[run n gun]

I think its called a rain fly? most tents have one, and a ground cloth is probably still a good idea.

[BradCMSP]

I use a standard tarp under my tent, as you described, to keep the bottom from being damaged while car camping.

I have never used a tarp over it, and have never been wet, my rain fly works great.

For backpacking, a small piece of tyvek works great as a footprint.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=53813

[ASH556]

I think its called a rain fly? most tents have one, and a ground cloth is probably still a good idea.

Ha, the "rain fly" that came with my tents were a joke at best. They hook onto the tent and only cover about the top 1/3 of it.

[run n gun]

Seems to me now, that there should be a tent that doesn't leak. Granted, the only tents I've ever had came from Walmart.

I wouldn't really expect a Wal-Mart tent to have a full rain fly but I wouldn't expect a tent with a full rain fly to be overly expensive.

[ASH556]

I wouldn't really expect a Wal-Mart tent to have a full rain fly but I wouldn't expect a tent with a full rain fly to be overly expensive.

I think you're right. This looks like the current version of what I have (mine is a different color and probably 6 years old):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-7-...eps-3/13849028




So in searching and reading some, it looks like a guy could get a pretty good Eureka with a full rain fly for about $150?

[run n gun]

Eureka makes pretty good kit. REI and Campmor usually have pretty good prices too

[skullworks]

REI is gtg.

I've used Hilleberg tents both in the service and as a civvie (Keron in the service and Akto these days). Most if not all of their tents come with a waterproof floor, but they also sell ground pads if you want to add additional insulation or want to have a floor in the outer tent.

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[sammage]

My cheapo tent is the Coleman you linked to, and have had no leakage issues through quite a few storms while car camping, some with upwards of 40 mph winds. The rain fly on those just covers the mesh windows; the side panels are designed to be exposed to the elements. Seam sealer, silicone spray, and a standard tarp under the tent. Any time I get a new tent, the first thing I do is seam seal and waterproof.

If you want something a bit stronger, check out the Eureka Timberline (aluminum A-frame construction).

[MrCleanOK]

A good footprint protects the bottom of your tent. You could have the best waterproofed, sealed tent in the world, and you would still want to put a footprint under it. I like to use black 3 mil plastic as it's waterproof, cheap, and being black it dries quicker in the sun than other materials.