To Tarp or Not To Tarp?

[Pinkee77]

Ever since that tragic Memorial Day Monsoon that left us with soggy pillows and puddles inside the tent (I still suffer from PTSD and cringe everytime I hear thunder) my top priority has been waterproofing. So, I scrapped the leaky Coleman tent and returned to the Fort last October armed with a new Eureka Nergy 1310 (insert Tim the Toolman grunt here). While I do not think my new fancy schmancy tent will leak, I still have concerns.

For one thing, no matter how much I saturate my canopy (first up) with the orange cap stuff you buy at Walmart just like Carol told me to do, it still seems to leak. And the aforementioned PTSD is kicking in just thinking about it.

Now, last October at the Fort I had the fortunate experience of having some very cool neighbors. These seasoned campers had a blue tarp over their tent and canopy. It was quite an elaborate and impressive set up. So, my questions for those who tent camp - Do you as a general rule put a tarp over the whole site? Do you string it up in the trees? Or do you only do that when there is a threat of a Monsoon? I would think it would be good for shade, but if it's covering the tent, wouldn't it make the tent hotter inside due to lack of ventillation? Any and all suggestions are appreciated.....

 

[Bdawgsc]

I've been asking myself the same questions! I had a similar experience a while back and still fear rain like you wouldn't believe... but... It seems like tarping could cause all sorts of other problems. And does the Fort frown on tying tarps to trees?

 

[Pinkee77]

....... And does the Fort frown on tying tarps to trees?

Don't think so.....did you see that clothesline thread? Everyone is airing out their underthings!

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

Don't think so.....did you see that clothesline thread? Everyone is airing out their underthings!

underthings you say?!?!

When I had a tent I had some of those experiences, including one where 3 tornados tore threw the woods less than a mile from me. have PTSD 10 years later. I did learn that a tarp over tent did provide shade and some protection from the rain. If you have a small tent why not consider getting one or two of those ez-up/first up awnings and put tent under it? You can even add a tarp to these to make them waterproof (instead of water resistant) Same protection, easy to assemble and you don't have to hunt for trees in the right places or harm the trees.

 

[Pinkee77]

underthings you say?!?!

If I didn't think my 20 yo nephew (who is joining me on this trip) would be completely mortified, I would hang some in your honor.


Sorry to hear about your tornado experience, that must have been terrifying!

The first up is a 10 x 10 and the tent is 13 x 10, so it's too big to put under it. If I cover both the tent and canopy with one big tarp, I'm just afraid I will cause more problems from water run off, etc. That, or end up with a giant kiddie pool on top of my tent.

 

[stacktester]

Plural for tornado is tornadoes. The tornado went through, not threw the trees. Just sayin cupcake. Oh wait, you're not Kahhhhhhla.

 

[des1954]

This solution to your tenting dilemma & the cure for your PTSD can all be handled by one trip to Lazy Days in Tampa! Be warned though because you will cure 2 problems but end up with one bigger problem.......EMPTY POCKETS!! (As in the purchase of a TT or MH!)

 

[medic9016]

Now, last October at the Fort I had the fortunate experience of having some very cool neighbors. These seasoned campers had a blue tarp over their tent and canopy. It was quite an elaborate and impressive set up. So, my questions for those who tent camp - Do you as a general rule put a tarp over the whole site? Do you string it up in the trees? Or do you only do that when there is a threat of a Monsoon? I would think it would be good for shade, but if it's covering the tent, wouldn't it make the tent hotter inside due to lack of ventillation? Any and all suggestions are appreciated.....

Every time we tent camped in the past we put a tarp over the tent. Tilt it to one side so the rain runs off. It will keep the sun from beating down on your tent and protect from the rain. Hang it about a foot or two above the tent if possible.

 

[Pinkee77]

This solution to your tenting dilemma & the cure for your PTSD can all be handled by one trip to Lazy Days in Tampa! Be warned though because you will cure 2 problems but end up with one bigger problem.......EMPTY POCKETS!! (As in the purchase of a TT or MH!)

LOL!!! Debbie! Do not enable me! You have no idea how much I have thought of this. I wanna pop up! Last month before purchasing my new vehicle, I was researching towing capacity. That's how bad it is! Unfortunately, it's not feasible right now. But one day.....*sigh*

Every time we tent camped in the past we put a tarp over the tent. Tilt it to one side so the rain runs off. It will keep the sun from beating down on your tent and protect from the rain. Hang it about a foot or two above the tent if possible.

I might try this. Thank you. (You guys just don't laugh too hard when you see my wonky tarp and a ghastly amount of yellow rope dangling from the trees.)

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

Plural for tornado is tornadoes. The tornado went through, not threw the trees. Just sayin cupcake. Oh wait, you're not Kahhhhhhla.

well hootie hoo to you too! I don't meet you for one lunch & this is the way I get treated? harumph!

p.s. I still love you man

 

[mikeymouse1]

There is a product called 303 protectant it is what we used to treat our old pop-up fabric with. Camping World and West Marine are the places I have bought it and it worked a lot better than scotch guard.

 

[SandrA9810]

HAHAHA!!!!! You were there in May. I was at the luxury of POP for a few nights, because it was easier for my brother.

Because I prop the AC at the back screen window. I always drape a tarp over the tent and use the strings on the rain fly to tie it to the tent. It helps keep the tent dry, keeps the air in the tent better, and makes it a bit darker in the morning. That way you're not looking for trees or wondering if the rope is long enough.

I bought the two tarp pack at Home Depot for like 10$. They're silver and brown, rather than blue, but work just as well.