My tent has a rainfly, but I'm wondering if I need to carry a tarp for the extra rain protection. I don't want to pack a wet tent because that would damage the fabric, but I don't know if that is worth the extra weight of a tarp.
-
4First I've heard that packing a wet tent damages the fabric. The main purpose of a tent is to get wet. Are you talking about putting the tarp over the tent? Isn't that what the fly is for?– user2169Apr 7, 2014 at 14:37
-
7Packing a wet one won't damage it. Storing it wet will shorten its lifespan though.– Rory Alsop ♦Apr 7, 2014 at 15:24
Add a comment
|
3 Answers
You do not need a tarp in addition to the rainfly of your tent (that's what the rainfly is for).
While it's always nicer to pack up a dry tent instead of a wet one, as long as you air dry the tent when you get home you'll have no problems with damaging the rainfly. If you do not dry your tent at home, it will mildew and smell really, really bad.
I generally set up a wet tent in a garage/basement and let it dry for 24-48 hours, or alternatively hang it up to dry.
-
2Often your tent gets wet due to night rain or dew, but the day itself is dry/sunny. Than if you wake up late, you can dry the tent just by letting it stay a bit longer. If you wake up early, dry it during your lunch - just unpack and spread it under the sun.– SteedApr 8, 2014 at 10:48
I don't take a tarp to protect my tent, I take it to create another dry area outside - typically for cooking and eating. It can also create shade for cooking, eating, and just lounging around. (On a rainy day I'll lounge around in the tent if anywhere, but on a nice day there are lots of options.)
Packing a wet tent won't damage it, but if your tent bag is snug you may find it difficult. Storing a wet tent for weeks or more might damage it. Your tent will get wet even if it doesn't rain, because of dew for example. So go ahead and bring a tarp, but not to put over your tent.
answered Apr 7, 2014 at 20:02
I don't take a tent, I just take a tarp. Easier to pitch (if you have trees)
In 30 years of experience (4-6 weeks per year) I've only once gotten actually wet doing this. Old tarp. Heavy rain.
I pack the tarp last thing, to give it maximum drying time. If it's dry it goes in my pack. If wet, it gets rolled up in my foam pad. In the evening the tarp alone is set up as soon as my camp chores are done. It's generally dry by bed time.
I've also found that the ground under it is usually dry enough by then that my sleeping bag won't wick water. I'll spread my poncho first if the ground is really wet, then my foam pad, then the sleeping bag.
If I expect the weather to consistently wet, I'll bring a bivy sack too.
answered Apr 9, 2014 at 18:48
-
I don´t agree that pitching a tarp is easier than a tent. I never had problems to pitch a tent, but pitching a tarp in a way that protects you from wind and rain requires some experience or skill. Nothing impossible, but not easier than a tent. Sep 1, 2014 at 10:59
-
1Often on expeditions I'm cook. I'm the last one to carve a niche for myself. On Canadian sheild country finding a flat spot that is neither a sloped slab of granite, a pile of boulders, or a swamp can be tricky. With a tarp, I can make do if there is a sleeping bag sized comfortable spot. Sep 2, 2014 at 14:17
-
Pitching a tarp: Method 1. Expected good weather, and you want the breeze, but not the dew. One corner to a tree, 5 feet up, kitty corner to a tree or rock 2 feet up. Other corners to tree or rock 2 feet up. Method 2. Expect bad weather. Middle of short edge tied to tree at height that adjacent corners just touch the ground. Opposite edge pegged to ground. Method 3: Expected snow. Wrap the lower tier of branches of a large spruce with the tarp. Possibly because I don't for so many years, it seldom takes me more than a few minutes to set up, far less than for a tent. Sep 2, 2014 at 14:18