RICK_OD
New Jersey
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Joined: 01/25/2006
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I have always put the tarp under the tent but every time it rains, I get tons of water between the tarp and the bottom of the tent. It kind of resembles a waterbed (in the tent).
Wouldn't it be better to put the tarp in the tent ??
Feedback would be appreciated.
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RealBorg
Calgary
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Joined: 06/24/2008
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We always put the tarp under the tent, but water still makes its way thru and pools between the floor and the tarp. I would think if you put the tarp inside the tent then you would be relying on the tent floor to keep all the water out of the tent. Perhaps put on a slight slope so the water would run off.
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hotbyte
Barnesville GA
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Joined: 08/31/2004
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Tarp under tent but make sure it is not sticking out beyond edge anywhere. If it is, rain running off the tent lands on tarp and goes under tent. I've seen some folks have 2' or so sticking our front for a "porch" and when it rains its bad news.
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JCRV
Alexandria, VA
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BOTH! And for different reasons. I just did two consecutive nights with moderately violent rainstorms both nights, and though I'm certainly no expert I was perfectly dry, and packing up the tent was simple and clean...
You indeed want a tarp under the tent to keep the underside dry(er). But as Hotbyte mentioned, make sure it doesn't stick out or it will catch rain itself, and you'll have a puddle under you which will eventually soak your floor. Just fold the tarp under or cut it so it is smaller than the footprint of the tent.
But yes, you might want a second tarp inside the tent also. This serves three purposes - one is to additionally protect the tent floor, since it will be well sandwiched between two tarps and last forever. Second, because all the dirt and muck you drag into the tent will cleanly disappear when you take out the tarp. No sponge necessary! Third, because if wind or terrain does cause some rain or damp to pool underneath, the top tarp ultimately keeps it away from you.
Wonderful and simple idea I recently saw on a blog somewhere, and I'll now do it ever time.
Jeff
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PavementPilot
Vernon, BC
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One thing about a tarp or not is that you are on higher ground than the rest of the site you are in. Having a tarp under and being the low spot, you will still get water under.
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RichandLiz
Connecticut
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I agree with the above. Fold the extra tarp under the tent with none outside the base of the tent. Another thing to consider is your tent fly. Many of the smaller tents today also have flys that do not come down the sides of the tent wall. When the sides get wet and you touch the side walls, your bag and belongings usually get wet also. If you have a short fly, consider placing a tarp over the top when you are having a great deal of rain.
I have tented in a week plus of rain and remained 100% dry (became damp yes, but not wet)from the rain inside the tent by making sure the tarp was under the tent and the fly was tightly attached not lying on the walls of the tent. My fly covers the whole side walls and door.
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goodcruisin
Greenwood, IN
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I've went through many VERY WET camping trips with the Boy Scouts I will attest that a ground cloth is required. The best way I have found is to lay out the ground cloth so that it's a little larger than the foot print of the tent. After the tent is erected fold the edges of the ground cloth under itself so that it's just barely smaller than the tent. When I say fold it under itself I fold the edge under the ground cloth not between the ground cloth and tent. If you fold it between the tent and ground cloth then you are creating a pocket, which can hold water in. Even if you lay out a ground cloth you will most likely end up with a wet floor unless you've a) selected a high spot so the water will run away from the tent. b) dug a small ditch around the tent to divert water. In places where it's impossible to find high ground I dig a small trench 2 inches wide and about 2 inches deep in the area between the overhang of the fly and the tent. That way water running off of the fly doesn't run under the tent.
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frank6160
Alabama
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I put one under and in for just the reasons jcrv lsited. Best habit I got onto for keeping tent floor in good shape and keeping dry. From my experience even the best tents may develop leaks after enough rain.
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CKAYAKER
Houston TX USA
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Joined: 10/28/2004
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When I do use a tarp, which is rare, I place it inside the tent. It is large enough to create a bathtub effect. Any water stays outside it and all my stuff stays dry (the tent is wet, but who cares). In the unlikely event my roof springs a leak, I can move everything to a dry spot and wrap it up in the tarp. Cliff Jacobson, an outdoor writer and avid camper/canoeist, first turned me on to this method. Enjoy.
CKAYAKER
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Scrapz
Texas
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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CKAYAKER, Thanks! The "bathtub" makes so much sense. My dd tent camps and I have passed this tip on to her.
Kathy 
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