How To Set Up A Tarp For Tent Camping

Sometimes we miss the small details in life. Last year I observed how people were setting up their ground tarps on a couple of different camping trips I went on. More than 1/2 of the people I observed were setting their tent ground tarp wrong. In today's video, I'm going to show you how to set up your tent ground tarp correctly so that it is able to do the job it's there to do.

#camping
#gears
#howto

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[somewhereverthere]

Youtube, while it has many many many many many many problems, is still one of the most informative platforms for learning. Thank you for making this video. I'm quite an amateur but watching camping tip videos has prepared me way more than some tips on camping articles

[mannihh]

Really simple and effective. When I was a young boy, my parents took me on several camping trips. First thing my father did, was to identify the high and low spots of the camp ground, of course he sat up the tent in the highest spot available.
Then he got some buckets of sand and levelled the place with a slight slope down to the entrance. Next thing was to set up the tent - we used a double walled family tent - and pulled the wind-flaps IN and staked it down, then placed a HD-plastic sheet (cut to the exact size with an overhang of 5" on all sides) on top. The overhang went upwards between the inside and outside wall, preventing rainwater to get in and the living area was covered with an old carpet. Last thing he did was to dig a small trench close to the tent to deviate the rain. Most of the time he would set up additional lines at a hight of some 3' against high winds. With the tent poles covered by homemade leather discs with a small hole in the middle we were always dry, cozy and stormproof without further ado. Sweet memories.

[LindaRee]

Finally someone demonstrated the proper placement of the ground tarp. A long time Boy Scout mom thinks you!

[Dustoffdoc]

Such a great point. I have actually hurt a few egos on campgrounds pointing this out. You are right, you don’t know until you do. I agree, but disagree with this video. I see so many comments on here that say the purpose is to keep your tent clean. Well you are outside.. so it is expected to get dirt on your tent. Hello, you're outside! That is what recovery after your trip is for... I agree that is necessary to protect your tent. I have always cleared the ground and placed a small tarp tucked under the tent like this video AND a space blanket inside. It is never wrong to double do things, to keep your gear dry, protected and helps to maintain your body heat from the cold ground. It is not like it weighs so much more if your hiking in, to carry both. Nothing like being stuck out in the middle of the suck with wet $hit. Pack light, but pack smart.
Happy camping survivalist!

[rw]

Great video. I take my tarp and marked it to fit just slightly smaller than the tent bottom. Then I added 2” and cut along this line. I then turned and sewed the 2” edges down to create a new hem around all sides. I’ve also made larger rain/shade fly awnings this way from cheap tarps which help keep me cool and dry in Florida’s always changing weather. Thanks

[jojobean]

This information is perfect timing. I just ordered my camping equipment in plans for my 1st camping trip my birthday weekend in April. I have been watching tons of video on how to setup camp and all the equipment I need, and this is the only video that has explained this. I even ordered my ground tarp a larger size that my tent, but seeing this now, I may return it for a smaller one or just follow your steps.

[Steph_d]

Thanks for the tip, i just bought a new tent and tips like this make for better camping experiences. Have a great summer.

[Billy.Matson]

Came across this the day(today) before I head out to camp, been doing it wrong for years, this absolutely has helped me!

[chstr]

I always thought that larger ground sheet is wrong. This video confirmed it. I also fold my ground sheet maybe 2 - 3 inches shorter than my tent's area but I fold it downwards, not sure what's the difference though :D

[Man_of_Culture_]

My tent is 11×9 so I bought a 10×8 tarp. Works great and no folding.

[AncoraImparoPiper]

Well, I learnt the error of my ways as soon as I first set up my tent and hosed it down to test for any leaks due to possible manufacturing faults before I went out on my first camping trip. It is easy to spot that this is not the way to use the tarp. But you are correct, as soon as I got to my camping ground, most did it this way and I believe the reason they did it is because this was their very first time camping and they had not tested their tent the way I did. I would hope that most would learn from the first time it rained.

Also, I don't use tarp anymore. I use folded shade cloth because it allows the earth to breathe under all that nylon. Breathability and protection all in one.

[curtriceennis]

So very glad I just found this video. I've always kept the tarp big enough to be a little ways "outside" the perimeter of my tent, but, with what you have explained, I see now how I've been setting it all wrong. Have only had some trouble with rain getting inside my tents at the floor area, though. Hopefully, when I set up my NEW tent I just got, I won't have any problems with the rain. It's an ZOT Modified Dome, 10 Person Tent. Am gonna put an older piece of tarp at the "porch" floor area of it. TYSM for sharing your knowledge with us - I will certainly be using this "technique" when I put my new tent up. 👍

[theknightwhosaysni]

Thank you! Off to music festival tomorrow and first time using tarp underneath - your advice greatly appreciated.

[johnfelps]

Wow. I have had water come up through the bottom of my tent many times in the past. Now I know why... Thanks!

[xxdawson]

Good job explaining this, im about to make a ground sheet for my tent but im taking a tarp and im going to cut and sew it to the same shape of my tent but i will hem the edges back enough to hide under my tent, thanks for the tip, i figured this was correct as my plans were to do this anyways but good to confirm, 👍

[PineFire]

I am a catastrophic Insurance adjuster, I love the outdoors and spend much time outside camping, backpacking and hiking. One thing that I found fascinating is that this design with the tarp is just like roofs on our homes. We have step flashing, felt, and drip edge - - which are all key components to shedding water off of the roof and towards the ground, away from the vulnerable parts where water desires to seep in. To fold the tarp in from all sides, is the same design and principle!

[erichehir]

Thanks man I will definitely do it the right way now, cause I’m sick of a wet tent, thanks 🙏

[garymarch]

Nothing like waking up to a water bed experience (water trapped between the tent and tarp) in your tent! I had my tarp tucked under like you're supposed to. 60mph winds and driving rain still found it's way under. I plan on tucking the tarp on the windward side of my tent at least a foot back this time. Usually not a problem... But those big winds and driving rain change things a bit.

[nalatacomameiry]

Value information. I’m new at camping and this video was great for me .

[matetmolina]

Thank you foe thisss!!! We are planning to go camping for our daughter's bday! 😊