Clean tents

Submitted: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 20:32

ThreadID: 4914 Views:1780 Replies:10 FollowUps:9

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Member - Cocka

We were yacking about tents the other day and the thread has got a bit long so thought I might post this idea up front. Something I suggested to Bill.
To help keep the tent or trailer clean, at the entrance to your abode try laying out a large area of heavy duty shade cloth, I think it also has the name of Sarlon. Tuck it under the edge of the tent across the entrance and you may have to peg down the other two outer corners. Use at least 2 x 2 meters. It keeps all the grass and sand down, dirt falls through the holes & ditto for the rain. It's smooth to walk on and is very light weight.
We have also used it under the tent as it helps to protect the base from sharpies and keeps it clean making the tent easier to roll up.
I even cut a corner off the shade cloth to make a rice strainer when the (doubtful) navigator was cooking another delectible delight.
Good hardware stores carry the stuff.
Carpe Diem

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Reply By: Member- Rox - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 20:39

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 20:39

Cocka we use it at the entrance to our campertrailer & the sand falls through during the day but at night with the dew it doesn't so you wait till morning to dry it out.Around Oz 06/2004

AnswerID: 20063

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 09:52

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 09:52

We use it for the "ground-sheet" and floor of our campertrailer (24' x 18'). Its ideal for both. NPs and caravan park operators prefer it as flooring as it also lets the air through to the grass underneath and reduces the damage to the grass.

Yes, it does let all the water and dirt fall through, however, it also lets it all back up (as mud) if conditions are particuarly bad. It can also be a bit slippery underfoot, depending on your footware. Otherwise, its the best flooring (at a reasonable price) that we've tried.Be good, or be quick.
Rohan (Sydney)

FollowupID: 12831

Reply By: ExplorOz Team - David - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 20:41

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 20:41

We carry a large mat of shade cloth and when we arrive at a site the first thing down is the 4x5mtr shade cloth ground sheet. As mentioned by cocka it is the perfect tent/swag/clean area floor surface around. We pitch our tent and/or layout the swags on this surface.

Go to your local Bunnings and part with a few bucks you cannot go wrong.Regards
ExplorOz Team - David
--------------------------
Always working, not enough travelling ;-)

AnswerID: 20065

Reply By: Member - Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Thanks Truckster,
jKeep the shiny side up

AnswerID: 20070

Reply By: Member - Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Thanks Truckster,
jKeep the shiny side up

AnswerID: 20071

Reply By: Member - Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Thanks Truckster,
jKeep the shiny side up

AnswerID: 20072

Reply By: Member - Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:31

Thanks Truckster,
jKeep the shiny side up

AnswerID: 20073

Follow Up By: Member - Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:33

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:33

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh What happened there, four for the price of one, just shows how grateful I am, whoops!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the tip, you should only get this follow up once.Keep the shiny side up

FollowupID: 12792

Follow Up By: Member - Cocka - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:40

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 21:40

How come Truckster gets all the acolades. What did he have to do with this post - he probably has a red carpet.

I appreciate the the thought that you had to thank someone
(4x4 times)Carpe Diem

FollowupID: 12794

Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 00:13

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 00:13

Bunning baaahhhhhhhh humbug i dont think so
they obviously dont need my hard earned1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY

AnswerID: 20091

Follow Up By: Member - NOBBY - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 11:55

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 11:55

The best flooring I have seen is sold by Aussie Traveller in Bri.(38683868). It is the same as shade cloth but a heavy duty material. It is 3met. wide and as long as you want it. I have had ours for six years in a Marquee tent and now in the camper trailer and it still works a treat( no tears or stretching). It also folds up very small.

FollowupID: 12838

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 17:06

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 17:06

Nobby, the stuff you are talking about is a soft, rubber product heavier duty but similar to that anti-slip matting used under carpets/rugs and now being sold as placemats, isn't it? If so, its b#@!%y exy compared to shadecloth (at about $50 per metre compares to $12).Be good, or be quick.
Rohan (Sydney)

FollowupID: 12855

Reply By: Member - Melissa - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 13:51

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 13:51

Hi Cocka,

Yep, sure is handy stuff. Apart from using it as ground sheet and shade panels around our awning we always carry a piece about 2m x 1.5mm, hemmed and with eyelets in each corner. One of the handiest items we carry with countless uses:

- Something for hubby to lie on when he's working under the car etc.
- Folded into quarters makes a great "mat" to stand on when showering
- Used to bundle up firewood we might carry - helps protect the duco and stops small bits from working loose
- Picnic rug
- Ground cover/play rug for our toddler
- Temporary shade screen (eg. fastern one end to roof rack, other end to tree)

:o) Melissa
Petrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

AnswerID: 20113

Follow Up By: Member - Cocka - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 22:30

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 22:30

Well done Melissa, you get first prize for having the most number of creative ideas for using shade cloth, I feel humbled that you did so well with my idea.
In fact l so depressed that I'm going to have to go and drink your prize.
Here's to your good health.Carpe Diem

FollowupID: 12893

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Friday, May 16, 2003 at 16:34

Friday, May 16, 2003 at 16:34

Good one Melissa. I'm going to "steal" this one.Be good, or be quick.
Rohan (Sydney)

FollowupID: 12943

Reply By: macca - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 20:42

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 20:42

without a doubt our "grass" is the best cheap accessory we brought. The shade cloth has so many jobs and so light to carry wether camping ,in the trailer or the caravan. We carry 2 sheets roughly 1.5x3

AnswerID: 20142

Reply By: Trevor - Friday, May 16, 2003 at 01:38

Friday, May 16, 2003 at 01:38

We carry four 2Metre X 300mm lengths to use to help extricate ourselves when bogged in sand.
Clear the sand away from the tyres, diffs, tank etc in the normal way. Then, lay the shadecloth down in front or the tyres in the direction of travel. Place a small amount of sand around the edges to prevent it from curling up.
Drive off, it works a treat.
Don't forget to pick the bits up to use again next time.

AnswerID: 20173