{"id":25,"date":"2019-03-16T21:29:51","date_gmt":"2019-03-17T02:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carcampingtips.com\/?p=25"},"modified":"2023-08-10T19:33:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T00:33:57","slug":"do-i-need-to-put-a-tarp-under-my-tent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/do-i-need-to-put-a-tarp-under-my-tent\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need to Put a Tarp Under My Tent?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sometimes you bring gear with you to the campground simply because your parents or your friends always did it that way. This is how I felt about why to bring a tarp on a camping trip! I decided to compile a few reasons why you should consider bringing one–some of which I’ve learned from personal experience, and some from research, so you can see it all in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do I need a tarp underneath my tent? Although a tarp isn’t necessarily the best available ground cloth option for all circumstances, it is sufficient for most car campers. A tarp under your tent protects the underside of the tent from wear and tear, nominally insulates, as well as prevents water from entering by acting as a moisture barrier.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it seems simple enough to just put a tarp under your tent, there are some gotchas and even some differing opinions of whether it’s a good idea in the first place. Here are some reasons to consider toting a tarp along with your tent, as well as some guidelines of how to prevent water buildup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reasons to Put a Tarp Under Your Tent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Protect Your Tent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes your campground is going to have tent sites with a nice patches of green grass on gentle slope, with bugs that mind their own business. I’m slightly exaggerating when I say sometimes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every other time, you’ll be on gravel, roots, dirt, or even plain rock (in some Texas parks, you’ll be sleeping on limestone!) It’s not atypical for car campgrounds to only allow you to put up a tent on a pad, or in some other designated area–so you don’t always get to choose the perfect spot to set up your tent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you’re camping, your tent is your castle, and it becomes massively important to keep bugs and water out. Thus, any holes can have unpleasant consequences, such as unplanned roommates of the 6 to 8-legged variety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because you are moving around (even slightly) while you are sleeping\/packing\/changing\/chilling inside your tent, you are effectively rubbing the underside of your tent against rocks, twigs, and roots. That friction can tear up your tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping a tarp underneath your tent is an extra layer of protection that will extend the longevity of your tent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Out Moisture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Water, water, everywhere, but please, not inside my tent.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water condenses from the air when the air loses the energy that keeps water molecules apart. So when warm air cools down, water droplets will form. A glass of ice water on a hot day demonstrates this nicely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The earth retains heat from the sun during the night, and when the temperature is the coldest (right before dawn) is when dew will form, because the warm earth is cooling off and is losing the energy to keep water molecules together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your tarp helps out in a few ways in this regard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Your tarp keeps your tent away from touching the dew covered ground. Yay! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The tent can act as a vapor barrier between your tent and the ground, which can help prevent in-tent condensation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Your tarp can protect you from running water while it’s raining (it’s best to avoid pitching your tent where the land dips and water collects), and also from an already soaked ground<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Keep your tent clean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Sometimes, your campground doesn’t have a lot of options, and the ground can be muddy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Obviously, there isn’t a contest after your camping trip to see how clean your tent is, but keeping the exterior of your tent clean is important, as it makes it easier to deal with–especially if you are going to be moving from place to place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mud and sticky pine needles can be a pain to take care of, and getting your tarp dirty is preferable because it is easier to wash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reasons Not to Bring a Tarp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A tarp or a ground cloth is probably in the unessential item category, because it’s VERY helpful only in some situations, while in others it’s only a nice to have. If you want to save space in your car camping kit, here are some reasons why you might be okay without one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n