Flooded tent

brandychaya · 09-11-2009, 01:18 AM

I don't mind camping in a tent, but it seems that almost every time I go (camping in a tent), it rains and my tent gets flooded!! We usually pitch up hill. How can I avoid a flooded tent??

2coastcamper · 09-11-2009, 07:06 AM

give a little more detail. like, what kind of tent? is the water coming in through leaks or seepage? are you using your rainfly?

Newanderthal · 09-12-2009, 04:56 PM

more than likely it's caused by a leaking seam or a rain fly that doesn't cover the tent properly. This is common among cheaper tents. Set up your tent in the back yard and saturate the sides of the tent. See if the water gets in. If so, it's a problem with the seams.

Look for a bathtub bottom tent. These are tents where the entire bottom and the lower 3-4 inches of the sides are constructed out of one piece of waterproof fabric.

failghe · 09-12-2009, 08:29 PM

I agree with Newanderthal. I bought a cheap tent that I thought had a full bathtub bottom but when it was set up it didn't go up the side in the front. It happened to rain the next day and it was wet inside for sure coming in from under the door that should have been with the waterproof fabric. Too good of a deal. But now I have a spare tent for emergencies. LOL.

campclose · 09-21-2009, 12:36 PM

Oh no - that really stinks. To be honest, I've never had a problem with my tent getting wet when it rains. Do you use the rain flap? Did your tent come with one? It goes over the tent to keep it protected.

You can also buy water resistant spray to spray on the tent.

Hope it works!

frank6160 · 02-01-2010, 08:21 PM

Put a tarp over it. Will shade and protect tent. Can be a pain to do if you don't have correct poles or trees to hang it from.

WisconsinCamper · 03-16-2010, 02:01 PM

Do you put a tarp under the tent? I've seen people get pretty wet when they put a tarp under the tent and then let the tarp stick out the sides. The rain hits the tent, runs down the roof, onto the trap, and then under the tent!

I always use a tarp under the tent, but am very careful not to let it stick out.

brandychaya · 10-16-2010, 01:12 AM

it doesn't "leak" through. But when it rains, the bottom of the tent starts to get wet. I started out, flat on the ground, then put a tarp under it and just finally gave up. I dont know what kind of tent it is. It's VERY small. We were able to put a queen size air mattress in it and that took up the whole floor so we deflated it. I always had the rain flap on it ( we live in Florida, it always rains lol) But I am looking for a new, much larger tent as our family is expanding. Any suggestions?

hikingprincess · 10-16-2010, 09:28 AM

We use an Eddie Bauer tent with a tarp under it. It sounds like your tent is not waterproof material at the bottom. I would look at one that is. The cheaper ones aren't as good that is for sure.

woodsman · 10-16-2010, 11:52 AM

What I could say is don't go for the cheap ones, well if you want to stay dry at least. And like some people suggested look for something which has the bottom made out of one piece, you could also ask when you are buying how many inches of rain was it designed for.