I am going to the Leeds Festival on August Bank Holiday weekend and have bought a single skin tent from Ebay. It arrived today and we put it up in our garden to have a look...

Here lies the problem... Although it is described as "waterproof" (and did indeed survive a bucket of water thrown over it), at the very top is a ventilation hole (made of the same stuff as the mosquito sheet inside the door), which is made waterproof by tying a piece of material over it and securing it to the poles.

Now I'm no expert on camping, but this doesn't seem like much use and I fear getting all my stuff wet. What should I do? Buy a groundsheet and secure it over our tent? Tie a waterproof mac to the tent? Leave it and hope? HELP?!?!?

ps. The tent is bright yellow in order to avoid losing it in a field of thousands of tents - any solutions that would preserve this distinguishing feature would be most welcome!!

I don't know abput waterproofing your tent, but to distinguise it you could tie a brightly coloured flag or something similar to the top

Its already bright yellow! But we're thinking about flying our knickers on a flagpole as we figure lots of people will be flying flags ;)

Just remember that the law of the sod states that it will only rain if your tent leaks.

hey,

I once read that tying a helium balloon to your door was a good way of finding your tent again and I shall be doing this myself.... you might be seeing me by mistake lol

regarding the waterpoofing of your tent, I would say that you will be fine with what it says to do with the ventilation hole... as long as you tie the flap on properly.

Lee

Why not try posting your query on this discussion group, they may have more info for you if you give details on the type of tent etc;

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_forum_topics.asp?ForumID=4&PagePosition=2

Hi

Depends what kind of tent it is, if it's a dome tent then it should be fine with the material over the top. this stops rain getting in but enables the hot air inside the tent to escape...
Unless you're gonna be involved in water fights I don't see a problem! :thumbsup:

Braino - No waterfights are planned! I was more worried about people deciding to have a leak on our tent, as if the hit the right spot it will go straight under the flap and into the tent :gag:

Snuggles - Cheers for the link - I'll have a look now

Tim_rutter - I am a great beleiver in all of sod's laws, and I believe that this will be the only true way of discovering whether my tent is waterproof.

Thanks all so far for your help. Keep 'em coming if you wish - I think I will now be able to find my tent (it'll be the bright yellow one with a brightly coloured flag secured to the outside, a pair of knickers on a nearby flagpole, floating up up and away under the power of 20 helium balloons!!)

if i throw paint at it, in an artistic manner, that will water proof it will it not?

Oh Mr Vincent you are so hilarious. Would this be in revenge for the yoghurt I threw all over your t-shirt last night by any chance??

Sensible suggestions only please...:hihi:

You should have bought one of these (http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=20698)

1 x Tent
2 x Sleeping bags
2 x Bedding mats

£39.99
£20 a person, it doesnt matter if it gets washed away in some torrential flood then does it?

The tent was only £10!!! we're not too bothered about the tent - more worried about ourselves!!!


EDIT: Bought a plastic dust sheet on Ebay for £2.50 to solve the problem! My dad (who has climbed in the Himalayas for the past 30-odd years and who works for a climbing equipment company) said that'd be the best (cheapest) thing so long as we anchor it down!! Genius!

Thanks everyone for your help :thumbsup: Bring on Leeds....