View Full Version : Notch ground cloth?
Tarpcamper75
05-11-2014, 17:03
Any Notch owners use a ground cloth or is it not needed?
garlic08
05-11-2014, 17:50
I've been using other Tarptent shelters for years and don't use a groundcloth. Go to tarptent.com and look in the FAQs. This question is covered there.
Drybones
05-11-2014, 17:52
Any Notch owners use a ground cloth or is it not needed?
I don't believe it's really needed for the tent's sake but I carry one anyway, keeps the ground dry under the tent making for a cleaner morning pack up and I use use it to sit on when I take a break, put all my gear on it to keep me from losing it, IMO not really needed.
RodentWhisperer
05-11-2014, 18:42
I don't believe it's really needed...
+1 on that, but I too carry one. I'm just paranoid about my tent getting ripped/torn/soaked, and I appreciate not having to sweep off a massive amount of needles, dry leaves, etc.
My take is that if you can walk over the tent site barefooted you don't need one, if you cannot you do.
I don't use one but site selection is something that I am aware of.
(by barefooted I don't mean wearing Vibram Five Fingers...)
soumodeler
05-11-2014, 19:29
Never bothered with my Notch or my old TT Virga and never had an issue. Just clear off any sharp items like sticks, rocks, or pine cones and you should be good.
nastynate
05-11-2014, 19:37
I just do a quick site prep, and then set up my solong sans ground cloth. I also run my hand over the floor after setup. I can usually find a few more rocks or acorns or gumball after that.
daddytwosticks
05-12-2014, 07:36
I use 2 or 3 mil painter's plastic cut a little smaller than the Notch floor. Work's great and only weighs a few ounces. Keeps the floor clean and makes packing up in the AM less of a mess. :)
Gossamer Gear Polycro ground sheet, cut in half 1.5 oz. I found very worth it, especially for keeping the mud out of my stuff.
BuckeyeBill
05-12-2014, 17:32
While it may or may not be needed, I ordered the Tyvek groundcloth from the TT website
Polycro for me! As stated above, I cut it slightly smaller than the tents footprint.
Paul Huber
05-25-2014, 11:42
I use a Tyvek ground sheet. I like the extra protection, and it gives me a clean spot when packing up in the morning.
Just a quick tip.
Keep the rainfly taut and the floor loose.
The reason for keeping the floor fabric loose is that it is harder to puncture that way,as it is for a (semi) inflated balloon.
I use one late fall through early spring-'cause I'm not using the inner. Never felt a need for a separate ground cloth with the inner in place, though. I get out very frequently, and this will be its third summer. I'm pretty good about clearing the site of any loose rocks, sticks, and pine cones, and so far there's been no damage to it.