View Full Version : ground sheet/cloth
squirrel bait
10-07-2003, 12:25
After the recent hurricane I have a whole slew of 8 mil plastic sheeting. We used it to cover the office equipment and such. Will this make a good or adequate vapor barrier ground cloth/cover?
2 mil is a pretty standard size for ultralight groundcloths.
chknfngrs
10-07-2003, 13:00
I'm just as stoked as I cut my own footprint yesterday and saved some scratch for things that matter like Tang.
8 mil seems like overkill. 2 mil is more than sufficent. Better yet, try Tyvek. Wash it a few times and it will soften up and still remain waterproof and nearly indestructible.
squirrel bait
10-07-2003, 14:13
Thanks. It was just as I have alot for free and wondered if it would work okay. Where do you find Tyvek?
Cut yourself a rectangle and see how much it weighs. I used a rectangle of Tyvek to sleep on almost every night this summer, plus a fair amount of nights the preceeding year. It works well enough and is tough enough to get the job done. There are a few internet sites selling Tyvek for hikers. One is Dancing Light. You can find a link to them at www.trailquest.net. Or, go to a construction sight and try to beg some off the people there. If you are going to spend money, though, Dancing Light also has a fitted silnylon one, which looks interesting.
squirrel bait
10-07-2003, 15:25
Yea there alot of construction sites here right now. What tradesman use Tyvek? Woodchucks, tinners, framers, sheetrockers, roofers? I believe i WAS mistaken earlier, this plastic seems to be more like maybe 3 mil, not 8 as I said. I was just thinking of saving a little bit of money and thought I could have my roomate mail me another piece, pre cut, when and where needed.
smokymtnsteve
10-07-2003, 15:31
go with the free plastic.....
squirrel bait
10-07-2003, 15:43
Thanks, I will. I scored some heavy duty black pastic garbage bags to. I mean I could and have considered using one for a poncho, there that big. With a free resupply, minus postal costs, is that a viable option.
I use a heavy, contractors trash bag for a ground cloth....I cut down the sides so it would unfold lengthwise...plenty wide, plenty long.. Mucho cheap....
squirrel bait
10-10-2003, 13:26
Thanks ya all. Footprint is being cut.