If you expect rainy weather, or you plan to camp for several days, it is vital to pick the right location for your tent. How to keep dry when Pitching or Packing Up in the Rain. When packing the trailer a tarp or two are the last things to go on top, with polls, lines, and pegs underneath. Letting the tent sag or fold up increases the chances of water getting in. It is of the utmost importance that no part of the tarp extends out from underneath your tent. You can find waterproof sprays that make the surface of your tent and rain fly more hydrophobic which will help it repel water. Our camping gear (and the rest of the stuff the family needs to take) got to the point where we had to get a trailer. If you plan on camping and have a waterproof tent, you may find that settling in early and riding out the storm is the best solution. Now step outside and place the plastic rain cap on the top of the spike on the outside of the tent. A good rain jacket will keep the rain out, but also vent well to keep you from soaking yourself in sweat when it gets muggy. The vestibule can be used to air out damp clothing so you don’t drag water into the rest of the tent. This means removing the fly, unclipping the tent body from the poles and putting away the fly and poleset in the carrying sack. Start with the rope above the front door and stake at a 45˚ angle. Always make sure to have shammys or other water absorbing cloth to wipe down picnic tables, chairs, the dew from the inside of the tent, etc. Don’t be afraid to spend a couple of extra days in your shelter. Although extreme cold camping isn’t the best idea, walking in heavy rain can be more unpleasant. Every time you open your pack or take the cover off, a bit more rain will get in. Rain flys are designed to be somewhat waterproof to help water bead off the surface of the rain fly. I Was given a hammock by https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com And I'm not sure I'll ever sleep on the ground again. Keep your map in a zip-lock bag. Staking your tent correctly while camping in the rain can mean the difference between staying dry all night or waking up in a puddle. While a properly staked-out tent footprint can waterproof the bottom of your tent and keep your sleeping bag and other gear dry, some campers who hike … 12. Consider getting a tent with zip-out panels. It’s far better to custom cut a sheet of heavy plastic a few inches smaller than your tent. Dry the tent as soon as possible. There will be just your tent body, footprint and stakes laying flat on the ground. I love contractor bags as pack covers, pack liners, firewood covers, dry places to sit, protection for the old folding chair, door mats for tents, makeshift “dish pans” and “washing machines”, rain skirts for hiking, a base for a Leave No Trace fire… results: Select your site carefully, as outlined above. Follow our step-by-step guide for how to pitch a tent in the rain for the best (and driest!) This wetness builds up and will probably stay with you for the rest of the trip. The inside of your tent … For those of you who don’t know, thunderstorms do happen in all 4 seasons and most of them are unexpected. 7. However, if your rain fly is out in the rain long enough eventually water will begin to seep through the surface of the rain fly. Important disclaimer before you read further: I do like rain on the tent at night. Pack covers don’t protect the back of your backpack. Then try to use an outer pocket to store it. This will keep your other gear from getting wet, and allow the tent to dry quicker. Finding the right campsite. Use one hand to hold the sack open and stuff the gear down through the hatch opening and into the sack. Step 7: Stake the Guy Line Ropes. Can you put a tent up in the rain? Ever had that too large sleeping bag or tent that won't fit through the hatch opening. They are better when setting up a tent in the rain than tents that are made of all permeable mesh (without the rain fly). Nice post. Ultralight tarps are nice, but having a tent with a waterproof bathtub floor can be a real godsend if you have a crappy campsite in heavy rain. Add extra towels to that list too! Look around you for a place to duck out of the rain, such as a tree canopy, a cave, a cabin, or even your tent. And if that is possible, then do it ... and you are going to have to just deal with it. Camping in the rain can cause you to rethink the gear you have packed. The best way to pack up your wet tent and avoid getting your other gear wet, is to shake off the tent to remove as much water as you can. It’s always better to overpack and be prepared than to be cold. The best thing about camping in the rain is playing in the rain, even when it’s cold, so let the kids get out there if it’s safe – despite the wet, muddy washing you’ll have when you get home – because they’ll have a ball. If you just cram everything in without thinking about it, you might feel uncomfortable and unbalanced – plus you could end up unloading your entire pack in the rain to get to a jacket you somehow stuffed at the bottom.