I have a tent but am not sure what accessories I need to go with it?

Question

My last tent ended up being really wet (condensation) inside so with my new tent I want to prevent that and am not sure what I should get. I have been told to get a paint-on protector that goes on the inside (but have no idea what this paint is called). I have also been told that getting an extra groundsheet to go over the top of the tent will stop the condensation.

What do you suggest?

Answer 1

How about sleeping in a caravan instead.

Answer 2

Condensation happens on all tents, though you can reduce it by haing the top of the outside door open a little, though you can of course do up the inner door fully. Apart from that there isnt much you can do. During the course of a day the condensation will evaporate with the sun and the tent dries off - normally in the sun it takes less than an hour to dry.

Putting an extra groundshet over the tent will insulate it better, however wont stop the outer tent getting colder than the air inside it and conensation will still form. No idea about a paint protection system.

Answer 3

Ummm yeah an extra groundsheet will help alot but condensation shouldn be a problem in a good tent? Maybe cam,ping on generally higher ground if you go camping in valley areas =P

Answer 4

Condensation will form on most surfaces if it is hotter inside than out it will form on the inside of your outer tent, just like on the inside of windows in a house. You can reduce this by keeping vents open during the night.  You will get more condensation the more people are in the tent as you breath out moisture and perspire about  a half litre of water each night. Condensation inside the outer is OK but try to make sure it is dry before you put it away. You can do this by packing the inner away first and leaving the outer up, in dry weather, to let the wind blow through etc before packing.  If you have to pack up a wet tent make sure you get it out and dried ASAP.

You should not need any special paint-on stuff or extra ground sheet other than to put under the tent if it's own ground sheet is not good enough.  I hope this tent works better for you than the last one.