campermom

We bring 2 tarps, extra tent stakes, bungee cords, and a canopy. The canopy over the table is great, unless it is already covered. Then we put it near some shade, to extend the shade from a group of trees or something.

If you think it might rain, and are still selecting your site, find one where you can pitch your tent between some trees. A tarp can be put over it, without touching it, allowing ventilation. We did that at Dinosaur Valley, it worked great. Seal the seams of the tent AHEAD OF TIME. Like someone has already said, you learn something new every time.

We got sprinkled on at Seminole Canyon, luckily we hadn't made a huge camp, just an overnighter, so we were damp, who cares.

We got soaked by 4-5 waves of severe tornado producing thunderstorms at South Llano. We made a garage for the coolers and chairs with a tarp over a branch. It worked pretty well. However: the roof leaked, the door had been left open, the clothing bag on the floor, with the tent facing uphill, the water poured in the door, the bag soaked up the water, and the sleeping bags soaked up the rest. We slept with water dripping on our heads all night. Woke up mad, but when we saw the sun was out, drying all the rain, we hung the gear in every branch near and headed to the river to swim all day.

We got wet at Abilene, drove to Wal-mart to purchase a canopy. Went to the movies, got ice cream, went to Buffalo Gap in the rain, and when it cleared, we swam in the pool. It poured when we were leaving. I had placed the canopy at the entrance of the tent. Everything stayed dry until I needed to pack the tent and canopy. I stayed in my nightshirt and flip flops. Once the gear was packed, went to clean up and change into something dry for the drive back. We were given a treat that day. By the time we reached Junction on the return trip, it was clear and sunny. With time to spend, we swam at South Llano the rest of the day. Abilene will still be there for next time. The canopy was a good investment, not necessary, but worth it.

If I had a choice of camping in the rain, or in the very cold, I'd pick the cold EVERY TIME! When your cold, you can get warm with clothing and fire. When your wet, your just wet. The only dry place is inside. If I wanted to be inside, I could have stayed home. Sitting in your truck isn't really camping.

Turn Key

I agree and what you say is so true! Been there! Done that! Got the (wet) t-shirt:laugh: !

Happy Camping!

__________________

iwillgo2extreme

How do you seal a tent up? I guess we need to do this to our tent this year since we got so wet last year when it rained on and in the tent. Any advise would be great.

Connie

campermom

There are different brands of waterproofer sealer on the market. Bought ours at either Sportsman's Warehouse or Academy. It is a small bottle with a dauber on the top. I put the rain fly on the floor in the living room and very liberally coated every seam on it. I then stuck a chair underneath it to dry. The cats thought it was great fun scurrying underneath it. The suggested method it to erect the tent so the seams are pulled taught, then seal it. It must dry 12-24 hours, depending on the brand. We did it at home so it wouldn't smell up the tent. (it doesn't smell THAT bad).

MamaKym

Ya know, our tent only seems to leak at the seams towards the bottom of the tent. We sprayed the whole tent according to instructions with a sealer before we left but it didn't do much at the seams. Last year we were at Inks Lake and it came a gully-washer. We are tight in the tent anyway since we can only carry a 2-man tent on the bike and we had to roll into the middle of the air mattress to keep from touching the tent walls as it rained. At any rate, I noticed about 1 am we were taking on water and upon investigation we found that rain was blowing in up under the rain fly, running down the tent wall and dripping in at the seam about 6 inches from the floor. We were on a bit of a slope and the collected water pooled at the foot of our tent so we stayed relatively dry. Come daylight we had to packup a wet tent in the rain and head to our next stop. Luckily it was a BnB so we had a dry place to sleep and they let up setup the tent on a covered pavillion and it dried out before we left the next day. Any tried and true way to seal a seam?
~Kym

CyberCelt

If you are not camping on tent pad, then make sure you are on level ground. If possible, trench around your tent if it is going to rain. Always put a tarp on ground before you pitch tent. Use your tent rain cover. Add a tarp to this if its pouring. Use air mattresses to put your sleeping bags on.

We were at Lake Medina this week and there was some heavy rain. The people were miserable. Always check the weather before you plan a trip. Check again right before you leave. If it pours, leave your stuff and go somewhere dry. You can always come back to get your stuff later.

Flashflooding is why we RV.:laugh:

__________________
Keep Your Wheels on the Road!

CyberCelt

USAer.com ~ RVing Texas
USAer Blog ~ Scenic Byways and Backroads