how do you keep your tent dry? what is the best method to keep it dry in a rainstorm?

give me all your tips to keep tents dry and rain free!

l take along a large polypropylene tarp and spread it over the top of the tent as a rain fly. The rain runs off of the tarp and the tent does not get wet. Whatever you do, do not touch the inside of the tent with your finger while it is raining. The tent will drip where your finger touched.

in addition to a tarp over the tent, l dig a trench around the perimeter of the tent for drainage.

Definitely use a tarp & make sure it is pulled tight & raised in the center so water does not collect on the tarp. Do not touch the fabric of the tent as the oil on ur fingers will allow water to seep through. Some campsites offer platforms to pitch a tent on to keep the floor dry. If that is not the case, pitch ur tent on high ground so u do not end up in a puddle. If necessary, dig a shallow trench around the tent & funnel the water away.

Worst case. Sleep in the car.

Have fun!

big tarp over the top not touching but hanging over it .what a wonderful sound and smeel it is when it rains while in a tent under the protection of a large tarp

Buy a QUALITY brand of tent, with a full coverage rain fly. Seal the seams even if they are factory sealed.

Aside from using tarp as an over-head protection, use also a ground sheet under your tent, make sure that the sides are folded so that water wont flowed in.this will also protect your tent from sharp and pointed objects underneath..

First of all, you should have a good quality tent with a rainfly. l set my tent up at least once a year in the yard, and give it a thorough spraying with scotchguard.

If your tent does not have a rainfly, make one using a tarp and cover your tent with it after you set up the tent. Also be sure to use a ground cloth under your tent.

In addition to not touching ythe inside of your tent, putting up a fly, digging a trench, etc.

-make sure none of your stuff is touching the sides of the tent, it will leak alll over

--make sure you cover your firewood

When shopping for a tent, make sure it comes with a full fly (none of this Sierra Designs Sirius half-fly deal). The fly should be able to be staked out from the body of the tent itself, in order to give u vestibules on the outside to stow ur wet boots/shoes. After getting the tent, make sure u set it up when u get home, & practice setting it up so u can set it up quickly, nothing worse then getting to camp & having to set up ur tent in the pouring rain & having it get soaked. Some tents have flys that u can leave attached to the tent body, so it can be set up all at once (RE l Quarter Dome 2 & 3).

After u can set the tent up fairly quickly, l would give the tent a once over with either Nikwax Tent & Gear Proof ($19.50 REI.com) or another water proofing, to help keep the DWR (durable water repellant) up to snuff. Finally, l would go along all the seams of the tent with Seam Grip Seam Sealer ($7.25 REI.com). This will help reinforce the seams & prevent water from seeping through along there. Once u seal the seams, leave the tent set up somewhere dry (inside, backyard, garage) overnight, & then in the morning, go along each seam with talcum powder or baby powder to keep the seams from glueing together when u pack up the tent.

When u buy the tent, check & see if the tent comes with, or has a footprint. A footprint is a tarp cut to the exact size & shape of the tent, & generally can be left attached to the tent. This will reduce weight, as well as keep the floor of ur tent off the ground, reducing wear & tear.

Every year, go over the tent, repair small holes, replace the DWR with the Nikwax & go over the seams with the sealant. It is a bit of work, but if u take care of ur tent, it will last u for years.