Here is a simple page for a simple subject: a Groundcloth/TubeTent/Poncho Combo !!

This explaination is kept purposely "loose" and not highly detailed, as the tent/groundcloth/poncho itself really doesn't have any critical dimensions. By way of explanation, this item is NOT meant to replace a real quality tent, but instead is more of a groundcloth that can serve as a very good rain-cover if needed. It's primary purpose is for use in summer, where mountain storms don't last for days, and for hikers who expect to sleep "out" most nights, using it simply as a ground cloth unless needed to ward off rain. At 18oz, it seems worth carrying.

Mine is made from cheap "dropcloth" material available at most hardware stores for only a few dollars (in the U.S.!). It's available in various thickness's, but I found the .001 inch material to be adequate. These dropcloth materials are prone to ripping, but all that is needed is to carry some extra tape for repairs. One tent may last for 5-8 trips with care, then you may wish to replace it. And since the total "assembly" time is about 90 minutes, building a new one every 1-2 years isn't so bad... By the way, the job of cutting and assembly can be made much faster with helpers to hold things out straight and such.

As seen in the photo, the tube is used flat for a simple ground cloth, or can be drawn up into a tent-shape for light rains, or worn as a poncho if turned "90 degrees", using the tube as the arm-holes. The head/leg openings are made water-tight by rolling them up and holding them in place with Velcro. This "roll-up" seal works the same as a Platypus water bag and is very effective. The only thing to remember, is to roll-up these sections so-that the water is not trapped within them as it sheets-off the surface of the tent. (If done this way, the water still won't get inside, but may spill on you during take-down!) Because this "roll-up" method is used, the length of the tube of material you are rolling up must at least allow you to spin it into a coil with about 2-3 wraps. This is easily done with the large (and long) "head tube" which serves as a hood, but remember to make the bottom "leg opening" tube long enough for an effective 2-3 turn wrap.

The dropcloths I found are usually 9-by-12 feet, which is enough material for the whole thing. I taped mine together using clear 3M shipping box tape. This is very strong stuff, and if you look closely, the major "support line" when used as a tent is also the taped joint. This way, the actual sheet material is not under stress when pulled up into a tent-shape. The 3M tape takes all the tension of the support lines. Similar to taped sailboat sails, this makes the stronger taping material take all the stress. I also taped all the exposed edges of the material as well, by folding tape over the edges, (and also taped the straight-line areas on outside AND inside of the material.) I suspect this actually doesn't add support strength much, but seems to make the joints and edges a lot more durable and less prone to catching on things.

I added plastic grommets to mine, in areas where I thought I would use support ropes. Instead however, it seemed much easier to simply use sticks and rocks to hold out the corners, and the only place I ever needed grommets was for the top rope when pulling it up into a tent-shape, so really only 2 grommets are needed.

To start the ball rolling on improvements, I would assume the following areas are worth pursuing:

- Different material; something more rip-proof. It's hard to beat the price of this dropcloth of course, but the same tent made from Tyvek, or R-wrap house wrap would be much "tougher". These materials will be heavier of course..... Possibly double the weight. (The current dropcloth tent weighs 18oz's)

- Add some mosquito screen. This would make the tent much more useful (my opinion) as I believe summer and mosquitos seem to go together, and I HATE that nasty buzzing in my ears.

- Since this material does not breath, perhaps some additional seams and material can be added, and convert some portion of the bottom into an air pillow (Just tape-on a blow-up valve from an old air mattress or something...)

- Larger size...... The current size serves well to keep rain off one person and gear, but would be confining if you got stuck in it all day...

- Fanciful additions: Maybe the entire bottom surface should be doubled, and turned into an air mattress..... Sure sounds comfortable!

- Add your Ideas Here! ........ If we keep the talk going, maybe we can find more improvements without significant weight-gains.

Thanks for reading, and please e-mail me with any more successful "combined equipment" stories. I may be able to add them to this page.

Enjoy, and see you on the trails.

John Sisler (jsisler@cisco.com)