Which groundsheet

[Professor]

Hi to all fellow caravaners, I am brand new to caravaning and am just about to pick up a new Challanger 540 this weekend. I need some advice on the best type of groundsheet to use in a ultima awning. I like my feet to stay dry and Im a little confused as to whether a breathable sheet lets water or dampnes permeate the membrane, if so can anyone recommend the best type to get. I will be mainly using the van on weekends and returning it during the week back into storage. Most of the pitches on the selected site are hardstanding but there are others that are grass. Any info would be of help.

 

[David.O]

Colin

As one who has to look after the grass when you have taken up your groundsheet we ask our visitors not to use any coverings but should you only stay a few days then it must be a breathable type. more than 4 days then we ask that you take it up each day. You only need to see how poor the grass looks if you leave any ground sheet down for more than a few days,in return we do keep the grass well cut and very short.

David from Suffolk

 

[Professor]

Most sensible and understandable David

 

[CarolineSimon]

Hi Colin,

If you are going to buy a groundsheet I would suggest one of the breathable softex ones, not only are they best for the grass but nice & soft on your feet!You can get deals on them at the shows or shop around as there can be quite a big variation on prices.

There are actually a lot of sites now who have banned plastic type groundsheets so its not really worth getting one, plus they sweat horribly too.

Hope that helps,

Caroline

 

[Oldfogey]

To answer your original question, yes, the breathables do let water through.

Just ordinary rain, on a flat, well drained pitch, will not be a problem, but if you get a downpour, or are in a slight dip, then you can end up with water coming up through the floor.

An impermeable groundsheet can have a puddle under it, and still leave your feet dry.

I've had experience of both situations.

The breathables are, however, much nicer underfoot.

I'm not convinced the breathables are much better for the grass. They are certainly much heavier, if you have weight constraints.

Most sites have no restrictions - after all, if they take tents, then a fitted groundsheet will be both impermeable and impossible to lift.

Our awning is our "living room". If a site banned groundsheets or insisted on daily lifting, we would not go there.

 

[MrsRobinson]

If you are going onto a hardstanding, I can't see any problem with a groundsheet. But that is the only time we use one - to protect our feet from (sometimes) sharp stones.

I'm not really in favour of groundsheets on grass, especially on sites where caravans have to park more or less in the same position as previous units. Grass needs natural light.

Each to their own, but our awning is an "outside space" (albeit covered in when the weather's too cold or wet) - not a living room.

 

[Michelle_374306112]

If you are going onto a hardstanding, I can't see any problem with a groundsheet. But that is the only time we use one - to protect our feet from (sometimes) sharp stones.

I'm not really in favour of groundsheets on grass, especially on sites where caravans have to park more or less in the same position as previous units. Grass needs natural light.

Each to their own, but our awning is an "outside space" (albeit covered in when the weather's too cold or wet) - not a living room.

I have seen something called Versatile. They are interlocking floor tiles that let the grass grow through, but still keep you off the ground. You could put your groundsheet over the top of that or just use the versatile. If anyone interested in what they look like the website is www.versatile-flooring.co.uk

 

[Professor]

If you are going onto a hardstanding, I can't see any problem with a groundsheet. But that is the only time we use one - to protect our feet from (sometimes) sharp stones.

I'm not really in favour of groundsheets on grass, especially on sites where caravans have to park more or less in the same position as previous units. Grass needs natural light.

Each to their own, but our awning is an "outside space" (albeit covered in when the weather's too cold or wet) - not a living room.

Thanks for all the replies ladies and gents, I suppose its a debateable choice. I personally want a space to store wet boots and coats to dry off but want to keep my feet dry and not carry dirt/mud into the van. I shall look around the various local outlets and make a decision from there. Thanks once again for the input.

 

[HamishC]

Hi Colin.

I would go for a breathable groundsheet

whether you are on hard standing or grass.

We used a normal ground sheets on our first holiday with the caravan and it was very wet. Although it kept the water out it can get VERY slippery under foot!!

We now have a breathable one and have regularly used it for upto 14 nights with very little damage to the grass (only very slight yellowing) We have also experienced heavy rain when using the breather sheet. and although some water will come up through it remained safe to walk on. You will find that most sites will only accept breathable ground sheets to protect the grass.

cheers

Hamish C

 

[MikeP]

Re tent pitches - they are often flexible and the next inhabitant can go to one side or the other to let the grass recover. Of course, if someone has been there for 2 or more weeks then the grass will be knackered anyway.

Re the awning being your living room. My awning (on the few occasions I take it) is my living room too, but I choose not to use a groundsheet. Having a muddy (or if dried out, then very dusty) "carpet" in my awning, caused by people with impermeable groundsheets, isn't nice.

Because caravan pitches tend to be "fixed" because of gap rules and hookup points etc, just one person using an impermeable groundsheet for a week can ruin the pitch for the whole season as the grass never recovers.

 

[chrisn7]

Hello Colin

We have used firstly the Softex, but now the Bolon type.

The former has quite large holes moulded into it through which the grass will grow if you're there long enough. When you lift it, it pulls the grass with it, but is good underfoot on hardstanding. It is light but bulky and tends to retain mud stains.

Bolon by contrast, is heavier but way more compact. When lifted, I have noted more effect on the grass from the awning mudwall than the Bolon, which IMHO is a greatly superior product