We have now used our Vango Bondi Low for 12 months, its little quirks are now sorted, but we find the thin groundsheet is not up to the mark especially on hard standings.

So, what would you suggest we consider in the way of "carpeting? Has to be light weight, easily cleaned and packed (rolled?), and able to deal with mud and wet at times.

Thanks for any suggestions

Dave

Hello Dave.

Vango does a 240 X 300cm universal carpet which will fit the Bondi:

https://driveaway-awnings.co.uk/vango-un...siesta-awnings/

You could probably get it cheaper though

A door mat thrown in takes care of the mud

hi Dave
We have the Kampa one like Colin for our PopAir and it works well.

However we also have some really good rubber backed carpet like Outwell used in tents that cleans really well, is waterproof & also warm underfoot. We use this for our Berghaus Air beam tent. When Berghaus first started doing these they had them made in China and they didn't come with carpets or footprint groundsheets. I got the measurements and went into our local camping shop in Blackburn and asked them what remnants did they have unsold from tent carpets. I picked up two lovely blue ones to fit in the inner and outer area of the tent. They weren't exact fits obviously but they looked really. One of them now fits really well in our new SunnCamp Verao Awning.

Refreshingly when they first came out you could send comments about improvements to the designer who was British. He certainly listened and a footprint groundsheet was available the following season. Shame Hymer don't listen to feedback from its customers to the same extent.

Might be worth a ring to your local dealers to see if they have old stock, possibly from Vango, that would do a good job in your Bondi & save you some money

MikeT

Hi Colin and Mike

We have a breathable groundsheet that looks very similar to the Kampa one....not sure what make it is as it came with our van. The only problem with it is that, whenever it gets wet, it smells like the biggest Tom cat in the world has sprayed it! I have read that this is a chemical reaction and seems quite common with some of these groundsheets.

Have you had this issue with the Kampa one. I would like to get a new one....hopefully minus Tom!

Ralph

Thanks for your replies - certainly need to give this some thought, and thanks Fishcultureman for the link, I was unaware that Vango made a tailored fit for the Bondi.

Dave

hi Ralph

I think with our Kampa Pop Air that we have a footprint groundsheet and then have the Kampa carpet which looks as if it is made of straws as Colin describes it. Am a bit unclear as haven't had it out since May 2019 but we are dusting it off to use in Wales at the end of the month.

I have never noticed the "toimcat" odour when it is wet

MikeT

That's good to hear. It would seem to be a known problem and has been discussed in another forum

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-toget...y-awning-carpet

Ralph

Got to be honest Ralph I prefer the older type tent style awning carpet to the Kampa one. These were a nylon type short weave carpet on top of a waterproof base. We had some really good Outwell ones that you could walk on in bare feet and be warm.

I wonder if the growth of breathable groundsheet to protect the grass killed them off. The Kampa one is called a luxury carpet but is nothing of the sort compared to the older style. For those of us who tend to use hardstandings the older carpets are far better

MikeT

Hi Ralph

The picture of the Swift Awning shows the old style blue tent awning carpet which we have decided to use in the Swift as it more or less fits the floor space and is warm on your feet.

IMG_2432 (2).JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

MikeT

Hi Mike

Looks good. However, in normal years (sigh), we do a lot of festivals and other sites on grass pitches. These will, quite rightly, universally insist on breathable groundsheets. So I think this is the only way for us to go.

However, it would be nice to have warm dry feet. We do put down rugs which help, but don't stop the damp coming through. I have lost count of how many times I have been left with a soggy sock when standing up after taking my boots off! But then if you put a waterproof layer over the top it sort of defeats the breathability.

I can live with the socks...I just don't want to get another one that smell of tom cat! Will try the Kampa one.

Ralph