shade cloth under tent

Most of the places on your list don't remember what grass looked like its been pretty dry out that way
Most camps will be on pebbly ground I always put something under my tent so the stones don't leave holes when you walk on them - shade cloth is ok I tend to use a heavy tarp (not the cheap blue ones) make sure it is slightly smaller than your tent otherwise you will trap water if it rains
We did'nt find any parks that required shadecloth last year on our trip
have a good one Kev

Shade cloth is excellent in dusty areas as the dirt (or sand) sinks straight through the cloth. Used it many times and kept a lot of dirt outside of the tent.

Cheers,

Glenn.

Jack,

We use shadecloth under our camper floor and it works well in allowing sand etc to pass through it. It also seems to reduce the amount of condensation that can develop under the floor. Have used it at places like Fraser Island and it is pretty good.

BJ

We use it all the time in extended stays being a layer to offer some protection under the floor and an area in front of the door area to help stop some of the dirt etc from being walked in, as well as offering a bit of ventilation for any grass that might be about.

Andy

I scored myself a truck tarp that was made out of 90% shade cloth. I use it as a ground cover between my tent and my kitchen setup and put the table and chairs in the middle. Its about 4 metres wide by 8 metres long.

My wife loves it and wouldnt come camping without it. She can bath are two young boys and they can play with their cars and trucks on it without getting dirty again. Its great over sand too and nice to take the shoes off and walk on. The trouble is the wife sweeps it five times a day. Im waiting for her to ask me to take the vacuum cleaner away with us next time.

Black Jack

You may be getting confused with caravan parks that don't allow solid floored annexes because they kill the grass. Usually shade cloth is OK but there would be no real advantage in having it under a solid material tent or camper floor for the grasses sake - the lack of light is what kills it. Those caravan parks usually always provide sites for tents with solid floors, but is usually not as lush. This may be what you are getting confused with.

D-Jack

At the Brisbane Caravan Show there was annexe floor netting that was claimed to be kind to grass

I do not know the price but it could be less bulky than shade cloth. You can push pegs through the weave without damage. Sand might sit up on it a bit more than on shade cloth.

Here is the link to the supplier: link text

John

I use a double thickness of shade cloth under my oztent all the time. Sufficient thickness to keep the condensation, dirt, dust etc off the underside of vinyl floor making the pack up less messy. Simply shake the shade cloth all the crap falls out and bob's your ....whatever.

Thanks for all the replies. I know about the shadecloth for camping in sand, but one fellow said I needed it to go central Aust. I had not heard of this before and could not find a reference to it on any web sites. I never asked if he tented or caravaned. The problem of stones making holes in the floor of the tent was something I hadn't thought of. I've been looking about the shops today and may go to the camping show (Bris) Monday. From what has been said here, double layer of shadecloth will do the job fine and the reducing condensation under the tent is a bonus as we will be on the move for most of the six weeks.

Thanks all. Again, this site has proven to be the greatest resource for campers.

Jack