2013 REI quarterdome T1 footprint and stakes

Posted by: Dan Mc

2013 REI quarterdome T1 footprint and stakes - 05/27/14 12:56 AM

My son has a 2013 REI quarter dome T1 that we got as REI was closing out that model. They were out of footprints and so we ended up ordering the footprint for the 2014 version but the tent and footprint aren't quite compatible. Does anyone have a picture of how the correct footprint is supposed to hook up at the foot end of the tent? We'll likely end up sewing something to match the tent but I'm not quite sure how the foot end is supposed to go given that there is only one pole down there.

In a related note, perhaps I'm dense but it seems like this tent takes a huge number of stakes (like 9 or 10) compared to my old half dome 2 and newer half dome 4 (backpacking with little ones). This is related to the main lengthwise pole only coming to the center of the foot and not the corners. It seems like the corners need staking and the instructions seem to say that. But then the same corners need staking again for the rain fly. Have others found this too?

Thanks
-Dan
Posted by: Pika

Re: 2013 REI quarterdome T1 footprint and stakes - 05/27/14 08:17 AM

A lot of tent users on this lightweight forum view " footprints" as unnecessary weight. Yes they help protect the floor of the tent from abrasion and such but at quite a cost in money and weight. Most floor wear occurs where the occupant lies. Many here, including me, will cut a piece of thin Tyvek or polyethylene or Polycryo to about 24" x 74" and use that in place of the much heavier dedicated footprint. Others, again including me, will often do without being of the opinion that the floor material should be sufficiently sturdy on it's own.

I can't speak to the staking issue other than to note that often one can rig the corners to share a single stake rather than using one for the body and another for the fly. Using the tent will sort this out especially if done at home in the back yard.
Posted by: Gershon

Re: 2013 REI quarterdome T1 footprint and stakes - 05/27/14 08:33 AM

Maybe this YouTube video will help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IDcAn9-JdQ

I have a T-3 quarter quarter dome. It is easier to set it up, and pick it up and put it over the footprint. With the T-3, the footprint has to be right side up. If it's done this way, any piece of plastic will work. You may be able to get free pieces of Tyvek from Home Depot. They wrap their plywood in it. You don't need grommets. Just make sure the footprint doesn't extend past the edges of the tent or it will channel water under the tent.