Outdoor mat / rug

SteveRachM
SteveRachM Forum Participant Posts: 35
edited August 2022 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hi there, we are newbies to caravanning and have just come back from our third trip. We have got a sun canopy (although not tried it yet) and are looking for a rug / mat for outside to save our feet on the pebbles (we have so far only been on hardstanding pitches). Does anyone have any recommendations?  I am guessing that it will need to be waterproof and large (we have an 8m long Swift Challenger). Thanks for any help with this. 

Comments

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #2

    We all have our preferences. We have owned cheap plastic groundsheets that are unsuitable for grass through to an eye wateringly expensive Isabella Bollon.

    Our favourite at present is the Kampa Continental Cushioned Carpet.

    Having said that, this year when away for 5 weeks we did not use a carpet, but a large mat. This is in a similar material and you find them typically 1500 x 900 or 2400 x ?? in your local diy shed for about £12/15. We used our last one for about 5 years before the plastic started to break down and leave little whit bits on our feet that we walked in.

     

    Colin

  • SteveRachM
    SteveRachM Forum Participant Posts: 35
    edited August 2022 #3

    Thanks for this - dumb question I'm sure, but is the Kampa Carpet waterproof, as it won't be in an awning, but pegged down outside the van (sometimes under a sun canopy - no sides)? Thanks for replying to me. Rachel

     

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,484 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #4

    If it's only a canopy, why not use the interlocking foam tiles?

     

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #5

    It is a breathable weave and water will go through it. Only a plastic ground sheet or tarp is truly waterproof and you cannot use these on the vast majority of UK sites. When you think back to "the good old days" when you could, after a rain storm the sheet would be flooded as it was holding water and all of your contents standing on it swilling in water. With modern carpets the water goes through, gets a bit muddy in a few places and then dries out.

     

    Colin

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #6

    I would think it'd need to be porous as rain will collect on it under a canopy and will need to drain through. Otherwise, puddles will form.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #7

    No idea on what ours is called, we don't have a motorhome at present 🥲 but I'd describe it as a thicker version of that non-slip matting you can buy. Folded or single layer. Used it on all surfaces with and without a canopy. Drains well as it has small holes. Could get muddy but goes in the washing machine. Comfy underfoot and stopped the bulk of grass clippings and gravel entering the motorhome.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #8

    There is a product called Carpetina which is a plastic woven carpet which will accept anything the weather can throw at it. Usually available at caravan accessory shops. We tended only to use it in Europe where often by mid summer in the south the pitches are hard baked earth. In the UK we no longer bother with a pitch covering as we only use the the Fiamma as a sun shade and it is rolled in every night.

    David

  • GTrimmer
    GTrimmer Club Member Posts: 169
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    edited August 2022 #9

    Just been trying to get some Carpetina - without success. Milenco tell me they have discontinued it cry They have only limited sizes in stock .

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #10

    I must admit that we purchased ours many years ago. Had no idea it was a Milenco product. I have seen this from Leisureproducts but not sure if it would be large enough for the OP?

    David

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2022 #11

    How on earth did we manage before there were questions on forums?  We just went to the local camping shop. They had huge rolls of soft, rubbery, unbranded, honeycomb matting. We chose a colour and the man fetched big scissors and cut off what we asked for. I bet they still have some.

  • SteveRachM
    SteveRachM Forum Participant Posts: 35
    edited August 2022 #12

    Thanks for this - I've just looked and you are right, we are looking for something larger. We're looking at the Dometic continental at the moment, just need to decide on size.

  • SteveRachM
    SteveRachM Forum Participant Posts: 35
    edited August 2022 #13

    We could do this, but I am a bit OCD about things and look for recommendations or reviews. However, I will be going to our local shop today and see what they have got. I'm sure that I'll come away with some things that I didn't realise that I needed though laughing

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited August 2022 #14

    Wicks sell these, £14 for 6 off 60cm x 60cm interlocking foam tiles.

    peedee