Splat,
There is a Tarp Line and STL set that is two regular ridge cords and six STLs at a four dollar savings... less tha $9/pr plus 2 free TLs.
Pan
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I dunno about y'all, but I firmly beleive that cheap is good. I added home made tarp tensioners to my SWT with Youngblood's directions only slightly modified using some bungee cord from my local outfitter for $0.20/ft, or about $2 total. :D
I made a set with latex tubing from the hardware store a while back. They worked well for sometime but they don't seem to be very UV resistant. Just keep an eye on them so that they don't fail you in the field. FWIW, I now use just plain ol' shock cord installed using Youngblood's method. Cheap, fast, and if need be, easily replacable during a thruhike. What more could you ask for? OK, maybe some pretty colors. Can't help you there.
You can get shock cord in different colors from Ebay. One seller has black, desert tan, USMC Coyote Brown, or OD Green in the 1/8" size I use. There is also red.
You can eleviate the UV problem with any decent car wax or maybe even Scotchgard with UV protection. I made a lot of 10 latex-tubed tensioners with Paracord I had lying around for $10 and I still have enought latex tubing to do pro'lly 10-12 more. What I like about using the tubing over the shock-cord method is there's less to get tangled with the tubing. I'm a DIY'er/handyman/rogue extraordinaire :D so if there's a way to do it reliably, cheaply, and without too much trouble I'll find it. McMaster Carr is your friend. ;)
I don't do much camping when it's below freezing. Regarding slippage, I add a second, bigger knot in front of the bowline for the loop. This bigger knot and how tight I can get the zip tie precludes it from popping out of the tube. I tested each one dry and then wet under the sink faucet and each are holding just fine. I will keep an eye out for the Theraband though.
Neo, I've seen those but @3.29/each when you need 10 that becomes cost prohibitive and I'd rather make my own.
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Splat
www.apsltd.com has high quality shock cord and stretch cord in various sizes and colors.
I used these mini bungee cords as tensioners for 4 clotheslines on my pop-up camper, underneath the bunk ends (the tent-covered ends that stick out, for anyone who isn't familiar with them). I added them 4 or 5 years ago, and I'm still using the original ones, except one which broke when it caught on something inside the camper while deploying the bunk end. The only extra tension they get is when we hang up wet towels and bathing suits. Note, they are out of the sun 100% of the time, being under the bunk ends. That probably helps prolong their lifespan.
@ NCPatrick...Don't forget to take the hole punch along to create a "Sieve" in the tarp.