Alternative styles of reinforcement (Bonus of a ridge strength question!)

[Julius]

Hello all!
I am in the middle of a new tarp project and am very interested to know what everyone thinks of the reinforcement inserts used in tarps.

I saw on these forums, which I cannot seem to locate at this time, alternative reinforcement methods than the traditional reinforcement like the ones shown here.

The reinforcement that I was interested in happens to be This. (JRB Tarp). I personally believe these might be plenty strong if you ran the grosgrain along the edge of the hem, and looped it as shown in the link.

Obviously this is for a new tarp project! Can't wait to start!

Also! As a side note, I was wondering what everyone thought of this tarp in regards to strength across the ridge? Here. Anyone think it could fail?

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

I prefer the method of the last linked tarp with two off centre ridgelines as I makes adding side pull outs that much easier. I've tried both corner tie outs you linked but tbh both worked just fine.

[Redoleary]

I've made finger patches: Hinterland%u00252BHideout%u00252Bdetails%u00252B%u0025281%u00252Bof%u00252B4%u002529.jpg

And trapezoidal patches: Hinterland%u00252BHideout%u00252Bdetails%u00252B%u0025284%u00252Bof%u00252B4%u002529.jpg

Diamond patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025283%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

Triangle patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025282%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

Half-circle patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025288%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

two straight sides and one curved patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025289%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

In the end I don't think it matters the shape. The ones I made were as much fashion, if you will, as function. You're just trying to spread the load a bit and and extra layer or two of fabric helps to reinforce the area. I know people who don't use any patches and have no problems so it's all up to you.

[WV]

Use any of Red's designs, and you not only get a super-strong tie-out, but lots of admiring comments from people who see your tarp. I like the fingers, which I suspect may be the strongest.

[IRONFISH45]

I've made finger patches: Hinterland%u00252BHideout%u00252Bdetails%u00252B%u0025281%u00252Bof%u00252B4%u002529.jpg

And trapezoidal patches: Hinterland%u00252BHideout%u00252Bdetails%u00252B%u0025284%u00252Bof%u00252B4%u002529.jpg

Diamond patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025283%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

Triangle patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025282%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

Half-circle patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025288%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

two straight sides and one curved patches: hammock%u00252B%u002526%u00252Btarp%u00252B%u0025289%u00252Bof%u00252B17%u002529.jpg

In the end I don't think it matters the shape. The ones I made were as much fashion, if you will, as function. You're just trying to spread the load a bit and and extra layer or two of fabric helps to reinforce the area. I know people who don't use any patches and have no problems so it's all up to you.

Wow, thank your for the suggestions, I love them, never would have thought of them on my own.

[stevebo]

the last tarp I made (a silargon camo tarp) I did the reinforcments "warbonnet style"----using grosgain ribbon on the edges of the corner, pull out, etc. Especially with silargon with its stretch, this seemed to work really well! (I've got to admit, those finger reinforcements of Red's do look pretty cool!)

[IRONFISH45]

Finger Reinforcements, I like them and they are going on the tarp I am finishing up, I am worried about the Argon Silnylon stretching too much, and I am worried about the stress, the Finger Reinforcements look perfect for the job!

[Redoleary]

Well, thank you all for the kind words.
I'll warn you now the finger patches are a PITA, each finger is it's own piece of fabric so at the intersection there are three layers where the pullout is attached. You probably don't need to, but I also hemmed the sides of the fingers that wouldn't be rolled into the hem.

[FLRider]

I'm a fan of semi-triangular patches ("semi-" due to my sewing skill level, not the basic design), since they're easy to turn into guyline pockets as well (just leave the center ~2" of the far side of the triangle from the tarp corner unsewn). This gives me a place to put my coiled guylines so that they won't tangle and/or go flying in the wind when I unwrap the tarp. It's similar to the way Hennessy does it on their hex tarp.

Of course, this could be done with almost any solid-shape reinforcement; triangles are just the easiest to get right.

Hope it helps!

[Floridahanger]

I use the side hems on my tarp now for about 3 years with no problems to the RL(or lack of). I set the tarp over the CRL and under the CRL, depending on how I feel and if I use my poles for the pullouts or for porch mode.

I did this because I figured if the seam fails and leaks, it would be next to me, not over me.

Good luck on your new tarp.