Help with centering tarp over hammock

**RichardDavies** · 11-27-2016, 00:14

I struggle getting my tarp centered over my hammock and would like to know what methods or techniques you use to make this quick procedure quick and efficient. I use "end line" ridgelines tied to the rings at the center points of my tarp.

My general procedure for hanging my tarp is:

Hang hammock
Guessimate appropriate length of ridgeline necessary to center tarp and use a Siberian hitch to tie the first ridgeline to a tree
Check to see if edge of tarp appears to be the correct distance from the end of hammock
Re-tie Siberian hitch several times until I get the length right
Tie a trucker's hitch on the other ridgeline to suspend tarp over hammock and make it taut

I would like to know if there's a better way to center my tarp that doesn't involve guessing and retying the ridgeline at different lengths until I manage to get the correct length. I know there's lots of different ways to do this and would greatly appreciate any tips or advice you might have.

**Trackerfiend** · 11-27-2016, 00:19

Continuous Ridgeline from Dutch.

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**Monkeyboy42** · 11-27-2016, 05:41

I use end line ridge lines, but attach them to the d-rings with soft shackle prussiks for adjustability. I've also put Dutch hooks on spliced eyes on the ends. Super fast and easy to rig and adjust.

When I firsts started I did as you, and took awhile to adjust. I tried a CRL, but prefer the simplicity of the end tie outs with prussiks.

**BittyGoat** · 11-27-2016, 06:39

I use end line ridge lines as well and have a Dutch flea attached to each side tie out. If it needs adjusting, I simply loosen my knot on the flea and adjust my line until it's centered.

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**Bubba** · 11-27-2016, 07:11

I also use lines from each end of my ridgeline and I use continuous loop on the tarp which are then tied to the line going to the tree using a prusik. It's a friction hitch that hold under load when but can slide up and down the line when not loaded. Using these allows you to go from end to end making small adjustments. It's the same as using a continuous ridgeline without having the extra line going over or under the tarp. It's an older set up and there are newere hardware options and different types of friction hitches but I've been using it for years and have been lazy to change it.

**Afterparty** · 11-27-2016, 07:12

I use stingerz by dutch all the way around my tarp. CRL is easy as well.

**Oms** · 11-27-2016, 07:27

There are so many fun ways to hang a tarp. This is what I have been playing with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDvUjXUOYw8. If you don't wish to go this different, you can do a continuous ridge line with Prussik knots to slide back and forth. The problem I had with that is they seemed to slip when I first started using it and then after a while they were difficult to slide. That is why I made the change. I really like Loop Aliens because they are fast and very easy to undo. There was a bit of a learning curve, at least for me

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**Redoleary** · 11-27-2016, 07:31

Here is how I do it, plus the update video now that I've made the line a quick disconnect so I take it off every hang.

**johnspenn** · 11-27-2016, 08:04

There are many. many ways to skin this particular cat. My advice is always to try several different options and see what works for you.

I use a "modified Hansen" CRL to hang and center my tarp, it's very simple to do, requires just one piece of hardware (Dutch Fleaz) and makes deploying and securing my tarp a breeze. My method is based off Derek Hansen's video HERE.

You can see the details of my setup HERE.

It's fun to play and find what works for you. Good luck!

**Phantom Grappler** · 11-27-2016, 08:05

This is great fun! RichardDavies, as you can see--we all had the same problem--and the solutions are unique and effective. I used to have a continuous ridge line and attached it like Bubba with a continuos loop attached to each end of tarp and attached to tarp ridgeline (CRL) with prusiks. Also we can't forget about Tato Gear ridge line adjusters--I think they are available through Dutch.
Or you could go completely crazy and try my new suspension --Kokomo Hammock and Tarp Suspension as seen on YouTube! It ain't for everybody. Kokomo sets up similar to Carolina Red Hammock Suspension as seen on YouTube. When I set up Kokomo--the hammock is automatically centered under tarp with no adjusting and no fiddling---more time for lollygagging!

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