Are D-rings necessary for light weight tarps?

[Lenaxia]

Looking at throwing together a simple asym tarp for a first project and also as an ultra light weight tarp for when I want to travel light.

Someone correct me, but as long as I'm using larkshead knots with guylines I shouldn't need d-rings in the webbing loops. Has anyone found otherwise?

[Dingletrut]

I used a tarp with webbing loops for years. The tarp wore out before the webbing

[dscotthep]

I made two tarps with no D rings. My only regret is that my webbing loops aren't a little bigger, otherwise, they work great!

[Phantom Grappler]

No d-rings needed.


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[XJ35S]

My first tarp had metal d rings. They never stayed in place right. one bent open and came off the webbing.

The beastee dee rings are awesome but not necessary. I used two for just the ridge line for added strength and durability long term.

A fine and strong cord may cut the webbing.( spiderwire)

[Pennsy Camp and Canoe]

I use the loops on my Kelty without issues so for. If you really want to save weight you could ditch the loops and use sheet bend knots to attach the guylines. I've done it on cheap w-mart tarps when the grommet ripped out, car camping.

[ofuros]

'D' rings on the webbing loops are not compulsory...its your choice.
They work fine without.

[kitsapcowboy]

With respect to all responses so far, I guess I am going to argue in the minority.

The way the OP phrased the question is interesting: "Are D-rings necessary?"

Necessary? Clearly, no, because one can create a functional tarp without them, but why stop there? By that definition, reinforcement patches aren't strictly "necessary". Neither are rolled hems, really, and if you just larkshead each Dyneema guy line around hollow plastic bead in every corner of an unfinished sil-poly tarp blank, you could actually dispense with thread entirely in your rain fly build...

Would I advocate personally for any of these omissions of "unnecessary" construction features? No, I would not, because IMHO they all represent improvements with minimal penalties in weight, work, and/or resources that potentially (and in some cases substantially) improve the trailworthiness, useful lifetime, and practical value of the tarp.

Four 1/2" Beastee Dee rings on the corners of a lightweight asym tarp would add less than 2 grams to the weight of the build and cost less than a dollar; made from ultrastrong and ultralightweight acetal copolymer, they add orders of magnitude to the break, abrasion, and cut resistance of grosgrain ribbon alone. While not technically "necessary", it is certainly fair to argue that they are a are a valid reasoned choice.

I'll admit that part of my personal bias toward trailworthiness and robusticity stems from the fact that I hate it when stuff breaks in the backcountry; I can usually rig a field-expedient fix for my camping gear, but I guess I just prefer it when stuff works and lasts. I don't have anyone reaching over my shoulder to put my gear on a gram scale, so I don't derive as much of what Skurka calls "Type II" satisfaction from shaving a fraction of an ounce at the expense of basic sturdiness or function. I fully accept that others may come at their own projects from a different perspective.

That said, the OP was about D-rings on an asym tarp, and my advice would be, for 2 grams, why not?

Ultimately, as in the rest of life, it comes down to trade-offs, maximizing the advantages one's choices afford while minimizing the effects of any disadvantages.

Please understand that I have no investment in anyone's choice of features for a DIY tarp. Hang your own hang, to be sure, but I think as each of us plans projects, it is useful to consider carefully and prioritize our choices of attributes for of each build and then let the construction feature set reflect those choices accordingly.

[MattK]

My UL square tarp has no hardware, just 0.5" grosgrain loops. I have ridden out some serious weather under it, used it for couple dozen nights, and so far, it's no worse for wear. If minimum weight is the goal, I'd leave them off. If you put them on, you can always just snip them off later.

[Theosus]

I just use the little triangle rings on 3/8" grosgrain. Never had a problem with it.