Have any of them used them in the high wind situations where they become downright dangerous?Originally Posted by Mountainfitter
If an individual user wants to make these things and turn his stakes into potential slingshot projectiles, that's between him and the guy camping next to him, but I'm honestly not a fan of the idea of selling them.
I can't remember who makes the self-tensioning lines with surgical tubes but I made a set and they work like a charm.
You only need your line (I like the no tangle dyneema) put your 3 or 4 inches of tubing over (close to the end that will attach to the tarp) your line. Stretch the tube with the line inside to max, then add a zap strap over each end of the tube. Simple DIY, excellent mod. Now my lines are tight, stay tight, and very lightweight.
I love them, great idea! In my opinion, the self tensioning guylines that have the shock cord and regular cord are just as lethal! I've had them launch my stake over my tarp. Yes, I had limiters (and still do) on the shock cord.
If I understand the concept correctly, folks are putting a fair amount of pre-tension on their lines?
Would it still work with zero/bare minimum tension just to "reset" the tarp back to it's original position once the wind or whatever died down?
I'm picturing these as a means to prevent damage to the tarp from high winds/gusts more than a means of tensioning in the first place.
Am I doing it wrong?
I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives.
If it is working for you, it is correct.
I have some shock cord attached via 2 alpine butterfly knots, such that they will give until they are the same length of the guyline that they bypass. This keeps some tension on the tarp, and still has some give when I trip over the lines (moving about camp.) but has strength to stand up to large gusts (theoretically) and then bounce back.
YMMV, KM
Yep, Thanks KM, thats how I was thinking. I like the idea of the shock cord as a full piece, but it sounds a lot like a slingshot in a strong gust, as some folks have described.
I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives.
Somewhat, mostly what they are used for is to counteract the eventual tarp "stretch" due to moisture etc. So you would be putting the stake in with the tension at max, then when the tarp begins to stretch the tension in the bands will pull the tarp taught.
I like metric, I use metric, for those of you who don't ... you should, for those of you who won't ... here.
0*C - 32*F, 10*C - 50*F, 20*C - 68*F, 30*C - 86*F
100g - 3.52oz, 500g - 17.63oz, 1kg - 2.2lbs, 16oz - 1lbs
10cm - 3.9", 1m - 3.28ft, 1km - 0.62mi
Wouldn't it be wiser to put the shock cord on the tarp end of the guy outs? I would think that it would minimize if not eliminate Ramblin' Rev's scenario of projectile stakes. I like Kermegan's suggestion of using alpine butterflies to attach shock cords parallel to the guy out (instead of to the end). I use the same idea except I used fisherman's knots (or sinker knots I think they're called). Anyway, I like putting the shock cords on the tarp end of the guy lines. Anyone see any reason not to do it this way?
"Pips"
Mountains have a dreamy way
Of folding up a noisy day
In quiet covers, cool and gray.
---Leigh Buckner Hanes
Surely, God could have made a better way to sleep.
Surely, God never did.
That's pretty much how I do it, in those times when I use self-tensioning lines. Lately, I generally haven't bothered.
Perhaps some bulk bungie in smaller diameter...shock cord would be even better. Then make sure to only snug up the cord as much as is needed. Has anyone tried this with a Prussik knot on the non-loop tarp end? Might be just the release point needed in high wind.
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