Never Re-Tension Your Tarp Again!

**Mountainfitter** · 04-24-2010, 21:35

Never re-tension again your tarp again! These shock-cord tie outs keep everything nice and tight. I have been making and using these shock-cord tie outs forever. They are made using 1/8" marine grade shock cord. They stretch to double in size and come in 8", 16", 24" and 48" lengths. They are built to last! I am now offering them for sale at my website Mountainfitter.com

Sizes:
8" 2.4 Grams (.08 Ounces)
16" 4.0 Grams (.14 Ounces)
24" 5.6 Grams (.19 Ounces)
48" 10.4 Grams (.36 Ounces)

**opie** · 04-25-2010, 18:34

Thats not a bad solution. A little weighty for the gram weenies. But if the cord lock tie outs could be incorporated into the tarp tie outs, thats a sweet set-up.

Do you know what the failure specs are on the SC? i.e. is it stronger than the tarp material.

**oldgringo** · 04-25-2010, 20:23

Originally Posted by opie

Do you know what the failure specs are on the SC? i.e. is it stronger than the tarp material.

That would depend on the size of the cord, and the sheathing material.

I stripped the elastic bands out of some sc one day, just out of curiosity. When the sc is at full extension, there is still plenty of stretch left in the bands, so the full load is borne by the sheathing. It's pretty strong stuff...my guess is, at 1/8" and up, it would be stronger than a tarp, but I often guess wrong...

**opie** · 04-25-2010, 21:07

Originally Posted by oldgringo

That would depend on the size of the cord, and the sheathing material.

I stripped the elastic bands out of some sc one day, just out of curiosity. When the sc is at full extension, there is still plenty of stretch left in the bands, so the full load is borne by the sheathing. It's pretty strong stuff...my guess is, at 1/8" and up, it would be stronger than a tarp, but I often guess wrong...

Yep... and I know from one manufacturer to another things are different.

I do know based on the picture that the SC being used has a Dacron sheath. Thats why I asked.

**Mountainfitter** · 04-25-2010, 22:02

I tried to incorporate shock cord into the tarp tieouts on my cuben fiber tarp but they worked themselves free after a while. Problem is you cannot get them back in once they are out..

**SkyPainter** · 06-04-2010, 16:25

Originally Posted by Mountainfitter

Never re-tension again your tarp again! These shock-cord tie outs keep everything nice and tight.

****>> Looks like a decent solution to me. I just ordered six to try with my new HH Hex fly.

**Mustardman** · 06-04-2010, 16:31

There have been a number of discussions on here as to exactly why pure shock cord tieouts are a BAD idea.

At the very least, something like the shockcord + normal cord, self tensioning lines, that have been demonstrated by several members here, would be much, much better.

**Mountainfitter** · 06-04-2010, 16:51

As you pointed out I have heard a ton of mixed reviews over the years. I started liking them once I started using cuben fiber tarps since they help to keep everything very dynamic.

On a side note:
So far everyone thats purchased a set have reported good results.

**spotz** · 06-04-2010, 16:52

Originally Posted by Mountainfitter

Interesting parallel, just finished modifying my BWDD and OES with this very setup, never having seen this website right down to the heat shrink, Now if I could just just find a source for the cordloc 3 WSR I will be set. I used the 4 Cordloc 3 WSR I had on hand on the side pullouts of the BWDD. So far so good, time will tell.

**Ramblinrev** · 06-04-2010, 16:56

I stopped using shock for tarp tieouts after I launched several stakes during medium high winds. They really flew. Some of them traveled over 20 feet. I really liked the idea of shock cord tieouts and I can see the appeal. Just make sure if a stake gets launched it's not going to damage anyone or anything.