Tarp Panel Pullouts - quantity and placement

[slowhike]

Wow! Thanks Optimator! That picture really illustrates the advantage of mid panel tie-outs. I've seen pictures with both sides tied out but they don't really show the difference between being tied vs not being tied out. Your picture shows the incredible amount of interior volume added by this simple tweek!

It really does make a huge difference.
Not only does it give you the feeling of having room to move around, but helps keep the tarp from blowing against the hammock on a windy night (with-in limitations of course) & gives more room to go in & out w/o brushing against the tarp.
This is particularly good on one of those nights when everything gets wet, including the inside of your tarp.

[jtruslow]

Thanks all!

I appreciate your comments, they've helped tremendously. I'm totally sold on four pullouts, particularly after Optimator's photo. Slowhike just summed up my reasons exactly.

I really like the idea of a line between the pullouts, can't wait to try it.

[JayS]

I've got a question for everyone: When do you stake out your side pullouts? Before you stake the bottom of the tarp or before? I have always done it after but am thinking doing it before might work, too. But it might not work well with Slowhike's method with a connector line...

[optimator]

I've got a question for everyone: When do you stake out your side pullouts? Before you stake the bottom of the tarp or before? I have always done it after but am thinking doing it before might work, too. But it might not work well with Slowhike's method with a connector line...

I've never staked mine. I've always tied mine off to brush, branches, etc. I like them to pull out, and sometimes slightly up.

[JayS]

I've never staked mine. I've always tied mine off to brush, branches, etc. I like them to pull out, and sometimes slightly up.

I, too, "stake" them out to found objects or use a stick or hiking pole to direct the guyline out rather than down. The question still stands. When do you tie off the pull outs, Optimator?

[rjcress]

Thanks all!

I appreciate your comments, they've helped tremendously. I'm totally sold on four pullouts...

4 sounds good to me also
Or you could go with 6 and use either the middle ones on each side, or the outer pair on each side, depending on conditions/preference. More options that way ( although I will only put 4 on mine)

[optimator]

I, too, "stake" them out to found objects or use a stick or hiking pole to direct the guyline out rather than down. The question still stands. When do you tie off the pull outs, Optimator?

Oh sorry, I missed that part of the question. I've always done it last, after I have the tarp hung and staked out. That doesn't mean it's right, but that's just how I've always done it.

[slowhike]

I always start by taking care of the basic tarp set... Ridge line & lower edges, getting those tensioned right first.
Then I add just the right amount of tension to the side pull outs & all is good

[Barefoot Child]

Using the grip clips option is a good one, because it allows you to adjust the height and spread distance if necessary to fit the situation. If you use the two into one set up as SlowHike suggests, you could always use one of your trekking poles as a tie point if'n a bush doesn't make it's self available at the time. Of course, you could do that any time I suppose, it also allows you to control some height and placement issues also. YMMV/HYOH