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  1. #1
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    Tie outs on a McCat

    I just got a McCat deluxe to replace my stock HH for my birthday. I am going to attach the ridge line using the figure 9s. My question has to do with the tie outs.
    Should I use 4 tensioners, one on each tieout or should I just use something like a taunt line hitch. If I use the tensioners, should I also have the hitch in there too to adjust the line lenghth? Is there a differentl knot that I should use?
    I was planning on using the aluminum stakes that Brian sells for the tieouts. They are essentially large aluminum nails. How should the cord be attached to these. Thanks

  2. #2
    Senior Member tight-wad's Avatar
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    I just finished making tensioners for my tarp using surgical rubber tubing, following Just Jeff's instructions: http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGe...ensioner2.html

    The problem was finding the tubing. Finally found some at a medical supply place.

    If you use these, then no, you probably don't need a taut line hitch because you will pull it tight the first time.

    My knot? Loop it a couple of times around the stake, make a bight, make a slip knot, then 1/2 hitch that. quick and easy for me. May not hold in a storm, but if that's the case, I'll just put in another 1/2 hitch.

    Yeah, 1 on each tie out.

    I got my alum nails at Home Depot. Use an empty 1/2 liter throw away water bottle to carry them. Keep the cap! Put the pointed ends toward the cap, that way they won't punch a hole in the wrong place.

  3. #3
    slowhike's Avatar
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    you can also use a loop of shock cord as the tensioner.
    youngblood showed me that last year & it's worked fine for me ever since.
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  4. #4
    Senior Member Kanguru's Avatar
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    I got my tubing at Wally World. Replacement for slingshot. Enough for 4 tensioners about $2. Same as in Jeff's article.
    Gentle raindrops and mighty oceans...neither can exist without the other.
    Time heals all wounds...but it usually leaves a pretty big scar.

  5. #5
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    I use aluminum gutter nails with tensioners - I just wrap the line around the nail 10-20 times - no knot - because of the rough surface of the nails it holds just fine - if I need to tighten I just toss a few more turns on by looping the standing line over the head of the nail

  6. #6
    DGrav's Avatar
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    I use JRB tensioners on all 4 corners with small clam cleats. I throw the loop made by the clam cleats over my stakes and adjust using the cleat.

    My stakes are ultra light stakes from my old Exped tent.

    For the ridgeline I use a 10' length of AirCore with a Figure 9 on each end.

  7. #7
    Senior Member txulrich's Avatar
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    I use the figure 9's all the way around. When it's warm, I'll lift one side of my tarp up by tying it off to some trees. When it's cold, the figure 9's are way too easy to use. I don't have to take off the gloves to hang the tarp.
    Peace,
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  8. #8
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by slowhike View Post
    you can also use a loop of shock cord as the tensioner.
    youngblood showed me that last year & it's worked fine for me ever since.
    I just made some of these this past weekend and I really like them. I've been using the surgical tubing for a while, but these are a fraction of the weight and work just as good. Thanks for the directions HC4U!

    For the record, I HATE the double fisherman's knot.
    Last edited by Cannibal; 02-05-2008 at 09:24. Reason: forgot an "s"
    Trust nobody!

  9. #9
    2Questions's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by txulrich View Post
    I use the figure 9's all the way around. When it's warm, I'll lift one side of my tarp up by tying it off to some trees. When it's cold, the figure 9's are way too easy to use. I don't have to take off the gloves to hang the tarp.
    Amen. I have the same setup. Love those figure nines...especially with gloves on. Also use Gripclips as tie outs on my Maccat when I can for more room.
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  10. #10
    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
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    I recently discovered that most hardware stores carry latex tubing in the plumbing section, near the rolls of other tubing. I have seen it at both Home Depot and Ace Hardware.

    I used the latex tensioners for a long time, but now I am a big fan of the shock cord tensioners Cannibal linked to above. They are easy to make, work just as well if not better than the latex tensioners, and are a lot lighter. I made a set of 8 for the side tie outs on my Speer Winter Tarp using ~7' (that was the length I started with. They ended up being about 5' each when I tied all the knots and loops in the line) of Speer No Tangle guy line and 12" of 1/8" shock cord for each one and the set ended up weighing in at .9oz for all 8. Not bad I thought.
    Last edited by headchange4u; 02-05-2008 at 11:25. Reason: can't spell worth a siht
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