Tarp Porch Mode Poles

[bwg]

I bought Easton .344 nanolite aluminum poles to experiment with porch mode. Each pole is three sections held together by shock cord and capped at both ends with Delrin locking tie offs. Bought the poles and locking ends from this site (fast shipping, bought Monday and arrived Wednesday):

http://www.bearpawwd.com/poles_stakes/poles_stakes.html

The two poles are about 48” long and together weigh 4.5 oz. (about 2.25 oz per pole).

They seem to work very well for porch mode and light enough for bicycle touring.

I was concerned that a simple wrap of guy line would not hold well due to slickness of the aluminum, but since I have shock cord as a tensioner the shock cord wrapped around the pole acts to hold the tarp and pole in place, especially if two or three wraps are used. I found one wrap holds if wrapped around the Delrin end cap, and three wraps hold very well if wrapped lower on the aluminum itself.

For those not familiar with shock cord as tensioner, see the method detailed by headchange4u here (it is very easy to install and works well):

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=3731

Some pictures are attached showing the poles and wrapping. The first two pictures show the poles and tarp in porch mode. The third picture shows guy line wrapping around Delrin end cap, and the fourth shows wrapping around aluminum on pole.

[Snaggletooth]

How are those poles holding up? I just ordered some.

[WV]

Connecting arrow shafts is easy - kite builders do it all the time. Look for kite supplies to get ferrules and end inserts.

[bwg]

How are those poles holding up? I just ordered some.

They work well so far. However, I left my tarp out during strong winds one day and the tarp was being blown up and down. The result was that two of my poles were bent. One still works but I replaced the other.

[FLRider]

Can you use your bike?

You can:


The trick is to use a tautline hitch or other quick-adjustment knot/widget/other to allow the tarp to be snugged down when you take the bike out for a ride (don't have a photo of this method, but it works). Loosen the adjustment point and wrap around either the seat post or the handlebar stem to raise the tarp into porch mode, reverse to go down to storm mode or go somewhere on the bike.

Works for me, at least, and no extra stuff to carry (less important on a bike than hiking, but still worth trying for).

Hope it helps!

[Snaggletooth]

I got my lightweight porch poles at bearpawwilderness.com

Sticks are fine but depending on where you are, there may not be any around.

They are light strong and affordable .
3 thickness to choose from. Get whatever length you need. I got 2 poles with four sections each can be used for porch poles or shorter tent poles I think they weigh about 4oz total

I reamed out the holes in the male ends of mine a little for a tighter fit or you can put shock cord inside if you want them to stay connected.

Also I just used the poles in porch mode during a heavy storm with no problem.

[Snaggletooth]

Thanks BWG I really like the poles, I Made clips for he tips to hold tie outsImageUploadedByTapatalk1345481127.903032.jpg

[fly-chucker]

Thanks BWG I really like the poles, I Made clips for he tips to hold tie outsImageUploadedByTapatalk1345481127.903032.jpg

details on the clips you made, please

[L.D. Cakes]

The Pole Mod is my favorite way to go...In this pic I let the ends flop but all you have to do is tie them out with stakes and you have it! The pole is Carbon Fiber from Fibraplex but I think Paul at Arrowhead Equipment can get one for you faster for a few more bucks (twice it took almost 2 months from Fibraplex and I had to call them). Mine weighs 2.6 oz and folded up it's in 7 shock corded sections and is 6-1/2" long.



Click on the pic and you can see the rest of the pics on how I did it.

[docwells7]

I don't know who to credit with this find, but harbor freight has a wire pulling kit that has about 33 feet (10 sections) of fiberglass poles that screw together. It would require a little thought on the end attachment, but for less than $20 it's worth a go. I have found a ton of uses for the kit aside from tarp/hammock uses as well.

Harbor Freight