Let's Talk Tarp Stakes

**zukiguy** · 10-06-2011, 20:05

I was kind of amazed how many different stakes I had in the gear pile when I started looking around the other day. From various used tents I've rescued over the years and ones I've purchased I've got the following: steel v-stakes, plastic T-stakes, aluminum shepherds hooks, gutter nails (2 lengths), Groundhog knockoffs (2 lengths).

The aluminum shepherds hooks turn to modern art if I try and use them in hard ground but they pull out easily in the sandy FL soil (kind of junk, but cheap and light). I was surprised how well the plastic t-stakes hold but they're kind of heavy and bulky.

I think the real groundhogs would be great but I'm a cheapskate. I have a set of basically the same ones I got off e-bay for around $1/ea but they were only 7" and in bright blue. The color stands out great in the leaf litter but I wanted a little more strength for high winds.

I found the Coghlans 9" version at the local SA for $4/6pack. I added some reflective cord to replace the junk that came with them. I think these will be just the ticket but the kind of reddish brown color will likely disappear if I drop them in some forest duff.

Long story short...+1 on the groundhogs (or cheap knockoff). In order of importance for me high/low: price, holding power, ground penetration, weight, durability.....

**Carolina Razorback** · 10-06-2011, 20:10

Originally Posted by Fronkey

There was a thread on it here with some good info.

I just got the Vargo Titanium stakes and really like them. I did have to paint the tops blaze orange so I wouldn't loose them.

Fronkey

How hard is it to bend these Vargo's? I haven't held any of these and was curious. I also like the groundhog stakes as well.

**Redoleary** · 10-06-2011, 20:20

Al. Shepherds hooks for me. I've got some Y stakes of some description (came with some go-lite items) but I never seem to use them, I always go back to the shepherds hooks.

**Fronkey** · 10-06-2011, 20:23

Originally Posted by Carolina Razorback

How hard is it to bend these Vargo's? I haven't held any of these and was curious. I also like the groundhog stakes as well.

I haven't tried to bend them, however they do flex. So, if you were to hit a rock or root while putting them in the ground, they would flex a bit which helps prevent it from bending permanently.

Fronkey

**JohnSawyer** · 10-06-2011, 20:40

nobody's voting for Diygearsupply's aluminum stakes? Cheaper than groundhogs...

$1.09 ea...

**Catavarie** · 10-06-2011, 20:50

I'm a big fan of the Aluminum gutter spikes, at less than $1 a piece they are great value, light weight, good penetration ability, and fairly durable. If I have trouble getting them into the ground its usually becuase I've hit something, so I just move over a couple of inches and no problem.

**enoorange** · 10-06-2011, 21:41

I picked up the MSR Needle stakes a few years ago and have stuck with them.
.35 ounce (9.9 grams).

They can take a ton of beating.

**captaincoupal** · 10-06-2011, 21:57

Originally Posted by JohnSawyer

nobody's voting for Diygearsupply's aluminum stakes? Cheaper than groundhogs...

$1.09 ea...

They sell these at Gander Mountain - I got a 6 pack of these.

**Wags** · 10-06-2011, 22:03

surprised nobody mentioned lawson's stakes. they are the best that i've used.

http://lawsonequipment.com/All-Produ...akes-p883.html

**olzeke** · 10-06-2011, 22:12

I have 14 Ground Hogs, and 12 Vargo Ti hooks. I have given away every other stake I used to own. Mostly, I carry the ti stakes, but when I know I am headed above tree line, I carry the ground hogs. They are better in tough ground, and I also find them easier to bury under big rocks if there is no dirt available.

The reason I own so many is because of the many different tents I used to have. Once upon a time, I decided I wanted enough to put up at least 2 tents at the same time. Now, I could just own 10 stakes and be just fine.