Double ridgeline tarp, has it been done?

**USMCStang** · 01-15-2012, 23:53

So, I'm tossing around ideas for some DIY gear, and since my wife and daughter may be getting out for the first time this year, I'm thinking of perhaps a double ridgeline tarp. Has this been done before, at least without tent poles?

What I'm thinking is that it's basically an extra large tarp, with one side cut about twice as wide as the other. This would be strung with a standard ridgeline. Then, what I am envisioning is basically a giant "porch mode" setup with hiking poles, forming a second ridgeline. Then just a smaller tarp panel leading to the ground from this line.

Basically, something like the attached picture

The "porch roof would be slightly slanted downwards from the "upper" ridgeline, and go about 9 feet to the hiking poles, and then another 3-4 feet or so for the lower panel.

I realize that to get three hammocks side by side, you'd need the perfect trees, and I already know it will be a heavy sucker, but, I also know it will get use, if even it was only used at a group hang for a shelter.

Am I crazy, or is it just too late at night?

**mozzie** · 01-16-2012, 02:02

i love it.
there is always a but.
thats alot of cuben
ad doors
second mortgage

**Bannerstone** · 01-16-2012, 04:50

Or just carry 2 tarps and porch mode them to each other's ridgelines. Suspending 3 hammocks adjacently would the real trick.

I've also been noodling a DIY attachable skirt for a porch mode which is part of what you're suggesting. Get out that Tyvek and go for it.

David

**Acer** · 01-16-2012, 05:46

I overlapped OMW and OES 10' x 12' in Oct. in the mountains, during a heavy blow (wind) for the wife and me, and worked great, one end the doors were closed, other end one door was open kinda, for two, and could have sqeezed 3 in if we had to. But that was with 2 tarps and they were overlapped at the top. Very roomy. You would have to create a really big tarp for what you want to do, then have the perfect trees for setup all the time.

**laser** · 01-16-2012, 21:07

You might do a search on the honeymoon suite by smokehouse. He has a video of it and it sounds kinda what your asking I think. Btw I have it and it is very roomy.

**USMCStang** · 01-16-2012, 22:38

Originally Posted by laser

You might do a search on the honeymoon suite by smokehouse. He has a video of it and it sounds kinda what your asking I think. Btw I have it and it is very roomy.

Yep...very similar...but wide enough for three hammocks. More like a super porch mode with an extra long awning.

I don't even want to imagine the weight/ bulk of this thing. Maybe I'll dive in an attempt a DIY...I'm initially thinking 16X12

**wwk10** · 01-17-2012, 09:12

My tarps are pretty big (Chinook 9.5x12 and GuideGear 12x12).
Without any mods or any forethought, I have hung them both over a V shaped ridgeline. One tree on one end and two on the other. This gives room for two hammocks.

**Tendertoe** · 01-17-2012, 11:08

Something like this from turk

but on a much larger scale.

You're left door would be "traditional" somewhat triangular.

Your right door would be trapezoidal.

I'd love to see you whip up a small-scale version of this to see if it would work in large-scale.

**Jumpin Joe** · 01-17-2012, 11:51

Cool idea let me know how it works out.

**USMCStang** · 01-17-2012, 13:21

Tendertoe, the one you posted is pretty much what I'm thinking. That middle panel would be about 9 feet. This lets me connect the ridgeline to one set of trees, and use my hiking poles to pitch the other ridgeline. I presume I'll want a few pullouts on the big span, as it will be tough to get a tight pitch.

I'll toss around some ideas this weekend with some of the folks at the Ohio hang.