Silicone Tarp Tensioners

[rbinhood]

I'm about to make up some automatic tarp tensioners and was appalled by the price of latex surgical tubing. The local hardware store wants $3.29 a foot for the stuff. So, I went on ebay and found silicone tubing that will stretch to 2.5 times its length. It is impervious to just about everything and has a working temp range of -80 F- to over 200 F.

Wondering if anyone has ever used this stuff for making tarp tensioners? I got 30' of it for $17.00, with free shipping. Seems like it might be superior to latex, which breaks down over time and with exposure to sunlight and ozone.

[arbot]

That sounds really interesting.

I look forward to the updates.

[The Rambler]

bicycle inner tube, even cheaper

[aboyd]

I used the exercise bands I picked up at WalMart, the tube kind. 3 different color tubes with enough tubing to make 4 or five sets of tarp tie outs easy...like $10 I think.

[Boothill]

from my experience this stuff doesn't stretch as much as they say and once it has it doesn't have the "bounce back" that latex tubing does

hopefully that's not the case with the stuff you got though, i'm sure there are different kinds out there, hope it works for you

i would test it though by measuring a piece, giving it a good stretch and re-measuring to see if goes back into shape

boot

[Shug]

These are easy and I have been using them for a couple of years....all year round.......http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=3731
Shug

[Tacky Hiker]

These are easy and I have been using them for a couple of years....all year round.......http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=3731
Shug

Very nice, Shug. I know what I am doing now !!!

[MAD777]

Very nice, Shug. I know what I am doing now !!!

That's the method I've been using for years and it's always served me well.
It's simple and cheap to boot!

[arbot]

These are easy and I have been using them for a couple of years....all year round.......http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=3731
Shug

I had seen that thread before, but forgot about it. Good info in there.

[TiredFeet]

The silicone tubing in my experience is the best to use for the tarp tensioners. Way better than latex.