Tarp over or under ridgeline

**Caveman** · 08-27-2012, 08:01

I'm just wondering what most of you are doing? I've tried it both ways and I liked it over the ridgeline, but I noticed as I swayed in the hammock that there was a bit of a rub on the tarp. I'm not sure if this would be a problem in the long run. I was just curious about pros and cons of running it either way.

**2ply** · 08-27-2012, 09:23

I switched my lines this Summer from just the ends tied off to a full line underneath with prusik knots to slide the tarp and center it over the hammock. So far I'm liking it and have not had a problem with rain dripping off the line under the tarp. This also lets me hang the bug netting without a ridge line on the hammock.

**swankfly** · 08-27-2012, 09:42

I am a noob, I have mine CRL above the hammock, only because I read it somewhere on here that was the way someone else did it. I think I also do not have to worry about drips coming down the CRL being below it?

It's a 30' dynaglide CRL with knotbone, figure nine and prussics, fully adjustable.

**louisfb** · 08-27-2012, 10:02

I hang mine under. Just seems to work better for me.

--louis

**walterharold** · 08-27-2012, 10:28

I have an Edge tarp and have it tied to a continuous ridge line with a couple of prussik loops.

I hang the tarp over the ridgeline about 18 inched above the hammock straps. . .if it starts to look like serious rain I can pull it under the ridgeline and that drops the hanging height about 8-10" for tighter coverage.

So I am hanging it above with the option to pull it under. For some reason it seems easier to get it over the hammock properly when its over the ridge line.

**swankfly** · 08-27-2012, 12:21

Originally Posted by walterharold

I have an Edge tarp and have it tied to a continuous ridge line with a couple of prussik loops.

I hang the tarp over the ridgeline about 18 inched above the hammock straps. . .if it starts to look like serious rain I can pull it under the ridgeline and that drops the hanging height about 8-10" for tighter coverage.

So I am hanging it above with the option to pull it under. For some reason it seems easier to get it over the hammock properly when its over the ridge line.

That's pretty slick! I may have to experiment with that idea. I am assuming you can get the 8-10" drop without every re-tieing the CRL?

**Bubba** · 08-27-2012, 12:34

This is a frequently discussed subject. I do option three: I just tie off each end of the tarp to the trees. The ends have prusiks so adjustment is just as easy as a CRL. I used to do a CRL over the tarp but have since not seen a need for it for me.

**crimsonshadow** · 08-27-2012, 13:41

I run mine under. Never had a problem

**timabababaluka** · 08-27-2012, 18:10

Started with line tied to the tarp ends and prussics, but thought a CRL above the tarp looked sexier. However, because I use paracord for the ridgeline I found stretch to be an issue. Moved the CRL beneath the tarp--less stretch, but as noted by OP, the tarp tended to rub a bit. Moved back to the line-tied-to-tarp-ends method.

If I ever use dynaglide I might give the CRL-above-the-tarp another go. It's a tyvek tarp, though--you love it for what it is rather than try to over-adorn it. Dynaglide with tyvek is like putting a walrus in a slinky red evening dress... it's still a gigantic sea mammal with a mustache, but now it just looks silly

**Michelle the Camper** · 08-28-2012, 05:50

The one time I set up both hammock and tarp, I did it w/o a ridgeline, just for a few minutes to test it out and tied the tarp to both trees with a taut line hitch. It took practically no time and worked fine. I want to try to get the ridgeline tied and fine tuned, but I, too, am wondering where is the optimal place for the tarp.