Needed:tips for pitching winter tarp

[Tendertoe]

Is it possible to close the doors first ,say 90% of the way and then stake the corners out??
.

bill

This is the nearest I've ever been to closed doors with an OES 4 season tarp - maybe a three or four inches opened at the top of the doors. The geometry is such though that this compromises the internal space in the tarp (tighter A-frame needed).

[Borday]

The steeper the pitch the better the doors will close.
And, theres always a clothespin or two if you want it really tight.

[MDSH]

If you got the standard OES 4 season tarp, then the ends have a cat cut on them so the "doors" won't completely seal closed. This is shown in the picture gallery on the product page.

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier....ason_tarps.php

Cheers

Brian

They'll close if you lap them enough. But then you've got quite an A-frame for a tarp, right?

[L.D. Cakes]

They'll close if you lap them enough. But then you've got quite an A-frame for a tarp, right?

Right. And it makes the walls closer to your hammock too. I'm thinking a pole mod would help that a lot or panel pulls but I'm a pole mod fan.

[Acer]

You will enjoy the cracked space the doors leave when closed as your silnylon tarp will sometimes have condensation on the inside so heavily,,that if you touch it you will get very wet. Most of the time,,it will condense just from your breathing throughout the nite. Doesn't happen on cuben.

[nothermark]

Ha, it came with shock cord on the door rings...
I wonder why they cat cut the doors, if the point of having doors is to shut them? Oh well, the tarp is great and I managed to get them to lap over pretty well, now that I realize they will never really line right up with the cat cut. I don't guess I did as bad as I thought!
As always, I appreciate the help from everyone and I can't wait for the field test!

I think they cat cut the doors so it is a big catenary cut tarp when open all the way. The cut pattern reduces edge ripple in the wind so it is quieter. A big flat tarp will fold the door better but is harder to keep from flapping in the breeze. That is the tradeoff.

[L.D. Cakes]

Most of the time,,it will condense just from your breathing throughout the nite. Doesn't happen on cuben.

Sorry for the derailment but why doesn't it do that with cuben?

[Boomer]

Michelle, another way to close the ends would be to get Grizz Beaks: http://www.2qzqhammockhanger.com/tarpaccessories.html

Sorry for the derailment but why doesn't it do that with cuben?

Yea, it seems like it would. Cuben is basically a mylar balloon material with dynema strands, right?

[Peartree]

If you want the tarp side edges right on the ground for max protection, first hang the tarp loosely with the sides easily touching the ground. Knowing the length of the doors, reducing same for desired door overlap, you can determine how far apart the corners should be staked from imaginary centerline on the ground - if door length is 5' stake the corner around 4' to 4.5' out. After staking corners tighten the ridgeline or readjust the tarp tree tie-offs up till sides are taut. The tarp geometry determines peak tarp height. Gotta fit your hammock under there. I like my hammock set up first and use that as a guide for setting initial tarp height.

Alternatively, do one side as described, preferrably against the wind, then use the other side flexibly for porch mode or batton down the hatches depending on conditions.

In porch mode, always consider the slope of the tarp to avoid rain collections. You'll get those at exactly the worst time, a downpour.

[BillyBob58]

You will enjoy the cracked space the doors leave when closed as your silnylon tarp will sometimes have condensation on the inside so heavily,,that if you touch it you will get very wet. Most of the time,,it will condense just from your breathing throughout the nite. Doesn't happen on cuben.

Yep, I was thinking bout the condensation also.

Doesn't happen with cuben? Wonder why?