Gear Guide Tarp Mod

**gunner76** · 03-27-2013, 08:23

I have a 11x11 Gear Guide Tarp that I bought some years back. Large tarp and lots of coverage. Lots of tie outs. But due to its weight (about 2 lbs) I only take it when I car camp.

My only other complaint about the tarp is that it is only designed to hung in a diamond shape. While there is nothing wrong with the diamond shape I wanted options. So I decided to change it. Figured as I only paid $20 for it that if I screw it up the worst that will happen is that I had a learning experience ( wasted some time ) and gain some material for other projects.

Mission.. add 4 tie outs so I can hang it as a rectangle tarp. I cut some reinforcement triangles out of some scrap camo material. Figured since I did not have any material close to the Gear Guide tarp color I might as well go crazy and have fun. I also used red thread to make it easier to see where I was sewing. I then added Grosgrain for the tie outs.

While the sewing is not the neatest in the world, the project was a success. When the tarp is hung in a diamond shape the seams are not in a position to require seam sealing as they very low to the ground. When the tarp is hung as a rectangle there are now 3 seams that need to be sealed.

When hung in the rectangular mode one ends up with a 10.5+ ft ridge line and side walls of 4.5+ ft.

Still heavy but now I have another option for hanging this tarp.

**dragon360** · 03-28-2013, 08:24

This is one of the mods I still have to make myself. Have this bad boy and its been on my list to do for some time. Nice work!

**gunner76** · 03-28-2013, 19:50

Thanks...took about an hour to do. If I was a better sewer it might have taken less time.

**Catavarie** · 03-28-2013, 19:55

I did this to mine back when I got it. Being able to hang it as a rectangle makes for one really large winter ready tarp. Back when I got it I used it for backpacking, was certainly a back easier when I switched to a Sil hex tarp from this thing.