Tie-outs With Shock Cord

[Beernuts]

I'd like to put shock cords and tie-out cord on my SF to keep the tarp pitched tight during windy and stormy days. Is there a way to do this as one piece of tie-out with the shock cord attached? Is any special hardware required? I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm new at this and appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks in advance.

[Craigthor]

Like this?

[kbajg]

I'd like to put shock cords and tie-out cord on my SF to keep the tarp pitched tight during windy and stormy days. Is there a way to do this as one piece of tie-out with the shock cord attached? Is any special hardware required? I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm new at this and appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks in advance.

I bought some of the cheap repair shock cord rolls at wally world. Cut some 2ft strips or so & tie it directly on the tarp corners straight out to the stakes. Works great in this florida wind. Be careful of the sling shot effect if one of your stakes pulls free in the wind. I've never had it happen but have read stories about it here on HF. Also use it for the side pull outs as well. Works really well for the nylon tarps that stretch with rain & morning dew. Shock cords keep them nice & secure/tight.

[Klaussinator]

I'm sure you'll get varied responses on this subject from the hangers here, including from those who don't use any shock cord.

I like to have more than just a solid tie-out line because it allows a little bit of "give" in stormy weather so an already-tight tarp won't rip apart, or in case I trip over the tie-out lines in the middle of the night. Instead of shock cord, I use latex tubing (like slingshot bands) which can be purchased by the foot at most hardware or hobby stores. The advantage is that you can run the line thru the tubing instead of having a seperate loop of shock cord. I tie a knot in the line and pull the tubing about 1/2" up past it. Then use something small like paracord gut line to tie around the tubing right above the knot. Then just roll the end of the tubing down over the knot and you have a nice secure finished end. Stretch the tubing down the tie-out line to see where the other knot needs to go, and repeat the end. Hope all that makes sense... This method has worked very well for me.

-Klauss

[flatline]

i do like kbajg, shock cord is my guy line, no cordage.

[Deadphans]

I do the same thing as Craigthor, only reversed where my shock cord is at the tarp grosgrain attached to zing it by way of a double fishermens bend to make the shock cord a loop, then larks heading that to the zing it.

Works like a charm!