Do you fold, roll or stuff away your tarp

**TiredFeet** · 05-02-2009, 11:47

Originally Posted by Spyderman

..............
Here's a thought on stuffing possibly causing more damage:
A fold usually folds more than one layer of fabric at the same line.
Stuffing: all mini-folds within the stuffed fabric are single layers of fabric which could crease easier
............

For this reason, I think that stuffing will put sharper creases in the fabric than folding or rolling will. When folding, after about 2 or 3 folds, the fabric isn't really creased at all. It's really wrapped around itself.

I have stuffed and noticed that after storing for a month or longer, the creases don't come out when a tarp is hung tight. If stored longer, the creases are even harder to get out when hanging. This leads me to believe that the tarp will crease on the previous creases again when stuffed.

So if the creases actually weaken the fabric, stuffing may be weakening the fabric more than folding/rolling.

**Spyderman** · 05-02-2009, 11:51

Good point about storing.
Maybe stuffing should only be done on the trial between sites.

**Grinder** · 05-02-2009, 12:56

they call them "stuff sacks" for a reason.

<G>

**east_stingray** · 05-02-2009, 13:19

Originally Posted by Grinder

they call them "stuff sacks" for a reason.

<G>

Following your reasoning, I'm going to start calling mine a "roll sack". After all, it doesn't actually SAY "stuff sack" on it anywhere. Stupid nebulous "they". Always ruining my fun

.

**HappyCamper** · 05-02-2009, 16:12

I stuff my tarp into snake skins.

**canoebie** · 05-02-2009, 18:40

I just made those reptilian thingies that encase my tarps with netting and pockets for the ridge lines. I then stuff them. I am real pleased with the set up. Makes for quick up and down, and while they are potentially a bit awkward, I don't like to take the time to fold and coil lines, etc. etc. I have also made stuff sacks for the hammocks as well. I have been sewing (thread injecting) like a mad man. Now, I am off to serge some stuff for an underquilt, TTFN.

**adkpiper** · 05-02-2009, 20:15

Has anyone here ever worn out a tarp by either folding or stuffing?

**east_stingray** · 05-02-2009, 21:09

Originally Posted by adkpiper

Has anyone here ever worn out a tarp by either folding or stuffing?

I had a TNF tent fly delaminate on me once after about 20 nights out. I was stuffing it.

**Raven-US** · 05-03-2009, 12:27

A month ago, I would have said "stuff it." Today, I might hesitate; here's why...

Hiking along the AT just north of Beauty Spot at the end of March, my buddy and I were forced by rain and cold high winds to bail to the leeward side of the ridge to bivouac. No sweat for tree hangers... we ended up double stacking our hammocks on the side of a really steep ridge (60*+ angle, I kid you not). We used my tarp on top and his along one side as a wind/rain break. That night went well. Next morning, as I finished stuffing my tarp into my DIY FedEx Tyvek envelope stuff sack, I experienced a momentary lapse of judgment and set the nice, round package down... I swear it left a little trail of fire as it shot off down the hill!

I took off after it yelling "WILSON!" and chased that dang thing about a quarter mile to the bottom of the gap... in my crocs... then had to climb back up... in my crocs... with legs still aching from the previous days' hiking. (OK, I'm just whining now.) Where was I? Oh, yeah, a folded tarp can't move that fast down hill, that's all I'm sayin'.

(In truth, I still stuff my tarp, but I've painted a red hand print on my stuff sack.)