10x10 4mil Clear Tarp

**geneaut** · 12-05-2014, 11:07

Just a quick update. yesterday was the 2 month anniversary of deploying the tarp, and it is still going strong after 62 straight days of being hung up.

I did return from Disneyworld last week to what I thought was a failure with a corner tie-out as it was hanging free. However, I discovered the stake had pulled out of the ground. I restaked it and it's still going strong.

I can't discover any places in the plastic that look exceptionally worn, brittle, or damaged in any fashion.

In that date range of being hung in my backyard we've had temperatures ranging from 91F to 18F. The highest wind gust has been 32.2MPH over that time period.

**Terry_Dodson** · 12-05-2014, 11:47

Are you using a ridgeline under the tarp? Or are you tying directly to the trees from the ends? I thought i saw a ridgeline and was wondering if it looked like it had rubbed it much being out that long/

**geneaut** · 12-05-2014, 12:56

Originally Posted by Terry_Dodson

Are you using a ridgeline under the tarp? Or are you tying directly to the trees from the ends? I thought i saw a ridgeline and was wondering if it looked like it had rubbed it much being out that long/

I am running a ridgeline under the tarp. I haven't noticed any damage to either the tarp or the ridgeline. I will take a closer look.

**jeffjenn** · 12-06-2014, 01:08

Did you ever weigh it?

**geneaut** · 12-07-2014, 19:09

Originally Posted by jeffjenn

Did you ever weigh it?

I haven't taken it down yet.

**Flynguy521** · 12-16-2014, 18:57

Really neat idea! The washer and gorilla tape make a nice combo.

**Fancy Ramen** · 12-19-2014, 12:57

I know for a fact that this setup weighs a lot compared to other options. I would opt for 2 mil if I were you. The weight savings is beyond worth it.

**Terry_Dodson** · 12-19-2014, 13:57

Fancy Ramen, would the 2 mil tear or stretch easier in a heavy downpour?

**silent chad** · 12-19-2014, 14:01

2 mil would be right at a pound, so I'm guessing double it for 4 mil.
I've use the 9x12 2 mils many times just because of the view of the night sky, polycryo is even more transparent.... but I've only use them in low wind situations, spotty rain, light drizzle etc.
Main trouble I have with this kind of stuff is that it packs in small but never packs out that small!

**geneaut** · 12-19-2014, 14:21

Originally Posted by Fancy Ramen

I know for a fact that this setup weighs a lot compared to other options. I would opt for 2 mil if I were you. The weight savings is beyond worth it.

I will probably test some 2 mil as well in the future ... thanks for the heads up.

This tarp was never intended to replace my backpacking tarps as designed, so I didn't really worry about weight. My main goals were to see if the material was robust enough, and if my tie-outs stood up. If the first tarp passed that test I was going to construct a larger winter tarp with closing ends from the material, and I would only use it for car camping mostly.

Actually since then I've purchased a Noah Kelty 12 that I can close up for a winter tarp so I may find another use for the remaining plastic on the roll. This 10X10 tarp can be a spare for other activities.