Is the clove hitch really the best knot to use? Is there not a problem with the shock cord slipping?
Is the clove hitch really the best knot to use? Is there not a problem with the shock cord slipping?
I have made many, many of these tensioners and the clove hitch has never slipped.
“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett
The clove might not slip, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best knot. You might try the one the suggested in this post. Each has it's own advantages.
I replied quite some time ago about these tensioners. They do work well however I have found that tying the shock cord loop into the tie-out line is really an unnecessary complexity and actually is more tangle prone. If you are using good quality 1/8 inch dia. shock cord all you need to do is a tie a small loop of shock cord to each of your four tarp tie-outs. Then tie your tie-out lines directly to the shock cord loops. When pitching the tarp nice and tight it usually stretches the shock cord 70% to 90% of the way. I've been doing it this way all year now on the same shock cord loops and they are holding up just fine. Your tarp tie out lines are going to break or your tarp is going to tear before the shock cord is going to break in gale force winds.
I finally got around to trying this out... Put tensioners on my new Speer winter tarp. Did a few using both the methods listed at the beginning of the thread, we'll see which works out best over time.
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OOhhh nice that this thread poped up, This thread was just being talked about in another thread I started in trying to decide what rope to buy. Sir Nothing glad to hear that these directions worked out for ya, im going to be ordering the materials in the next coming weeks to make self tensioning guide lines. I want to do one set with bunge cord and another pair with the surgical tubeing. Sir Nothing what line did you use to make your tensioners?
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Shock cord is like .10 a foot at REI - I was planning on just using it alone for my tie-outs. Anyon ehave trouble with that in the past? I figure paracoed for the ridgeline and shockcord for the tie outs?
This last hang really showed me how helpful having something adding some tension to the tarp edge is. Going to make some tensioners myself soon. Great thread.
Alternative Method for those who use Zing-it/Lash-it
Just made my own tensioners using HC4U's method... They are sweet and I have blisters! YES!!!
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