Praise ad a question abt tarps for BIAS users.

[kikoraa]

First off I want to reiterate on every post in this forum. BIAS is a great group. I spoke to Brian and he was extremely patient and helpful with this first time hammock user! Great customer service after I wanted to change my order. Highly recommended.

2nd
Trying to get an idea on tarps for these 11ft BIAS hammocks. I live in GA and it rarely gets below 20* in the winter. Now with spring and summer coming, i don't see the need for doors but would like to get add ons at a later time.

After searching around I see the favorites are the WL tadpole and the superfly by WB. I see WB had doorless tarps with aftermarket door kits. I read about grizbeaks too but haven't look into it more. I'm not a good DIYer so I'm happy to support a small business.

What size/kind of tarps are you using for your bias hammock. Pics/recommendations all welcome.

Oh - I'm not a big hiker but will be using this setup for cycle touring/ bike packing.

Thanks!

[dragon360]

You're lucky with lots of choices available to you. Anything with a 11 foot ridgeline should be more than good for you - 12 ft if you need some extra coverage. Remember that your 11 ft hammock actually hangs at about 108" (your hammock ridgeline) so all you need is to really cover that.

[2ply]

I use a ridgeline of 118" with my BIAS so I tend to use a longer tarp. My 8 X 10 will work for good weather when I don't need a lot of end coverage. Most of the time I will use the Kelty Noah's 12 tarp for better weather protection but the extra weight is a penalty when backpacking. I'm saving up for an Ox Gear Oxbarn which is similar to the Superfly and crafted here in Ga by forum member Orion X. Check them out at oxgearoutfitters.com

[Sweeper]

I prefer a 12' ridgeline, I'll be using a 12' HG Cuben on my upcoming Trail Days hike with my WW 1.1 Dbl. I've gotten wet with some lesser length tarps, primarily due to the fact that I didn't take the time to set it up efficiently before I crawled into the hammock. :blush: Well, that and the fact that it rained 5 inches that night didn't help. :lol::lol:

Sweeper

[Bubba]

IMO choosing to not have doors would be mostly for weight savings. If weight is not an issue then I don't see a down side to having them. They can always be secured back and out of the way until needed. Besides weather protection, if you are at a public camp ground they are also good to have to ensure privacy.

[SilvrSurfr]

There are some people who don't use a ridgeline, claiming they don't need it to get a good diagonal lay. However, a ridgeline serves a second purpose with 11 ft. hammocks in insuring that you don't have to buy a longer, and therefore heavier tarp just to cover it.

I keep my Weight Weenie Micro ridgeline at 108 inches. My HG CF Winter Palace has a 130 inch ridgeline (10' 10"), so that gives me 11 inches on each end of coverage. The continuous loops at each end of the hammock extend about five inches, so that leaves me with six inches of coverage at each end.

I'm using whoopie hooks on my whoopie slings so they act as a drip string and keep me and my hammock from getting wet. The Winter Palace has doors, so I've never gotten wet.

[Mr.Tattoo]

Here is my WWM with my WL Tadpole I also have a Grizz Beak if I need to close off one end all works great together..

[dakotaross]

Plug for the AHE Toxaway on your other thread.

[Big_Stretch]

+1 on the guys at BIAS!!!! I have the BIAS Camper Hammock and a Hennessy Hex that I got from JRB. When I need a door on one side, I use my oversized rain poncho to make a Grizz Beak. Works pretty well. The only thing I don't like about the Hex tarp is that it is made in China, but overall a pretty decent tarp for the price. It covers "Big Red" pretty well.

[kikoraa]

Awesome responses! I forgot who but their logic was sound and has convinced me to go with doors. I'm think the superfly may be the budget friendly bet.

I do have a question about the warbonnet superfly to those who have one, why extra items will I need to purchas? Does it already come with a ridgeline at least?

[dragon360]

You will need to purchase your stakes, tie outs and tarp ridgeline still.

[Brute1100]

I run a Superfly over my WWM all the time in south Texas... Yes it is more tarp than I need some of the time, but it better to have and not need, than need and not have... But to each his own... I don't think you could go wrong with either the Superfly or the tadpole...

[kikoraa]

I'm not understanding the ridge line for the tarp. I have a ridgeline for the hammock but would I have lines on either top end of the tarp attached to the trees snugly so it wouldn't need a line supporting the tarp?

[Brute1100]

I'm not understanding the ridge line for the tarp. I have a ridgeline for the hammock but would I have lines on either top end of the tarp attached to the trees snugly so it wouldn't need a line supporting the tarp?

There are different ways to tie out... The way I think your talking about (2 seperate lines attached to the ends of the tarp and wrapping around the tree) is one that works for a lot of people... I choose the continuous ridgeline method with my ridgeline running OVER the tarp... But their isn't a whole lot of difference in the end, a tight pitch can be had in either configuration... And setup time is about the same once you are practiced...

[Bubba]

I'm not understanding the ridge line for the tarp. I have a ridgeline for the hammock but would I have lines on either top end of the tarp attached to the trees snugly so it wouldn't need a line supporting the tarp?

There are three ways to set up a tarp that are used by people here. You can have the ends tied to the trees, a below the tarp continuous ridgeline and an above the tarp continuous ridgeline. Lots of discussion about the pros and cons of these methods if you want to look into it.

[Ballantine]

I use an 11 ft. ridgeline WL Big Daddy tarp on my BIAS Camper DL and I think the coverage is just right for me. About a foot from each edge of the hammock using the stock BIAS 9 ft. ridgeline.

[jbrianb]

You're lucky with lots of choices available to you. Anything with a 11 foot ridgeline should be more than good for you - 12 ft if you need some extra coverage. Remember that your 11 ft hammock actually hangs at about 108" (your hammock ridgeline) so all you need is to really cover that.

This is exactly right.

One more thing to consider... In summer I often use a 114" x 114" tarp turned on on the diagonal. While this is not ideal in cold conditions, it's awesome to get air flow in summer and it has kept me dry in some pretty torrential conditions.

The formula for diagonal tarp coverage is length squared + width squared and then take the square root of that. In the case of my 9.5 foot tarp, that's 90.25+90.25=180.5. The square root of 180.5 is 13 feet, 5 inches... plenty of coverage for a 9 foot RL.

[jbrianb]

Backwoods Daydreamer has some good, inexpensive stakes that I like and use:
http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/products-page/metal-hardware/

Also, your local Walmart or Academy Sports store may carry these, which are also very good and very cheap.
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_26407_-1__?N=882470663&Ntt=tent+stakes&Ntk=All

This type works most of the time for the kind of ground we have in this part of the country (mostly soft dirt/mud with occasional clay and some rocks in the soil).

Here's a good thread on rigging a tarp. My method matches the prusik method described most closely, but I use Nite Ize 9s instead of the knot.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16650

[Rolloff]

I love AHE's Toxaway Tarp. Fits my WW like it was made for it. :shades:

[kikoraa]

So also received a suspension kit from bias this past week. Whoopie slings, webbing, and toggles. Everything is perfect. Can't say enough good things about Brian and Shane. Thanks again guys!
Do to my budget I went with a Hennessy hex fly for $72 I should have t Wednesday and will get picks of it setup with the camper Xl. Shouldn't have any problems being 12x10

Thanks everyone!

[jbrianb]

So also received a suspension kit from bias this past week. Whoopie slings, webbing, and toggles. Everything is perfect. Can't say enough good things about Brian and Shane. Thanks again guys!
Do to my budget I went with a Hennessy hex fly for $72 I should have t Wednesday and will get picks of it setup with the camper Xl. Shouldn't have any problems being 12x10

Thanks everyone!

Sounds like a good tarp/cost/size. Please report back on how it works for you when you've done a few nights in it.

Thanks!

[kikoraa]

Will do. I read good reviews on vendor sites but iffy reviews here. I figure it will be good for the summer at least then I can invest in a better tarp with doors for the winter. It stays high 90's in GA and is humid as all hell. I don't need doors now haha.

[Cermichael]

The superfly does not come with any cordage or stakes.