View Full Version : Cord Locks for tarp cords?
Slackdaddy
07-20-2009, 10:06
Anyone ever use cord locks for the tarp guys?
http://www.lanyardsupply.com/cord-lock.htm
I was thinking the double one, making a loop?
wondering if they will hold ?
Slack
Cannibal
07-20-2009, 10:17
Won't hold in any kind of serious weather, which of course is when you need them to hold the most.
headchange4u
07-20-2009, 10:17
I don't know how well cord lock would hold tension on tarp guy lines. Look at the Figure9's (http://www.niteize.com/productdetail.php?category_id=29&product_id=138) or the Line Loks (http://www.clamcleat.com/cleats/cleats.asp?menuid=7)
Ramblinrev
07-20-2009, 10:20
I tried them at one point but found their lack of adjustibilty to be very frustrating. Maybe it was just me. May be I had a bad style but I quickly went to the figure 9
TinaLouise
07-20-2009, 10:26
I wonder how much live tension is on those guy lines???
where's those math guys when you need them??!!!
Cordlocks would probably work ok until the wind starts blowing.
I'm using these (httphttp://www.questoutfitters.com/tent_...INE%20ADJUSTER://) and must say I really like them. On the ridgelines I use them with a mini biners and they're fast and easy. After tightening them, just finish with a hitch the same way you would for hammock strap rings.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_SJ0luNGm84U/SYfGYBgLwhI/AAAAAAAACEg/5hU64S3D2Xc/s512/102_2487.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_SJ0luNGm84U/SmSdlGRWILI/AAAAAAAADFs/OWwlreJK9qU/s576/103_0040.JPG
Slackdaddy
07-20-2009, 13:00
Speyguy, I am liking those adjusters, can they be used with existing setups?
or do you have to sewn them into the webbing loop?
Slack
Speyguy, I am liking those adjusters, can they be used with existing setups?
or do you have to sewn them into the webbing loop?
Slack
Yes, you can use them with existing set ups. I retrofitted one of my existing tarps with them by attaching them to the grosgrain loops with a prussic loop.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_SJ0luNGm84U/SmS-B2xAp9I/AAAAAAAADFw/N-wI8fETaDs/s512/104_3187.JPG
Slackdaddy
07-20-2009, 14:34
I'm In !
ordering now
Slack
although i wouldn't use it for a tarp, the top left cord lock works very well on a pair of shoes I have. It is a good link. I love little plactic things that go click in the night.
Speyguy, those things look cool, although i couldn't get you link to work. I assume there isn't any moving part on it and it is using the tension applied to keep it from slipping, is that correct. I think I need them too.
Slackdaddy
07-20-2009, 15:54
Dutch,
I cleaned up the link, works now.
http://www.questoutfitters.com/plastic.htm#Acetal%20Fasteners
Slack
Speyguy, those things look cool, although i couldn't get you link to work. I assume there isn't any moving part on it and it is using the tension applied to keep it from slipping, is that correct. I think I need them too.
Dutch...........correct, no moving parts. The line makes a 180 degree turn and gets wedged in a channel to keep it in place. Don't know what happened with the link but let's try again. It just links to the vendor I got them from, Quest outfitters (http://www.questoutfitters.com/tent_poles.htm#TENT%20GUY%20LINE%20ADJUSTER).
gargoyle
07-20-2009, 22:15
works now thanks
Perkolady
07-21-2009, 17:23
I'm using these (httphttp://www.questoutfitters.com/tent_...INE%20ADJUSTER://) and must say I really like them. On the ridgelines I use them with a mini biners and they're fast and easy. After tightening them, just finish with a hitch the same way you would for hammock strap rings.
speyguy, I use the the same adjusters on my ridgelines, but I've been tying off the other end of them to the tree ala Speer. I really like that idea of using the mini 'biners! That would be LOADS faster and easier!
:cool:
Thanks for posting about it! :)
Where do you get those 'biners?
speyguy, I use the the same adjusters on my ridgelines, but I've been tying off the other end of them to the tree ala Speer. I really like that idea of using the mini 'biners! That would be LOADS faster and easier!
:cool:
Thanks for posting about it! :)
Where do you get those 'biners?
I think JRB sells them for quilt suspension. I got mine from a local retailer here in Portland but I've been seeing them more and more at different stores all over. Check you local hardware store as well. Before I started using them I would just run my ridgeline around the tree, through a loop on one end and back to the lineloc. I got tired of re-threading the line back into the lineloc so I went to the mini biner.
Perkolady
07-23-2009, 11:16
speyguy,
I hunted down two mini biners this morning and went outside and added them onto my ridgeline cords. WOW !!! What a FAST and EASY way to get that tarp onto the trees!
This tarp I have up is 9x11 and I can really see how in bad weather- especially wind, increased setup speed will be a plus!!
Thanks so much again for posting about the system you're using! :thumbup:
HappyCamper
07-23-2009, 11:39
Perkolady,
Once you run your line around the tree and through the biners, how do you tie off. Speyguy is using that cool gizmo at other end. How are you doing it?
Perkolady
07-23-2009, 11:56
Perkolady,
Once you run your line around the tree and through the biners, how do you tie off. Speyguy is using that cool gizmo at other end. How are you doing it?
I have the linelocs on my ridge loops, almost the same way speyguy has them in his photo. I use a slip up against it as well, since I use line that's kind of thinner than what they work best on.
HappyCamper
07-23-2009, 12:02
OK, then I'm also in for the gizmos! Thanks Perk and Speyguy!
Ummm...Call me old fashioned, but what's wrong with just learning how to tie good knots?
You won't even need any fancy doodads, and pitching time is just as quick when you know what you're doing.
I use three knots to secure my tarp:
--Sheet Bend
--Trucker's Hitch
--Two slippery Half-Hitches
It's a rock solid setup, and can be easily manipulated to adjust tension.
I'd post pics, but I lost my camera's cable for uploading pics. You can see the knots and watch how to set the tarp up in this video...
http://www.cliff-jacobson.com/forgottenskillsdvd.shtml
Perkolady
07-23-2009, 19:04
Ummm...Call me old fashioned, but what's wrong with just learning how to tie good knots?
mowlawns, been there, done that. :)
I can't speak for anyone else, but a few of my own personal reasons are:
*Really thin cord, combined with cold weather and throw in a little bit of age. :( Getting harder to tie in cold weather for me.
*Humongous tarp. Speed is appreciated when wrestling a tarp in strong winds.
*Once the initial tarp sag hits, it sure is easy to readjust!
*Nice and easy to center my tarp over the hammock :cool:
*I'm short and it's a pain to try to tie knots with my arms way up in the air! :cursing:
I still use my tautline hitches for all of my guylines though. I actually enjoy making knots :)
HappyCamper
08-16-2009, 11:31
I got the line locks from Quest Outfitters. Only backyard tested them on my tarp ridgeline with the mini biners but I'm liking them so far. I'll be field testing them at Dolly Sods at the end of month. I don't think there will be any problems. They will be replacing Figure 9's. These linelocks are a quicker setup for me.
koaloha05
08-16-2009, 12:10
I don't know how well cord lock would hold tension on tarp guy lines. Look at the Figure9's (http://www.niteize.com/productdetail.php?category_id=29&product_id=138) or the Line Loks (http://www.clamcleat.com/cleats/cleats.asp?menuid=7)
Line locks are almost weightless, easy to use in cold and wet conditions. Use them on tarp guy and ridge lines. Have held up in winds with gusts breaking 30mph.
Just wanted to report that I got out last week for a 5 day hike in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Eastern OR. I took the 10 x 10 tarp with the Line Loc guy line adjusters that I posted photos on earlier in this thread. The winds were very strong and one of the Line Locs failed on the ridge line. The other one held strong but the mini biner on that end opened up but still held. It was an easy fix since there was still a grosgrain loop in place.
I will still use them because they are just so convenient. But I think the larger tarps with the larger sail might be pushing the strength limit on them. Just thought anyone interested in using them might like to know.
Happy trails,
Speyguy
HappyCamper
10-07-2009, 08:03
Thanks for info speyguy. I used my lineloks on my big tarp at Dolly Sods but weather was extremely mild (yeah, who'd a thunk it at DS). You've reminded me that I want to change out my cheapo tarp biners to s-biners. They'll hold a lot better than what I have on there right now.
Did the linelok break or just come loose? If loosened, I wonder if putting a half hitch would help them hold in harsh winds like when I put a half hitch on my BB as a backup on the triangles.
I did add some reinforcement material on my tarp right at the ridgeline loop. The lineloks make it so easy to use tarp, I find I'm putting it up more and taking it down more, seemed to me that I was stressing the material at the loop.
Cruiser161
10-07-2009, 08:34
Ummm...Call me old fashioned, but what's wrong with just learning how to tie good knots?
You won't even need any fancy doodads, and pitching time is just as quick when you know what you're doing.
+1 on this, but I use a taut-line hitch on all tarp guys (on the tarp side; fig 8 loop on the ends)--adjustable, doesn't slip when wet, no need for hardware. Works great. I use a little stouter line with my tarp, though, stuff that Brian shipped with it. I had tried the braided mason's line, but it's a mess when wet, IMO.
KerMegan
10-07-2009, 09:16
I had tried the braided mason's line, but it's a mess when wet, IMO.
I can verify that!
KM
Did the linelok break or just come loose?
It broke.....................
sclittlefield
10-07-2009, 10:26
I had tried the braided mason's line, but it's a mess when wet, IMO.
I can verify that!
KM
Ditto. I used the braided mason's line for a very brief stint... it's a mess when wet, it's a mess when dry. I'll gladly deal with the extra 1oz for some line that won't tangle!