Modded Chinook Tarp

Modded my 12 x 9.6 Chinook Tarp for my WBBB Hammock. It kinda morphed from one idea into many and before I knew it it took me a week to complete it. I have a few pics of the build and a video walk around at the end. Here goes:

First thing I did to the tarp was sew webbing over the metal grommets at the center tie out points at the ridgeline. Added a key ring to attach zing-it with Prusic Knots to tie up the tarp to the ridgeline (above the tarp).
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...psd3093fc7.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps0f33f7d0.jpg

Zing-it continuous ridge line with a Dutch hook on one end and tarp flyz on the other end.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...psd3093fc7.jpg

As you most of you know the bottom metal grommets are not at all centered correctly so I ended up making my own tie out points with webbing sewed to reinforced material on the tarp (glued and sewn in place). It also at these points allowed me to create doors. On the right closed, left open.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps8f4e561f.jpg

The doors I decided to sew on velcro, works very good. I ended up tying them to the ground with a stake also so they dont blow around in the wind.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps41d3e4ee.jpg

The side pullouts were another creation (not my own). Measured and reinforced inside and out with heavy material glued and sewed in place with a plastic loop.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps3d362a0f.jpg

I had a bunch of quilt hooks from Dutch left over so I decided to use them for this since they are easy to install and remove. Basically you can see for yourself in the pic how its routed. Starts at one corner of tarp ridgeline, thru the side tarp tie out to the walking stick on a key ring, thru other side tarp tie out to the other end of the ridgeline. (sorry for same pic)
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps532e7dd5.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps41d3e4ee.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...psb98fb313.jpg

Then I have Jacks R Better self tensioning guylines at all points on my tarp and walking sticks to pull out the sides and keep it tight all night. Even made my own self tensioning rings out of a poly material, really strong and light weight.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps61324d5b.jpg

Basically what all this does on the sides is give me tons of room on the inside. Here is a shot of just the right side pulled out and left just staked out like normal.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps253176d5.jpg

Here is both sides pulled out. Gives it almost a cabin look LOL
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps95b50f3a.jpg

Heres my Hammock inside
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps8d8d7ae9.jpg

Look at the room :boggle:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...psffdc77f1.jpg

This is where I was at that made me want doors, very cold that weekend (20 miles over two days with the boy scouts). It did break the wind and kept me nice and toasty.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps285a2d9e.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...psc91c243a.jpg

32' when we got there, 23' that night. Boys slept in the cabin with the fireplace.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps75e82746.jpg

Me and my Hiking/Camping buddy Sam. Yea, he was a little cold too so we put on one of my sons jacket, he loved it :lol:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...psb2e6b64f.jpg

Here is the video I made of the tarp, hopefully its alright. Any questions just ask.
http://youtu.be/TFhXzVpp4Us

Terrific... Guess ill be modding my Chinook now..

What size is the one you have? Think this could be done with the 12x9?

Again it looks great.

Thanks for sharing.

Looks like a great job done... It should give you many years of service...

Nice work.

I did some of the same mods on my 12x14 Chinook (added webbing to all tieout points and added side pullouts with Grip Clips), but you kicked it up a notch.

Very nice.

I'm curious as to your reasoning for running your tie outs through the panel pulls to the ridgeline? What does this accomplish?

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Originally Posted by oldgringo

Very nice.

I'm curious as to your reasoning for running your tie outs through the panel pulls to the ridgeline? What does this accomplish?

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That's actually ingenious. With a normal "Y" guyline the force applied to the mid-panel tie-out is outward (perpendicular to the ridgeline) but also toward each other. There is the potential to cause slack in the fabric between the two tie-outs.

By running the line through the tie-out and up to the end of the ridgeline, the force is outward as before but also AWAY from each of the tie-outs. This should result in putting tension on the fabric between the tie-outs.

It would be interesting to setup the tarp with one side done conventionally and the other using this method to make a comparison.

Very nice, and I will have to try putting my lines through the panel pulls and then to the ridgeline. I noticed this past weekend how I had a sag between the panel pulls.

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Originally Posted by BajaHanger

I had a sag between the panel pulls.

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Ah-ha! Hard evidence is pouring in! ;)
Thank you BajaHanger!

Great work on your Chinook, I may look into putting on some pullouts also...

Great work! Very nice mods

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Originally Posted by MAD777

That's actually ingenious. With a normal "Y" guyline the force applied to the mid-panel tie-out is outward (perpendicular to the ridgeline) but also toward each other. There is the potential to cause slack in the fabric between the two tie-outs.

By running the line through the tie-out and up to the end of the ridgeline, the force is outward as before but also AWAY from each of the tie-outs. This should result in putting tension on the fabric between the tie-outs.

It would be interesting to setup the tarp with one side done conventionally and the other using this method to make a comparison.

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Exactly, that's why I did it that way. I had seen a video, sorry don't remember which one, but he did run them both ways and going to the Ridgeline was the best. Does make sense as it it pulls it up and away from each other. Thanks all for the kind words. It does work really well, reason for all the quilt hooks was because I didn't want to have to stuff all that string somewhere while taking down the tarp. Easy to install and remove and roll up for next time, especially when it's cold outside. My whole idea was simple, easy and fast with frozen fingers.

Nice work. I did some similar work on my Guide Gear 12x12 last year. It makes the tarp a whole lot more flexible in how it can be rigged.

Very Nice. How do you like the Jacks R Better self-tension system?

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Originally Posted by jordo_99

Very Nice. How do you like the Jacks R Better self-tension system?

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They are great, work really well and keeps things nice and tight all night long. Gives in to the wind too which is a plus so you don't rip or tear your tarp under the pressure. You can also make your own, buddy of mine bought slingshot replacement bands, same thing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hototo

Terrific... Guess ill be modding my Chinook now..

What size is the one you have? Think this could be done with the 12x9?

Again it looks great.

Thanks for sharing.

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It's the same size as yours 12 x 9.6

Very impressive! As an owner of an UN-modified Chinook, I'm very jealous! :D

Nice job, which Tarp do you have the Sil or the all purpose

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Originally Posted by OldNWay

Nice job, which Tarp do you have the Sil or the all purpose

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I suppose its the all purpose? :confused:

Didnt know they had different ones. This is the one I have.
http://www.fedtacticaldirect.com/Chi..._p_28505.html#

For your pull outs what glue did you use and did you seal the pull outs stitching and if so what did you use. Thank You

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Originally Posted by OldNWay

For your pull outs what glue did you use and did you seal the pull outs stitching and if so what did you use. Thank You

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It was an aviation type glue, don't have the name right now but it's more of a rubbery type glue. After I glued them on, sewed them up I ran the glue back over the threads to seal them. I checked after it dried and everything was sealed up. I'll get the name tonight if I can remember.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldNWay

For your pull outs what glue did you use and did you seal the pull outs stitching and if so what did you use. Thank You

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It's called Pliobond industrial contact cement.

How did you determine where to place the side pull outs? Did you measure certain distances from the corners and down from the ridgeline?