Tarp tension... Help

**daleios** · 08-07-2015, 16:01

Hi All,

This will be my first post on this forum and I'm a real Newby to swinging in the trees so please be gentle.

Like I said I'm fairly new to tarps and hammocks however I think iv seen probably 90% of the hammock and tarp rigging videos on YouTube.

I have a problem getting the right tension on my tarp system...

Iv tried the Ridge line above iv tried the Ridge line below but still I seem to get alot of sag in the center the of the tarp. Having the Ridge line below does seem to help a little however I would like to get it perfect.

Is there perhaps a specific order to tension each corner of the tarp? I have it in a diamond setup so would the corners attached to the Ridge line be better tightened first? The outer corners or does it not matter?

Any advice would be great

Thanks

**ksbcrocks** · 08-07-2015, 16:25

What is your tarp made of? Most fabrics stretch on the bias, so a perfect pitch can sometime still include sag.

**gunner76** · 08-07-2015, 16:52

The only tarps I do not get any sag in are my Cuben tarps. I attach my tarps to my tarp ridge line with prussiks and when I notice some sag, I tighten it up.

**VictoriaGuy** · 08-07-2015, 16:55

What sort of line are you using for your ridgeline?

**daleios** · 08-08-2015, 02:39

It's a DD 3mx3m tarp. Which I use prussiks to attach to the Ridge line and my Ridge line is 550 paracord. It's seems no matter how tight I pull tarp along the Ridge line there's still sag. To me it looks to have enough tension along the edges of the tarp and I would even be happy with the tension on the Ridge line but the issue seems to be between the Ridge line and the corner that I peg out. It's really hard to explain.

**maximillian** · 08-08-2015, 02:45

Maybe it's the paracord that stretches and making the tarp sag?

**daleios** · 08-08-2015, 02:46

What would you recommend using for my Ridge line?

**maximillian** · 08-08-2015, 03:25

Personally i use Zing-It.

Doesn't stretch, doesn't soak water and lightweight, not so good for knots though...

**Bl@ckbird** · 08-08-2015, 07:20

Originally Posted by maximillian

Personally i use Zing-It.

Doesn't stretch, doesn't soak water and lightweight, not so good for knots though...

+1.

I use the continuous ridge line from Dutch and it is fantastic. Super easy and fast to setup. It's made of zing it with a Dutch hook on one end and a wasp on the other. Then soft shackles to attach to tarp.

**Shug** · 08-08-2015, 10:14

I have a Tarp Tutotial Video series that may give some insight....https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...r4JzQgQ_iyB2RU
Hope it helps your tension quandry.
Shug