shock cord usage on tarp tie-outs.

**solohh** · 07-12-2016, 05:44

i have been reading about short pieces of shock cord on each tarp tie out , attached to some piece of dutchware.
i understand the concept, but those who do, does the wind move your tarp around too much with the shock cord on?
i have always just tied direct line.

**SoaknWet** · 07-12-2016, 07:21

It seems to help keep mind tight with just a little give, but I've not been in any big wind. To advantage to me is not worrying about the tarp tearing. I have 4" loops on all 5 tarps and connect with mitten hooks, lines stay on my stakes.

**kitsapcowboy** · 07-12-2016, 07:22

It's simply a trade-off, as well as an available option to allow you to gain convenience but still adapt to conditions.

With a 12" to 14" piece of 1/8" shock cord tied in parallel as a "tarp tensioner" on your 72" guy line (e.g., 2.0mm 100# test utility cord, which I use), in wet conditions you can pull the tensioner taut and let the tensioner automatically take up any slack as the tarp stretches (more pronounced with sil-nylon, I think) and/or the tarp suspension "settles". Conversely, under windy conditions where actual flapping/oscillation is the primary concern, you can simply bypass the shock cord tensioner (e.g., flip it and tie off with the tensioner outboard of your tarp stake) and use the solid portion of the guy line for maximum tension.

My SLD tarp has LineLoc 3s at the corners that work really well with the 2.0mm utility cord and allow me to keep my tarp taut using different sections of my guy lines as the need arises. The tensioners were cheap and easy to make, and they have little to no weight/space penalty, yet the work really well. Certainly not necessary, but a nice like modification to help reduce the "fiddle factor" once your hammock and tarp are hung. HTH...

(PS: Even if you like solid guy lines on your tarp, I found that lightweight self-tensioning guy lines of this type are really great for your hammock if it has side tie-out loops for the bug net, asym lay, etc., such as a WB Blackbird or my SLD Trail Lair. The tensioners keep the hammock crisply open and squared away for entry and exit while maximizing the "insect-free airspace" inside the integrated bug net.)

**suggy** · 07-12-2016, 07:31

One of my Superflys has them done like this. Think it was either 5 or 6mm shock cord.

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**MichHiker1** · 07-13-2016, 18:16

I just used mine in heavy wind and rain. I was amazed to see how much the tarp stretched over time. The small pieces of shock cord attached to the tie outs (ZingIt), really helped keep things tight as the tarp stretched. Wind gust were constant 1 day and up to 35mph. I had no issues with tarp tearing or failure. I recommend everyone use this type of system.
I imagine, eventually (if it is not already being done), that vendors will start selling tie out rigs already made that incorporate ZingIt and shock cord.

**SilvrSurfr** · 07-13-2016, 20:55

Shock cord tensioners were created for silnylon tarps that tend to stretch when wet. I personally don't use them on my silnylon tarp anymore. I just wait till the tarp gets wet then restake.

Polyester, silpoly and cuben fiber tarps don't stretch, so shock cord tensioners are not needed.

https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...cord+tensioner

**solohh** · 07-14-2016, 05:20

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Shock cord tensioners were created for silnylon tarps that tend to stretch when wet. I personally don't use them on my silnylon tarp anymore. I just wait till the tarp gets wet then restake.

Polyester, silpoly and cuben fiber tarps don't stretch, so shock cord tensioners are not needed.

https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...cord+tensioner

thanks.

**Foxpoop** · 07-14-2016, 06:33

I use small loops of shock cord on my Cuben tarps even though the are not needed. My rationale is that if a branch falls on the tarp, I want a little bit of "give" built in to absorb the impact. This "might" prevent a hole in the tarp. If a big enough branch falls from high enough, it's probably not going to matter.
HYOH.

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**Intimidator** · 07-14-2016, 08:22

I sometimes use an integrated tarp suspension, so the loops are required to keep tension on the tarp.

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**WalksIn2Trees** · 07-14-2016, 13:41

Originally Posted by Foxpoop

I use small loops of shock cord on my Cuben tarps even though the are not needed. My rationale is that if a branch falls on the tarp, I want a little bit of "give" built in to absorb the impact. This "might" prevent a hole in the tarp. If a big enough branch falls from high enough, it's probably not going to matter.
HYOH.

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Nope, i use tarp bungies for the same thing (the ones with a ball) . You can see here that it popped a hole right through, though the branch itself didn't come through...I wasn't in the hammock at the time, but if I had been, and if it had gone through, I probably wouldn't be replying to this right now. I'd say that tear is about 5"x8":

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