Self Tensioning Lines

[srestrepo]

hello all,

just a quick tarp setup question...

i have teh self tensioning lines from JRB... the question is, when i set up my tarp, should the green tubing be stretched out completely, partially, or not at all?

currently what i've been doing is stretching them out partially that way the tubes stretch the tarp taught again if it rains. or if its windy i leave the tubes partially stretched out so that the tarp gives a little but doesn't flap.

does this sound like the most logical setup or does anyone have any other input on this?

[UncleMJM]

currently what i've been doing is stretching them out partially that way the tubes stretch the tarp taught again if it rains. or if its windy i leave the tubes partially stretched out so that the tarp gives a little but doesn't flap.

does this sound like the most logical setup or does anyone have any other input on this?

That's how I do it. So far so good.

[WarmSoda]

That's how I do it.

Seconded!

[opie]

I pull mine tight, as far as they will go.

[animalcontrol]

I pull mine tight, as far as they will go.

I second this method...
the primary reason for tensioners...silnylon stretches! with or without rain and wind, your tarp will stretch. The tensioners (fully stretched) will compensate and keep the tarp taut.

[Hawk-eye]

I second this method...
the primary reason for tensioners...silnylon stretches! with or without rain and wind, your tarp will stretch. The tensioners (fully stretched) will compensate and keep the tarp taut.

I'll third that ... pull it tight and secure ... then the rubber can do it's job as required when it rains ... and if it doesn't ... then "all's tight and right through the night!"

[bonsaihiker]

I use shock-cord tensioners, but the principle is the same. I don't pull all the way when there is wind, to allow some give/shock absorption. In rain I may pull as tight as they will go to take up maximum slack/stretch.

[WarmSoda]

Well you guys must be using hardy tarps!!

I figure it like this: The lighter the tarp, using cuben for example , and using grosgrain instead of nylon webbing for the pullouts, for another , can cause two things to happen. The first is that the price starts to skyrocket and the second is that durability plunges . When using a tarp that you want to seriously baby , having some give in the tensioners to reduce the shock of wind gusts is the way to go. You might need longer tensioners to do both, account for stretch and give a margin for gusts, but this is way cheaper than ripping your new expensive lightweight tarp. Double length isn't yet such a big deal now, since all of the current lightweight materials don't stretch, which is even more reason to use the tensioners for shock absorbsion.

I'd even go so far as to say not to use any of the super strong guylines that are all the rage right now. I'd want the part that breaks to be the cord, not the tarp pullouts or tarp fabric. In order to guarantee this, I'd make sure my guylines were good, but breakable under high winds or serious stress, like someone tripping into your tarp on accident.

Simple economics tells me that a $5 guyline is better and easier to replace than a $400 tarp.

[Quoddy]

I have the tensioners about 70% of the way to a full stretch. That not only allows for taking up slack, but also allows some give in strong gusty conditions. I've used them in gusts to over 45 mph this way. Other than letting the tarp almost touch the hammock, there's no down side. My green TheraBand set expand from 10" to 17" before reaching the line length, so there's lots of play.

A note of caution: Never pull the pegs out of the ground by pulling on the tensioners. I've done two things by doing this: 1. Fired a peg deep into the woods. 2. Fired a titanium nail type peg deep into my thumb joint.

[oldgringo]

There's no education in the second kick of a mule.