I've always used cord to tie the corners of my tarps to the stakes, but it seems a lot of YouTube videos show people using bungee lines for tie downs. One mentioned that the stretch in a bungee can prevent the tarp from ripping in high winds.
I always believed a taunt tarp was best in high winds, as there is less flapping, which I thought would make it less likely to tear. Now I don't what to believe.
So what's the consensus here? A flexible bungee type tie down or a static cord tie down?
My 2 cents.
I have tried both, and do like the give and control the 4 inch length of bungee gives on each line.
I also feel it takes up a little slack so under hard wind, it does not pull so hard on the stakes and loosen them up in the soil so easy.
I go 50/50. I use static lines with a bungee band in between the line and the tarp D-ring.
No shock cord for me. I have a slingshot for when I want my use tarp stakes as projectiles.
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson
I used to use the opposite configuration - "occy straps" (aka bungee cords) for the ridge line and cord for the tie-outs.
My theory was that the stretch in the occy straps would allow for variations in the night.
Also took about 5 seconds to sling - pass them around the tree, clip one end to itself and the other end to the tarp.
Worked well but ended up being too heavy so I changed.
I tie about 8 inches of shock cord into my lines. Takes care of any stretch in the tarp overnight. Shug demonstrates how around 9:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GQPY5BuyPI
I like them. Sometimes the trees are thinner and sag in when one crawls in the hammock and the tarp can loosen. Same with moisture on silnylon.
So I use them about always.
Shug
Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven
None for me and I've never had an issue. I would recommend trying them and you may or may not like them.
I use shock cord especially with Dutch tarp worms. This is my go to for tarps set up.
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When I had my HH Exped I got the HH Typhoon instead of the small asym fly. It comes with both shock cord and static line on all 6 guy out points and the doors. Every time I used it I think I used the shock cord and it did a good job of both keeping it taught and letting it have some give when it was super windy or storming, and it was ,fairly small diameter shock cord too. In bad weather I ran it down and around my stake then back up to the tarp forming a large loop. All of my tarps since though I've used either zing -it or reflect-it attached to a 3" loop of shock cord that's larks headed to the tarp OR shock cord loop , line loc 3 , zing it. Or line attached directly to tarp with a shock cord tensioner in the line . For my Old Man Winter though, I use shock cord on the doors so it's easy to go in and out.
" The best pace is a suicide pace, and today looks like a good day to die." ~ Steve Prefontaine
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