10x12 poly tarps

[Fireant]

Has anybody used a 10x12 poly tarp pitched a frame on the 12 for an extended trip? Are poly tarps ok if pitched correctly?

Thanks, fireant

[TrailSlug]

If you do not mind the weight these tarp work just fine.

[SilvrSurfr]

I don't find the cheap WallyWorld blue tarps to be particularly robust. I'm lucky if I get ten trips out of them before they start leaking. What do you want for $12?

[Monkeyboy42]

They definitely work The grommets rip out pretty easily though, so plan for that. You can sew on pull outs, use a stone bundled in the edge of the tarp to loop around, or something similar.

[tsshaw78]

With low cost options from vendors like Chill Gorilla, is it worth the risk of the even lower cost blue poly tarp? And I think the sil-nylon tarps would also be lighter.

[SilvrSurfr]

With low cost options from vendors like Chill Gorilla, is it worth the risk of the even lower cost blue poly tarp?

I don't think Chill Gorilla has a sufficient track record to be trusted. But hey, they definitely have cheap tarps!

[sidneyhornblower]

The poly tarps work fine if you don't mind the bulk and weight. I've still got one from my ground camping days that is at least five years old. They're not particularly tough, but in terms of bang for the buck they work well. I'd think of it as low cost temporary solution, though. As others have pointed out, there are some really inexpensive silnylon tarps you can find that will work even better for not a whole lot more money.

[jeff-oh]

IF you have it all ready, go for it. Make it work. My first tarp/tent was an old shower curtain, half a century ago.

If your buying and are looking for a good quality inexpensive hammock tarp, you may be happy with the ProVenture Hex tarp. Similar to the Chill Gorilla there is the ProVenture brand tarp is at a little better price point. Both are Urethaned rip-stop nylon. They probably come out of the same factory. I have both. Available on Amazon.

Here is a review of the ProVenture Hammock Tarp. https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...x-Hammock-Tarp

I have been using it now for over 2 years and 30+ trips, 50+ nights, is sleet, snow, rain, and sun. Works just fine.

Get out there and have fun.

[gfstanley]

Yes, poly tarps can be used on a multi-day trip. I used them on my first two trips of 2 nights and 3 nights about 3 years ago. They are bulky so plan to lash to the outside of your pack. The grommets can easily pull through so plan for a back up as mentioned in a previous post. I still use them on car camping trips and as loaners, but I did modify one of them by sewing on loops in all four corners and at the midpoint of all four sides to prevent having to use the grommets.

If poly tarps are what you have now to get you outside, then use them. However, I think you will quickly investigate better and lighter options that the cottage vendors offer, or DIY one yourself.

[bigdisgrace]

Yes grab a poly tarp. That's what I did while waiting for my UGQ tarp to ship. The poly now covers my wood pile. Win win.