My monster tarp

**smokeeater908** · 08-10-2010, 21:12

Well as you saw in my previous post, I had some pictures of my DIY tarp that was 12 ft long and 10ft wide, well with the number of loops I had sewn into it, it was made to be a little versatile. In this photo you can see that I have turned the tarp to where it is running 10ft along my ridge line and then I used two trekking poles to set this up as a porch on one side, I unhooked my middle lines and left my outer lines with a little tension on them with a taunt line hitch. There are two pics here with the 12 ft running the ridge line and the 10 ft running the ridge line. Just thought I would see what everyone thinks. Also on another note I rolled this thing up today and it was around 4.5 inches round and 9.5 inches long, only problem was it weighed almost 4 lbs.

**slowhike** · 08-10-2010, 21:20

"almost 4 lbs", wow.
I didn't see the other thread but between the weight & the fact that no one sells camo silnylon, I'm guessing it must be a coated fabric or at least a heavier fabric, like 1.9oz.
But the coverage is luxurious!

Edit; I found the other thread & I see that you waterproofed it yourself.
Looks good, but if you take it backpacking, I'll bet you'll be tempted to cut it down to size my friend.
Or buy a silnylon tarp & save that one for car camping.

**EastTexasHanger** · 08-10-2010, 21:24

Hey smokeeater,

Now thats a famliy size tarp, very cool and big. You'll be very popular in bad weather.lol Awesome job, Congrats. ETH

**slowhike** · 08-10-2010, 21:25

Originally Posted by EastTexasHanger

Hey smokeeater,

Now thats a famliy size tarp, very cool and big. You'll be very popular in bad weather.lol Awesome job, Congrats. ETH

This is true! You'll be able to enjoy the comfort of your hammock while other campers come to visit

**tammons** · 08-10-2010, 22:34

Nice,

That's bigger than my living room.

Nice size though. You can set it up like a tent down to the ground with doors
with enough room to hang inside.

I did a 14dF hang last winter in that setup.

If you ever want to lose a few pounds you can get a 10x12 silnylon tarp from campmor for $100. Weighs 19 oz.

**Barefoot Child** · 08-10-2010, 22:47

SmokeEater,
check out AnimalControl's thread (OES 12x10). It is made of black silnylon and only wieghs in at just over 19 ounces.
I have one just like it and the craftsmanship is super!

**TOB9595** · 08-10-2010, 23:00

It's a wonderful piece of work!
I love the size. and the color. It's still cool under the tarp and light.
There's so many ways to hang this with all the tieouts you put on.
GREAT thinking ahead.
None of these other tarps mentioned were made by YOU!
Enjoy and bask in the pride when someone asks about the tarp.
Tom

**Barefoot Child** · 08-10-2010, 23:38

SmokeEater,
TOB9595 makes an excellent point...the tarp was made by you and it is a right goodie too. I forgot to say that in my earlier post.

Nice job and happy hangin'!

**wirerat123** · 08-11-2010, 08:00

Heavy, but in a rain storm lovely. Enjoy your DIY tarp. I have yet to make a tarp aside from a 10x10 square to use in a diamond configuration. I would have been cheaper and just as light to go buy one of those cheapie blue 10x10s lol, but I made it, and it's mine... For now. I'll likely give it to a friend of mine when I finish his hammock. Then I'll avoid the pressure of trying to make him a DIY tarp and hope it has no leaks when he gets it into the field. I know mine works.

Keep that sucker for car and short trail camping, and make yourself a smaller backpacking tarp. Your kit is incomplete until it's modular enough to leave and take parts for any style of camping in any type of weather, and various weight configurations depending on desired luxuries. :P

I'm working on making my Hennessy's more modular. Part of that is a much bigger tarp for car camping. Or at a minimum a 12x12 to use in conjunction with factory Hennessy tarps to Make a big common area. I'd rather do that then have a big coverage on my tarp and less room to hang out with others because my hammock and gear are under there. I have yet to run into coverage issues with my stock hennessy tarps. But they leave a lot to be desired for hanging out in the rain with others.

**Jsaults** · 08-11-2010, 09:28

I have a Cookes Custom Sewing 15 x 15 that I use for car camping and even have hauled it through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. When it storms, the added area really makes for dry conditions. Lots of room for lawn chairs!

Jim