Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
  1. #1
    Senior Member dukedante's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Gilbert, AZ
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.0 DBL
    Tarp
    DIY Tyvek Edge
    Insulation
    LeighLo FL UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    364
    Images
    6

    Why are tarps made of nylon?

    If we know that nylon stretches, and we don't use it for webbing because of that, why do we use nylon for tarps and then have to mess with things like tensioners? Is there no way to get polyesther fibers made into a tarp? I know there are other, newer fibers out there that may not stretch but are expensive, but polyesther is cheap. Why has it been done this way for so long?

  2. #2
    Senior Member exup's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Hammock
    Traveler 1.1 sl/WBBB 1.1 dbl
    Tarp
    HG Cuben/Standard
    Insulation
    Crowsnest
    Suspension
    Dynaglide whoopies
    Posts
    1,190
    Images
    2
    I think it's simply because theres not much lighter out there for the price. Most super thin fabrics are going to stretch. Plus, the amount of stretch a silnylon tarp recieves is very minimal and tolerable oppose to nylon webbing tree straps, which must support your weight constantly over long period of time, and even then, a few inches of stretch is all you'll typically get.

    You could go with cuben, if you have the money. Though I've read cuben stretches very little, I have seen multiple people still using tarp tensioners on them. I'm not to sure why though.

  3. #3
    Dutch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Reinholds, PA
    Hammock
    Bridgeskin
    Tarp
    DIY Blackcat
    Insulation
    DIY Quilts
    Suspension
    Whoopie sling
    Posts
    9,558
    Images
    201
    There isn't enough light weight polyester out there. i would rather use polyester for hammock bodies but getting it the right weight and width has always been a challenge. I need my own textile mill. Then we'd be stylin'
    Peace Dutch
    GA>ME 2003

    www.MakeYourGear.com
    http://dutchwaregear.com[/URL]
    Visit Dutchwaregear on facebook (and like it)
    Check us out on Twitter @dutchwaregear

  4. #4
    Senior Member skyclad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    West Texas
    Hammock
    Black Bird
    Tarp
    MacCat
    Insulation
    Crow's Nest/RayWay
    Posts
    220
    Images
    5
    guyline tensioners provide some protection for your tarp in high winds.
    "The power of the imagination makes us infinite."

    John Muir

  5. #5
    Senior Member dukedante's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Gilbert, AZ
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.0 DBL
    Tarp
    DIY Tyvek Edge
    Insulation
    LeighLo FL UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    364
    Images
    6
    Guess I didn't think about the wind protection aspect. Thanks for the thoughts. I'm just a curious fellow I guess, although the lack of lightweight polyesther seems odd to me.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    West Kootenay, BC
    Hammock
    NX-150 TX-150
    Tarp
    Vertex-Camo
    Insulation
    Z-Liner & DIY Pads
    Suspension
    Clark
    Posts
    1,557
    My ridge line of the tarp is 4 layers . . .

    . . . that don't seam to stretch much,

    also the edges are triple thickness . . . same there.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Bradley SaintJohn
    Flat Bottom Canoe
    Start A Biz

    The Transition from Ground Sleeping to Hammocks
    is the Conversion from Agony To Ecstasy,
    and Curing Ground-In-somnia.

    "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things . . ." Jeremiah 33:3
    ΙΧΘΥΣ

  7. #7
    Senior Member shumway's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Edmonton, AB
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.1dbl,Hennessy Exped
    Tarp
    WB Super fly
    Insulation
    HG tq/uq (soon)
    Suspension
    diy whoopie
    Posts
    504
    Images
    4
    Hennessy's tarps are available in sil-nylon or PU coated polyester. The polyester tarps are about 20% heavier.

  8. #8
    Senior Member G.L.P.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Schuylkill Co. PA
    Hammock
    DIY,WBBB,DutchBridge
    Tarp
    Cuben,Superfly
    Insulation
    Quilts :P
    Suspension
    Dutchware
    Posts
    5,018
    Quote Originally Posted by Dutch View Post
    There isn't enough light weight polyester out there. i would rather use polyester for hammock bodies but getting it the right weight and width has always been a challenge. I need my own textile mill. Then we'd be stylin'
    True Dat G .......
    It puts the Underquilt on it's hammock ... It does this whenever it gets cold

  9. #9
    Senior Member te-wa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    arizona
    Hammock
    BB
    Tarp
    zpacks cuben
    Insulation
    te-wa Freeze
    Suspension
    whoOpie slings
    Posts
    1,332
    Images
    129
    spinnaker is siliconized polyester, is it not?

    tensioners on my cuben is to save the fabric.. id rather have a tensioner give than have the center pull out tear away.

  10. #10
    Senior Member exup's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Hammock
    Traveler 1.1 sl/WBBB 1.1 dbl
    Tarp
    HG Cuben/Standard
    Insulation
    Crowsnest
    Suspension
    Dynaglide whoopies
    Posts
    1,190
    Images
    2
    Te-wa, good thinking. Never would of thought of it that way.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. A very specific question making sil-nylon tarps.
      By Kattelyn in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 09-22-2014, 12:25
    2. Ready Made Tarps
      By WAMPAROO in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 07-20-2009, 20:47
    3. custom made camo tarps made by whiteblazer general
      By neo in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 03-12-2009, 21:02
    4. home made sil-nylon project
      By schmalts in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 11
      Last Post: 08-14-2008, 13:07
    5. camp fires and nylon tarps.
      By GREEN THERAPY in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 10-09-2007, 21:04

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •