Tent Footprint Tarp Alternative

[dawkinsjh]

Someone on here told me once that a tent footprint could be a inexpensive replacement for much more expensive tarps since I don't currently have the money for them. I found this one I've been looking at:

http://goo.gl/X4IQp

Any comments on it? Anyone use a similar method? Any better recommendations?

[Tendertoe]

At first glance,

110' x 130' is the size of the tent itself.

The footprint is probably a bit smaller than that?

Maybe a diamond configuration could give you sufficient coverage but setup as a "traditional" hammock tarp, you may be a bit short on the ridgline length.

[dawkinsjh]

You think this would work better?

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...ductId=4198838

[dawkinsjh]

Diamond style that is...

[tjm]

Hi,

Your link goes to a $50 tent foot print.

Save that and you are half way to the camo tarp on this page
[URL="http://www.jacksrbetter.com/HexTarps.htm"]

For now, just buy the heaviest mil painter's plastic drop cloth you can find, double over the pullouts for strength, use mason twine for the tie outs, and branches for the stakes.

This set-up is heavy but will works just fine.

Good luck.

[PDA]

Try this one, It is about 8x10 and pitched diagonally will be plenty big enough. $25 is pretty good.
http://www.rei.com/outlet/search?que...x=0&button.y=0

[DaleW]

I've looked at clearanced footprints with the same idea. A diamond pitch would be the easiest with only four attachment points. I would want something in the 12' diagonal range. Square would be good. Many are very good quality, but not as light as a silnylon tarp. Buying a footprint at full retail isn't worth the bother. Some don't have attachment points and are just a big cloth, so know what you are getting.

If you are going to spend ~$50, you will find used PU coated tarps here in that range. Hennessy PU coated tarps are on eBay for under $60; IMHO, the only drawback is weight-- about 23oz. You will see smaller asym tarps here for cheap that people are selling after upgrading their own rigs.

You can use a 10x12 poly tarp if you can handle the weight and bulk. When you're done with it, you will still have a blue poly tarp for use around the house or car camping.

And if you sew or have someone who can sew for you, the world is your oyster

[rip waverly]

there is / was a chinook 12 x 9.6 in the for sale forum. $50
i hear they are great tarps.

[schiebanator]

might want to give this a try http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=32826 I have one and it works well. It's also cheap.

[R00K]

A 6 person 10ftx10ft tent foot print works great. You can find them in the clearance section of the REI website. Here is some photos of my old tent footprint tarp: