Tarp Guylines

[fire_water]

I was watching the WB Superfly setup video and noticed that Brandon does not permanently attach his guylines to each end of the tarp.

It seems like it would be easier to permanently attach the guylines to each end of the tarp and then attach the free end to a tree using a knot such as the taut line hitch.

I am using 1.75mm single braid dyneema, the same line for sale at the Warbonnet site.

Which method do you guys recommend?

Thanks

[dragon360]

I am using the dutch hook and a dutch tarp flyz on a prussik. I also have the figure 9 and knotbone as well. Both work well for me.

[NickoftheWoods]

I use knotless self tensioning guy lines but also love the Dutch Hooks and Dutch Flyz set up. I also make whoopies that can be prusiked to the tarp with an optional self tensioner depending on weather conditions. Dyneema works great but i have been using lash it and zing it now instead. one benefit to keeping lines separate is they are easily stored an do not tangle so much.

[DaleW]

He may be taking stuff off the shelf to do his demo videos.

I leave my lines on the tarp. In door mode, I can have up to 8 lines to remove/replace. I bundle them up in neat "hourglass" wraps and my tarp goes in a stuff sack with the lines in place.

[Edenseeker]

just got my superfly also and ordered the dyneema too. I plan to perm. attach a length of cord to each end. Seems easier. I just need to experiment with different knots, i think an s-biner or a figure 9 may work well also.

[joehasbeard]

i just bought the figure 9 tent line kit for my tarp: http://www.amazon.com/Figure-9-Tent-.../dp/B001R1CQQW

comes with 8' of guyline per figure-9. just used em last weekend and they worked great. for about ten bucks it was worth not having to worry about tying a knot. (even though I do love the taut-line hitch, or a trucker's hitch)

[rip waverly]

i still stand by the method of using 2 separate 12' lines.

a loop of cordage is prussiked to the line for adjustment.
that loop is then girth hitched to the tarp tieouts for attachment.

connect to the tree via a dutch hook or mini biner.

this allows you to adjust the tarp like you would a hmmk that uses
webbing and rings as its suspension.

[fire_water]

Thanks, guys

What kind of knot do you recommend I use to permanently attach the two ridge lines to the tarp?

Also, I finished cutting the 1.75mm single braid dyneema. Should I sear the ends to prevent fraying or does this type of line not require searing?

Thanks!

[rip waverly]

Thanks, guys

What kind of knot do you recommend I use to permanently attach the two ridge lines to the tarp?

Also, I finished cutting the 1.75mm single braid dyneema. Should I sear the ends to prevent fraying or does this type of line not require searing?

Thanks!

if you use the prussik method... a girth hitch to the tarp works.

otherwise.. i'd just make a figure-of-eight loop in your cord- and then again, girth hitch that to your tarps ridge rings.

[warbonnetguy]

for the ground corners i normally tie a fixed loop in the end of the line and attach that to the tarp rings using a girth hitch/LH, this is a good method for permanent or temporary attachment because the girth hitch can easily be undone, but will not come undone by accident.

in my experience friction hitches like taut lines and prussics don't work well enough for my needs. the problem is that they only will hold a certain amount of force before they slip. A sil tarp has some stretch in it, so you want to apply a good bit of force to it when setting it up, stretching the fabric somewhat signifigantly. if you set it up tight and stretch it during setup, it will still be tight the next morning. it will loosen some overnight especially if it's wet, but if you stretch it tight to begin with, it will not loosen enough to sag...no tensioners needed.

in my experience, applying this much tension to the tarp will cause friction hitches to slide, especially if using something like lash/zing-it. i'd say i'm putting at least 20 LBS of tension on each ground corner assuming the soil/stake will hold.

i know people like the adjustability of the tautline for instance, but you can get really good adjustability from a slipped truckers hitch, but since the tarp ground corner has a ring on it, you don't have to tie the slipped loop part of the trucker's which makes it even easier. just rig an easy 3:1 between the stake and the tarp ring and adjust, then just wrap it around a couple times and tie it off with a single slipped half hitch, super quick and easy if you need to pop it loose and tighten it later. i'm going to do an updated tarp setup video sometime soon showing this method.