I used one 4 x 4 post and put an eye bolt in the side of my shed. The post is 16' from the shed. I have a 12" tarp so it allows 2 feet extra on each end. The post is 10' long with 3.5 feet in the ground leaving a 6.5 foot tall post. I weigh about 230+ and the 4x4 is strong enough.