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  1. #1
    New Member
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    Self tensioning guylines...WHY?

    I am new to all of this so please bear with me.

    What is the purpose of having the self tensioning guyline setups versus just using Zing-It from stake to tarp?

    I have a Warbonnet Superfly. I watched the newer tarp setup video by KBWADDY (Brandon from Warbonnet?), and it shows tying the tarp direct to the stake. It seems so simple.

    I have been reading a bunch on here about self tensioning set ups. They all seem extremely high on the Gadgety & Fidgety Meter! I was just about going to pull the trigger on the Shane setup with shock cord and mini-loks and I thought what the heck am I doing this for?

    What am I not getting?

  2. #2
    Senior Member ahhhgladius's Avatar
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    silnylon tarps stretch, which results in a loose pitch. self tensioning guylines help keep the tarp taut when it stretches
    Glory to the Fallen, Honor to the Lost. Faith to the Missing. Carry on Forever.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Lepmeister's Avatar
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    I have run and without. They are nice for a setup that is going to see rind or a bit of wind, apart from that i have been happy to run with a straigh line to peg solution.

  4. #4
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    All you need for the self tensioning guylines is your normal piece of cordage and a piece of shock cord LINK

    What I like about them is that if I or someone else trips over one of my guylines then there is some give to the lines and the tarp has less of a change of ripping.

  5. #5
    Boothill's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ahhhgladius View Post
    silnylon tarps stretch, which results in a loose pitch
    especially if if rains and they get wet, the self tensioning lines also add a bit of protection from you tarp tearing in really strong winds, they will stretch in a gust and also offer a weak point that will hopefully break before your tarp will tear

    boot
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  6. #6
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    There is some stretch to silnylon after initial set up as ahhhhgladius said but it also stretches a bit when wet so having self tensioning lines allow a taut pitch without tightening lines. Having some give in high wind is also a bonus as Lepmeister mentioned. I do not use self tensioning lines as I am happy to tighten my lines when needed and I like more of a taut pitch than self tensioning lines provide. YMMV.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Shewie's Avatar
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    I use them for because they take up the slack when the sil gets wet, without them I find my Superfly gets saggy after rain.

    Second reason is they add a bit more protection in strong winds, taking some of the stress of the stitching of the tie outs.


    EDIT:

    Too slow again

  8. #8
    Senior Member DuctTape's Avatar
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    I don't use them. Like you, I try to avoid gadgetry. With over 30 backwoods nights/year in all seasons and weather conditions I have never had issues with just using tautline hitches to get the tarp super tight. Elastic self-tensioners will take up some slack, but will still never be as tight as just cord.

  9. #9
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    I understand the need but have been avoiding adding more "stuff" to my set up. Then I saw this post: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ht=rubber+band

    That is simple enough even I don't mind it. I am gonna give it a try.

  10. #10
    Senior Member fallkniven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DuctTape View Post
    Elastic self-tensioners will take up some slack, but will still never be as tight as just cord.
    That depends on the size shock cord your using. The first roll I bought to make them when I first got my tarp, was 1/4" shock cord with a heavy duty sheath. I felt I would of ripped the tarp before I had a single piece of that stretched out. Now I use 1/8" doubled over if I remember correctly, and wrap the cord around it in a spiral to keep it neat. (I know I know, a piece of 1/8" doubled over is the same as a 1/4", but it wasn't even close in regards to tension strength.)

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