Am I using these tensioners right?

[Passinthru]

These gadgets have been included in many tarps and tents for years but I have always discarded them and replaced them with something else. I decided to dig some out and give them a try. The first picture shows the item I am referring to - the second picture shows how I am using it on a tarp tie-out line. The 'slider' can be moved anywhere along the line and the tag end can be adjusted where it is 'pinched down' in the slider. It actually seems to work pretty well. It is light, compact, easy to adjust, and seems to hold good. But I suspect that I am not using it as it is designed. Does anyone know how these are supposed to function?

[Roadrunnr72]

In a simple word, no. I have not used these in a few years, but if I remember correct, in your pic,'with the line, the tarp should be at the top of the pic, you feed the line through, like you have it, minus the tail end that you have under the line. You would pull the line between the middle hole and bottom hole, that should go around your stake, the end of that line should have a knot and rest against the back side of the bottom hole. Clear as mud?........RR

[DivaB]

Good question Passinthru; I wasn't sure what the heck to do with these, and removed them from all of my guylines and all of my tarps. Funny thing is, I kept them all for some reason or another.

[hawghangar]

[flannery]

I find it much easier to use taut line knots http://www.animatedscoutknots.com/tautline_hitch.html

There are a number of slip hitches you can use but the taut line is pretty simple and generally holds really well once you have a snugged up.