Tried my new tarp out the weekend. Trouble is i can't get the ridge line tight enough to get the tarp straight, it keeps sagging. What am i doing wrong ? I was using paracord for the ridge if that helps (the proper stuff). Is the paracord not strong enough ? I couldn't put enough tension on it to get it really tight as i think that this was due to the tarps size (4x4.5m).
Helps guys, iv'e got two weeks before i use it in anger.
thanks
What material are you using for the tarp? Is it really heavy?
If all else fails, run a line from one tree to the other and lay the tarp over that. Then stake it out as normal. Just a thought.
Trust nobody!
Originally Posted by Cannibal
I think the tarp is about 3.5kg and is made out of proofed nylon. I was running the ridge line through the ridge loops, i think my tarp is based on a Tatonka tarp.
Are you using only one piece of line and trying to run thru the eyeholes? If so, try cutting it and tying one length to each end of the tarp. You should be able to crank it down nicely and get a nice tight pitch. There are some nice pics of a Tatonka set-up here.
Trust nobody!
If you are using a continuous ridge line from one tree to another you may want to put prussics on the tarp ridge ends. Then you tighten the tarp along the ridgeline. If the ridgeline is what is sagging you may want ot go with a truckers hitch or some other leverage system to tighten it up. But any tie you hang weight on a line it is going to tend to sag. Alternately try using separate lines from each end of the tarp and see if that helps the situation.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
Good idea about using two lines, one for the ridge loops and one to pull the tarp taught either end. nice one , thanks, i'll give it a go the weekend.
Most folks do one of the two. Either they use a continuous ridgeline with prussics or some sort of attachment, see the single line suspension thread, or they use lines from each end of the tarp and let the tarp ridge set itself.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
Do it like Ray. No worries www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en-GB&v=Mw3lL-ofBcE
Umm I'm a tad confused. I thought the only way to run a ridge line was to tie it between two trees and lay the tarp over it and stake it out....are there other ways to do this?
ALso, is the rope that I use for a ridgeline dependant upon the weight/fabric type of my tarp?!
I get how to use a hammock...lol....the tarps are a little over my head.
Using prussics or other adjustable sliding connectors it is possible to hang the tarp under the full ridgeline. The sliding connectors allow you to tension the tarp so it does not sag.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
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