Concerning Shock Cord on Guy Line,Tarp Tightness and the wind with Input From Brandon

[Tendertoe]

I don't use them to absorb wind, though. I pull them fairly (although not all the way) taut so that as the tarp stretches overnight with rain and/or cooling temperatures, the tarp stays a bit more taut.

+1

Tensioners are for keeping a tarp taut as the tarp material "relaxes" from the initial setup configuration, whether from soaking up rain, temperature fluctuation, wind gusts, etc. not for absorbing wind gusts or anything of that nature.

Also, the shock cord has a substantially lower breaking point than most pullout cordages so it provides a fail safe if you trip over a pullout. Tieout cordage is stronger than the tarp material so if there was no shock cord in the mix, your tarp would rip before the cordage in such a situation.

[HandyRandy]

The tarp should cut into the wind, not be an obstacle.

Do you mean that you simply angle it a bit, so that it's not perpendicular? How much?

[HandyRandy]

Also, the shock cord has a substantially lower breaking point than most pullout cordages so it provides a fail safe if you trip over a pullout. Tieout cordage is stronger than the tarp material so if there was no shock cord in the mix, your tarp would rip before the cordage in such a situation.

I'm still worried about this part. I don't wanna test it out though, lol! I wonder if the stake is what would give before a strong tarp would give if no shock cord was used. Anyone know?

[Flash Grundelore]

I'm still worried about this part. I don't wanna test it out though, lol! I wonder if the stake is what would give before a strong tarp would give if no shock cord was used. Anyone know?

HR~~ relax... you don't have to "wanna test it out". It is never a question of wanting or if, it is just one of when the trip-test occurs.
Trust us, you will test it out.

[And yes... the stakes will usually pull free before the tarp rips or the cords break.]

[Flash Grundelore]

I'm still worried about this part. I don't wanna test it out though, lol! I wonder if the stake is what would give before a strong tarp would give if no shock cord was used. Anyone know?

HR~~ relax... you don't have to "wanna test it out". It is never a question of wanting or if, it is just one of when the trip-test occurs.
Trust us, you will test it out.

[And yes... the stakes will usually pull free before the tarp rips or the cords break.]

Since this an old thread... EVerYbody ought to check out Dutch's recent tutorial video with "hikerbro"s tip about shockcord buried in the cordage itself >>>
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...tarp-tensioner