Tarp Ridgeline: Over or Under

**egroeg555** · 04-23-2011, 20:48

Many of the pictures I've seen here have the tarp ridgeline over the tarp. Does this have any particular advantage over having it under the tarp? Would having it under tend to cause tarp wear?

**Roadrunnr72** · 04-23-2011, 21:01

I have not used one yet, but from what I have read, if its under and does rain, that water can run down the ridgline and drip on you. I haven't heard of anyone with tarp wear problems.

**BearChaser** · 04-23-2011, 21:03

Rainy weather, over. Snow, under.

In rainy weather, the water could & probably would run down the ridgeline under the tarp and possible drip down into the hammock. In the winter with snow, you can use the ridgeline as extra support for heavy snow with could build up and sag down your tarp.

I would imagine after awhile under could cause some wear. I just use the above, which was kinda the answer I got when asking the a similar question.

**JaxHiker** · 04-23-2011, 21:16

Use drip lines when it's raining.

**Silverlion** · 04-23-2011, 21:44

I always go under. Never had rain issues as I use drip lines. To me, It seems to put less stress on the tarp to go under as you don't have to stretch the tarp so tight to keep it from sagging in the middle. Guess it's all about preference.

**Cannibal** · 04-23-2011, 21:53

I just tie each end to a tree with its own line. Requires no thinking, making it ideal for me.

**millarky** · 04-23-2011, 21:55

Originally Posted by Silverlion

I always go under. Never had rain issues as I use drip lines. To me, It seems to put less stress on the tarp to go under as you don't have to stretch the tarp so tight to keep it from sagging in the middle. Guess it's all about preference.

And it is that sag in the middle which I have learned to dislike. I have used a CRL over, mainly because I was concerned about rubbing the seam seal of the inside ridgeline of the tarp. I am now experimenting with two lines, one attached to each end by line locks. So far, I like it. Just as fast set up as a single line with prussics. Nothing original I'm sure but I hope to get photos tomorrow.

**JaxHiker** · 04-23-2011, 22:22

Originally Posted by Cannibal

I just tie each end to a tree with its own line. Requires no thinking, making it ideal for me.

This too.

**exup** · 04-23-2011, 22:27

I've tried both, I prefer the under tarp ridge line. Just seems more stable, also having a bishop style stuff sack it makes it easier to just slide the tarp on prussiks for storage. Over the line the middle sags in the process. Not a big deal really though.

I am one of those people who experienced under tarp water drip from the line. Right on my face, haha. Drip lines will take care of it but ill probably switch to above ridge line for that reason.

**flatline** · 04-23-2011, 22:56

under...i think it takes a lot of stress off of the tarp ridge loops... with a large tarp i think it makes for a tighter hang... no water issues but i do tie some short pieces of masons twine as drip stops.
i use mesh skins and my wbsf remains attached to crl by opies prussiks all the time.