I have just spent a fortnight camping. It was incredibly hot and the tarp was well used. I was using the tarp in a traditional dining fly way, and sometimes used an extra two poles to lift up a corner or two depending on where the sun was. I also used a ridge line on this occassion, underneath the tarp.
I was putting the tarp up alone and it was difficult to put up the first pole. Every time I tried to guy it out it fell over. I managed in the end, but there must be a better way. Any tips for me?
I use a ridge line nowadays between 2 main poles as I find it easier to set the poles up on their own without the weight of the tarp.
I position the poles roughly where I believe they should be, peg in the pegs and guys (length will be slightly longer than actually required), so that they are there ready when required.
I then pull up one of the poles up with the guys in place (i.e. loop over the spike of the pole) using the ridge line, and walk to get the other pole while holding the ridge line.
Loop the other end of the ridge line over the spike of the second pole.
Hold on to the second pole (which should be holding the first pole in place), and try and loop the two guys for the second pole over the loop of the ridge line.
Adjust the guys and pegs so that they are taut.
Then I would attach the tarp to the ridge line, and continue with the set up.
Not sure if the above makes sense, however, I hope it does!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by BRYANMITCH on 25/7/2013
Tip-----buy a gazebo
Some sites ban them, and I have seen one taking off in high wind, and nearly damaged my Vango Delta 300+ with my own, so never again!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
It's surprisingly easier to do than explain, but DKs done an excellent job..... and I do the same.
I've done it 4 times I think, now..... and it gets easier each time, as you get "the knack".
I put the tarp in the same position, attached to the tent, so positioning of the poles is more imperative, but for a stand alone tarp, it should be even easier. Don't worry about the height of the poles, until they are upright and guyed, then you can adjust the height to suit. Only then do you get the tarp out of the boot. Either throw it over the ridge line, or, as I do, have some mini krabs pre-attached in readiness....
Cheers DK and Mucker. While we were away recently we bought a sort of tarp out of lidl £2o (another impulse buy) It has the same shape as described, 2 long poles and guys. Thought we would try and give ourselves some extra shade during the day. Have to say we had so much grief with it I just chucked it back in its bag. Now looking at your pics mucker with the poles upright and guyed 1st. Now if I was to measure a length of string from eyelet to eyelet on the tarp so as I know where to put the poles 1st would that work or would I have to do something more along the line of your ridgeline set up. As I say I only really want it as a bit of extra shade on a hot day. Geoff
Tarps/poles/ridge/guy lines can sometimes take on a life of their own and be more bother than their worth especially in stand alone mode....
I think both DK's and Muckers explanations and pictures go a long way in solving the mystery of the stand alone method..
I have only ever used my tarp over a fire pit in wooded areas with the ridge line and guy ropes tied to nearby trees or once as an extension over the front of the tent...and found the extension set up more of a faff cos it involved one person and two poles...But as Mucker says you get better at it once you have mastered the knack and done it a few times....
My only tips would be plenty of extra paracord or guylines... Krabs...and pegs packed with the tarp to give you options on set up once you are on site and see the lie of the land so to speak....
Jelboy
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Quote: Originally posted by geoffprinter on 25/7/2013
Cheers DK and Mucker. While we were away recently we bought a sort of tarp out of lidl £2o (another impulse buy) It has the same shape as described, 2 long poles and guys. Thought we would try and give ourselves some extra shade during the day. Have to say we had so much grief with it I just chucked it back in its bag. Now looking at your pics mucker with the poles upright and guyed 1st. Now if I was to measure a length of string from eyelet to eyelet on the tarp so as I know where to put the poles 1st would that work or would I have to do something more along the line of your ridgeline set up. As I say I only really want it as a bit of extra shade on a hot day. Geoff
Lol Geoff sounds like our first try with a tarp. Lots of messing about and strained responses later it got thrown back in its bag. We have since tried it several times since and I'm happy to report we have found some great configurations for it. Even used it over the front window in the recent heatwave to shade the room from the heat a bit.
Quote: Originally posted by Campernic on 25/7/2013
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 24/7/2013
I position the poles roughly where I believe they should be
Do you mean you lay them out on the ground?
Yup, lay the poles out on the ground, however, roughly peg the guys in place.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by geoffprinter on 25/7/2013
.... Now looking at your pics mucker with the poles upright and guyed 1st. Now if I was to measure a length of string from eyelet to eyelet on the tarp so as I know where to put the poles 1st.....
I see absolutely no reason why not. As the line would be the same length as the tarp (from eyelet to eyelet) it would simply act as a "spacer", and you'd get it bang on each time.
It's just so much easier, imo, to get the poles up on their own, without the tarp flapping about!
Just make sure, when you hook the tarp eyelets onto the poles, to slacken off each guy and wrap around the spike, over the tarp, before re-tightening it up. With the guy over the tarp, then heading to the ground, the tarp cannot be blown off the spike.
After all that, guy out the remaining attachment points. On poles for greater head room, or simply straight to the ground.
Don't give up Geoff.... it really is a lot simpler than it looks/sounds, and you soon realise just how versatile they can be.
I definitely find it easier to set up the poles and ridge line without the weight of the tarp or the tarp itself flapping about in the wind.
I did try to set the tarp up so that it lined up with the tent, however, I did not lose any sleep when it was about 0.5m off centre.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Once Ive finished my night shifts I will have another go. Providing I can find room in the garden and the OH lets me put pegs in her precious flower beds. But if you had seen us when we were away last with this thing you would have cried laughing. Me with one pole Oh with the other pole trying to lift it over the front canopy with the tarp hooked on well all I can say it was just as well we had that bit of the site to ourselves. We were trying to be a bit clever trying to create a sort of side shelter on the side of the tent, but you have to try these things don't you, and I really don't like things getting the better of me. So if the weather holds I will post some pics of our efforts. Geoff
I think if you have time and are not going anywhere a campsite is the ideal place for "messing about" with tarp and poles cofigurations...
There as some pictures on Jim Call's Glencoe threads that show us "Messing about" with my tarp shortly after I had bought it (Sorry can't do links) If you care to have a look at our attempts....I am still learning as I go how to put these thing up...There are so many uses for them...including a substitute for a ridge tent that we tried once...
One thing I have learned is Krabs come in very handy for keeping the tarp tight and in position on the ridge line..and now have a selection that go everywhere the tarp does.....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: A few pics and question about tarps
