Tarp cordage advice needed

N

NDWoods

Joined
Dec 24, 2009
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Hey, guys. I recently got in a couple of camo Etowah tarps and am looking for advice on how you are attaching paracord to the various tabs that stay on there. I am looking for advice on knots being used and what length cord you are attaching to the sides and center.

These are my first tarps like this so I am hoping I do not have to go completely with learning from my mistakes and trial and error. Any help and pics are appreciated.

James
 
I use a figure 8 knot with a loop at the tarp end, then slip the end thru the grommet and put a twig thru the loop. I keep the cords all togerther with the loop in them, handy and quick to use. Just tie the tag end on your tent peg and good to go, I use 550 paracord
 
James, the lengths depend a lot on how you set your tarp. If you set it close to the ground, all but one or two can be short. If you pitch it high, of course most need to be longer. Attach them removably as suggested above (or just feed the loose end thru the loop), and you can decide what length is needed where each time you set it. And you can change your setup to match the weather and location.
 
extra long bungee cords should keep a tarp taut & make set up simple. used to work well with a gi poncho.
 
I use a bowline and then larks head that through the grommets. If I've got a lot of spare line after wrapping it around the tent stakes I sometimes to a tautline hitch to keep everything nice and well, taut.

There are some cool elastic lines you can buy from various places like this:

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/STLs.htm
 
Bowline or round turn and two half-hitches to the grommets and either a trucker's hitch (my preference) or tautline hitch to the stakes/anchor point. If for some reason you don't want to keep the cord attached to grommets when you store it, then either use clove hitch on a twig (pencil thickness) or a slippery half-hitch to the grommet.
 
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I often use a small loop of shock cord (available at REI and other such stores) between the tarp and line. It seems to extend the life of the tarp in windy environments.

DancesWithKnives
 
you'll need to "play" with your tarp a bit first (better in you yard to start) to figure out guy length- very dependent on the pitch

I also use a bowline and simple larks head to attach the cord to the tarp loops- tautline hitch for tightening

I posted up a thread w/ several configurations (with pictures :)) for pitching- it's a poncho/tarp, but the pitches would be similar for all flat tarps
 
I take along, a large plastic baggie with a variety of cordage. I always have one 30 foot or so larger diameter piece to use as a main ridge line.
In the bag are 8 stakes, a number of S-Biner clips, figure 9 clips, and shorter lengths of ParaCord.
With this kit, I can erect my 10 X 10 Etowah tarp in a variety of different configurations.
For knots, I use tautline, sheep shank, truckers hitch, and several more.
 
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