Tarp Setup Question

My question is: When setting up a tarp in an "A" frame configuration does the tarp go over the ridge line or is the ridge line on the outside and the tarp secured to the ridge line with the tie out loops.

Also if possible I would like to know the reasoning or logic behind doing it the one way and not the other.

Thanks in advance for everyones insight.

If my understanding of materials is correct, it depends on what the tarp is made of and how well it's impregnated with repellant if a material that is porous.

Once again, if my understanding is correct, pressure on silicon impregnated nylon (for example) will allow water to bleed through where the line is if the tarp is draped over the line.

That may be only if the line is wet though.

I could be wrong though... Suddenly I'm not sure where I heard that stuff. HAHAHA

On a plastic tarp, it may not matter unless water travels down the line and drips on you.

I hang it over the ridgeline, either a pole or paracord. I belive it gives the structure more stability and strength under a high stress load wheather it be wind or snow.

It would be up to you and the area your setting up in. If I under stand you question, there is not really any right or wrong just a preferance and need of the moment.

Check here and see if this answers your questions:
http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.htm

Notice the photo in the upper right corner.

Tom,

I have a 10' x 12' Equinox Ultralight tarp with several nylon ties, and my belief is that these are best used to prevent the tarp from shifting around due to wind getting under the tarp when the tarp is hung on top of the ridgeline.

From an engineering standpoint, the tarp is much more uniformly supported when hung over the ridgeline, and I suspect that depending upon the angle it is anchored, one could actually tear the nylon ties from the tarp due to the weight of an accumulated snow load if the tarp was merely supported by several individual points.

The one potential downside to this method of attachment (tarp hung over the ridgeline) would be eventually wearing through the center of the tarp where it makes contact with the ridgeline, although I would expect one to tear the nylon ties from the tarp (in the case of attaching the tarp under the ridgeline) long before this would ever occur.

Jim

If you toss your tarp over a rope and it rains, water will follow the rope down into your "home". There are ways to stop that, but if your tarp had ties and you use them, you can avoid that little problem...

Tom

Get a good back-packing tent with a full fly and footprint. If you want you can use the fly and footprint alone for a lightweight shelter. I prefer a full tent though because of the critters that roam around in my area. 5-6#'s should be ok to carry.

I consider tarps as emergency only but a good lightweight tent or bivy is better,

JMO

Blitz

I've always preferred the tarp be draped over the line rather than suspended from it with ties or fasteners. It seems a lot more sturdy and secure when draped, and any leak problems are fairly easily addressed by a simple drip line. I've done everything from canvas to nylon to woven poly that way, and find that putting some tension on the tarp makes it less prone to riffling in the wind.

I've had a few bad experiences with ties in foul weather where the ties ripped out of the tarp. Same with lacing grommets along the ridge line. Under more ideal conditions that may be the way to go, but I will no longer do mine that way.

Better still would be to have a ridge pole, but that isn't often very practical.

Personally I'm not a fan of the A-frame way of setting up a tarp.

When I do set it up that way I use my trekking poles to suspend the ends regardless of if I use a ridgeline or not. It's nice to have and adds strength but it's not always possible depending on where you are.

Assuming I'm sleeping and not trying to sit out some nasty weather, I'll set up my tarp as compact and sturdy as possible with as little of it up in the air as I can manage. Because I use a waterproof bivy bag, that can mean the lower part of my bag is exposed to the elements a bit as my tarp is only 5x8.

For a larger tarp, I like this way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkBeZqXU4zk
but a guy line or two would be added.

In situations warranting an expedient set up of shelter, the tarp over the ridge line approach would be preferable. Less time and less fine motor knotting when you're in the elements and under stress.

It should probably be noted that I have never used my tarp as a stand alone shelter, but rather as a rain fly for my Byer Amazonas hammock, hence the relatively large 10' x 12' size.

The Equinox siliconized tarp that I have is very light (the 10' x 12' size weighs less than 19 oz) although it is a bit pricey at $85.00 US. These are available from Campmor out of Mahwah, NJ. Also be aware the newer style tarps are a dark green, not the older bright green version shown on the website.

Jim

I have an 8 by 10 Equinox and I think it is about 12 ounces. I'm planning to use it as a primary shelter for a backpack trip this summer.

I found this video on setting up a tarp and I emailed this guy and asked why he "hung" the tarp from the ridgeline rather than just throwing the tarp over the line. His response was that he was taught to do it this way. He asked me to try it both ways and see which I prefered and let him know. Very nice guy and very helpful.

I'm afraid that too much stress on the tarp (from wind and/or precipitation) would tear the ties off of it. Seems like running the tarp over the ridgeline would provide much more support than "hanging" the tarp, and I think securing the tarp to the ridgeline with the prusik hitch would eliminate the drips coming under the tarp (running down the ridgeline and dripping at the low point).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjMmla9DSzo&eurl=http://www.bushcraftnorthwest.com/articles/articles.htm

In fact that is exactly my experience. Tying it off rather than draping it over has resulted in having the ties unravel, tear, or knot up bad such that I won't do it again given the choice.

I can't go to Youtube anymore here, but you can pass along my reasons if you like.

One tip from something I've tried is to drape the tarp over the ridgeline and then secure each end of the tarp to the ridgeline using 2 loops of cord and prusik knots. That way the tarp can be moved along the ridgeline and pulled as taught as you like without having to get out from under the tarp or re-tie anything. The knots seem to help prevent a bit of the moisture from running up the full length of the ridgeline too.

> There are ways to stop that

A-frame supports or drip sticks/ drip lines, for a couple of examples.

You could also intentionally have one end of the line supporting the tarp lower than the other by a few inches which tends to cause any water to follow the line to the lowest point at one end, rather than going to the center of the support line (under the tarp) due water/tarp/snow loads causing it to drop off inside under the tarp. It would be wise to use the tie offs on each end when using this method.

As far as the wear and tear on the tarp, the supporting line could be wrapped with a spare blanket or you could also find a way of making / attaching some sort of load spreader under the tarp or on the line itself. Of course this carries its own weight penalty to be dealt with. YMMV

Regards,
Comanche7

It depends on preference, length of cord, distance between ridge supports (trees?), and the strength of the tarp's tie-outs.

I prefer using the tie-outs due to more flexibility in anchor points with less cord and not having to worry about water seepage along the cord. (I do still have to worry about water seepage into my hammock from the support straps though. )

Setup the ridgeline. Attach 2' lengths of chord to middle grommets on the a frame with half hitches. secure these to the ridge line w/ taught-line-hitches (magnus hitch) leaving the standing end dangling. The magnus hitch only slides one-way on the ridgeline, allowing you to stretch the tarp taught. This configuration eliminates any sag in the ridge, as well as allows a drip line at each end. Go to UTUBE and search for "rigging a tarp" for a video by ray mears showing a good way to secure the ridge line tighly to the trees for easy removal. The great thing about this technique is that the tarp will be taught even if the ridge line is somewhat loose.