Tarp shelter set up style

[Runner]

I have used a tarp for a shelter more than once, but I never really cared about it being setup to suit anything but my needs. Since I am considering doing the same thing with a plain tarp at a Rendezvoux, what would be the correct or at least the best way to set one up? What size is best for that setup? Thanks in advance!

 

[greytop13]

Hey Runner,
Try this site:
http://www.wizzywigweb.com/longshot/diamond.htm

 

Looks like he decided to leave the tipi or wall tent at home so he could fit more stuff in his truck.--Sean

 

[scott fellows]

jst continue to set it up to meet your needs. there are no set ways that you have to set up a tarp to camp under.
pieman

 

[Runner]

I have always used a modern tarp with eyelets. You thread a rope thru the two middle ones and tie it to the eyelets. You tie the ends to two trees to make the main support. I cut two poles and place them under the tarp but over the rope slanting towards the back. The front half is left free so you can fold it back over for the days and drop it for the cool nights or buggy times. If you cut the poles long, you can tuie the front up for shade if you wish during the day. Some adjustments would be needed with the canvas, but it should work fine for this style.

 

[threefingersjack]

I use a 12'x12' tarp usually as a lean-to. This weekend though I'm setting it up as a diamond fly. You can set it up at least 4 diff. ways. Like pieman said just set up to your needs. :front:

 

[mglampson]

I camp with a tarp just over 8' square. Set up in a diamond fly there is enough room for one to be comfortable with gear. It would fit two in a pinch but would be crowded some. I think it provides more protection then a leanto.

Britches

 

[scott fellows]

if you don't want to have grommets in it then tie round balls or small stones in it that way you can put the ties wherever you want them at any given time.
pieman

 

[keethb]

Runner,

I had found a couple of quality treated tarps at Northern Tool and Freight Harbor at good prices and was seriously considering picking one up to build a shelter for rondezvous. Both of these tarps had the brass grommets. The grommets would be really handy, but I was wondering if some events and reenactors might object to the grommets, and derivatively my diamond shelter. What has been your experience? Are the grommets okay?

Best Regards,

Sky-Dogg :front:

 

[Runner]

Only experience I have is in reading others comments and discussions. My use has been keeping me dry. To be correct, it should not have grommets from what I uderstand. The method of a smooth rock or a musket ball tied in the fabric seems to be the normal approach. Depends on where you try to use it I guess. I think this is one of the major reasons people use the painters drop cloths, wash them, and then treat them. No grommets and you get to keep the seams. Some people are going to hate the fact that the canvas is bleached or dyed. Some would hate the grommets. Some accept sewn on straps and I think others would complain even about that. A guy named Oneshot posted a link to a good diagram on another site. Let me post it here just for the heck of it.

http://marina.fortunecity.com/seaview/283/mypage3.htm?nocache=924350899

I used a tarp years ago until I bought a bigger tent for me and the family. I have always used it or a camper since. This getting things together for the muzzleloader gatherings is a new game to me!

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

I just got my oil cloth Trail Tarp from Panther Primitives. It took me 10 min to set up the first time but that will go faster as I get used to it. Here's a pic:

 

[Runner]

I tried to download their PDF, but it was going so slow it was going to take about 10 hours. I am going to talk to some local folks Monday about Canvak to seal my tarp with.

 

[pondoro]

What is PC for stakes?

 

[onefeather]

i use wooden ones for mine
:front:

 

[bnail]

Hey Runner, I've been experimenting with tarps for a while now and have decided that I prefer these two setups:
this is a rectangular painter's tarp:

And this is a 9x9 tentesmith's trail tarp:

Both designs are illustrated in this really neat website I found: Click here

 

[Slamfire]

I made one out of a pattern from a Boy Scout Manual or perhaps an article in Boys Life magazine, when I was about 14 or 15. Used heavy unbleached muslin, added a lot of tie points with basting tape, and waterproofed it by soakin' it in alum. I've forgotten the measurments, but we set it up like a pup tent, lean to, and diamond. It was quite roomy, probably 9x9 foot. Once it rained you had to resoak it in the alum solution. The worst part of it was learnin' to use a sewin' machine. Now my wife has me set the tension on all of her machines. :no:

 

[bnail]

I think that the website I posted used an old BS manual for the lean-to designs, probably same sources you used I'd bet.
I never heard of alum as waterproofing, sounds like a "bitter" experience :haha:
Oh, about the sewing machine, Serves ya right for learninng how to sew! The wife won't let me anywhere near her machine since my last debacle,:thumbsup:

 

[Runner]

Try this one...

http://marina.fortunecity.com/seaview/283/mypage3.htm?nocache=924350899

 

[almrl]

Runner,

Found this while looking for something else. All sorts of tarp shelters.

"Tarp Shelters - An Introduction by David B. Macpherson"
[url] http://www.equipped.com/tarp-shelters.htm[/url]

Old Coot

 

[bnail]

I have used a tarp for a shelter more than once, but I never really cared about it being setup to suit anything but my needs. Since I am considering doing the same thing with a plain tarp at a Rendezvoux, what would be the correct or at least the best way to set one up? What size is best for that setup? Thanks in advance!

Hey Runner, what finally came of your Tarp search? What new conclussions did you come up with? For me, I dropped my tarpage down to 7x7, and am sorry I didn't do it years ago!