Tarps, are yours pre-rigged with guylines or not?

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Imagedude

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 24, 2011
2,004
45
Gwynedd
Do you leave guy lines on your tarps or do you add the lines as needed? Do you use guy line runners to tension them or do you rely on knots?
 

The Big Lebowski

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Aug 11, 2010
2,320
6
Sunny Wales!
Simple loops on the end with overhand knots. Then larks footed through the eyes depending on how I want to pitch the tarp for the time.

Saves tangles, takes a few more seconds.
 
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_Geraint_

Member
Feb 8, 2008
48
0
40
Lancashire
Always tied and using tensioners from Helsport. I do know the knots if need be though. I've just gotten into using tarps so only time will tell if it stays that way but I prefer it at the moment.
 

SimonM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 7, 2007
4,015
6
East Lancashire
www.wood-sage.co.uk
I use several tarps, so have a dry bag with accessories in.

It contains,

ridge lines x2 - 1 goes under the tarp as an accessory hanger.
guy lines
tent pegs
prussic loops

Ridge lines are attached to the tarp using mini crabs, with a prussic loop on the outer ones to keep it taut.

Guy lines have a loop of shock cord on the end, so self tension, then a mini crab to attach to the tarp.

I use sliding knots to adjust the guy line tension, not adjusters.

Simon
 

garethw

Settler
Hi there
Yep tarp ready rigged. Ridge line tensioned with prussik loops, and 4 guys, one in each corner that I just tension using an adjustable sliding knot.
I've tried several ways and this is the quickest to put up and when it comes to packing away I do it Ray Mears style, using the ridge line to bind the tarp and thus make it more compact. My tarp and hammock fit nicel into a PLCE pocket on my pack.
cheers
Gareth
 

Squidders

Full Member
Aug 3, 2004
3,853
15
48
Harrow, Middlesex
Until now mine were pre rigged and I just used knots. I just got lots of dutchware bits though and will have lines etc off my tarps and not use knots... No idea if I will like it yet though.
 

Outdoordude

Native
Mar 6, 2012
1,099
1
Kent
I leave the guy lines on. I just roll them up. It can be a bit of faff but oh well. I use a bowline to tie them to the tarp.
 

Squidders

Full Member
Aug 3, 2004
3,853
15
48
Harrow, Middlesex
Hanking lines up well can be a massive time saver.

i always make a figure 8 around my pinkie finger and thumb and pull a loop through and over the top of the pinkie finger eye. The figure 8 means it never snags.
 

monkey spanner

Forager
Jul 4, 2010
160
0
kent
Yep tarp ready rigged. Ridge line tensioned with prussik loops, and 4 guys, one in each corner that I just tension using an adjustable sliding knot.
I've tried several ways and this is the quickest to put up and when it comes to packing away I do it Ray Mears style, using the ridge line to bind the tarp and thus make it more compact
Hanking lines up well can be a massive time saver.

i always make a figure 8 around my pinkie finger and thumb and pull a loop through and over the top of the pinkie finger eye. The figure 8 means it never snags.

Plus 1..... :)
 

Gaudette

Full Member
Aug 24, 2012
872
17
Cambs
After several years trying all sorts of ways. I settled on my set up at the beginning of last year and used it all through the year and it suits me well. Figure of 9's on each corner. Guylines attached to lightweight stakes with a small carabiniers. Ridgeline has a carabinier one end and a figure of 9 the other.
 

bilmo-p5

Bushcrafter through and through
Jul 5, 2010
8,168
9
west yorkshire
My usual thing ...

binerguy.jpg


2 of about 5m & 2 about 3m.
 
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Big Stu 12

Bushcrafter through and through
Jan 7, 2012
6,028
4
Ipswich
My tarp's all have their own pre-rigged outer ridge line, and an inner ridge line, they all have the four corners with normal line and runners, as these break I replace with a rig made from paracord with cam cleats, which i keep a couple pre-made, in my response pack, any other additional lines i add and take off as I need.

I secure them to the loops with Larks heads
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
Ive had a few tarps, some with line locs/guy runners I leave on, to use with trekking poles, and others without. Actually on the attachment points of the tarp, I have small 2mm dyneema loops, in a simple overhand knot, so I can take extra line with me, and just do a simple loop to loop connection. Normally with 4m guys. I use a selection of hitches, I prefer a simple truckers hitch, for a ridgeline, [10m] where you can double or triple the mechanical advantage, with some smaller diametre dyneema, attached permanatly via prussiks. Again use a slippery hitch, or a tautline hitch to attach to the pegs/trees. Hank the line in a figure 8 round thumb and little finger when packed away.

I also carry a selection of different cords and line in a stuff sack. So i have cheaper 'throwaway' stuff with me, for tieing logs together, for instance, using a simple butchers knot or arbor knot.
 
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knifefan

Full Member
Nov 11, 2008
1,048
3
61
Lincolnshire
I keep all my guys and bits in a ditty bag. Mainly due to the fact I never know how Ill pitch it till i get to a site. I hardly use a ridge line nowadays as I tend to use my hiking poles and pitch tent style!!

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
 

Shewie

Mod
Mod
Dec 15, 2005
24,259
24
48
Yorkshire
Mine are permanently attached, I sometimes use hardware and sometimes just knots, it depends which tarp I'm using.
 

copper_head

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 22, 2006
4,261
1
Hull
I have mini-karibiners on prussic loops attached to my ridgeline, then I can attach my tarp in any configuration I want. Plus a 4m paracord guy on each corner of the tarp.
 

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