DD tarp problem?

[Phaestos]

Right, well my 3x3 has served me well so far. However, I have begun to notice that some lines have begun to form down it, as though the pu layer is coming away, and that these lines are matched to folds i make when packing it away. I also know that that repeated folding of a waterproof membrane will degrade it. So how do I store it in a way that isnt just stuffed into a sack like my bivi bag, making it a real pain to then set up, and also stop this coating problem? Should I just keep folding it as usual?

Cheers

 

[Bumbler]

I use snake skins for the tarp. Works really well, and makes it a breeze to set up. Also helps when it's a little windy as you can pull out a little tarp at a time.

On my 4,5 x 3 m DD tarp I need 2 of DD's snakeskins, but you can always make your own.

Rune

 

[Bushcraftsman]

My suggestion would be to just try folding it in a differents ways each time? Much in the way that it is better to pack a sleeping bag by stuffing it in the bag than folding (to prevent continuous and repititive compression of the insulating material) im guessing it's a similar principle with the PU coating on the tarp. Try folding along different lines. Snake skins are ok, but IMO they aren't worth the extra "bulk" as they obviously can't pack as small.

Cheers

 

[Teepee]

I agree with bushcraftsman, folding it differently will help a lot.

Although the lines appear, the PU coating is quite tough stuff ( it is on my 3 odd year old one anyway). I think that by the time the coating really starts letting go, there'll be so much UV damage to the fabric that it'll be quite weak.

Mine looks like crazy paving all over but is still hanging on.

 

[Big Stu 12]

This is a very common problem with Ripstop, I always fold my one if different places, then roll,

The same problem can happen to kites as well, and when you have a kite thats a fair few Hundred ££££ the you soon learn not to be so anal about the folding of it, as the odd wrinkel or fold in diifernt place prolongs the life...

 

[sasquatch]

I wouldn't worry, I have a 7 year old one and one thats at least 3 years old, both have been battered, folded repeatedly the same way and hung way too close to countless fires. Despite looking haggard they both work well under less than favorable conditions. You'll get years of use and abuse out of it in my opinion.

 

[Bushcraftsman]

Sorry to hijak this thread but, has anyone had any problems with rain seeping through where the stitching is on the attachment points?

When we went camping end of Jan it chucked it down all night, and towards about 10-11 oclock Brians DD tarp started to leak...something we were both shocked at....has anyone else encountered anything like this?

 

[Big Stu 12]

Not come across that problem .... yet, use a bit of silicon sealent watered down with white spirt to make a liquid to seal it, as it will soak in

 

[Bushcraftsman]

cheers i'll tell him to give that a try!

 

[digitracker]

Sorry to hijak this thread but, has anyone had any problems with rain seeping through where the stitching is on the attachment points?

When we went camping end of Jan it chucked it down all night, and towards about 10-11 oclock Brians DD tarp started to leak...something we were both shocked at....has anyone else encountered anything like this?

It may have just been condensation, I spent a couple of nights out in the fog a couple of weeks ago and had problems with condensation, I had it set up as a full pyrimid which didnt help

Try pouring water over it in on a dry day to make sure whether or not it is leaking before you start any waterproofing.

 

[Elen Sentier]

I agree about snakeskins, fine if I've got the car and am doing basecamp. If I have to carry they're a no-no. I stuff my tarp rather than folding, somebody said that was a good idea a while back. No probs so far.

behind every creative woman there's usually a very talented cat ...

 

[mountainm]

I agree about snakeskins, fine if I've got the car and am doing basecamp. If I have to carry they're a no-no. I stuff my tarp rather than folding, somebody said that was a good idea a while back. No probs so far.

behind every creative woman there's usually a very talented cat ...

Bishop bags are much better for stuffing tarps whilst still hung.

 

[Bluezephyr]

Not come across that problem .... yet, use a bit of silicon sealent watered down with white spirt to make a liquid to seal it, as it will soak in

Is this really a tried and tested way of waterproofing? Nice cheap idea, fabsil is so expensive.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Yes it is, seems to be on here.

I have moved to bombroof UK Issue Basha/Tarps. Very robust and I got two, both for less than a tenner.

 

[Elen Sentier]

Bishop bags are much better for stuffing tarps whilst still hung.

What's a Bishop bag ???

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Bishop's Bag

[video=youtube_share;S-Yu6aSBMKg]http://youtu.be/S-Yu6aSBMKg[/video]

 

[Joonsy]

personally i never fold a tarp nor stuff one in a stuff sack, my method of packing is:- leave one unhanked cord attached to one of the fixing points on tarp, grab that point where cord is attached to tarp and roll up the rest of the tarp into a ball in any old way that the tarp comes to hand, then use the cord to wrap around the ball to reduce size of balled up tarp and hold it all together and finish off with a simple slip knot. Providing only one cord is left attached to tarp it will not tangle in any way at all using this method and as the tarp is effectively ''screwed up'' into a ball it is never ever folded in same place. To re-use just simply pull the slip knot and tarp will open out and it will never be tangled. (you can leave other cords attached if you wish but those ''must'' be hanked to avoid tangling, i just leave one cord atached in a spot that is used most often)

 

[Karl82]

if its leaking through drown it in fabseal and set it up as normal and let it dry out.

 

[Elen Sentier]

Ta Muchley Scott

 

[mountainm]

Ta Muchley Scott

Kepis makes and sells em (amongst others). Highly recommended.