military tarp help

[monkey boy]

hi every one, my wife got me a new tarp yesterday and its the british issue type. now i like to use my tarp and hammock set up but the attachment points are different on my new tarp to my old one.
my old tarp is a highlander military basha so all i had to do was thread the paracord through the centre attachment points and tie it to the trees, but the attachment points on my new tarp is different they are like handles and they are facing the other way, there is also a random loop on the other side of it.
my Question is how do I set this up for the hammock using paracord as I hate bungies.
iv taken pic so you get an idea what i meen. thanx in advance.

the other side

ps the material feels funny to, hard to fold up.

 

[Shewie]

You could tie a prussik knot around those loops and then onto a ridgeline

 

[The Lord Poncho]

In your first two photos you have the basha inside out/upside down. The handles (they are handles, so you can fold the basha in two and use as an emergency stretcher) should be on the underside. The shiny seam sealant is uppermost, and there are still a couple of points through which to run paracord if thats what you want to do. Personally i just use bungies from the eyelets on the perimeter of the basha.

The material is silicon impregnated nylon- thats why it is slippery and you may be finding it hard to fold neatly. i just stuff it into a stuff sack without folding-that way you don't get the same folds subject to abrasion time after time.

 

[monkey boy]

thanx chaps iv had a look on youtube but i cant seem to this exact tarp being set up, if anyones found a link please send it to me.

 

[VANDEEN]

Here's a guy with one set up upside down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyIyVQqMJtY

The centre loop I beleive is for a mossie net.

And a few more setup ideas here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGkHyiVGwkE

I use mine with a couple of small loops tied round the handles and thread the ridge line through them, at the ends I have a couple of prussik loops & a pair of mini binas. Loop three times round the ridge line then bina through & clip into the central brass eyelet same at other end then slide prussics to tighten.

With the extra reinforcement offered by the webbing strip under the handles you dont really need a full length ridge line and can get away with just tying off the ends V. tight It holds a wind load fine without the ridge line for extra central support, these arent your usual lightweight bit of kit. Here's a vid of a guy using one as a hammock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01sFJEasKHY braver than me, or maybe just lighter lol

I do it my way as I can fold it, roll it & tie it for bagging when still hanging on the ridge line then just undo the ridgeline & wrap & pack. LOL Sounds easier than it is as you've already found out these are slippery suckers to say the least!!!

Never used mine with a hammock but imagine it's pretty tight for length especially if the rain is falling far off vertical.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

The material is silicon impregnated nylon- thats why it is slippery and you may be finding it hard to fold neatly. i just stuff it into a stuff sack without folding-that way you don't get the same folds subject to abrasion time after time.

That what I do too. and if you stuff it right you can still have the ridge line ends on top so you can tie one end up the just pull the other so you dont get a tangle.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Heres mine setup in a pretty standard way,guys on the corners and ridge line through three centre ridge loops, loads of room under it for admin and living,

I store mine in a long Exped stuff sack with the ridge line at the top, it doesn't form a solid log and means it will mould to the shape of the top of the bergan when stowed,

 

[Retired Member southey]

Here's a guy with one set up upside down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyIyVQqMJtY

The centre loop I beleive is for a mossie net.

And a few more setup ideas here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGkHyiVGwkE

I use mine with a couple of small loops tied round the handles and thread the ridge line through them, at the ends I have a couple of prussik loops & a pair of mini binas. Loop three times round the ridge line then bina through & clip into the central brass eyelet same at other end then slide prussics to tighten.

With the extra reinforcement offered by the webbing strip under the handles you dont really need a full length ridge line and can get away with just tying off the ends V. tight It holds a wind load fine without the ridge line for extra central support, these arent your usual lightweight bit of kit. Here's a vid of a guy using one as a hammock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01sFJEasKHY braver than me, or maybe just lighter lol

I do it my way as I can fold it, roll it & tie it for bagging when still hanging on the ridge line then just undo the ridgeline & wrap & pack. LOL Sounds easier than it is as you've already found out these are slippery suckers to say the least!!!

Never used mine with a hammock but imagine it's pretty tight for length especially if the rain is falling far off vertical.

No, he has it set up the correct way up, the webbing strip of handles(as said by LP are for use when being a stretcher) should be facing the floor or you will end up with a strip of soaking webbing when it rains, I have an accessory line strung between the end most handles under the tarp to hang washing\towels\ little bits of kit,

 

[VANDEEN]

No, he has it set up the correct way up, the webbing strip of handles(as said by LP are for use when being a stretcher) should be facing the floor or you will end up with a strip of soaking webbing when it rains, I have an accessory line strung between the end most handles under the tarp to hang washing\towels\ little bits of kit,

That was my initial thoughts as well, as then the lable is also on the inside + I couldn't understand why you would want all that webbing getting soaked, it's a heavy enough tarp as it is.

I was then "corrected" by a couple of ex soldiers that it should be handles out and have always hung it that way since.

Having just unpacked it again & looked at it with fresh eyes I'm going back to my initial thought of handles in and agreeing with you.

1 The webbing wont get soaked
2 The edge seams will also be rolled under the cover and not fill up as little troughs as the water runs down the sides.
3 The lable will be on the inside
4 It will be easier to fold when strung from a ridge line as there will be a suspension point dead centre.

It makes complete sense when you look at it, I think I was had over, maybe they were too?

Handles in from now on for me too. Until someone gives me a better reason not too. LOL

 

[Retired Member southey]

They may well have been taught that way, having just been shown five different ways of setting up which, by each of the "Instructors", were considered by each to be THE STANDARD set up, I can see why your chaps would be confused, but if you look at the pic i posted, remove the ridge line, swap the guys for bungees a a length of string or more bungees attached to the centre loop going up to a branch or off to a higher point on a tree to lift the middle to shed water, either each corner bungee will go off to a tree\branch at around knee hight( for a low visible profile), OR one end pegged down to give a lean too(still at no higher than knee hight) that's how I have always set up when on foot(exercise only) can do some pics at the weekend if it helps

 

[monkey boy]

They may well have been taught that way, having just been shown five different ways of setting up which, by each of the "Instructors", were considered by each to be THE STANDARD set up, I can see why your chaps would be confused, but if you look at the pic i posted, remove the ridge line, swap the guys for bungees a a length of string or more bungees attached to the centre loop going up to a branch or off to a higher point on a tree to lift the middle to shed water, either each corner bungee will go off to a tree\branch at around knee hight( for a low visible profile), OR one end pegged down to give a lean too(still at no higher than knee hight) that's how I have always set up when on foot(exercise only) can do some pics at the weekend if it helps

yes please pics would be nice & helpful, what do people think of these tarps compaired to othee tarp?

 

[Retired Member southey]

strong and water proof, plenty of room for ground dwelling, the copies dont even come close to the quality,

 

[drewdunnrespect]

okay the boys for chrimbo i wanted a small taro because i have a big one that is a true north outdoors 4.5 by 3 and i was thinking of getting the 2.20 buy 3 meter small tarp also from true north outdoors but you now have me thinking cos maybe i could get one of these instead beause it is for when i go back packing on the ground or to store things under

your opinions please

 

[monkey boy]

okay the boys for chrimbo i wanted a small taro because i have a big one that is a true north outdoors 4.5 by 3 and i was thinking of getting the 2.20 buy 3 meter small tarp also from true north outdoors but you now have me thinking cos maybe i could get one of these instead beause it is for when i go back packing on the ground or to store things under

your opinions please

it seems really good quality, I havent had a chance to test it out yet, im just wondering if suitable for my hammock.

 

[redandshane]

I have used one of these as my tarp of choice for years now
but I do now have other tarps as well for specialist use
However this tarp will always do the job and I would trust it

Its a bit too heavy but its really pretty tough
I am well aware of the which way round issue and tbh it doesn't really seem to matter too much;so personal preference will suffice
It does not leak at all
Good quality kit which doesn't let you down

Store in a stuff sack
You have to use guy lines rather than paracord as the weight with paracord is comparable to a small tent
I don't carry pegs either
I do use bungees rather than a ridge line

I actually find it it too big and heavy for a hammock when hiking especially in winter of course it is fine for car camping though-all that is relevant to intended use
Get out and try it that's the way to learn

 

[sandbag47]

It's ok to use with a hammock as long as you use it in a dimond shape i.e corner to far corner if you know what I mean.