LB rod 55 wrote:Woody, thats a good idea about using rope and u bolts,i've had a good run with mine,i think its 20x12ft. paid $35 new from northern warehouse cheap shop been set up at least a dozen times in all types of weather,but i think it will have to be retired soon.but the next one will be set up with the rope and u bolts as you suggested thanks mate.......Rod
Rod,
The D shackles thru the eyelets are also through the rope, I twist the rope a little to loosen it and pass the shackle through 2 of the 3 rope twists. This keeps the rope aligned correctly along the tarp edge. ( stops the shackles from sliding along the rope.)
On the corners, and at intervals along the rope, where I want a tent pole, I use a single link of chain, and attach the ropes to the chain link by splicing loops in the rope.
The pole spikes go thru the chain link for a solid connection.
For tent pegs I use 35 X 35 X 6mm angle, 300mm long with a point made by cutting a 45 degree angle each side.
These are the best type tent pegs bar none. Round rod pegs are useless in a lot of soil types.
A single chain link is welded on the inside, near the top of the peg. For the back edge of the tarp pegs, I use a carabiner clip to clip onto the chain links in the rope.
The pegs for the poles have an extension spring with the pole rope and tensioners permanantly attached. The rope end has a link of chain to go over the pole spike after the pole spike is up thru the tarp edge rope chain link.
The centre of the tarp rope, ( the one thats usually strung between two trees) is connected to the side ropes on a heavy duty steel ring, ( large chain link) making a tee at the rope intersection.
A heavy duty pole, each side at this point, and two 400mm long angle pegs and longer ropes with spring and tensioner will negate the reliance on using trees as the centre rope support.
Not a good practice setting up under gum trees, for safety reasons.
I use different color ropes to differentiate the front, back and sides of the tarps, and also the side pole ropes from the front pole ropes.
To set the tarp up, I pick the direction of the prevailing wind, as this determines where the back wall of the tarp goes to block the wind.
The tarp back edge is then pegged out.
The tarp is now flat on the ground. On top of it around the edge in the right positions I mark with a heavy waterproof texta the positions of the tent pegs, with a number, which denotes metres directly out from the tarp where to place the peg exactly.
This makes set up simple. Once all the pegs are hammered into the ground in the exact right positions, with their permanantly attached springs tensioned ropes, its just a matter of walking around and standing up the poles. Jobs done.
It takes a while to set this up correctly, but you only have to do it once.