Tarps...whaqt do you rec?

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 893

Here is one I found. seems kinda pricey.

http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/flex-fly-rain-tarp.html

What do you rec?

frankthetank · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:30 am Post subject: Re: Tarps...whaqt do you rec?

That seems like a rip off. Check Gander Mtn, Cabelas, etc. You should be able to find a used circus tent for that much Smile

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gnm · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:38 am Post subject: Re: Tarps...whaqt do you rec?

You can do as well with a treated nylon tarp and some salvage poles. Personally I always used a reinforced "emergency blanket type tarp" - (quick google found coghlans reinforced to be the type) and then just made poles from local trees if I was in the mood for poles. Those type tarps have a layer or mylar which considerably increases the insulation. Carry that and a small roll of sturdy line. Cost - $15 bucks or so. I have camped in such a rig even in winter weather. Just situate it correctly and pile oak leaves or pine needles up over the back or taco yourself in it and burrow under the leaves.

If you want to go more spendy then maybe a black diamond pyramid tent or something like that would be the way to go. You could also just pick up a replacement tent fly for one of the larger tents and rig your own poles. Some of the Sierra designs tents can be set up with just fly and poles also.

-G
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gw · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Tarps...whaqt do you rec?

Those plastic tarps only last a season or two out in the desert, and probably not much longer elsewhere. If the tarp is protected from uv exposure it will last much longer. A durable paint like elastomeric or roof coating could work for several years. It would be best to keep it covered with some locally available natural materials.
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gnm · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:38 am Post subject: Re: Tarps...whaqt do you rec?

Very true. I wouldn't plan on one lasting more than a few months really under heavy use. For a real long term solution I would suggest a canvas/linseed oiled type. Treated nylon will last fairly long also. Most anything will be trashed after 2-3 years in the sun however.

-G
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Polemic · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Tarps...whaqt do you rec?

Here's a huge 16' X 20' cheapo tarp for $38 including shipping on e-bay.

Link

Quality canvas tarps can be found for the same price on e-bay, but they're only 7' X 9'.

Either way, if concealment is desired, put one of these on top:

It will also keep some of the UV rays off the tarp.

darwinsdog · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 27, 2008 Posts: 170

Those blue plastic tarps are worthless. They photodegrade in a matter of months. A few years back they might have lasted a couple years, at most, but now they don't even last one season. I think that the manufacturers are intentionally making them to degrade quicker, so you have to buy them more often. Stick with canvas.

smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 6474

I think it depends on what you're trying to do with the tarp.

For backpacking, IMHO, coated nylon tarps are the only way to go. Something like this: link. They're expensive, but a 12X9 tarp like that will pack down to about the size of a softball. For car camping or protecting a building while you reroof or something, then I'd go with the polyethylene tarps from Home Depot. Blue for light duty. Brown for heavier duty and longer life.
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HEADER_RACK · Intermediate Crude Joined: Feb 15, 2007 Posts: 540

Expensive industrial tarps, but they are good
Eagle Industries
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PrairieMule · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: Tarps...whaqt do you rec?

cowgap · Coal Joined: Jun 17, 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Central Texas

For our farm, we have recently purchased several 10 ' x 40' very heavy uv protected tarps that were once billboard ads. They were about $30 each and we agreed to place the ad side down and the white (or black) side up. Check with billboard companies for availability.

heena · Coal Joined: Nov 13, 2008 Posts: 1

bromius · Heavy Crude Joined: May 26, 2008 Posts: 143

I recommend getting TARP(troubled asset relief program) brand. You don't have to pay for it, and with it you could probably buy several square miles of high durability plastic coverings.

One real note, when I put up a tarp I put a golfball sized stone in each corner, and tie the rope around those before I string the tarp up. Gromets don't hold up well.

ReverseEngineer · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 1731

Think of the tarp as just a mounting surface, bot protection in and of itself. Once you set it up, cover it with leaves or newspaper, whatever you can scavenge. Protect the tarp from UV. Its a temporary solution anyhow.

Make Thatch from grasses. Bundle the thatch layer it on the tarp Gradually replace the tarp with sinew and bark, whatever is available.

Plenty of materials will e available to scavenge and to use from what grows. Your tarps are just a bridge here to last a year or two most. After that, you gotta figure out how to make your shelter from wht surrounds you.

Reverse Engineer

pedalling_faster · Intermediate Crude Joined: Dec 10, 2005 Posts: 946

OSH (orchard supply) had a sale last Saturday.

2 8x10 tarps, the blue ones, for $6.99.
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