Tarps (1 Viewer)

[rusty_tlc]

Lots of threads about tents and awnings but not much on tarps.

I like tarps;

Easy setup for a dining canopy or wind break in bad weather
Good for covering your rig when running open top
Quick set up for a shelter
Can be cheap, like the ubiquitous blue poly tarp*​

I'd love to see your favorite tarp and tarp rigs.


*I am reasonably certain every resident of the costal areas of Washington, Oregon, and N Cal are issued a blue poly tarp when they register to vote, get a drivers license or just establish residency. Every piece of property from the biggest mansion to the most humble single wide has at least one blue poly tarp covering something.

 

[land crusher]

I've often referred to Oregon as "The Blue Tarp State."

 

[Corey]

Have not used tarps in ages, but long ago when my two sons were young we used the green one that came with poles, guylines, and stakes that stored in a green sack.
That went over the picnic table and did an OK job except for the worst downpour.

I now use A Shadehouse 2 for over my two Ezi-Awn folding stainless steel tables.

 

[rusty_tlc]

We have a Kelty Carport and they are awesome, once you get them set up. One time a wind gust came out of nowhere while I mid take down. The carport wound up with a tear in the fabric and a bent pole. The beauty of Kelty is we sent it back to them and they repaired the rip and replaced the pole at no charge. They did a stellar job if you don't know where the fabric was ripped it's hard to even find it.

 

[Rudster]

My favorite tarps are all the free ones I get from Harbor Freight tools. Not great quality but they are free and use them all the time, usually have a few of them in the truck.

 

[TLC Norway]

I have used quite a few setups, mostly during winter on ice fishing.
When weight isn't an issue, I bring two or three of the mil spec button tarps.
I don't have a clean shot of it, but it can be buttoned in a lot of different ways.
Each soldier carried one, and it could be rigged into tents with three or four of them. Genious.
To heavy four my liking when hiking.
Then I just grab the Hennessey hammock, it comes with a tarp.

Edit: Google 'kneppetelt' and you'll see what I mean [emoji14]

 

[george_tlc]

I ALWAYS take a large silver tarp (HF) camping in oz. It's fairly big so as to provide adequate coverage mainly from rain and especially if the rain is being blown fairly horizontally (think storm).

I tie it off the back of the patrol and then use several adjustable heavy duty posts and guy it out. I've also used it between vehicles.

Here's on example of it setup during a few rainy days:

and during sunny/hot days:

With the general lack of decent shade trees in the oz bush, tarps are pretty well essential while camping.

cheers,
george.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Stretching a tarp between vehicles works great. I've eaten many a meal under that kind of rig.

 

[e9999]

Always thought they should sell tarps that have one side orange so it can serve as a distress flag for helos etc in case of an emergency in the boonies. Other side silver reflective for the heat.

 

[ItWasntMe]

Always thought they should sell tarps that have one side orange so it can serve as a distress flag for helos etc in case of an emergency in the boonies. Other side silver reflective for the heat.

They aren't huge, but there are several companies that make "survival blankets" that are essentially tarps matching your description

 

[e9999]

OK but I'd rather have the mother of all tarps if I'm lost in the desert and hoping for a plane to see me...

 

[cruiserpilot]

We were here for over 10 days, so it's a pretty big deal with a bunch of guys. Not to mention, it had to keep snow off our heads too.

Then there is the smaller solo tarp, for one night only.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Always thought they should sell tarps that have one side orange so it can serve as a distress flag for helos etc in case of an emergency in the boonies. Other side silver reflective for the heat.

They do I saw them at one of the tarp places on-line.

 

[rusty_tlc]

We were here for over 10 days, so it's a pretty big deal with a bunch of guys. Not to mention, it had to keep snow off our heads too.
.........
Then there is the smaller solo tarp, for one night only.

View attachment 1093381

That's a nice set for a tarp in the second pic. Looks like it would work really well in rain.

 

[BMThiker]

This is my 12x9 nylon tarp set up over the entrance of our big tent. Three pole setup with runoff corner just staked out with guy lines.

 

[cruiserpilot]

That's a nice set for a tarp in the second pic. Looks like it would work really well in rain.

That is exactly the way I pitched it. That is west coast Vancouver Island in Strathcona Park. Rain is a fact of life. I also have it so I can open the truck windows when it rains just for fresh air, and a dry truck

That tarp is a 14x14 mesh, with polypropelyne that are not cheap like the blue tarps. They also are waterproof!
The cheaper tarps are 10x10 mesh, and waterproof for a while, but not very strong or long lasting.
I have a pic on another computer of a hunt up north, its got a 40'x40' camo tarp over camp. That
is my favourite redneck tarp that one!

 

[george_tlc]

Bit of rain in the same spot as the first picture of thread #7. Bit of flooding



Yes, we were also topping up a water container.

And here we're collecting water as well for cooking and washing up - the oz bush is a dry place without rain...

cheers,
george.

 

[scrapdaddy]

If you're not worried about looks or weight, then buy a used bill board. They are 48'x14' and cost from $20 to $40. You can cut to any size and put brass grommets where you need them. These tarps are heavy and don't wear out. One side is white and the other is whatever they are selling.

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you're not worried about looks or weight, then buy a used bill board. They are 48'x14' and cost from $20 to $40. You can cut to any size and put brass grommets where you need them. These tarps are heavy and don't wear out. One side is white and the other is whatever they are selling.

They are popular with hay farmers around here.

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you're not worried about looks or weight, then buy a used bill board. They are 48'x14' and cost from $20 to $40. You can cut to any size and put brass grommets where you need them. These tarps are heavy and don't wear out. One side is white and the other is whatever they are selling.

Where do you find them?