GROUND AND HAMMOCK Tarp help!

[mattmacman]

I have a local supply of tyvek and am hoping to make a 4 season tarp for ground and hammock use.
Im hoping to make it with doors so I can close it in, I would like it to be lower and wider than a conventional tarp when pitched with doors closed.

1) I am hoping to get help with dimensions/ get a template so i can figure out how much I need.
2) Any suggestions on making tie outs?
All help is appreciated!

[HitchHiking]

The widest you can go with only one seam is 3 meters(or just under if you loose some to the seam).

The length is up to you for your ridgeline. A good 4 season tarp I would say at lease 3 meters+. A template is not needed as you can utilise all the fabric. For me a 4 season tarp will have flat edges so it can be pitched to the ground to create a dead air space for extra warmth.

Your doors are made from the spacing on the side of the the tie outs from the corner. Have a play with the materials and see what size you want. I have found that 75 cm+ works well.

For the construction of the tie outs I would back the tyvek with a stronger material. If you intend four season use I would accept that there will be a weight penalty on this. 70denier Nylon would get you started.

Also a 4 season note for Tyvek- It does not shed snow like sil Nylon will.

[photohiker]

I had a play with this, but never actually made one.

The method I used was to make some paper scale models then use sketchup to design the final version. I've still got the sketchup plans if you want them, here is a pdf flat plan view, if you print this out and fold it up it might get you started:

TyvekTarpPlanV2.pdf

(51.65 KiB) Downloaded 529 times

For tie-outs, Tyvek tape seems like a good option except there is nowhere to buy it in Australia. If you can get a mate to post some from the US, you can buy it over there for about $15

[Moondog55]

Or perhaps double sided Cuben tape

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/tape.shtml I haven't used it myself

Looks like good stuff but

[photohiker]

It does look like good stuff, but not for tie-outs the way I was thinking.

Aardvark on HF ran some tests with Tyvek Tape attached D-rings with good results (he tested it until the rings started to deform)

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/show ... stcount=29

[mattmacman]

Hey guys, sorry I didn't respond sooner.
@Evan, the tarp will never be used in snow =) Im talking WA winters here so water blowing everywhere tops.
@Evan, how does tyvek pack down compared to sil?
For tie outs im considering a piece of tyvek tape with a d-ring.

[HitchHiking]

The volume would be comparable. The same bag for my tyvek gear fits the same size sil nylon gear no problem.

Keep us informed of your progress eh!

[mattmacman]

Will do, Im going to do a rectangle most likely, any suggestion on dimensions?
Id also like some suggestions on tie outs.
Cheers!

[mattmacman]

I'm definitely going to do a 3X3 tarp now.
Will this work for taping the tarp? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OZ ... rt_title_1
Do I only tape the top side?
How should I go about tie outs? Im thinking just doubled over tape with a dring at the end.

[photohiker]

I'm definitely going to do a 3X3 tarp now.
Will this work for taping the tarp? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OZ ... rt_title_1
Do I only tape the top side?
How should I go about tie outs? Im thinking just doubled over tape with a dring at the end.

If you're making it out of Tyvek, that's Tyvek tape, generally considered stronger than the Tyvek itself, so should do the job. I _think_ Hitchhiking sews his tyvek tarps though.

I reckon the tape tieouts with D-Rings will work fine. You might want to do some back to back tyvek tape inside the loop so the ring can move.

[mattmacman]

I think I will just use a nylon webbing for the tie outs then. Will sewing the tarp ridgeline increase the longevity?

[mattmacman]

Will these work as Drings? They're really cheap =)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20pcs-Metal- ... 5436wt_935