What knot to tie a tarp?

[James_m246]

Thats the best way of securing guys to a tarp?
Is a couple of half hitches adequate or is there a better, more secure way?

 

[Wayland]

There will be lots of opinions about this I'm sure but the best knot is the one you can tie in the dark when the wind is pulling at your tarp and the rain is running down your neck.

I have a slight preference for a knot I can untie later under the same conditions.

 

[P@ul]

Thats the best way of securing guys to a tarp?
Is a couple of half hitches adequate or is there a better, more secure way?

I use the bowline knot and leave the line attached to the tarp when I pack it away, Just my preference though as Wayland said there will be alot of different opinions.

P@ul

 

[gregorach]

I use tensioners - run the guys through the tarp loops and tie them off (using a round turn and two half hitches) on the tensioners, and I leave 'em on. That way all you have to do is peg out the line and tighten it up. For the sake of a few grammes, not using guy tensioners just seems perverse.

If I want to add additional guys (say in high winds) then I do much the same, only using a tautline hitch instead of a guy tensioner.

By using the tarp end of the guyline as the adjustable point, rather than the peg end, you can adjust the tension whilst still under your tarp.

 

[scanker]

I tend to use a slipped knot or one that can be easily undone if I want to move the guylines about. If they go through a webbing loop I'd use a slipped sheet bend, or through a hole a slipped figure of eight.

 

[P@ul]

By using the tarp end of the guyline as the adjustable point, rather than the peg end, you can adjust the tension whilst still under your tarp.

Now thats a good idea

 

[scanker]

It's also a good idea if your guylines are permanently attached, as you only need to tie the adjustable knot once and use a simple knot like a clovehitch or whatever for attaching the loose end to a peg or anchor.

 

[James_m246]

Well i've used the Tarbuk on them and it seems to work great, I hadn't thought of using a tensioning knot.

 

[dommyracer]

I use tensioners - run the guys through the tarp loops and tie them off (using a round turn and two half hitches) on the tensioners, and I leave 'em on. That way all you have to do is peg out the line and tighten it up. For the sake of a few grammes, not using guy tensioners just seems perverse.

By using the tarp end of the guyline as the adjustable point, rather than the peg end, you can adjust the tension whilst still under your tarp.

I do the same - the single end of the lines have a double figure of eight in them for the loop that goes over the peg.

Other advantage of having it this way round is that if you need to tie up to a tree rather than peg its a bit easier.

 

[bambodoggy]

I use bungees coz I'm a lazy git

 

[swyn]

I use an anchor hitch so if one of the pegs comes out and the tarp flogs it will not come undone. Try and find a wayward green or black line at night even with a torch! The important lines are left attatched so I can put it up by feel. Others can be attatched to windward if necessary using the same hitch. It is like a round turn and two half hitches but the first hitch goes through the round turn. If done 'big' is easy in the dark! And quick!
Swyn.

 

[JonnyP]

I would say, use what ever works for you.....I don't know many knots, but I get by ok (thank goodness for the bottle opener on my sak, great for unpicking knots).
On tarps I use a half hitch then a slip knot,(I think thats what they are called). Works for me.....

 

[moko]

Bungees, small green army type. Very simple to use.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

There will be lots of opinions about this I'm sure but the best knot is the one you can tie in the dark when the wind is pulling at your tarp and the rain is running down your neck.

A very True Statment

By using the tarp end of the guyline as the adjustable point, rather than the peg end, you can adjust the tension whilst still under your tarp.

Yet one more fantsic tip that is so simple....why oh why did I not think of it?????????

 

[OldBaldGuy]

"...By using the tarp end of the guyline as the adjustable point, rather than the peg end, you can adjust the tension whilst still under your tarp..."

Yes, a great idea. Been doing it for a long time. I like to tie to a stake (depending on the construction of the stake of course) with a clove hitch. Then, assuming that your tarp has grommets, or something else to run a line thru, I tie the upper end with a tautline hitch, that way I can adjust tension by simply sliding the hitch along the standing part of the line...

 

[retrohiker]

I cheat even a little bit more by connecting the guy lines to the tarp with mini-carabiners. The guy lines are tied to the carabiners with a tautline hitch so I can adjust tension from under the tarp like mentioned in an earlier post. This way I can modify the tarp configuration to the weather or task at hand by simply clipping the lines to different guyouts on the tarp. Quick and easy and the mini-carabiners hardly weigh anything!!