View Full Version : Which (cheap) Tarp help!
slackman99
07-09-2007, 08:08
Hi,
This is my first post so be gentle!
Myself and a friend are planning to ride the West Highland Way.
I've been thinking about getting a tarp for a while, and this seems like the perfect opportunity to persuade myself to get one as we're looking to lighten out pack weight. It'll also mean less to pack away the next morning (i.e. jsut untying and folding, as opposed to having to try to fit a tent back into it's bag)
As it's Scotland, we will be able to camp pretty much anywhere along the route and thought that the flexible nature of a tarp would lend itself to the varied terrain that we might stop to camp in.
I was ideally looking for a cheap as possible nylon tarp. Something that packs reasonable small and is 1.2kg max weight (ideally lighter). As there'll be two of use my thinking is that a 3m x 3m tarp would probably be a good size, although we could squeeze under a smaller one.
I'd like the tarp to be ripstop, and generally well built/tough. I'd rather carry a more weighty tarp if the material/fixings are stronger.
So i've had a look at the following and was wondering if anyone had any views on any of them:
1. Tatonka Tarp 2 Simple (not sure whether it's ripstop) £25+p&p
2. Army issue Basha (not sure of the size) £17+p&p
3. Decathlon Tarp (can't find it in stock anywhere) £15
4. USpro (the name may not be quite correct, but I can't search the forum properly at work) £30+p&p
5. Flecktarn.co.uk basha £30+p&p
6. Aussie Hoochie
7. Anything else that anyone can recommend and is cheap.
I'd really appreciate any help/views as i'm new to the tarp scene, don't want to spend a huge sum of money (in case its not for me). It'll definately be used during our West Highland Way ride, and also be tested during a trip with a tent!
There'll be lots coming along shortly i reckon!
I've just got a decathlon tarp, from someone on BB. also had the use of one before and is a good bit of kit and greaet value for money.good luck finding one!
the only issue with the tarp is the bugs and midges. though i don't they're too bad this time of year
appletree_man
07-09-2007, 16:59
What about the real cheapies, just a basic tarp for £2 - £3 ?
bushyboo
07-09-2007, 17:04
hi slackman99 and welcome
if you are going for the aussie hoochie and can wait a couple of weeks you can get them
from www.kitbag.com.au they are a lot cheeper than over here mine worked out about £34 and that was including shipping plus they do an olive one if you dont want the auscam only thing is they take about 2 weeks to come
hope this helps
Have a look on here it's from america but free shipping and a favourable exchange rate.
http://www.mosquitohammock.com/
scottishwolf
07-09-2007, 20:39
What about this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Army-CAMOUFLAGE-TARPAULIN-COVER-SHEET-Camo-Tarp-Fishing_W0QQitemZ290157771763Q QihZ019QQcategoryZ72670QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I'm thinking of gettin one next week. Ideally i'd like somethin like a tatonka but moneys very tight just now and this one's only 8 quid :-) I've used a tarp pretty much the same as this before and they are great for the money. Waterproof, reasonably light and tough as old boots :)
I would go for the new issue British army tarp, they are big enough for two people and their kit, they're squaddie proof which is all the proof I need to know its a good piece of kit and I got myself one from an army surplus store for only £10.
They have loads of strong attachment points and are very lightweight aswell.
If each of you get one then you can clip them together to make a bigger shelter.
I hope this helps :D
appletree_man
08-09-2007, 01:25
What about this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Army-CAMOUFLAGE-TARPAULIN-COVER-SHEET-Camo-Tarp-Fishing_W0QQitemZ290157771763Q QihZ019QQcategoryZ72670QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I'm thinking of gettin one next week. Ideally i'd like somethin like a tatonka but moneys very tight just now and this one's only 8 quid :-) I've used a tarp pretty much the same as this before and they are great for the money. Waterproof, reasonably light and tough as old boots :)
I was looking at those myself earlier :-D Might go for the sllightly smaller version.
scottishwolf
08-09-2007, 01:35
I thought about the smaller version but im famous for takin way too much kit and my dog is a big sod so the larger one would suit best for me.
He's a Beaut! what breed is he?
scottishwolf
08-09-2007, 02:24
He's a Bullmastiff. Soft as they come and slevers like you would'nt believe. I've had a fair few dogs before but he's the best natured by far. Was attacked by a (chavs) staffie last year and just stood there lookin puzzled as to why this wee thing was hanging off his face lol. He really doesnt have a bad bone in his body although he does get a few disconcerning looks and comments from people who believe too much tv. ;)
He's a Bullmastiff. Soft as they come and slevers like you would'nt believe. I've had a fair few dogs before but he's the best natured by far. Was attacked by a (chavs) staffie last year and just stood there lookin puzzled as to why this wee thing was hanging off his face lol. He really doesnt have a bad bone in his body although he does get a few disconcerning looks and comments from people who believe too much tv. ;)
I thought he was but didn't want to look like an idiot if I got it wrong.
I know what you mean about other peoples attitude, I was at game show in surrey last weekend with some friends and they have an American Bulldog, again strong as an Ox but soft as a brush, people were just taking a wide berth and looks of worry were plenty.
Its really bad the way some dogs have been given a stigma because of the news papers!
Anyway sorry for changing the subject.....:D
What about this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Army-CAMOUFLAGE-TARPAULIN-COVER-SHEET-Camo-Tarp-Fishing_W0QQitemZ290157771763Q QihZ019QQcategoryZ72670QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I'm thinking of gettin one next week. Ideally i'd like somethin like a tatonka but moneys very tight just now and this one's only 8 quid :-) I've used a tarp pretty much the same as this before and they are great for the money. Waterproof, reasonably light and tough as old boots :)
steer well clear of these mate - they are terrible quality - the eyelets are like tin foil and very weak - i got one, and within an hour, 2 eyelets had ripped out and the whole thing was in the bin. all it is good for is laying on the floor
I use the tarp from mosquitohammock.com , really cheap (free postage and cheap dollar) and really good quality for the price you pay in my view. Itś also small and light to carry.
What about this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Army-CAMOUFLAGE-TARPAULIN-COVER-SHEET-Camo-Tarp-Fishing_W0QQitemZ290157771763Q QihZ019QQcategoryZ72670QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I'm thinking of gettin one next week. Ideally i'd like somethin like a tatonka but moneys very tight just now and this one's only 8 quid :-) I've used a tarp pretty much the same as this before and they are great for the money. Waterproof, reasonably light and tough as old boots :)
They work fine, pitch them tight or they can be a little loud in wind, other than that, they are great kit for the money and will keep you going until the money supply gets better:)
on ebay sometimes they have tarps bout a fiver in square and retangular shapes up 2 bout 4 x 4 or 3 x 4
bosknurft
09-09-2007, 21:09
What about the real cheapies, just a basic tarp for £2 - £3 ?
Agreed. They're rather loud, but otherwise they're very tough and watertight. And light too.
scottishwolf
09-09-2007, 21:17
Machine mart has 8' x 10' camo ones for just over 8 quid inc VAT http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/tarpaulin/page/1 and i'm sure the eyes came out or it tore they would replace it no probs. I''ve dealt with them before and had to take back a faulty item and they replaced it no questions asked :)
No connection with them etc but i'd rather get one from them than a stranger on ebay ;)
hi mate hope all is well
go to ranger trading post in surbiton surrey or look at there web site there tarps are very good and about £20 if you are to far away they will send it too you
Regards
Rat pac