Standing French Seam for Winter Tarp

[mathineer]

I'm getting ready to make a winter tarp, and trying to decide on the seam. I know some have done a standing French seam covered with grosgrain instead of a sealed flat felled seam. This question is directed to those who have such a tarp (standing French seam) and have been through some rains with it. Have you had any problems with rain leaking through?

I understand that the idea is that the grosgrain works like a shingle to prevent leakage, but it does have holes in it. I like the idea of the grosgrain adding strength to the tarp.

mathineer

[jellyfish]

I’ve been through some torrential rain and had internal spreader bars. No leaks.

[hutzelbein]

Never had any of my Warbonnet tarps leak.

[hangnout]

If you want to seam seal it is easier than a flat felled seam.

[HOGShop]

I’ve been using the standing french seam for my personal tarps all last season. Never had a leak. I’ve also made at least a dozen for customers and those I have followed up with have reported the same. Water will follow the path of least resistance so along with gravity, the shingle analogy really is true.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mathineer]

In response to your responses, I will quote Dutch, "Thank you everybody!"

Sounds like the Standing French Seam (SFS- sounds like some black-op outfit in the alphabet soup of modern life) is the way to go. I like the idea that the grosgrain takes the force along the ridgeline, and I'm not too worried about trading an ounce of extra weight for a stronger tarp.

Thanks again!

mathineer

[jellyfish]

Just remember to sew the triangles on the ends of the tarp ridgeline because you’ll still need those.

[FJRpilot]

I have two tarps now with the Standing French Seams. I’m very happy with how they perform. I have not used the triangles on the ends of the tarp. The ridge line carry’s 100% of the load which is part of what I like about this seam. I’ve only used the triangles on tarps with a flat felled seam because the tarp body absorbed the tension when you hang the tarp.

But YMMV... it’s always good to error on the side of caution.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jellyfish]

I had a major tear, which is why I’m committed to those triangles. I had to make repairs and add them on.

[mathineer]

I had planned to extend the grosgrain past the edge of the tarp, and put a loop in it with D-rings. That way all of the ridgeline force would be in the grosgrain. I'm trying to understand what forces the triangles protect against. Would it be from side forces from the tarp doors?

mathineer