Shock cords, yes or no and why?

**ibgary** · 10-20-2019, 11:45

Today is testing/trying day. The new tarp is from Hammock Gear. It's cool and gusty weather. I set up the tarp in the back yard with zing it as my ridgeline, and a line lock to adjust it. The stakes went into the garden boxes (soft soil). One side using line locks the other using truckers hitches. About 30 minutes later I checked and found the line locks don't hold on zingit. I replaced the zing it with glowline and that is still holding. The y stakes pulled out in the garden box and were repositioned into the grass. More later.

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**cmc4free** · 10-20-2019, 11:58

Not too long ago Lawson released his Glowire 2.5mm which he designed specifically to be a great fit for those Lineloc 3's.

**ibgary** · 10-20-2019, 12:07

That might me what I have, not sure. I ordered it with the Journey/ silpoly from HG. I still have a piece of zingit as a tie out with the linelock. I put a halfhitch on to back of the 'LL. Seems to be holding that way.

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**ibgary** · 10-20-2019, 12:09

I'll check back in an hour.

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**MikekiM** · 10-20-2019, 12:53

Originally Posted by ibgary

I also use the same entrance. Less chance of tripping in the dark. I want to try the pole mod. How do you stabilize the center? I was thinking about running the pole threw a persick loop on the ridge line. (Spelling)

I used the same pole on four tarps.. two DIY, one WB MamaJamba and one WB Superfly. All had a small piece 1/4" grosgrain ribbon sewn into the ridge line seam. Three had DIY pole pockets that would capture the ends, and the ribbon would secure the pole at the center of the tarp.

The red is a piece of omni tape attached to the pole to keep the sections together when not in use. You can see the little piece of ribbon to the left of the velcro.

**ibgary** · 10-20-2019, 17:51

It's been a blustery, windy day. I found the line locks to be easiest to adjust and with a slippery half hitch they hold well with any line. The knots held fine, but trying to tie them in the wind with the tarp flapping around is a PITA. Each time I tried using a bungee in the system, it pulled the stake within about 30 40 minutes. That didn't happen as often with the bungee removed. I also found d that the stakes would pull, before the mason line piece broke. None of them broke, but I know at 15-20 lbs rating it's the weakest point in the setup. Good practice day.

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**ibgary** · 10-20-2019, 22:12

Originally Posted by MikekiM

I used the same pole on four tarps.. two DIY, one WB MamaJamba and one WB Superfly. All had a small piece 1/4" grosgrain ribbon sewn into the ridge line seam. Three had DIY pole pockets that would capture the ends, and the ribbon would secure the pole at the center of the tarp.

The red is a piece of omni tape attached to the pole to keep the sections together when not in use. You can see the little piece of ribbon to the left of the velcro.

Thanks.

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**Baka Dasai** · 10-21-2019, 02:53

Originally Posted by ibgary

It's been a blustery, windy day...Each time I tried using a bungee in the system, it pulled the stake within about 30 40 minutes. That didn't happen as often with the bungee removed. I also found that the stakes would pull before the mason line piece broke.

Thanks, that's really useful data.

I've always been a shock-cord guy, but it might be time for a change.

**cmoulder** · 10-21-2019, 06:32

Originally Posted by ibgary

It's been a blustery, windy day. I found the line locks to be easiest to adjust and with a slippery half hitch they hold well with any line. The knots held fine, but trying to tie them in the wind with the tarp flapping around is a PITA. Each time I tried using a bungee in the system, it pulled the stake within about 30 40 minutes. That didn't happen as often with the bungee removed. I also found d that the stakes would pull, before the mason line piece broke. None of them broke, but I know at 15-20 lbs rating it's the weakest point in the setup. Good practice day.

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Do you have a photo of the staked end showing how they were secured?

Sometimes a minor tweak can make all the difference.

**ibgary** · 10-21-2019, 07:25

No on photos of the stakes. I used 2 methods to attach to the stakes, clove hitch or bowline. The line never came off the stakes unless the stake pulled out.

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