What Knot System/Guyline Tensioner Do You Use For Your Tarp?

[joe_guilbeau]

Ideally, I want my guylines to stay attached to my tent, so that pretty much eliminates things like the Dutchware tarpworm.

I used to keep my lines attached to the tarp, recently Dutchware has come out with the Ringworms, which have a hole sized just right to slide over my long military black Easton aluminum stakes.

The upside is that there are no tangles, and nothing is attached to the Tarp except WIN_20200717_22_43_50_Pro.jpg

Here is what I use to attach to the Tarp. Glow in the dark shock cord.
WIN_20200717_22_40_16_Pro.jpg



The downside of the configuration is that where there is rocky ground, the stakes must always accompany the tarp. With rocky ground this method presents problems. Then knots must be used with extra shanks of Zing-It (my preferred tie-out cordage).

[joe_guilbeau]

I use a taut line hitch on all my guy lines.

+1 The only knot you need to solve 95% of camping needs. We called it Double-half hitch back in the Boy Scout days.

[cmc4free]

What is absolutely necessary is a cord that well with knots, such as Lawson Glowire or Guywire. Not Zing-it or other Dyneema cords.

Yes, good to mention. I agree, and my lines of choice are Lawson 2mm Glowire and/or Zpacks 1.3mm Z-Line. I'm honestly not sure how the latter works with adjustable friction hitches, but it does work fine for me with a marlinspike hitch to the stake. It also works with these Lineloc V adjusters that are made for smaller diameter line.

[cmoulder]

Yes, good to mention. I agree, and my lines of choice are Lawson 2mm Glowire and/or Zpacks 1.3mm Z-Line. I'm honestly not sure how the latter works with adjustable friction hitches, but it does work fine for me with a marlinspike hitch to the stake. It also works with these Lineloc V adjusters that are made for smaller diameter line.

Yes, that Z-line is one of the few tangle-resistant small diameter cords!

I've got some Lawson Ironwire on the way and will be trying it soon. Supposed to be a teensy bit less stretchy and stronger than Glo/Guywire so maybe better for long tarp ridge lines.

[cmc4free]

Supposed to be a teensy bit less stretchy and stronger than Glo/Guywire so maybe better for long tarp ridge lines.

I fully respect your hardware-free approach/aesthetic - but for the ridgeline, I do use Dyneema cord + hardware. My preferences are for the Autumn Ultralight ridgeline or this setup with 1.75mm Lash-It, 1 Dutch Hook, and 1 Dutch Fly.

[brutalguyracing]

I was a using lashit and dutch fleas larksheaded to tarp tie outs for years
But have recently switched to line lock v's on tarp tie outs and some z packs 1.3 line
So far I really like this system
As now I leave the cordage on my tarp and just shove it all in my tarp one piece skin

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[jledbetter2]

I still use Andrew Skurka's "McCarthy Hitch" method, leaving the guyline on the tarp, running to the stake, then back through a bowline that is tied to the tarp, then do the slippery hitch. It's so simple and easy, and I've never had a problem with it.

[Hak1911]

Sent from my couch ha ha Ha

[chicondaman]

I'm with jledbetter2. The Skurka method he outlines here: https://andrewskurka.com/guyline-ten...arps-hammocks/

Works great. Holds great. Easy to retention if needed.

It gets you mechanical advantage for tensioning, and it easily allows me to utilize trees and branches nearby to use and skip the stakes.

[Recalc]

Blake's Hitch used with Lawson Glowire 2mm is easy to use for tarp tieouts, and allows for line length flexibility on the fly. One of those things that can always be counted on.