Another newbie question. I have a Wise Owl tarp with tie outs on the ridgeline. I'd rather use a quick deploy ridgeline that I put together with toggles and prussik knots instead of the pre-installed tie outs. (I hate tying knots if I can help it). My question is, does my ridegline go above or below the tarp itself? I was playing a bit ion the backyard yesterday and it seemed to be better underneath (less sag).
What's best use?
For most weather I pitch the tarp below the ridgeline. In heavy winds or stormy weather I pitch it above the ridgeline for added support.
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That little bit of sag does no harm. Three points come up often about running the ridgeline under the fly:Originally Posted by Sipperphoto
Snow loads might call for doing so, similar to what Randonneur pointed out. But probably not much snow in SC!
You need a decent water break on the ridgeline to stay dry when it rains.
The ridgeline could cause excess wear of the fly. Personally, I think this is hogwash. I don't know anyone who has had this problem. Note that tent rainflies are regularly pitched tightly on external poles.
I’ve always had ridgeline below tarp. I believe there is better support for tarp, to be on top of ridgeline.
And I’ve tied a nail knot onto both ends of ridgeline, to act as drip lines.The nail knot can be slid one way or another to be a few inches under edge of tarp.
One reason to have ridgeline above tarp, is to prevent water from traveling along a ridgeline that is under the tarp, and dripping water onto person in hammock.
And some have said if tarp is on top of ridgeline, that there can be abrasion damage to tarp in windy weather….Ive not noticed any abrasion damage.
By having ridgeline under tarp and having nail knots as drip lines, I’ve had no problem with water traveling along ridgeline and dripping on me.
Nail knots as drip lines are only tied one time…and do not have to be tied again.
Either way will work. The difference is minimal.
I see tarps set below ridgelines at every group camp.
Make your choice and feel free to change your mind…even more than once.
Both ways are fine, like the others already said above and this topic comes up all over the place.
Try both and see what you like better, HYOH.
With the Nail knot, is the leader end just hanging down?
I knew there was a better reason to have the RL over the tarp, besides the concern for abrasion on the tarp material. Phantom nailed it. When the support ridgeline is under the tarp, you have to pay more attention to having a water break so the line doesn't become a highway for rainwater to flow down the line to your hammock.
I'd put the ridgeline under the tarp in the winter because rain is not an issue; snow is. It will provide more support if a lot-o-snow comes from the sky or overhead branch.
Other times, over the tarp, it's a handy line for things to dry on in the sun. If you are using the external pole mode on the tarp panel pulls, it keeps the separating poles off the tarp body.
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I'm heading out for my first time hanging this weekend. Forecast is calling for rain. I never really thought about the rain coming down the ridegline, but it makes sense.
I'll probably go over, not under this weekend.
I always hang my tarp under the ridgeline.
Same here - I don't want any abrasion.
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson
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