How to make add on Tarp Doors?

[DivaB]

After examining the monsoon/typhoon a bit longer I realized that this style won't quite work with my tarp as my tarp ridge line is on the outside. I'm going to combine this doors theory with the other door that over laps the edges of the tarp. I've decided I don't want to use velcro, and also prefer the ability to open in the middle of the door and criss cross over like the Grizz's does. I know I can just move my tarp ridge line to under my tarp, but with the way the attachment points are, it is probably better to leave it alone.

[OneThing]

Here is what I see are the pros of sewed on doors.

1. Less material, saving a few ozs
2. Very little fiddle factor - (The times when I would use them, time is key.
3. There if you need them, and rolled up if not needed.
4. I like the look better
5. Nothing here, but I like 5 Pro's just in case there are 4 Con's, which could cause me to change my mind.

I'll, or anyone can join in what they think would be more for the pro's and a list of the con's.

[turnerminator]

Nikwax?? I'm going to have to look that up. Like what you use on boots?

Its the same company. The product is Nikwax TX direct and its a 'wash in waterproofer'. Its good stuff, but there'll be a few equivalents on your side of the pond too.

Spray on waterproofing or even DIY silnylon would sort it too.

[Boothill]

Here is what I see are the pros of sewed on doors.

1. Less material, saving a few ozs
2. Very little fiddle factor - (The times when I would use them, time is key.
3. There if you need them, and rolled up if not needed.
4. I like the look better
5. Nothing here, but I like 5 Pro's just in case there are 4 Con's, which could cause me to change my mind.

I'll, or anyone can join in what they think would be more for the pro's and a list of the con's.

just some pro's for detachable doors in response, not that i don't agree with what your saying also

i diy'd the doors for my warbonnet bmj

1. my diy's added 1oz vs. the weight of the superfly with sewn on doors (6.5oz for my doors) but i can leave them behind and save all that weight when i want to, can't do that with sewn on doors

2. fiddle factor is abou thte same, i keep them attached and works the same as built in doors

3. same

4. different color than the tarp, got a cool 2 tone thing going on

5. i did it myself

boot

[DivaB]

Not that I'm disagreeing with anyones pros/cons...just listing my personal feelings. This is why I would rather have detachable doors.

1. I love, love, love my view with my tarp; if I don't need my doors, I don't have to fiddle with trying to roll them up properly.

2. If I want to go porch mode or change how I hang my tarp, I won't be able to do if doors are sewed on. It would really limit my options.

3. I don't want different tarps for different seasons (to expensive) so if the weather is questionable, I take my doors, if the weather is nice, I leave them at home.

4. The weight would be less

5. Perhaps I don't need on both ends, and only need on one end.

6. It mostly boils down to having options for me. Options is a biggie. One night I may have my tarp pulled closer in, the next night I may pull it further out. With my tarp only having 2 stake out points (one on each side), it's so easy to change when ever I want to, depending on the weather....or my mood.

[OneThing]

just some pro's for detachable doors in response, not that i don't agree with what your saying also

i diy'd the doors for my warbonnet bmj

1. my diy's added 1oz vs. the weight of the superfly with sewn on doors (6.5oz for my doors) but i can leave them behind and save all that weight when i want to, can't do that with sewn on doors

2. fiddle factor is abou thte same, i keep them attached and works the same as built in doors

3. same

4. different color than the tarp, got a cool 2 tone thing going on

5. i did it myself

boot

I might do detachable doors 1st as I'm going to use them for sure on my small HH tarp and use them with the MacCat as well.

My thinking is if I don't need to bring detachable doors, then I might as well just bring my HH small tarp and save almost 16ozs. I used the small HH tarp for over a year on the AT in some pretty heavy rains & wind.

Of course, now there's another thing to think about. So many ways to hang a tarp & the only thing which is a fact is the weather will never cooperate & is always subject to change.

[Jazilla]

Doors on one side couldn't hurt Diva. Detatchable or not (your choice of course) they will give you better protection. Also as rain only blows one way you should only need doors on one side. Then again there is that pesky way wind changes direction. Well you can't account for every thing the weather will do. I say get after it. What will it hurt, just leave the doors home if you don't like them or don't like the way they turned out.

[HappyHiker]

I think weight difference between attached/ removable doors would be almost negligible (ok, for the gram weenies detachable would weigh more but honestly I believe the difference would be in grams if just hemming the edges w/o using grosgrain).

Either way, if you're deploying the doors your view will be compromised - attached or not.

Biggest reason I would go for a removable door is: at some point I'd inevitably want to change something about the design. If the door/s were attached it would be a lot of work to remove them.

I always carry a rain poncho that serves as a wind/rain block when needed but at some point I'll be compelled to build a door just for fun or winter camping (Brrrrrrrr).

[OneThing]

I was looking at the Bigmamajamba removable doors. 2ozs each = 8ozs. Not that bad to turn my MacCat into a full winter tarp. Now, I'll just have to figure out how to cut them if I go that route.

[HappyHiker]

And the Grizzbeaks over at 2qZq state less than 6oz per end - so pretty similar. By DIY and just hemming the edges and not using d-rings one could probably trim another couple of oz or thereabout.