have just received a decathlon tarp, along with a couple of extra poles. Silly me thought that it would eb a simple job to put it up in the garden as a test before i take it camping, well lets just say that the neighbours would have been in stitches if they were watching.
Have no idea how this could be put up easily, does anybody have any tips or instructions?
This is the tarp, and am trying to put it up as the main picture shoes in an inverted V, just suing the two included poles. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/tarp-fresh-camping-shelter-id_8300081.html
I've got the same tarp and it's an excellent bit of kit for the price.
Trying to explain how to put one of these up is harder than actually putting it up!
So I will leave it to others. Here is a great thread Link
The easiest way is to lay it out flat, then peg out the four corners loosely, then go under it and insert one of the centre poles from under there so when you lift it up the pole is not bolt upright but the bottom end is towards the centre of the tarp with a good bit of lean, then insert the other pole and if your ropes are somewhere near the mark you should be able the stand the second pole upright then straighten the first pole and go from there.
Then once it is standing attach the centre guys after which you can insert any other poles to your liking one at a time of course.
I hope that's clear it's all down to how you get the tension when you peg out firstly as to how easily it goes up, practice at home if you can without an audience and best done when not windy if possible.
This brings back vivid memories of the first time I tried to put up a tarp using poles. While I tried to put up one pole the other one would fall down. As you say, hilarious for onlookers!
Yes, peg first and lift afterwards. It doesn't work the other way round if you're doing it yourself. I peg out the guys before lifting the pole so that there is something holding it while I maintain the tension at the other end of the tarp. Then there's a lot of fiddling about, repositioning things. Or is it only me who has to do that?
Thanks all. Have manage me to get the tarp up with just a little help. Will be trying again soon on my own. It seems obvious when told to peg out loosely then put up the poles....
One more beginners question. When I put the tarp away and then unpacked it, all the guy lines were tangled. Is there an ash way to pack the tarp away without this happening?
I attach the guys using small carabiners and remove for packing. It is more adaptable that way.
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When camping and using a tarp for shade in France we often tie (rather than peg) one corner to a tent pole (steel poles) and another to the car roof bars. Don't forget to use things like this to help get your desired tarp shape.
The part that attaches to the tent uses clingons and mount on the front porch pole spikes. I use bungees for side guying as it is good in wind and the front poles attach using clingons and, where there are attachment points, carabiners with rings at the end that go over the pole
That tarp is being replaced with one that goes further down to the ground and is treated for mildew. The one in the photo got mildewed. The carabiners allow a quick strike if the wind gets up.
------------- Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag
Bumping this up as it's the exact question I was going to ask. Thankfully I have a 10 year old child to help me with pitching!
I put it up last night with the kit supplied and didn't seem very strong or stable. So I am looking at doing a ridgeline set up with some extra guylines and krabs, as per the linked thread. Now for the silly question. What knot/how do I attach the ridge line to the walking poles?
Ewen, for info I bought a 2x4 Tarp from Belltent uk.
I didn't know this till I had bought it but the eyelet spacing matches up to the front porch poles on the Alaska. Hence doing away with the Clingons which had been my original intention to use.
If it gets too windy I just attach more guy ropes with Clingons. Never had to take it down yet.
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Interesting, harribo.
I am considering getting a zip fitted to tarp and Alaska so I can get a good fit with no gap.
------------- Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag