There is a long standing and active thread on different canopies. I'm creating this separate one dedicated to tarp usage. Just having returned from a week long trip to Mount Desert Island (Acadia National Park), I do feel that a tarp holds a number of advantages over some of the other options (Ex: REI alcove, Northern Breeze, EZ-up). It is lighter, smaller to store and can offer broader protection from the elements (depending on the size and manner of deployment).
I've purchased the kelty 12, 16 and 20 foot versions of their Noah's Tarp and it's a bit like Goldilocks and the 3 bears: Too Small (12 foot), Too Big and unwieldy (20 foot), Ahh just right (16 foot). I like being able to cover the fantastic fan vent as well as the area outside the doors so that I can get out in the rain without getting wet as well as leave the windows and vent open during a rain storm. The 16 foot works well for this while leaving a decent amount of covered space around the galley.
There are 2 main ways to deploy it over the teardrop - either what I'd call a diamond configuration (with the nose of the teardrop at a corner) or the square configuration where the front of the teardrop is at the middle of a side of the tarp. Either can work really well depending on the location of trees or area for poles.
This past week I used the Square configuration and this kept everything dry during a very heavy downpour over night. The next morning other campers were busily drying out their things or tossing out their failed shelters but ours held fast.
Tips on how to deploy the tarp: If there are 2 trees of sufficient height and strength this is a great way to run a tarp diagonally. If the limb is really high, I'll toss the line around the tree and tie both ends to the tarp so that it is easy to retrieve once we take the tarp back down (see pic). Once these 2 corners are fastened, it's usually best to use 2 poles for the other corners as it is pretty unlikely that you'll have 4 trees that form a perfect square that's the right size. You really want the 2 corners not attached to the trees to be straight so the tarp doesn't sag at odd angles. As mentioned in a previous post, I use a hex bolt and 10 inch lag screws rather than stakes. Using a cordless drill it goes in and comes out real easy and will hold in most ground.
If inclement weather is forecast (heavy winds and or rains), the tarp should also be tied down at the middle of each side so that the rain will drain right off and the tarp won't try to sail away with the wind. I've also found that a paper towel works great to wick off rainwater that might collect in pools on the edge of the tarp. This can be held in place with a paper clip. Once fastened down on all corners and sides, the tarp is able to withstand a lot of wind and water - even the 16 foot tarp. As an added benefit. The tarp attachment can double as a towel drying line.
I've purchased the kelty 12, 16 and 20 foot versions of their Noah's Tarp and it's a bit like Goldilocks and the 3 bears: Too Small (12 foot), Too Big and unwieldy (20 foot), Ahh just right (16 foot). I like being able to cover the fantastic fan vent as well as the area outside the doors so that I can get out in the rain without getting wet as well as leave the windows and vent open during a rain storm. The 16 foot works well for this while leaving a decent amount of covered space around the galley.
There are 2 main ways to deploy it over the teardrop - either what I'd call a diamond configuration (with the nose of the teardrop at a corner) or the square configuration where the front of the teardrop is at the middle of a side of the tarp. Either can work really well depending on the location of trees or area for poles.
This past week I used the Square configuration and this kept everything dry during a very heavy downpour over night. The next morning other campers were busily drying out their things or tossing out their failed shelters but ours held fast.
Tips on how to deploy the tarp: If there are 2 trees of sufficient height and strength this is a great way to run a tarp diagonally. If the limb is really high, I'll toss the line around the tree and tie both ends to the tarp so that it is easy to retrieve once we take the tarp back down (see pic). Once these 2 corners are fastened, it's usually best to use 2 poles for the other corners as it is pretty unlikely that you'll have 4 trees that form a perfect square that's the right size. You really want the 2 corners not attached to the trees to be straight so the tarp doesn't sag at odd angles. As mentioned in a previous post, I use a hex bolt and 10 inch lag screws rather than stakes. Using a cordless drill it goes in and comes out real easy and will hold in most ground.
If inclement weather is forecast (heavy winds and or rains), the tarp should also be tied down at the middle of each side so that the rain will drain right off and the tarp won't try to sail away with the wind. I've also found that a paper towel works great to wick off rainwater that might collect in pools on the edge of the tarp. This can be held in place with a paper clip. Once fastened down on all corners and sides, the tarp is able to withstand a lot of wind and water - even the 16 foot tarp. As an added benefit. The tarp attachment can double as a towel drying line.
