Big Tarp Shelters

[Nick]

Good stuff. Thanks, guys.

While weight isn't really an issue, the pop ups are probably just too big. Maybe if it's just me and my wife on the pontoon, but with a few other people on board there isn't room for something that large. Same for the raft. I also kind of like the aspect that if a tarp comes down in the wind, it hits the ground and mostly just flops around. An EZ up meanwhile can MOVE! I see a ton of them around Glen Canyon with no canvas on them while people leave camp. I imagine there are more than a few at the bottom of the reservoir.

I'll have to think about tree-less setup options for cheapo tarps. They seem like they would be noisy. Not a problem?

You might recognize this spot.

I do! And before I even read anything!

 

[Wyatt Carson]

I'm seeing some great tarp setup ideas here. Thanks all that are contributing. It is good to try various setups.

I'll have to think about tree-less setup options for cheapo tarps. They seem like they would be noisy. Not a problem?

Depending on the setup and orientation they can be noisy at times. The more guylines the better there. Sometimes I'll guy out every grommet.

Once in The Mojave Preserve a very rare unforecast gale force snow storm hit during the evening and night. I had that tarp up, put the tent under it and tied it also to the vehicle. I really thought we all were to be blown away and the noise was high all night long only to die down completely near dawn. The next morning there was snow cover on the low desert floor and black ice out on the road. The locals I talked to said they'd never seen anything remotely like it out there.

Most of the time things are just fine noise wise but it can happen. I think heavy nylon tarps are less noisy somewhat and heavy canvass tarps are also much less noisy. For really large tarps it is hard to beat the poly stuff overall for car camping but I use medium weight nylon for dayhiking shade and like it quite a bit too.

a couple decades ago I bought a Kelty sunshade and wind barrier, at least that is how they promoted it. We took it to Mexico and the sun burned down right through it, almost hotter than outside the shelter and the wind came up and flattened it to the ground. I took it back for a refund. LOL