Bushwalk Australia

I have a local supply of tyvek and am hoping to make a 4 season tarp for ground and hammock use.
Im hoping to make it with doors so I can close it in, I would like it to be lower and wider than a conventional tarp when pitched with doors closed.

1) I am hoping to get help with dimensions/ get a template so i can figure out how much I need.
2) Any suggestions on making tie outs?
All help is appreciated!

The widest you can go with only one seam is 3 meters(or just under if you loose some to the seam).

The length is up to you for your ridgeline. A good 4 season tarp I would say at lease 3 meters+. A template is not needed as you can utilise all the fabric. For me a 4 season tarp will have flat edges so it can be pitched to the ground to create a dead air space for extra warmth.

Your doors are made from the spacing on the side of the the tie outs from the corner. Have a play with the materials and see what size you want. I have found that 75 cm+ works well.

For the construction of the tie outs I would back the tyvek with a stronger material. If you intend four season use I would accept that there will be a weight penalty on this. 70denier Nylon would get you started.

Also a 4 season note for Tyvek- It does not shed snow like sil Nylon will.

I had a play with this, but never actually made one.

The method I used was to make some paper scale models then use sketchup to design the final version. I've still got the sketchup plans if you want them, here is a pdf flat plan view, if you print this out and fold it up it might get you started:



For tie-outs, Tyvek tape seems like a good option except there is nowhere to buy it in Australia. If you can get a mate to post some from the US, you can buy it over there for about $15

Or perhaps double sided Cuben tape

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/tape.shtml I haven't used it myself

Looks like good stuff but

It does look like good stuff, but not for tie-outs the way I was thinking.

Aardvark on HF ran some tests with Tyvek Tape attached D-rings with good results (he tested it until the rings started to deform)

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/show ... stcount=29

Hey guys, sorry I didn't respond sooner.
@Evan, the tarp will never be used in snow =) Im talking WA winters here so water blowing everywhere tops.
@Evan, how does tyvek pack down compared to sil?
For tie outs im considering a piece of tyvek tape with a d-ring.

The volume would be comparable. The same bag for my tyvek gear fits the same size sil nylon gear no problem.

Keep us informed of your progress eh!

Will do, Im going to do a rectangle most likely, any suggestion on dimensions?
Id also like some suggestions on tie outs.
Cheers!

I'm definitely going to do a 3X3 tarp now.
Will this work for taping the tarp? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OZ ... rt_title_1
Do I only tape the top side?
How should I go about tie outs? Im thinking just doubled over tape with a dring at the end.

mattmacman wrote:I'm definitely going to do a 3X3 tarp now.
Will this work for taping the tarp? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OZ ... rt_title_1
Do I only tape the top side?
How should I go about tie outs? Im thinking just doubled over tape with a dring at the end.

If you're making it out of Tyvek, that's Tyvek tape, generally considered stronger than the Tyvek itself, so should do the job. I _think_ Hitchhiking sews his tyvek tarps though.

I reckon the tape tieouts with D-Rings will work fine. You might want to do some back to back tyvek tape inside the loop so the ring can move.

I think I will just use a nylon webbing for the tie outs then. Will sewing the tarp ridgeline increase the longevity?

Will these work as Drings? They're really cheap =)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20pcs-Metal- ... 5436wt_935