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I am not a camper, so I do not know The Answer™, but here are some considerations: Draped over the cord Pros It's simple. If the ground is higher on one side, you can give one side or the oth...
Answer
#2: Post edited
by
Michael
·
2024-01-17T16:17:36Z (11 months ago)
More physics commentary
- I am not a camper, so I do not know The Answer™, but here are some considerations:
### Draped over the cord#### Pros- - It's simple.
- - If the ground is higher on one side, you can give one side or the other side more fabric.
#### Cons- - Most likely for the fabric to slide around in a way you hadn't intended, since this can happen on two axes. Watch for bunching in the middle.
- - If it does slide around, a rough cord might scuff your tarp, wearing a hole in the top.
### Attachment loops or attachment tunnel#### Pros- - If constructed appropriately, loops can be slightly different lengths to avoid the "sag" in the middle of the tent from the pull of the tent against the cord.
#### Cons- - Loops may tear out if stress is uneven.
- Unless you also have an extra cord to pull outward on the edge loops, the tent may try to bunch up in the middle. (Sliding, but single axis.)### Edge-attachment#### Pros- - No sliding at all.
#### Cons- Tightening puts a lot of stress directly on the fabric. This may tear the tarp perpendicular to the cords if you try to have your tent "straight" at the top. If you accept some sag, it's fine.
- I am not a camper, so I do not know The Answer™, but here are some considerations:
- ## Draped over the cord
- ### Pros
- - It's simple.
- - If the ground is higher on one side, you can give one side or the other side more fabric.
- ### Cons
- - Most likely for the fabric to slide around in a way you hadn't intended, since this can happen on two axes. Watch for bunching in the middle.
- - If it does slide around, a rough cord might scuff your tarp, wearing a hole in the top.
- ## Attachment loops
- This can also be a continuous tunnel of the same or different fabric.
- ### Pros
- - If constructed appropriately, loops can be slightly different lengths to avoid the "sag" in the middle of the tent from the pull of the tent against the cord.
- ### Cons
- - Loops may tear out if stress is uneven.
- - The tent may try to bunch up in the middle.[^loop-bunching] (Sliding, but single axis.)
- ## Edge-attachment
- You can still use a single cord if it's long enough to go between the trees above the tent and back to the edges of the tent.
- ### Pros
- - No sliding at all.
- ### Cons
- - Tightening puts a _lot_ of stress directly on the fabric.[^stress] This may tear the tarp perpendicular to the cords if you try to have your tent "straight" at the top. If you accept some sag, it's fine.
- [^loop-bunching]: You may be able to mitigate bunching by tying knots in your cord where they will catch on the loops, but be careful not to pull on any loop too hard.
- [^stress]: Pulling on the middle of a taut string adds substantially more force than pulling the end even harder. Unless your tent has specifically been designed to offload the stress onto an integrated cord or something, this can be catastrophic.
#1: Initial revision
by
Michael
·
2024-01-16T16:27:05Z (11 months ago)
I am not a camper, so I do not know The Answer™, but here are some considerations: ### Draped over the cord #### Pros - It's simple. - If the ground is higher on one side, you can give one side or the other side more fabric. #### Cons - Most likely for the fabric to slide around in a way you hadn't intended, since this can happen on two axes. Watch for bunching in the middle. - If it does slide around, a rough cord might scuff your tarp, wearing a hole in the top. ### Attachment loops or attachment tunnel #### Pros - If constructed appropriately, loops can be slightly different lengths to avoid the "sag" in the middle of the tent from the pull of the tent against the cord. #### Cons - Loops may tear out if stress is uneven. - Unless you also have an extra cord to pull outward on the edge loops, the tent may try to bunch up in the middle. (Sliding, but single axis.) ### Edge-attachment #### Pros - No sliding at all. #### Cons - Tightening puts a lot of stress directly on the fabric. This may tear the tarp perpendicular to the cords if you try to have your tent "straight" at the top. If you accept some sag, it's fine.