Comments on: Rubber Band Tarp Line Tensioners

By: Derek Hansen

Derek Hansen — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:11:33 +0000

In reply to Dave. Great idea! Be sure to replace those hair ties -- family before hammocks :)

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 19:06:21 +0000

Thanks for this great idea. I just installed tensioners on my tarp, but used most of my wife’s hair ties instead of rubber bands (she’s gonna be mad!). More durable than rubber bands.

By: Razor Sharp

Razor Sharp — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 02:48:05 +0000

I love the Dutchware Gear “worm”. Follow all the instructions for attaching to the tarp but use a worm on your guy line instead of tying a knot.

Benefits:
1. They weight practically nothing (about as long as the tip of my pinkie finger to the first knuckle).
2. They stay permanently attached to your guy line so you can’t lose them–just slide your line through the hole in the worm, tie a knot so it can’t come off the end and leave it there forever.
3. Buy stakes with a hole in them and tie your guy line there also–so you can’t lose your stakes under the snow either.
4. About as easy as it gets to attach. Just slide the worm up the line, hook it to the tarp (see instructions on this page), pull your line as tight as you want and tie the worm (see instructions on the Dutchware gear site).
5. They are cheap.

The only drawback is they are too small in the winter when you are wearing gloves.

Happy tarping all!!!

By: hugbear

hugbear — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 20:37:48 +0000

In reply to Ants :). ... and if all you've got is bike inner tube (which is too narrow to yield a manageable loop), all is not lost! Just cut it at an angle. The shallower the angle, the longer the loop.

By: Ants :)

Ants :) — Fri, 09 May 2014 13:16:00 +0000

A solution to long-term exposure to sun is to use tyre rubber, or more specifically, the chamber rubber. that things last thousands of years in the open and takes a lot of abuse.

By: Kay

Kay — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:20:13 +0000

In reply to Derek. As an alternative to the rubberband I recommend Thera-Band® Tubes (the small diameter ones in beige or yellow) or if you are on a budget the chinese knockoffs from Hongkong will do just fine. I use them for my slingshots and they are incredible sturdy and longlasting if not stretched longer than 300% the initial lenght.

By: Derek

Derek — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 17:02:38 +0000

In reply to Justin Nelson. Thanks Justin! Yes, the rubber bands are a temporary solution, but they work. With bigger, stronger bands it could be a permanent solution.

By: Justin Nelson

Justin Nelson — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 02:11:31 +0000

As usual your illustrations are amazing. I just made my first set of tensioners and wish I had had this illustration then! Will have to remember the rubber band idea for emergencies. I wonder if they would be lighter then shock cord and just how long a trip I could get them to last?! OOOPPPSS my SUL background is showing again.
Thanks for another great illustration and your book has really helped my hammock camping transition.