Ultralight TarpTent Using A Flat Tarp

[donteverlietome]

The screen is a smart touch. It would easily roll up inside the tarp and adds almost no weight.

I like to keep a camo tarp in my bug out bag in case I ever need to make a quick shelter. You could be away from home when an epidemic breaks out and they may forbid travel. If you can't afford a hotel until it is safe to leave whatchyagonna do?

I'm gonna have to go get some screen tomorrow and roll it up.

[SuperDeltaRomeo]

Nice clear instructions,nice looking babe as well would like to be lost in the wilds with her

[TheRazzar1031]

Best tarp tent setup I have seen on YouTube as of date...great job!

[brgzz]

Nice setup! Thanks for the VDO~

[rockabillykelly]

I'm guessing you could use longer tarp in order to fold in a larger floor space?

[brawny03]

@rockabillykelly Or, Rockabilly, use an additional groundcloth (plastic sheeting of 2 mil). to expand the width of the floor space.

A 10 x 12 tarp is very manageable, and folding it this way gives a seamless backwall and wind break. Additional flooring could be overlapped, yet not attached permanently.

Using a 10 x 10 tarp, you can achieve the same design, and expand floorspace as well, via sheeting.

[boiledbeefandcarrots]

hey

thanks for the video, do you get condensation running down the inside of the tarp onto the part you are lying on?

regards bb

[brawny03]

@boiledbeefandcarrots Not often, because of the ventilation in the frount. However, if its really cold, and you don't have that back wall raised well above your face, there may be some. Like every outdoor skill, practice makes perfect, location is key. Don't camp low in a valley in tall wet, grass, of course., etc.

[ayamkambingliao]

and when it rains...your floor will be wet lol

[brawny03]

@ayamkambingliao Not if you know what you're doing,this design has been tested extensively on both the AT and PC,Tdifference here is that you can construct it by using a flat tarp.

Location is important. Don't set up on a downward slope which would funnel run off into your shelter, fold back the corners ,as demonstrated, so the canopy does not drop rain onto the floor. The vestibule created with this design is ample for wet gear to lay on the earth and not your floor.

[dunpostyn]

You really know what you're doing!

You also know you have a great looking arse you little tease.

[k6fq]

That was very interesting. I like the additional room your tarp tent provides. I've been in a situation where I spent a few days in rainy weather and the extra space is really great. My friend and I each had our one person shelters... sucks to be laying on your side/back/stomach for that entire time! Good video, now I need to find a lightweight tarp! Thanks!

[badvoodoodaddy1]

You do very good work. I really like the design of your stuff. Very good ideas.

[sdkkrew]

my tent weighs less then that tarp and the poles.....and it will actually keep me dry

[loki1066]

@sdkkrew

You and your bloody tent

[ken18328]

Quick set up, I like it. thanks

[tallpaulbenedict]

this is a fantastic setup

[anywayhome]

Thank you ! I Really enjoyed watching your video. You did a great job. In MHO, Best Tarp set up video on the tube.

[brawny03]

@Need4Wilderness Thanks for your kind words. Glad you could use the information. Happy trails.

[NevadaPic]

Thank you ma'am. I viewed your video on your teepee unit also and I am going to learn to work with and sew this material so that I can make one myself. I've been sleeping on the ground on Mother Earth for over 40 years (insulated as needed) as often as I can and I am always happy to learn something new! 

[NevadaPic]

Well done!  Thanks for the show of the setup of your tarp. You've convinced me. It's a pretty versatile unit as you point out.

Dave

[brawny03]

@NevadaPic Thanks Dave.

[Norskand67]

I've seen alot of tarp setup videos, but never one with a floor. Awesome, and thanks for sharing the great info!

[MsSpy]

Love the idea of a protective floor. Very nice tarp shelter. I subscribed!

[brawny03]

@MsSpy Thanks, MsSpy :D

[djbarryiii]

Quite nice. I like tucking the tarp under to make a floor.

[aeroliner750]

great info vid i am taken a motorcycle trip this summer and this is perfect to what i need folds up small since i don't have alot of storage on my bike thanks for the info i'll be using your idea

[brawny03]

@aeroliner750 Enjoy your adventure, Aeroliner! You're right, this is also a great all around shelter/protection system for kayakers, long distance bicyclers, base campers, good value for the money.

best wishes!

[aeroliner750]

@brawny03 dang thanks for getting back to me so fast

i forgot to ask but the hiking poles that you used are adjustable ?

[brawny03]

@aeroliner750 Yes, they are. Much easier for traveling cause you can fold them down into a pack. Or if you want to vary the height of the canopy or back "wall". 

[iwalkedinawall]

why dont just buy a tent??

[brawny03]

@iwalkedinawall Good Question, Iwalk....this video shows people how to make a "tent" using a common tarp, something that is both inexpensive, versatile, and light weight.

For instance, sling this tarp over a line and you have instant shade, rain protection.

Or, use over a single wall tarp in winter for more warmth.

Or, use as the e-shelter (another video).

Or, use this tarp to shelter up to 6 people, sleeping.

Or, block the wind in an AT shelter.

Good bang for the buck.

[tekknorat]

Awesome.

[SidneyBou]

Thanks for vidio. Very good.

[MsSpy]

I really like that! Nice educational video.

[davethevanman]

Freaking genius!! BTW, can I just buy a tarp like this from you? (I have no sewing equipment, lol).

[fukfear69]

Well, Well, Well You're on to something I'm an avid hiker and being from Fla. have spent many a night sleeping "Cowboy" I'm now planning for my thru-hike of the AT2012..so staying dry is my primary concern I think a few Velcro tabs that would "tub" the floor would be a great addition and adding minimal weight as well as going ahead and sewing the NoSeeUm netting to either the beak area or in a position that meets up to the inside area of the floor that would encase the sleep area YOU ROCK GIRL

[soulstar1963]

great video ........very nice set up thank you

[xjtbarnesx]

Perfect! :)

[cooper7623]

I thought your tent was very creative using only what you would normally carry on a hiking trip. I am curious as to where you were able to find a tarp with the tabs to place your hiking pole for the head space. Is that something you built yourself or is it the way it was purchased? Very enjoyable video so far.

[brawny03]

@cooper7623 This is a tarp I made myself, yes. Most ultralight tarps of this size have a center seam, with tabs on one side. In that case, you would pitch it so that the tabs were on the outside. If you have a tarp with no seams you can use the ball and loop method for creating a staking point. Put the smooth ball up from the ground about 30 inches, on the inside. Loop your guy line around it from the outside, and proceed.

Thanks

[PACER2320]

Watched again. Figured out how u made the floor. Best tarp

Tent vid I've seen.

[PACER2320]

5*s

Could u please tell me how u made the floor can't figure it out.

[PACER2320]

Couldn't catch how u made the floor.

[RedCellx6]

excellent!

[slodeth5]

Very clever, Brawny. Love all your videos. I was wondering if you sell Silnylon tarps to others? I'd love to find a 10X12 in red, somewhat like the one you showed in the Zion videos. Thanks

[poormansbushcraft]

nice work what brand of tarp is that or did you make it?

[brawny03]

@poormansbushcraft , yes, I did make, it, thanks.

[haras440]

Nice video, I have used the A-frame style when setting up my 8 x 10 tarp and was looking for a setup that would withstand the sometimes severe weather changes here in CO. Do you think a 8 x 10 size would work? I know , I know , why dont I go outside and see? What can I say.

[brawny03]

@haras440 Of course you can try it out, but my idea would be use the 10 foot length for the floor and canopy, setting it up with the 8 foot as the width of the shelter. Then, use some cordage or elastic to extend the staking loops at the front corners. This way you can make the floor rectangular (see my video on ultralighter tricks, or those on 5 pitches). Your shelter will end up being 8 feet wide by 5 foot deep.

[SpockOfRock]

Pretty cool how you figured that out. The only problem with it I guess is if you get wind directly in the front of it, then it billow and basically sail. But a very novel approach for a still day.

[brawny03]

@SpockOfRock You have to chose your site, Spock, set up with wind to the back, this is a tried and true configuration. Be prepared to set a rock on top of stakes if wind picks up, lay gear on bottom of netting to hold in place.

This configuration has been on thru hikes of the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trails.

[SpockOfRock]

@brawny03

I accept your judgement on this, you're an expert.  I just think it's a very cool way of making a tent out of a tarp. I guess no matter what gear you choose there are always going to be drawbacks. I respect your knowledge though, and thanks for responding to my post.

[brawny03]

@SpockOfRock Thanks, Spock for your comments. Of course another option to high winds is to lower the height of the shelter, which also enlarges or spreads the floor area. You can pitch it where vegetation will take some of the brunt of the wind. The inital choice of where to set up always depends on weather, slope, natural elements. and elevation.

This is a very stable configuration, able to withstand winds if the stakes stay in the ground, as with any non free standing shelter.

[2fej]

This is very cool. Lots of good ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[NCHiker1970]

Very Very nice setup! I use a hammock most of the time but this idea looks like I need to give it a go! Love your idea for the Noseeum netting! This really did not take to long to put up either, which is great for days when the weather decides you need some rain! This would be great also if you needed warmth, by adding leaves to the top and under the sleeping area it would help hold in heat from your body. Wonderful video as always!

[brawny03]

Thanks for the compliments. This is a tarp I made.You can use any flat tarp for this configuration, the floor area will depend on the placements of the staking loops.

You can add staking loops yourself, even by hand sewing, to facilitate the floor. Put them on the long side so you have enough left for the canopy.

Check out my sewing video for making stuff sacks.

Apply the same tecniques for making all gear, the fabric source is listed at the end of the vid.

[MINDWISEMAN]

Nice to see female perspective and presentation of outdoorsey stuff. regards from UK

[mchipman1]

Nice set up, thanks for sharring. What kind of tarp is it?? I know it is silnylon, Manufacturer/Model?

[chime1fo4me]

Thank you, very informative...

[Nufriend3]

Great design. Useful in many circumstances.

Thanks for sharing with us! Look forward to your next tip.

[Ggreenvideos]

Very cool Design with the 4 feet of tarp folded under to sleep on :o)

[3charter]

Super vid..keep it up.  Most informational...thanks.