Which Strength Thera-Band tensioners?

[johnthebaton]

Jack's R' Better sells self-tensioning tarp lines using Thera-Brand rubber tubing as it is supposedly stronger than surgical tubing.

While I have no issues buying this item from them, I would like to make my own, for 3 reasons:

1) I already own 18' of cord and prefer the black cord that came with my HH.

2) I would like to make shorter tubes for the ridgeline, for using with trees closer together.

3) I don't want to spend $20 just for 4 short tubes of rubber.

I read in a previous article somewhere that a stronger rubber should be used for the ridgeline (esp. with a MacCat tarp). I noticed that Thera-Brand sells 5 different strengths of rubber tubing. Can anyone advise what the ideal strength bands should be for the side pullouts vs. the ridgeline?

Do you think that 2 side tensioners would be sufficient, or are 4 needed (or even 6 with a MacCat?)

[Just Jeff]

I use them on my MacCat. I think one on each corner works best. I tried using two, but I could tell the difference in the morning. The tarp had large wrinkles in it because the tie-outs without the tensioners were sagging, while the others were pulled tight.

The tarp's ridgeline keeps stretch to a minimum, so I don't think they'd be much use there. Might help absorb some of the force from very heavy wind gusts, but I've only had that be an issue once and the winds were pretty strong. But if you do put them on the ridgeline, you have to support the weight of the tarp (unlike putting them on the corners, where the tarp's weight is already supported by the ridgeline), so more heavy duty tubes are needed.

So that might help with your last question. I don't know what strength they use. It's just barely thicker than the slingshot tubes I used on mine, though. And they kept their elasticity to below freezing temps, where my homemade ones froze in the stretched position and were useless until they warmed up.

[jlb2012]

I use them on my MacCat. I think one on each corner works best. I tried using two, but I could tell the difference in the morning. The tarp had large wrinkles in it because the tie-outs without the tensioners were sagging, while the others were pulled tight.

The tarp's ridgeline keeps stretch to a minimum, so I don't think they'd be much use there. Might help absorb some of the force from very heavy wind gusts, but I've only had that be an issue once and the winds were pretty strong. But if you do put them on the ridgeline, you have to support the weight of the tarp (unlike putting them on the corners, where the tarp's weight is already supported by the ridgeline), so more heavy duty tubes are needed.

So that might help with your last question. I don't know what strength they use. It's just barely thicker than the slingshot tubes I used on mine, though. And they kept their elasticity to below freezing temps, where my homemade ones froze in the stretched position and were useless until they warmed up.


since JRB photos show a Green Thera-Band in use I am assuming it is the standard Thera-Band color coded strength (Heavy) :

Yellow - Thin
Red - Medium
Green - Heavy
Blue - Extra Heavy
Black - Special Heavy
Silver - Super Heavy

I have been holding off buying some Thera-Bands for my self for much the same reason as yourself - I don't know which strength to buy - the stuff is cheap enough - less than $15 per 25 feet so I may go ahead and get some green and silver for myself - especially with the news that the latex tubing / slingshot replacement bands I am currently using can freeze

I have been happy so far with the MacCat and the homemade tensioners - I used 4 tensioners - one for each side tieout but unlike Jeff I did find that I had to adjust the ridge line tension also during the night so I am looking for a ridge line tensioner also - probably only one needed for the ridgeline.

[johnthebaton]

Thanks for the tips. I had also thought about the fact that the green color must be the heavy strength; I just wasn't sure if that would be strong enough for the ridgeline, which now seems to be the case. I'm trying to get away with attaching the ridgeline to the hammock support line (as per Hennessy's instructions), which is why I'm looking for a way to pick up the slack once I get in the hammock.

But you're right, Silver is probably best for the ridgeline at 2 "stops" stronger than the green and the strongest they have. It may be that I'm asking for too much in picking up both the slack of getting in the hammock and from additional sag through the night, yet keeping the tube short enough to still attach to the hammock support line. But I suppose any reduction in slack is better than none!

Thanks again.

[peter_pan]

Thanks for the tips. I had also thought about the fact that the green color must be the heavy strength; I just wasn't sure if that would be strong enough for the ridgeline, which now seems to be the case. I'm trying to get away with attaching the ridgeline to the hammock support line (as per Hennessy's instructions), which is why I'm looking for a way to pick up the slack once I get in the hammock.

But you're right, Silver is probably best for the ridgeline at 2 "stops" stronger than the green and the strongest they have. It may be that I'm asking for too much in picking up both the slack of getting in the hammock and from additional sag through the night, yet keeping the tube short enough to still attach to the hammock support line. But I suppose any reduction in slack is better than none!

Thanks again.


One more time.....

If you want a taut, no further adjustment tarp pitch..... Tie to the trees...

STL have a range limit .... they are not intended to take up the foot or more of slack that occurs when loaded hammocks sags and tarps that are tied to the suspension lines sag... JRB STL have a working renge of 4-5 inches per line...plenty to provide for routine mateial stretch due to rain or heavy dew.

you can make a sling shot tensioner to do this , but it will be too long and function as a bungie, which is not safe.

BTW, besides wall thickness in the Thera-band there are different inside diameters in the tubing... be sure to consider the inside diameter of the tubing and the outside diameter of the line and don't forget about the knots.

Pan

[johnthebaton]

Thanks peter_pan, I had a feeling I was asking for too much. I'm sure People like you and Just_Jeff end up answering the same old questions ad nauseum, and us newbees are appreciative of your patience! But I thought I would at least try one last feeble attempt at reducing setup complexity :) .

I noticed tonight that the side pullout cords on my stock HH fly got tangled up when unraveling them, and upon closer inspection it really feels like cotton, or at least non-stiff nylon. I may be purchasing your STL for my side pullouts afterall in order to upgrade my cord to a stiffer type.

Do you think your STL is strong enough for a ridgeline (tied to a tree, of course!). One other option I am exploring for the ridgeline is the use of backpackinglight.com's AirCore Pro Dyneema Guyline Cord Kit (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/aircore_pro_dyneema_spectra_guyline_cord_50_ft.htm l) (similar to Marie-Noelle's Tensioner, but more secure), which worked well for me as a tarp camper. I'm thinking of placing one of the micro-tensioners on the ridgeline next to the hammock opening. That way, when it comes time to tighten the line, I simply sit up in my hammock, reach out for the tensioner, and pull away from me. This would tighten the ridgeline firmly, and the STLs on the side guyouts would keep me from having to get all the way out of my hammock to tighten the sides. But automatic tensioners for all 4 tarp edges would be ideal, I think. Any thoughts?

[Just Jeff]

I like tying the tarp separately for rainy setups. I keep my tarp in an outer pocket. When it's time for camp, I set up the tarp, then open my pack under it and set up the hammock nice and dry. Don't even get out my down stuff until everything is up (unless I'm using skins, and then it's protected already).

Teardown is opposite - pack everything up and close my pack, then take the tarp down and stuff it in the pocket.

I tried the ridgeline thing and found that, for me, it's too complicated for the small advantage it offers. Others might find it works for them, though. :)

[peter_pan]

I agree with Jeff, on tarp in the outer pocket...would add that Snakeskins on a tarp is a nice set up tear down idea, but not necessary...the little ones are only about 1 oz.

Sure the JRB STL will work for a ridgeline...That said they are not necessary for those who tie to the trees...The two side STL will keep the tarp taut with this set-up...That is why they are packaged as a pair.

Using the STL on the ridgeline will require trees to be a little farther apart due to the distance to deploy the fully pulled out tensioner....So instead of ideal 12 foot trees, you need 14 foot tree distance...this impacts how high you tie...sag angle etc... not to mention there are a lot of great 12-14 foot tree spaces that you make unuasble or more hassle ( Jeff's other point)....

We use plain cord for ridgeline tie outs...TO THE TREES....

Pan