Guyline Adjuster or Tensioner - Thoughts?

[g00gle]

I've been trying to get some tarp practice in before 2016 gets here and I'm finding that pitching different angles, and especially in different places, seems to find me making constant adjustments to cord length. Came across some line adjusters on Amazon and I started looking in to the different types, etc. , of these little things.

The reviews for some are good and some are bad. But do they actually work when setting up and taking down your shelter everyday for a few months on end? Do they fray your line or lose their efficacy from repeated use in a concentrated time period, such as a thru-hike?

If not these, then any advice for quick shelter set-up running lines that needed adjusted often?

Thanks!

[kf1wv]

No gadgets necessary. The taut-line hitch is all you need: http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitch/ .

[Dochartaigh]

These are the same that TarpTent uses on their tents: http://www.dutchwaregear.com/linelocs-3.html

Many people thruhike with TarpTent's so I see no reason why these linelocs wouldn't work on a tarp for a similar duration of time. When attached to the ends/corners/normal D-ring attachment points on a tarp, this type of lineloc gives you the full adjustability of your guylines too. If you don't want something attaching to the tarp itself, you can run these, but you're limited to about half your guyline length at the shortest it'll go (unless you rig up something to the tarp end and run them like the linelocs above) http://www.dutchwaregear.com/line-locks.html

There's even titanium ones on that site which I'm sure will never break. Match them with quality guylines like Amsteel Zing-it or Lash-it and you should be golden. Always being a little bit of extra line just in case - all line wears with enough time and use.

[Bird Dawg]

I have a Warbonnet Superfly and I use light shock cord with Dutchware Fleaz (http://www.dutchwaregear.com/fleaz-single.html) at the tie outs. They are quick to tie off and offer self-tensioning ability at any angle. Here's a great You Tube video that shows other options. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZEeWGJk1f8. ) Can't go wrong with Dutch's stuff! (Disclaimer: I am not an employee of Dutchware and have no financial interest in the company. I AM a very satisfied customer, though.)

[Deadeye]

No gadgets necessary. The taut-line hitch is all you need: http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitch/ .

You got it. A few basic knots (tautline, clove hitch, half hitch, bunt line) will cover you.

[kf1wv]

Bingo. Basic knots do it.


You got it. A few basic knots (tautline, clove hitch, half hitch, bunt line) will cover you.

[HooKooDooKu]

Ditto for some form of slip knot (such as a tautline hitch or any one of it's many variations).

Another suggestion, to make it easy to untie the knot in the morning... rather than pulling the full tail of the rope thru the last part of the knot, bend the rope in half and pull this double rope thru the last part of the knot before you tighten down on the knot. That way, in the morning, to untie the knot, you just pull on the tail.

[ChrisJackson]

These self-tensioning lines are nice:

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/self-tensioning-lines/

I use the knot he ties at the 48 second mark (click the Videos tab). I call it a slippery half-hitch but that may not be correct. Works great whatever it's called!

[Dogwood]

No gadgets necessary. The taut-line hitch is all you need: http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitch/ .


You got it. A few basic knots (tautline, clove hitch, half hitch, bunt line) will cover you.


Bingo. Basic knots do it.

Exactly. Bingo. Amen. Learn a few knots. Can't hurt. Leaves options. Even if you do go the gadget route for your tarp lines you'll have back up knowledge should a gadget be lost, fail, etc.

You might get real anal about kit wt too as many that use tarps are.

[The Cleaner]

I found the small plastic devices made by Nite IZE work very well and can be used with gloves on.

[g00gle]

Holy cow! That's a lot of options to investigate (including just knuckling down and learning the knots that I keep putting off.)

Every time I think I got a decent handle on some new hiking topic... Bam! There's 50 more options, lol!

I'll start looking in to all these soon as I get home later.

Thanks much all for the ideas!

[HooKooDooKu]

Holy cow! That's a lot of options to investigate (including just knuckling down and learning the knots that I keep putting off.)

Every time I think I got a decent handle on some new hiking topic... Bam! There's 50 more options, lol!

I'll start looking in to all these soon as I get home later.

Thanks much all for the ideas!

As Dogwood and others have pointed out...

Skip investigating all your "options" and just learn a couple of knots. They will serve you well in many areas of camping as well as many areas of life (like the next time you have to tie down something from Home Depot, or if you take up rock climbing).

A couple of suggested knots (in order to consider learning):
Taut-line hitch - adjustable knot for use on lines under tension (what you likely want for staking out guylines)
Double fisherman's knot - high strength knot for joining two ends of rope together
Trucker's hitch - way to place a loop in the middle of a length of rope and use the loop as a pulley to increase pulling force of the final knot
Figure 8 knot - knot that can be easily untied after being under load
Bowline knot - an ancient knot that is simple to form (can be tied one-handed once you've learned) and also easy to untie after being under load (Figure 8 easier to learn and remember)

[CarlZ993]

There are several tensioners out on the market (Dutchware, Nite Ize, etc.) that work nicely. Knots can do the same. With knots, it is best to make sure they are quick-release knots (slipped knots) so that they are easy to untie in the morning.

If you are trying a tarp between two trees, two knots not previously mentioned to consider are the Siberian Hitch on one end & the Trucker's Hitch on the other. Siberian Hitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4DvPki6cIU
The Siberian Hitch anchors one end of the rope first. The Trucker's Hitch uses a mechanical advantage to tighten the rope/cord. Both knots are slip-tied. You can easily undo each of them when you're ready to break camp. Easy peazy.

[Dochartaigh]

To me, although I know them, knots are annoying. Hardware barely adds any weight whatsoever anymore and is a great convenience (especially when you've had a long day and the last thing you want to do is re-live your time in the boyscouts with your guylines). ...kinda the same reason why I'll bring a mini-bic lighter instead of a flint and steel to light my stove ;)

[Rex Clifton]

I use the MSR tensioners and like them allot. Never had one slip or fray the line.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[MuddyWaters]

I put taughtline hitch loop on end of guylines. Takes about 3" of extra length, but allows shortening by half when needed.

My cuben tarps dont stretch really, so im not worried about tightening from inside in rain.

Some will put lineloc on tarp, then you can reach out from inside and pull tighter if gets slack in rain.

[msoult]

Check this out. Dude is entertaining and informative. Good video.

https://youtu.be/FJLBHEGQFwk



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pnkwolfe]

I put taughtline hitch loop on end of guylines. Takes about 3" of extra length, but allows shortening by half when needed.

My cuben tarps dont stretch really, so im not worried about tightening from inside in rain.

Some will put lineloc on tarp, then you can reach out from inside and pull tighter if gets slack in rain.

Depending how you rig your guylines, including a loop of shockcord at the working end (attached to your stake, or through the loop made by the tautline hitch, for example) is an easy self-tensioner for silnylon, etc. Reduces mid-evenind tightening.

One other 'knot' that hasn't been mentioned is the marlin spike hitch, which can be an easy to remember and use alternative to several of the more sophisticated knots mentioned here, and seems to work even if the rope or cord you're using is too slippery to hold other hitches.

[perdidochas]

Holy cow! That's a lot of options to investigate (including just knuckling down and learning the knots that I keep putting off.)

Every time I think I got a decent handle on some new hiking topic... Bam! There's 50 more options, lol!

I'll start looking in to all these soon as I get home later.

Thanks much all for the ideas!

Tautline hitch is an easy one. Ten year olds learn it all the time (it's usually the 2nd Boy Scout knot taught). My advise to learn knots. If you're a smartphone user, get a knot app (I use Knots 3-D (free) but there are others), and a piece of rope or paracord 2-3 feet long. Practice when you have a minute.

One tip for the tautline hitch, is that on the first part where you usually do two loops, if you're working with synthetics, do three or more. You can also do an extra finishing half hitch.

[shakey_snake]

Micro linelocs (the triangle looking ones) for extremely small slippery line or a Blake's Hitch (grips better than a Tautline Hitch) for any other line.

But the small spectra line is really the only stuff I use backpacking anymore.

[garyhebert]

Check out Ron's line locks for his tarps www.Mountainlaureldesigns .com

Super lightweight n hold strong for most setups


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[camper10469]

No gadgets necessary. The taut-line hitch is all you need: http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitch/ .

+1 way to go

[pickNgrin]

You got it. A few basic knots (tautline, clove hitch, half hitch, bunt line) will cover you.

There are so many knots that learning them can be daunting. This is a great list of useful ones to know, and they are all easy to tie. Knowing how and when to use proper knots can be very satisfying. I agree that learning and using these knots is well worth it, rather than relying on gadgets.

It can be easy to learn a knot and then forget it if you don't have a need for it on a regular basis. It is a good idea to keep a length of rope around and practice every one in a while.

[ChrisJackson]

For tarps, the Sheet Bend is handy. Use it for tying two cords together for more length when needed. Tie with a quick release!