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timebreaks
04-17-2009, 18:58
When attaching cord for tent guylines, how much cord is enough? Obviously you want enough to allow for tension adjustment, but I'm pretty sure I don't need to use 50ft. for the apex line of my tent (a TarpTent Contrail, if that makes a difference). Help?

Egads
04-17-2009, 20:17
Does this help?

http://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html

http://www.tarptent.com/contrail_2.html

http://images.google.com/images?complete=0&hl=en&q=tarptent%20contrail&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

JAK
04-17-2009, 20:22
What is an apex line? Is that from the peak to a tree instead of a hiking pole? Or is it from one tree or stake in the ground to another tree, and then just holding the peak up, instead of using a hiking pole? I think I like the second method. I would say twice the length of the tent, maybe 12-15'. It could still be a very light. I like using same diameter as can be used for replacing my shoe laces, and I make my shoe laces out of it.

I only use a poncho tarp though. I carry 2 cords the exact length of my shoe laces for the lower ends when tieing instead of staking, and 2 cords twice the length of my shoe laces for the upper end for tieing to branches usually on opposite sides of a spruce tree trunk, and then I carry some extra cord of the same stuff, for hanging food or whatever.

Frosty
04-17-2009, 20:46
When attaching cord for tent guylines, how much cord is enough? Obviously you want enough to allow for tension adjustment, but I'm pretty sure I don't need to use 50ft. for the apex line of my tent (a TarpTent Contrail, if that makes a difference). Help?
You don't want to have the angle of the line too steep or the stakes will pull out. You don't need extra for tensioning, just enough past your tautline hitch or tensioner to be able to grab and pull.

Mine is about 6 feet long for a Squall tarptent. It is long enough that the line isn't too steep an angle. It is more than I usually need, but has come in handy once or twice to reach a tree to tie it to.

timebreaks
04-17-2009, 20:50
Does this help?

Ok, well I kind of figured that it really just needed to be long enough to go from the top attachment of my tent to the stake in the ground. :p I was wondering if there was a rule of thumb for figuring out how much extra line I should have handy. Probably should have asked better.

I like the idea of using the extra as spare shoelaces, though! Perhaps my rule of thumb shall be distance from top of tent to stake + length of shoelaces = guyline. :-)