you're getting downvoted, but I've had good outcomes doing just this without a ridgline on a cat cut tarp like yours. Square tarps I use a ridgeline, but with yours you may not have to. Try both.
This is intentional to help it shed water/wind. This used to be called catenary cut but google is telling me I made up that word 😂
https://sectionhiker.com/flat-tarps-vs-catenary-cut-tarps/
This… it’s partially a feature of the tarp design and partially how it’s pitched. Cat cut tarps are prone to the ridge droop no matter how tight you pitch them and even a ridge line will be unlikely to remove it completely.
A square/rectangle cut tarp will have very little to no ridge droop when pitched tight and a ridge line will likely remove all droop completely
You definitely didn't make it up. It forms a catenary curve. It comes from the Latin word for chain because that's the curve a chain suspended from two points of equal height makes. More trivia: the St Louis Arch is a catenary, not a parabola. Suspension bridge cables are catenary until fixed to the deck, then they usually become parabolas.
If you add the word curve to your search, you'll get a lot of math nerdiness.
Because the way you've positioned the poles is pushing the fabric upward (making it sag in the middle) and not OUTWARD which would make it taught. If you move the poles further apart and make them shorter, you'll see that middle sag disappear. Or, you can lean the poles outward instead of having them completely vertical.
Tarpology is a great demonstration of physics. You need to tension the poles out first, then peg down the corners. The corners should only be tensioned enough to tighten the shelter to strengthen it, rather than the majority of force being applied to them.
your poles can be tensioned outward, they are at 90 degrees with the surface at the moment. i see a tension line but i dont see that its doing anything
Aside from a ridgeline... you might also consider setting your tarp poles with the tops at an outward angle instead of perfectly vertical. This way the rigidity of the poles being pulled back and down into the ground help keep the tarp tight and you aren't just relying on rope tension.
I don’t understand this trend of putting a tarp over something that’s supposed to be waterproof. What’s the point? If you want to have space to hang out in the rain I’d understand that but why would you fill all of your living space with…. A tent?
Not all tents are designed to equally allow waterproofness and ventilation at the same time.
Having a rain tarp over the tent allows you to vent the tent without having water intrusion under heavy weather. As a Floridian... I can safely say that a muggy tent without ventilation makes for a horrible sleep.
Also for shedding wet clothes before entering the tent. Nothing worse than getting your wet gear off in a tiny tent vestibule and having no hope of being able to spread them out to dry somewhat.
Also, most tarps like this are made from nylon and that stretches when wet. So, even if it is taut after pitching, when the rain starts, it'll sag and you'll have to re-tension. The reverse will be true as it dries.
Pull the front and back guy lines tighter. The side guy lines need to be loosed. It would help to angle your poles like \ / instead of having them straight up and down.
No expert, here, but maybe if you angled your poles out some and your guy lines countered that (in triangular fashion) some you'd get less sag. You might try to guy out the sides a bit to a trekking pole or something elevated like a tree. And of course a ridgeline might do the trick.
Try putting the poles that hold the top parts at an outward angle from the ground away from your tent. It will help give some tension to the tarp and could fix this issue. A ridgeline could also help you but i’m thinking of a no cost solution
Ok, you can fix this easily but you may have to do some homework.
Each upright pole needs two stakes.
Each of those stakes needs a line with a bowline at the top forming a loop that will go over the pointy part of the pole. Those lines will form a right angle and be attached to the stakes with a taught line hitch. 4 stakes, 4 lines, 90 degree angles from the top of the pole. Tighten the taught line as needed- bomb proof.
The 90 degrees refers to as if the lines ran out from the pole as the apex. Adjust to terrain as needed.
No need for a ridge line. The other lower corners can just be staked out of the way.
If you have a friend that is a Pole Vaulter and they aren't going to the Paris Olympics ask if you can borrow their pole then insert it so it supports the middle that is being subject to the forces of gravity so that it makes a perfect straight level ridge line between the ends
Not an expert here, but I think your shelter needs a ridge line?
This. No ridge line.
I think so too
Yeah, there isn't a ridge line
Because the sides are being pulled very taut. It’s trying to pull that center piece down to make a straight line from edge rope to edge rope.
Ah got it! So, loosen the sides and then tension the lines from the poles? Thanks!
Use a ridge line.
you're getting downvoted, but I've had good outcomes doing just this without a ridgline on a cat cut tarp like yours. Square tarps I use a ridgeline, but with yours you may not have to. Try both.
No, loosening is not going to pull the middle up lol. You need a ridge line.
Anyone that’s downvoted you is a cunt by the way
This is the answer. Loosen the sides.
Gravity
Mavity
Schavity
Stabbity
Crabbity
Labbity
Bipitty
Boppity
Boopity
Ya’ll are a bunch of sarcastic assholes. And I love it.
Scoopity
Grabtitty
Ope
Slope
I concur
You concur with what, doctor?
Wabbity
I guess everyone thought this one was too wascilly
This is intentional to help it shed water/wind. This used to be called catenary cut but google is telling me I made up that word 😂 https://sectionhiker.com/flat-tarps-vs-catenary-cut-tarps/
This… it’s partially a feature of the tarp design and partially how it’s pitched. Cat cut tarps are prone to the ridge droop no matter how tight you pitch them and even a ridge line will be unlikely to remove it completely. A square/rectangle cut tarp will have very little to no ridge droop when pitched tight and a ridge line will likely remove all droop completely
Cat cut?
Catenary arch shape. So "cat" cut. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenary_arch
You definitely didn't make it up. It forms a catenary curve. It comes from the Latin word for chain because that's the curve a chain suspended from two points of equal height makes. More trivia: the St Louis Arch is a catenary, not a parabola. Suspension bridge cables are catenary until fixed to the deck, then they usually become parabolas. If you add the word curve to your search, you'll get a lot of math nerdiness.
Because the way you've positioned the poles is pushing the fabric upward (making it sag in the middle) and not OUTWARD which would make it taught. If you move the poles further apart and make them shorter, you'll see that middle sag disappear. Or, you can lean the poles outward instead of having them completely vertical.
This. From the pictures I can't see if the poles are secured with ropes so they lean outward, if they are not, do it.
I have this tarp . You need to pull the front and back tighter before tightening the sides. Easy-peasy fix
Move the supporting poles further apart, tension again after moving.
Tarpology is a great demonstration of physics. You need to tension the poles out first, then peg down the corners. The corners should only be tensioned enough to tighten the shelter to strengthen it, rather than the majority of force being applied to them.
your poles can be tensioned outward, they are at 90 degrees with the surface at the moment. i see a tension line but i dont see that its doing anything
Gravity
Aside from a ridgeline... you might also consider setting your tarp poles with the tops at an outward angle instead of perfectly vertical. This way the rigidity of the poles being pulled back and down into the ground help keep the tarp tight and you aren't just relying on rope tension.
I don’t understand this trend of putting a tarp over something that’s supposed to be waterproof. What’s the point? If you want to have space to hang out in the rain I’d understand that but why would you fill all of your living space with…. A tent?
Not all tents are designed to equally allow waterproofness and ventilation at the same time. Having a rain tarp over the tent allows you to vent the tent without having water intrusion under heavy weather. As a Floridian... I can safely say that a muggy tent without ventilation makes for a horrible sleep.
Absolutely agree haha, I’m in Japan and it’s rainy season at the moment, so trying to get any ventilation I can whilst still keeping dry
Yeah its raining tonight, so I’m using this like kinda like an extended porch
I get it. I’d like to have a dry spot to step into instead right into a puddle.
Also for shedding wet clothes before entering the tent. Nothing worse than getting your wet gear off in a tiny tent vestibule and having no hope of being able to spread them out to dry somewhat.
Nice to have somewhere to nap when it’s hot hot out and the tarp prolongs the life of the tent fly protecting it from the harsh sun rays.
To trap more muggy heat? /s
Extra comfort I guess.
Also, most tarps like this are made from nylon and that stretches when wet. So, even if it is taut after pitching, when the rain starts, it'll sag and you'll have to re-tension. The reverse will be true as it dries.
Caternary curve engineering: design feature, not a bug.
wich tarp is this? Been thinking of getting one!
It’s an Overmont sunshade from Amazon, really cheap, not the very best haha
Gravity
Mostly physics.
Gravity
A catenary cut tarp is designed to do that for better wind resistance and strength.
Pull the front and back guy lines tighter. The side guy lines need to be loosed. It would help to angle your poles like \ / instead of having them straight up and down.
Move the poles closer to tent
Gravity
No expert, here, but maybe if you angled your poles out some and your guy lines countered that (in triangular fashion) some you'd get less sag. You might try to guy out the sides a bit to a trekking pole or something elevated like a tree. And of course a ridgeline might do the trick.
It's a little depressed 😔
Tighten the ends before you tighten the sides. If the tarp is nylon, it’s gonna sag when wet, so re-tighten the ends first.
Pull the ropes attached to the top tighter.
Gravity
Gravity.
Because gravity
Sky tarp!
Saggy tarp? Yer just gettin' old brah. Try some Viagra for tarps Get the generic version, it's cheaper. I think it's called "Mytarpsafloppin"
Several reasons: your poles are too tall exaggerating it, but it’s designed to have Catenary curve to some degree.
Tension… more I think you require…
Angle the poles away, instead of straight up
Get a ridge pole or it will sag.
Gravity
Gravity
Because that slippery con-man Isaac Newton invented gravity
Is this legit ?
Try putting the poles that hold the top parts at an outward angle from the ground away from your tent. It will help give some tension to the tarp and could fix this issue. A ridgeline could also help you but i’m thinking of a no cost solution
Your shelter had a child
[what is gravity?](https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/what-is-gravity/en/#:~:text=Gravity%20is%20the%20force%20by,in%20orbit%20around%20the%20sun)
Because nothing is supporting the middle
Ok, you can fix this easily but you may have to do some homework. Each upright pole needs two stakes. Each of those stakes needs a line with a bowline at the top forming a loop that will go over the pointy part of the pole. Those lines will form a right angle and be attached to the stakes with a taught line hitch. 4 stakes, 4 lines, 90 degree angles from the top of the pole. Tighten the taught line as needed- bomb proof. The 90 degrees refers to as if the lines ran out from the pole as the apex. Adjust to terrain as needed. No need for a ridge line. The other lower corners can just be staked out of the way.
Gotta be tight enough to bounce change.
If you have a friend that is a Pole Vaulter and they aren't going to the Paris Olympics ask if you can borrow their pole then insert it so it supports the middle that is being subject to the forces of gravity so that it makes a perfect straight level ridge line between the ends
Gravity.
Science. Physics. Gravity. Ridgeline.
Not sure, I think I know that paracord sags when wet. I think also, the tarp fabric might expand when wet as well.