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I'm a bit of a perfectionist. So before I actually went out and bought tarps I had to research. What my bro and I are doing is setting up a 10x10 EZ-UP, and giving it 3 tarp walls (10x6) with a foot or two open at the bottom for air flow. Zip ties on top, bungees on bottom. The fourth wall I may put up a sheet or something hippy-like.
Hopefully this helps someone else out here on the boards as well.
Here's a few things I learned.
Cheap tarps aren't meant to block the sun, they're meant to block the rain. (So no cheap blue tarps for me.)
Poly is the way to go because it's inexpensive and light weight. Most tarps are poly anyway.
Silver tarps will keep the heat out the best.
I've seen it here on Inforoo that the silver ones might glare on your neighbors, but judging by pictures I don't think it would be a problem. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)
Now, pricing for 3 10x6 silver tarps, including shipping for .coms:
$20.40 at sportsmansguide.com (10x8, I think these are more of the "blue" quality than the "silver" quality, but will probably work on a budget.)
$31.90 at mytarp.com
$32.94 at Home Depot (10x8 and brown, 10x6 and silver not available)
$36.95 at tarpcoversales.com
$38.11 at tarpsupply.com (10x8, 10x6 not available)
$38.94 at Lowes (10x8, 10x6 not available)
$38.97 at Northern Tool (10x8, 10x6 not available)
$39.71 at tarpsplus.com
The .coms are cheaper, but once that ~$10-15 is tacked on for shipping they even out.
Last Edit: Mar 16, 2011 9:55:17 GMT -5 by JR - Back to Top
Lol yeah. I actually called 2 of the .coms. The first was an Asian girl I could barely understand who laughed at me when I said 2 similar tarps were similar... /facepalm.
The second was a Hispanic gentleman who I could barely understand, who didn't seem interested in talking to me.
I think they both were more interested in bigger customers. Like trucking companies or whatnot.
Post by Vw'ndeadchick on Mar 14, 2011 14:12:29 GMT -5
i always keep tarps and zip ties along in case we need them but never hang them up unless its raining. its kinda hot like that, no? we use tapestries and bed sheets to block the sun but they dont stay up all the time either
The tarps are mostly for the morning. Using the tarps to block the sun without killing airflow will help keep us a bit cooler. I'll also have 2 battery powered fans and cots. I'm undecided whether to put a small tent under the EZ-UP or just sleep in the open on the cot.
Putting "stuff" between yourself and the sun's heat, without blocking airflow, is the key to sleeping past 7:30.
I loved this website, but, man!! it's so overwhelming. I have no idea where to begin on what to buy. I like the idea of mesh so the air flows well, but will it keep out the rain? And what color?? I'm so confused!
duncmelsmom, reading my initial post may help a little bit. The cheap flimsy (usually blue) tarps aren't very good, but anything above that should be fine.
If you go to Lowe's, or wherever, get the $13 stuff, not the $8 stuff.
Post by Vw'ndeadchick on Mar 15, 2011 7:37:59 GMT -5
yeah i completely hear what your saying about the stuff between you and the sun but how are you getting air flow through a quality rain proof tarp, it seems like your boxing yourself in an oven. its almost equivalent to sitting in a tent with the door open depending upon how many people you've got hanging out. Ive seen this done many times at fests, i just think sheets and tapestries are the way to go unless its actually raining.
My plan is to hang tarps on all 4 walls, with a foot or 2 open around the bottom, and I will roll up the tarps that are not actively blocking the sun. This way, I can put all the tarps down, and have somewhere to change cloths, etc
Big Lots has tarps for about $10 you can get them in different thickness to. I have a question however about an EZ UP I have been trying to find one but it seems like a 10x10 one is gigantic. I could probably park half my car and my tent under a 10x10 canopy is there even enough space for one that big?
My plan is to hang tarps on all 4 walls, with a foot or 2 open around the bottom, and I will roll up the tarps that are not actively blocking the sun. This way, I can put all the tarps down, and have somewhere to change cloths, etc
This, exactly.
A good tarp on the sunny side in the morning is good at the very least. I thought I described in this post already, but I'll have 3 tarp "walls" with 1-2 feet open at the bottom. 2 battery powered fans for 7-10 AM. And sleeping on cots.
I prefer sheets to black the sun because they are light enough to allow any breexe to flow through.
As for tarps, Sportsmansguide.com has cheap tarps (blue on 1 side, silver on the other with reinforced grommets) for VERY cheap. Not sure of the quality but for the price, even one time use would be okay. I have tons of tarps but got a few more in specific sizes I needed to ease camp. "construction."
prices are : 8x10 = $5, 10x12 = $8, 12x16 = $13, and up
The sportmansguide.com ones don't give much info about quality. But when I add them to my list above they come out a bit cheaper. Personally, I'll probably spend the extra $10 and get something with a little more information. It's definitely worth a thought and mention though. Thanks.
Post by tnbackroads on Mar 16, 2011 10:27:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the tarp prices!
Last year we used 2 tarps. . . one for a wall and another for the floor under the ez up. The rest of the ez up was covered in sheets. This year we are bringing a couple more tarps, one to cover the back of the SUV (we plan on sleepin on an air matteress in the back,) and one for over our friends tent.
Question: If we hang a tarp from the ezup and attach it to the ground with a tent underneath how big will the tarp need to be? (It is an average size 4 man tent)
Most EZ-UPs are 10x10 I believe. A 10xX tarp is usually gonna be closer to 9'10" or so, so if you want to completely cover one side you'll probably want a 12x8 with a little bit of wrap around.
^^Since most 4-man tents are about 8x8, and most EZ-ups are 10x10, I'd get a 10x12 minimum. This allows 10 attached to EZ-up, 8 ft out over ten and 4ft down to ground.
A 12x16 might be better and allow for some side shade on the east side to allow you to sleep in.
Best also to try and allow air space between the tarp and tent for air flow if possible.
Post by tnbackroads on Mar 16, 2011 11:26:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback guys. That was the only part of my camp set up I was concerned about. I will probably go with the 12 x 16 since I don't want the tarp to drape over the tent.
Not really about tarps but. . . What kind of sheets works the best for hanging on the ezup? And how did you attach it? Last year we cut holes and used twine to tie it the the ezup but they still kept blowing off.
I just used any old sheets I have with clothespins to attach. Won't work in strong winds and takes some adjustment but these are mostly only needed as dusk and dawn approach anyway. Worst case I've used tarps and wire ties in strong breezes which hold up well and a strong breeze will find it's way in most times. Since I have a white top EZ-up I also sometimes drape a 20ft+ silver tarp over it and adjust the shade as necessary.
Never really had any problems. Can also used your towels, assuming you brought some for washing at the troughs like I do.
It's about $40-50 cheaper than most places. Shipping was $23, but still a better deal compared to a lot of the other places I've searched. Quick delivery - it will be here on Wednesday.
It's about $40-50 cheaper than most places. Shipping was $23, but still a better deal compared to a lot of the other places I've searched. Quick delivery - it will be here on Wednesday.
Ellie is talking about the "Sierra II" ones at Sears. They have angled legs (and a significantly cheaper price tag). Not sure what the difference is otherwise. Here's a link:
Not really about tarps but. . . What kind of sheets works the best for hanging on the ezup? And how did you attach it? Last year we cut holes and used twine to tie it the the ezup but they still kept blowing off.
Go to hobby lobby, wal mart, or anywhere like it and purchase a metal grommet kit. these allow you to put the same durable, stable metal rings onto a sheet that you see on a tarp. It is literally 5 mins worth of work, and once done (and attached to your ez up via zip ties), your sheet will NOT come loose.
BTW... sheets all the way. They're breezy AND they block the sun.
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