Tarps as sunshades

Denier is the unit of measurement of the linear density of textile fiber mass. It is defined as the mass in grams per 9,000 meters. i.e. 1 denier = 1 gram per 9000 meters Got that from Wikipedia...

H.D.P.E. is High Density Polyethylene. Therefore, 1000 denier would 1kg of fibre mass / 9000 metres.

I have used a large silver/olive tarp as a shade cover. I like the fact that they are reinforced on the edges and have steel eyes sewn in. Works OK if you have enough air height to allow the air to circulate properly. Keeps the rain off nicely too. Don't know what their UV rating would be. I have a small one of these tarps (8 x 12 feet) in the 4wd in case I need to get underneath. They are certainly thicker than the cheap blue ones and definitely worth the extra $$eroos.

The destructions on the ones I have show that they have a 50% UV Rating.

Cheers Kev

Got the lady down the road to make me one,,,,,,,
good price, good quality.....if'n you want one let me know.

Michael

I'm glad you meant the tarp Norm ;-))

exactly the same as Moi.

Get yerself fixed up Mike - they're good and the spreaders (horizontal poles) make the rig so much more sturdy but the cost can get up a bit depending on size of erm.......tarp, and therefore poles but an excellelnt rig. Probably start without the spreaders and see how you go - just make sure you get some of those guy ropes with tension springs.

Hi Guys

>I also use horizontal spreaders due to the size of mine (the tarp that is).

I almost hesitate to ask... :) but... I know, of course, what tent poles are and I see Steve's mention of the horizontal spreaders being poles (shame; I have a bit of a thing for Hungarians :) but how do you use them and to what do they attach etc - I suspect this is one of those things where "a picture is worth a thousand words". Keep in mind I'll just be setting up a tarp shelter and don't have a caravan/trailer etc.

Also; tension springs? I have always just used a few bits of nylon rope to ground pegs/trees - do the springs help much in high wind conditions?

Sounds like it might be time to go "camp stuff" buying tomorrow - I've been itching to blow some cash on camp things for weeks but I already have two of everything :(

Mike Harding

The siver ones are good stuff. 20 by 12...$50 or less on Ebay.
Oztrail brand. Oco straps very useful to tension...oldbaz.

spreaders Mikhail, are like those telescopic aluminium poles, only instead of having a spike at the end, the end is flattened out with a hole drilled thru the middle so that they sit, horizontally, on top of aforementioned vetical pole with spikey bit, which goes thru the hole. The spreader is flattened and drilled with hole @ each end so you can put a vertical pole thru each end ofthe spreader - tus making something like a soccer goalpost thing.

Sorry if that's a bit jumbled mate but couldn't Google image a pic for ya. The guy ropes are much stronger than the usual tent ones and they have a spring at the bottom bit with a loop that you put your peg thru. The spring serves to absorb a bit of tension, given that you do actually tighten these buggers up pretty tight - so the spring gives bit of flex.

I think Rays have one of those sales on right now, so get down there cos this gear does add up a bit. They'll probably explain a bit better than I did too.

Thanks Steve - got the picture eerrr... words :)

I'll pop down to Rays tomorrow and see if I can force some cash on them :)

Mike Harding

Mike, if you really want to spend some of your 'hard earned', the Open Sky Bag Awning is a very good product.

To be fair Davoe, my tarp shelter tarps are orange but exactly the same material and weave as the blue ones.

A year ago (or was it two?) I spent a week in the High Country prospecting and it was 45C+ every day - I put the tarp up in my camp for shade but found the radiant heat through it was similar to sitting in full sun - I gave up and spent the middle of the days rotating around large trees seeking shade.

Mike Harding

Thanks Steve - I'll let you know how it goes :)

Hmmm,

I obvoiusly don't know how to do that link thingy.