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Ultralight clear tarp tent (2P)

by lechampiondumonde on November 12, 2015

Table of Contents

Ultralight clear tarp tent (2P) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Ultralight clear tarp tent (2P) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Work area preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 2: Shape marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: Edge reinforcing (Tape hemming) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4: Shape cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 5: Tarp assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 6: Tie down loops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 7: Pole sleeves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 8: Optional - Groundsheet: 48”x90” ........................................................................................ 5

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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultralight-clear-tarp-tent-2P/
Intro: Ultralight clear tarp tent (2P)
This design was initially designed to be used with Six Moon Design's Haven Net Tent (used in the photo above) and uses a material known as polyolefin or polycryo
which is quite popular in the ultralight backpacking world. The traditional use for the material used for this project is as a window insulating film.

The tent can also easily be used as a stand alone tarp tent for someone camping in dryer and/or less buggy environments. Here's a video that shows the set up of Six
Moon Designs' version which might serve for some inspiration beyond this Instructable.

This design is extremely popular for couples travelling the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail.

The great thing about this design is that the clear polyolefin material offers you a 360° view when you're inside. Sunrise? Check! Thunder storm? Check! Mysterious
animal sounds in the night? Check! Of course, this means that privacy is sacrificed but it makes a great item for the backcountry. Besides, you've chosen to be in nature,
why remove yourself from that by hiding behind an opaque wall?

I have slept in this tent several times and have seen it withstand a variety of summer & fall weather conditions. It might withstand snow with extra stakes or longer stakes.

The final product also weighs about 13oz, compared to the SMD silnylon version which weighs 18 oz. Not bad for a 2 person tent! The major weight savings in my design
are due to two factors:

1. Polyolefin is lighter than silnylon

2. My design doesn't use zippers - which I haven't had any issues with since you can always stake the doors closer to eachother to protect from the elements.

Note: This tarp meant to be used with 2x 45" tent poles or telescoping trekking poles but the video link above explains how it can be pitched using guylines.

MATERIALS

POLYOLEFIN: M-D Building Products 84-in x 25-ft Clear Polyolefin Shrink and Seal Kit

Note: I haven't found polyolefin in this size in the USA which is why I have the Canadian Lowes link. If someone knows a cheaper source, please let me know! Also,
don't buy the 64"x25" roll by mistake. The packaging is identical.

TAPE: Tuck Tape Outdoor Repair Tape

Note: This tape looks likes regular packing tape but the adhesive is quite different. Super tacky. UV resistant, waterproof and good until -10 celcius. Again, I haven't been
able to find this tape in the USA.

TAPE: Green painters tape or masking tape

Sharpie marker (silver or white would be the least obvious but whatever you have works)

Scissors (expect them to get slightly sticky from the tape)

Large protractor (there are many options but something like this works well)

Good luck! Let me know if you have questions.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultralight-clear-tarp-tent-2P/
Step 1: Work area preparation
Roll out the 7’x25’ roll of polyolefin and make sure it’s flat to avoid wrinkles. Use masking tape or painters tape to tape the edges down a bit on your work surface (floor
or large table) to ensure proper tension of the polyolefin material. Also make sure that your work area is clean of dust and debris since the material seems to generate a
static charge. The roll is large enough to cut the five shapes you need for the tarp.

You will be cutting four triangles and one large rectangle.

Step 2: Shape marking

Use a marker and straight edge to mark the lines of the triangles & rectangle. Use the protractor to measure the angles. The attached image indicates roughly how to
draw the shapes on the material.

2x Big Triangle
Side lengths: 87”x52x72.5“
Angles: 56°, 87°, 37°

2x Small Triangle
Side lengths: 64”x46.5“x52”
Angles: 46°, 81°, 53°

1x Rectangle
Side lengths: 12’7”x4’ (Use tape to create a seam at 64”)

Step 3: Edge reinforcing (Tape hemming)

After you’ve marked all the lines, take the clear Tuck Tape to reinforce the edges before cutting them. Polyolefin is strong when you push on it but it tears very easily.
You want the tape to overlap the lines by at least half an inch since you'll be cutting through it.

This reinforcing (hemming) process will help prevent the risk of tearing by adding strength to the edges. To prevent tape bubbles, make sure that the polyolefin is as tight
as possible and always pass over the tape with your hand to push any air out. Having a second person to help you might be useful for you.

Add an extra line of tape across the rectangle at 64”. This will be your ridgeline and divide your rectangle in a 64” long side and an 87” long side, which corresponds to
the long sides of your triangles.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultralight-clear-tarp-tent-2P/
Step 4: Shape cutting
Cut all the taped edges along the lines you’ve just marked. You will end up with 5 cut shapes.

Step 5: Tarp assembly

The attached image indicates how the triangles should be taped to the large rectangle.

Take the two small triangles and carefully use the Tuck Tape to tape the 64” side to the 64” long half of the rectangle. IMPORTANT: Make sure the 52” side is facing
inwards.

Next, take the two large triangles and carefully use the Tuck Tape to tape the 87” side to the 87” long half of the rectangle. IMPORTANT: Make sure the 52” side is
facing inwards.

With all 5 shapes taped together your tarp is now starting to look complete! Where the triangle points meet the the rectangle, add some extra tape on the bottom side of
the tarp to reinforce these points.

Step 6: Tie down loops

Next, cut eight 8” long strips of tape and carefully fold them length-wise on itself to they are taped together. Fold them width-wise in half and use them to create tie-down
loops on the eight corners of the tarp. As an alternative, you can try to install grommets to the tarp corners. You can also install strips of tape to tie back the doors
(triangles).

Step 7: Pole sleeves

If you’re using 2x 45” tent poles or telescoping trekking poles, use the tape to create a pole-end sleeve that you will tape to the underside of the tarp at the 64” where
you added a strip of tape across the rectangle. You can also inspire yourself from this video to figure out a way to pitch it with guylines only.

Your tarp is complete! Thanks for reading! Please share photos of your results.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultralight-clear-tarp-tent-2P/
Step 8: Optional - Groundsheet: 48”x90”
The attached image is a Google Sketchup model of what your final product should look like.

Depending on your set up or personal preferences, a ground sheet might be good idea. You can create one from left over material or maybe another separate piece.
Always remember to hem your edges.

Thanks again for reading! Please share photos of your results.

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultralight-clear-tarp-tent-2P/
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Comments
2 comments Add Comment

seamster says: Nov 13, 2015. 8:05 AM REPLY

Very nice! This is a great looking simple tent.

lechampiondumonde says: Nov 13, 2015. 8:27 AM REPLY

Thank you Sam! After typing these step by step instructions in an email for a single person, I told myself that I had no reason not to share it with
Instructables. Cheers from Canada.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultralight-clear-tarp-tent-2P/