Tarp question


Mr. Tettnanger

Mr. Tettnanger

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I have been kicking around the idea of getting into the hang thang!

I have decide that I will invest in the Warrbonnett Blackbird. What I am not sure of is what would be the best tarp to go with?

I am thinking of investing in the BCUSA Multi-Cam 10x10. Will that work? Is there a better tarp for hammocks? There are so many variables in this that it becomes overwhelming!

Any help, guidance, advice, or suggestions would be very much appreciated!
 
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The 10X10 is a fine tarp for that hammock... That's what I have (tarp and hammock) and I use it as an A frame and it works just fine.

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Ski
 
I'm gonna dance the bear burrito first of the year! Can't offer any advise yet but will watch the replies with interest. Hennessy expedition for me.
 
I am sure a 10x10 would be a good fit. Ask yourself what type of climate are you in? Are you going to need extra tie outs on the sides? Would you like a tarp that you can close the ends to stop wind, rain and or retain heat? Hot or cold hanging?

There is no such thing as perfect, too many variables in climate and need of the user. My tarp is the stock hennessy, I can run a seperate ridge line or use the the factory ridgeline. I can run it to the ground in the rain or tie it straight out for downpours. I can hang it high to let plenty of air in, lots of options.

I would get the dimensions of the WBBB and use it as a guide to the tarp size to start. HF is a great place for info if you really need specifics there is a warbonnett vendor page. I am heading out in the morning I can get a few pics if you need a few to see different options.
 
I just got a Warbonnet Blackbird today and I'm going to use it with a 10 x10 BCUSA tarp. I've been using the tarp over my grand trunk ultralight all year.

I set it up as diamond or A-frame depending on the weather.
 
i've got the Standard. Would love a deluxe or ultra, just for rainy days...

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/maccat_tarps.php

hand made by a young man (early 20s, might still be an engineering student at RIT) in rochester, ny. good cottage industry... he's been doing it since he was in high school and has an excellent reputation in the hammock community.
 
2nd the Outdoor Equipment Supplier tarp. I have the deluxe. Great tarp, light weight, and wonderful to do business with. He specializes in hammock tarps with all the bells and whistles at a reasonable price. I had two ridge line loops added to my tarp for hanging a flashlight etc. for easy access while in my hammock, for $5.00. You can also add extra tieouts if you like. You won't be sorry if you get one.
 
I can also confirm I've used the 10x10 (coyote in my case) over a Warbonnet Blackbird 1.0 DL model and it fits great. Several inches overhang on each end and a ton of side coverage compared to my Warbonnet Edge tarp which is a 126"x94" hex cut.
 
I'll +1 on a 10x10. My 5X7 is too small by quite a bit tho it will work in a pinch.

From all I've heard and the pics I've seen, the BCUSA tarps are some of the best out there. Mine is a harbor freight cheapo, but it's better than the wallyworld junk.

For testing purposes some cheap visqueen plastic or a drop cloth from the hardware store is quick, cheap and works for a little while.
 
I have a Blackbird and altho the BCUSA tarp will do the job your barely covered on the ends unless you hang it diamond wise. If you get into any strong blowing rain or snow you might have a problem,,,,or you might not. Most of the dedicated hammock tarps out there, OES, Warbonnet,Hammock Gear, JRB, have a longer ridge line. Having said that the BCUSA gives you the option of using it in ground configurations. I have a OES MacCat Deluxe,,,,great tarp. Good luck
 
I have used my BCUSA tarp/hammock combo for over 40 nights this year. It is a solid combo. If the weather gets bad, just set up on the diagonal.
 
mbiraman said:
I have a Blackbird and altho the BCUSA tarp will do the job your barely covered on the ends unless you hang it diamond wise. If you get into any strong blowing rain or snow you might have a problem,,,,or you might not. Most of the dedicated hammock tarps out there, OES, Warbonnet,Hammock Gear, JRB, have a longer ridge line. Having said that the BCUSA gives you the option of using it in ground configurations. I have a OES MacCat Deluxe,,,,great tarp. Good luck
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Barely cover the ends??? Hmmm... The hammock has a 100" ridgeline and the tarp is 120"... Not looking for an argument here but do you have a BCUSA tarp? and have you set one up with the WBBB?

I know I'm not a die hard hammocker but I've slept through some big storms and not had any issues from wind blown rain.

Ski
 
mbiraman said:
I have a Blackbird and altho the BCUSA tarp will do the job your barely covered on the ends unless you hang it diamond wise. If you get into any strong blowing rain or snow you might have a problem
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As I noted in my previous post, with my 10x10 over a Warbonnet Blackbird there's several inches overhang at each end and a lot of side coverage. I would not personally have any concerns about using that combo in foul weather. If you somehow did end up in some wacky blowing rain thats going under the tarp endwise (which would be problematic with any tarp really) there's enough material to close the tarp ends in a "doors" configuration to afford even more protection.

Alternatively as OLJ noted, you can pitch diamond style and there will be an enormous amount of end to end coverage that way. To put it in perspective most folks can get by with no problems using an 8x8 tarp in a diamond pitch so 10x10 is quite roomy.
 
upthecreek said:
I'm gonna dance the bear burrito first of the year! Can't offer any advise yet but will watch the replies with interest. Hennessy expedition for me.
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Hope you got the side zip version, becasue the bottom entry (AKA birthing a calf) entry requires a certain degree of limberness to use.
 
upthecreek said:
what ya trying to say...buddy :D
Mine is actually the bottom entry. Say a prayer for me.
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I'll be more explicit. Ain't no way you are going to be able to wriggle you way into the bottom entry and situate yourself without breaking something you've probaby already broke a couple of times before. :28: Add a sleeping bag and a pad to the equation and you may as well hang it outside the emergency room to save yourself a ride in the ambulance.

That is strictly between you and me and the other 10000 people that may read this. :27:

Get yourself the 2QZQ #4 mod for your new hammock and experience the hennessy the way it should be.

The stock tarp is minimal. But I believe you already have that COVERED (get it?).

And to not completely hijack the thread, a 10x10 will work fine, a 10x12 gives you that much more ability to really button it up in the winter but falls under the "nice to have" rather than the "need to have" catagory in my opinion.
 
..ummm...thanks! I was kinda thinking about those issues and will heed your advice for sure on the mod. I got to give it a try. :) You almost hurt my feelings.
 
justin_baker said:
Did you get a hammock for Christmas as well? ;)
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I did and I can't wait to get it hung and try it out. Unfortunately, my wife goes in for major surgery next week, so that will put everything on hold. I got the Grand Trunk Ultralite and am planning on using a heavy duty tarp from one of the box stores until I decide what size will be best. They aren't that heavy and should last awhile with care. The plus is that they are more fire resisitant so I can build a warming fire closer.

Scott
 
upthecreek said:
..ummm...thanks! I was kinda thinking about those issues and will heed your advice for sure on the mod. I got to give it a try. :) You almost hurt my feelings.
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Just practicing some tough love, brother. :19: Its for your own good.

If you want to try my modded hennessy before you do the deed, let me know
 
Mr. Tettnanger said:
I have decide that I will invest in the Warrbonnett Blackbird. What I am not sure of is what would be the best tarp to go with?

I am thinking of investing in the BCUSA Multi-Cam 10x10. Will that work? Is there a better tarp for hammocks? There are so many variables in this that it becomes overwhelming!

Any help, guidance, advice, or suggestions would be very much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Mr. T I also invested in the Warbonnett Blackbird. For a tarp I went with the Mambajamba by warbonnett with the end covers. If weight is a concern for you the Silnylon is very light. the entire system takes very little pack space. Price was a factor, however I did not want to get an incomplete system and get caught in bad weather and regret it!

I was not pleased with customer service or should I say lack there of. It took over a month to get my order to my door. The web site must not be kept up to speed with, what is and is not on back order.
 
jloden said:
As I noted in my previous post, with my 10x10 over a Warbonnet Blackbird there's several inches overhang at each end and a lot of side coverage. I would not personally have any concerns about using that combo in foul weather. If you somehow did end up in some wacky blowing rain thats going under the tarp endwise (which would be problematic with any tarp really) there's enough material to close the tarp ends in a "doors" configuration to afford even more protection.

Alternatively as OLJ noted, you can pitch diamond style and there will be an enormous amount of end to end coverage that way. To put it in perspective most folks can get by with no problems using an 8x8 tarp in a diamond pitch so 10x10 is quite roomy.
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I'm glad to hear that the 10x10 is working for you. My comment was not directed at the BCUSA brand but i did have some concerns about a 10x10 in a-frame configuration. At 120" its one of the shortest ridge lines in the hammock tarp world. Do you need more ??, that's up to the individual, but most folks opt for more . I did say in my own post that you can set it up in diamond mode so i'm not sure why the reminder.

Bill
 
mbiraman said:
I'm glad to hear that the 10x10 is working for you. My comment was not directed at the BCUSA brand but i did have some concerns about a 10x10 in a-frame configuration. At 120" its one of the shortest ridge lines in the hammock tarp world. Do you need more ??, that's up to the individual, but most folks opt for more . I did say in my own post that you can set it up in diamond mode so i'm not sure why the reminder.
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Bill, sorry - I forgot that you had mentioned the diamond config in your post. Rest assured I didn't read your post as critical of the BCUSA brand, either.

I think we're in agreement overall actually. I just wanted to reiterate there was a reasonable amount of end to end coverage when I tried it, as I had the exact same concerns (I actually asked in another thread a while back if anyone had tried the 10x10 over a blackbird before I bought mine). I have other tarps and usually use a Warbonnet Edge tarp in Spinn in conjunction with my Blackbird, which is a 126" ridgeline instead of 120". I initially had concerns that the extra 6" lost would make it untenable in an A-frame setup. It turns out this wasn't the case in practice, so I was clarifying that mainly for the benefit of the original poster and other folks.

And you're right - it's an individual preference which is a valid point. Personally I am quite happy with the Edge 126"x94" hex tarp for coverage, which is on the small/medium end of the tarp spectrum. A 10'x12' would be absolutely enormous to me, whereas some folks might feel uncomfortable with something as small as my Edge tarp, so that's certainly a factor.
 
joboo said:
Mr. T I also invested in the Warbonnett Blackbird. For a tarp I went with the Mambajamba by warbonnett with the end covers. If weight is a concern for you the Silnylon is very light. the entire system takes very little pack space. Price was a factor, however I did not want to get an incomplete system and get caught in bad weather and regret it!

I was not pleased with customer service or should I say lack there of. It took over a month to get my order to my door. The web site must not be kept up to speed with, what is and is not on back order.
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That's the first I think that I've heard anything bad about Brandon at Warbonnet.

As far as tarps go, I've used the BCUSA tarp but I like my Gargoyle Mega Ogee or my yet to be tested Wilderness Logics Old Man Winter. Because they are hammock tarps, they have a longer ridgeline to make sure it's covered.
 
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