I am a nub when it comes to construction, but I have 2x4s, rebar, sheets, nails and a sledgehammer. Can anyone give me an idea as to what kind of shade structure I can build?
I will have a one-ton truck with me, so I figured I would somehow fashion the thing onto the back of the truck. Does duct tape stick on the playa?
Shade Structure help
You might do some reading here:
http://tribes.tribe.net/shadegeeks
A tensegrity would be the strongest and most efficient use of the 2x4s and rebar, but you'll be limited in how much you can fit under it. What's the intended use of the shade? Since you have the truck to attach things to, maybe something along the lines of an awning would be best. A couple of 2x4's at angles away from the truck with ropes running between them and the truck, and 2 or 4 ropes going from the tops of the 2x4s down to the ground. Good tarp over that, stretched as tight as you can get it.
Duct tape works if you apply it before arriving on the playa. Once something has a coating of dust putting tape on it has less of an effect. Zip ties, rope, and ball bungees are my preferred methods. Especially ball bungees, I love those things. Perhaps too much.
http://tribes.tribe.net/shadegeeks
A tensegrity would be the strongest and most efficient use of the 2x4s and rebar, but you'll be limited in how much you can fit under it. What's the intended use of the shade? Since you have the truck to attach things to, maybe something along the lines of an awning would be best. A couple of 2x4's at angles away from the truck with ropes running between them and the truck, and 2 or 4 ropes going from the tops of the 2x4s down to the ground. Good tarp over that, stretched as tight as you can get it.
Duct tape works if you apply it before arriving on the playa. Once something has a coating of dust putting tape on it has less of an effect. Zip ties, rope, and ball bungees are my preferred methods. Especially ball bungees, I love those things. Perhaps too much.
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Captain Goddammit
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About the duct tape; Yes, it works out there as well as anywhere, and I always recommend bringing more duct tape and zip ties than you think you need.
Probably the best thing you can read about building playa structures is this:
http://www.geocities.com/potatotrap/tech/bluetarp.htm
Probably the best thing you can read about building playa structures is this:
http://www.geocities.com/potatotrap/tech/bluetarp.htm
GreyCoyote: "At this rate it wont be long before he is Admiral Fukkit."
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Bob
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If the truck has a lumber rack, that's a good height from which to extend ropes off horizontally to 2x4 poles, hold up the poles w/ a couple guy lines, then stretch tarps or whatnot over the rack & between the ropes. Without a lumber rack, or a bar across the top of the truck cab, try a free-standing A-frame or four guyed poles. Try setting it up somewhere before you hit the desert.
Amazing desert structures & stuff: http://sites.google.com/site/potatotrap/
"Let us say I suggest you may be human." -- Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
"Let us say I suggest you may be human." -- Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam