Heavy duty tarp and air travel

[Sundial]

So. I think we can all agree that it's hard to beat a heavy duty silver tarp with U or V slits cut in it for shade.

The impression I get though is that because of the weight of the thing, hiker tarp poles and line won't cut it. You need a fairly sturdy frame to rig the thing up reliably. Things like metal T-poles and thicker ropes and such. But for those of us who have to take a flight as part of our pilgrimage, such heavy duty framework isn't very realistic.

Does anyone know how to rig up one of these tarps reliably to shelter a two person backpacker's tent using materials that can realistically be packed in airline luggage? Am I wrong to think that camo netting or shade cloth plus custom cut reflectix panels aren't the better way to go for those of us who have to find a ride willing to haul all our stuff and then fly to Reno?

[TomServo]

Depends on the size. 10x20 is not light, but if you see how it's sold, its not that bulky. Provided you fold it back up along the existing creases. From our other discussion, a frame tent is out of the question, for airline travelers. A rental Van is an excellent option..as is a car, if your careful on attaching to said car. Add some rope and rebar, and you're golden.

One might even arrange, for support material to be waiting for them, on playa. Provided they put in the work...sorry not going Plug & Play Now!

[Sundial]

I'd heard local vehicle rental companies specifically forbid brining their vehicles to the Burn because of the harsh environment. Is that not true?

Depends on the size. 10x20 is not light, but if you see how it's sold, its not that bulky. Provided you fold it back up along the existing creases. From our other discussion, a frame tent is out of the question, for airline travelers. A rental Van is an excellent option..as is a car, if your careful on attaching to said car. Add some rope and rebar, and you're golden.

One might even arrange, for support material to be waiting for them, on playa. Provided they put in the work...sorry not going Plug & Play Now!

[TomServo]

It's been a while, but yeah..alot do! I had the luxury of renting from the bay area though. There is a list somewhere on here, regarding burner friendly rental companies.

[Sundial]

Well that would certainly expand one's options if they buy a few things in Reno. Long as it can be effectively recycled I guess, since it wouldn't be coming home (the framework stuff, I mean).

It's been a while, but yeah..alot do! I had the luxury of renting from the bay area though. There is a list somewhere on here, regarding burner friendly rental companies.

[theCryptofishist]

So. I think we can all agree that--

Stop right there. We'll never all agree.

[Sham]

So. I think we can all agree that--

Stop right there. We'll never all agree.

I disagree. It could happen!

[Sundial]

If I disagree with that statement, will I tear spacetime a new asshole and kill us all?

So. I think we can all agree that--

Stop right there. We'll never all agree.

[FIGJAM]

Maybe, let's try it and find out!

[Sundial]

I dunno. Death by impossible cosmic asshole sounds unpleasant.

Maybe, let's try it and find out!

[FIGJAM]

But curiosity is a burners bestest friend!

[Sundial]

Dear sir, I must be honest. I find myself questinioning your good intentions.

[FIGJAM]

Who said they were good!

[Sundial]

...

[trilobyte]

So. I think we can all agree...

Funniest shit I've read all day.

[BBadger]

I use a large 12ftx20ft heavy duty tarp with a Monkeyhut (MH). I wouldn't consider the MH a "heavy duty frame", though it is certainly not airline portable. The tarp isn't that bulky, probably takes about as much volume as 2-gallon water jug (maybe a little more), though it is wider in dimensions, rather than thick. I doubt you'll get it folded up as nice as when you bought it though.

You might consider just buying the damn tarp when you arrive in Reno. Costco has some decent, but smaller, 12x16 tarps that come in a 2-pack. Other camping stores may have something better. Strap some ropes over top top surface of the tarp and it'll give it a lot more strength.

[Sundial]

Tarp alone's not really the issue (I brought a silver tarp there and back again last year). Just the supporting framework.

I use a large 12ftx20ft heavy duty tarp with a Monkeyhut (MH). I wouldn't consider the MH a "heavy duty frame", though it is certainly not airline portable. The tarp isn't that bulky, probably takes about as much volume as 2-gallon water jug (maybe a little more), though it is wider in dimensions, rather than thick. I doubt you'll get it folded up as nice as when you bought it though.

You might consider just buying the damn tarp when you arrive in Reno. Costco has some decent, but smaller, 12x16 tarps that come in a 2-pack. Other camping stores may have something better. Strap some ropes over top top surface of the tarp and it'll give it a lot more strength.

[Captain Goddammit]

Oh.... When I read the topic title "Heavy duty tarp and air travel" I thought it was gonna be about trying to prevent said tarp from taking flight during a dust storm... or using it as a hang glider...

[Sundial]

Well. I'm certainly open to hearing your ideas on how to repurpose it as a bitchin' hang glider.

[Sundial]

You know, I've been reflecting on the last time I tried the whole tarp thing. Truth is that tarp was actually 12x20, which was WAAAAAAAAAAAY too big for my purposes. It occurs to me that transporting an 8x10 tarp by air just to cover a small two person size tent wouldn't be that big a deal.

[guerrillayogi]

Although camo netting / knitted shade cloth is lighter and folds smaller...

a regional burner taught me that the best way to fold a *large* tarp is to fold in thirds. I.e. draw two fold lines separating the tarp in 3, fold from one end, and fold from the other end. Rotate 90 degrees, and repeat.

I managed to fold down a heavy duty 12x16 silver tarp into a 1'x2' rectangle about 6" high

[VultureChow]

So here's how I'm doing it this year (I fly in and I ship)

I have one regular rectangular bag that has the tarp, my tent and some assorted items. I check that. I'm building a monkey hut this year. I assembled it at home. The connector pieces go in a long bag meant for speaker stands (i think) into which my tent poles and some other long items also go. That too is checked.

When I get to Reno, I am renting a vehicle. I did so last year without a problem. I dressed in business attire and had printed out some commercial properties for sale or auction and claimed I was there for business and vacation time in Lake Tahoe.

I will buy the ten foot pvc I need in Reno, load it in and assemble on playa.

[illy dilly]

Am I wrong to think that camo netting or shade cloth plus custom cut reflectix panels aren't the better way to go for those of us who have to find a ride willing to haul all our stuff and then fly to Reno?

Are you finding the flight from Reno to BRC or from your house to your airport?

Assuming you don't have any sort of vehicle to tie off to, I'd make an A Frame sort of 'boy scout' tent out of two 3/4"x10' PVC (1 of the 10' sticks cut in half), two 3/4" 90 degree couplers, two 24" or 36" pieces of larger size rebar, and some rope and tent stakes. I can't remember what the size of pre-cut rebar is at Home Depot, but I believe you can get 3/8" diameter in 36" length. Also, I'd take the 12'x20' tarp two do a full a Frame or the 8x10 for a half A frame.
I'd buy the rebar and 3/4"x10' pvc in Reno. I'd take 1 of the 10' PVC to the tools department find some PVC pipe cutters, and cut it in half right there in the store.

The way you could do it:
1. set up the dome tent.
2. Connect the 3 pieces of PVC and Connectors to make a big croquet ring. If you pound the 90 degree elbows onto the 3/4" pipe with a hammer, they will get really really tight on there and be pretty sturdy. It'll be 5' high and 10' long.
3. Decide how far you want the front pole from the door of the tent.
4. Use the two 24" or 36" and drive them half way into the ground where the two vertical PVC pipes will be.
5. Slide the vertical parts of the big croquet ring over the Rebar.
6. Guy off each vertical PVC two times. Shoot for about 90 degrees between the two guy lines. Don't pound the stakes or rebar holding the guy lines all the way down just yet. Most likely, adjustments will be necessary after the tarp is added.
7.Then I'd put the tarp across the ridge of the PVC poles. Try and center the tarp with about 10' on each side. Using the 20' long tarp, you can take each side right to the ground.
8. Use tent stakes (or rebar) and rope to hold down the tarp at the ground.

For the half A frame with the 10x8 tarp, do the same thing but so that the to posts of the frame go east - west, so that the one half of the tarp will be to the south. Tie the tarp to the horizontal (ridge) pole, and to the ground.