Rate My Monkey Hut Plan!

[KnotJim]

Howdy! First time burner this year seeking sage input and critique of my MH plan.

I'm going to be camping solo for my first burn this year and will be building a 15x20 MH with a width of 12 ft. I've been reading all I can about them and think my plan for it should be good.
I will be using a heavy duty silver tarp good low stretch rope and mule tape and 24" rebar.
First off I'm going to set more grommets all around the tarp so I have them every six to eight inches. I'm going to run a lash line along the rebar stakes tied to each one with constrictor knots at ground level. This will allow me to lash the tarp sides to the playa and run frapping lines over the tarp between the ribs to hold the whole mess to the ground, and reduce flapping.
I also plan to add structural lines parallel to the spine mid-rib so I can have a three point guy out to the front and rear stakes. I'm hoping this take some strain off the structure and reduce the chance of busting a rib. I think it should be solid, but if it gets really nautical out there on me I'll just remove the tarp and go sleep in the van
Thank you for your support......

[VultureChow]

Dimensions:15' high and 12' wide? You might want something a bit wider, but your anchoring seems more than sufficient.

[KnotJim]

The MH is going to be 15 ft long, I plan on using the standard two 10' ribs joined at the spine and a 12 ft wide floor plan. I gestimate the height of the hut around 6'-7'.

[VultureChow]

Oh. Yeah. You're fine. That thing will be solid as a rock.

Though may I suggest bungee balls instead of rope wherever you're attaching the tarp to the hut? Easier to take off and use and they keep the tarp taught as it flexes and bows. They're pretty cheap on amazon.

[KnotJim]

Oh yeah, that's the plan, I'll attach the tarp to the frame and the ground line with bungee, also to the rebar itself at the corners and along the sides too.
I'm going to be making my own bungee balls. I can get a spool of bungee cord on ebay and cut the lengths I need and make the ball parts using diamond knots..

[trilobyte]

It sounds like a solid plan, it's an incredibly versatile and resilient structure and people have successfully built longer ones without any issue for years. I don't know that I would add any more grommet holes than what the tarp comes with, though, since unless you're doing some kind of reinforced grommet hole of your own the additional holes may end up weakening the tarp and make it more prone to tearing under high wind. So long as you're able to keep things taut I don't think you'll have a problem with flapping, and my guess is that with a name like KnotJim and a plan to make your own bungees, you've got plenty of skill in that department. You should be fine.

[KnotJim]

Thanks Trilobyte! These tarps come with grommets every 18" and I think adding one in between them will give it a more taught pitch. I will be using brass grommets set with a hammer and die.
I did something similar to this years ago rigging a semi permanent tarp roof over my buddy's beach bar in Guam.
As far as the name goes this should give you an idea

DSCN1786 (500x375).jpg

[maladroit]

The flapping and flexing is key to a monkeyhut's stability (or wilful lack thereof). Essentially, the monkeyhut can't break if it's already broken. I would not put a lot of effort into making the tarp tight and smooth...put that effort into 36" rebar instead of the 24", and more ground anchors.

[KnotJim]

Thanks maladroit! 36" rebar sounds good will use it for the guyout stakes. The bungee cord I plan to use is pretty stretchy and will have plenty of give. I'm thinking of the additional grommets more for the rib edges of the structure to give it a little more stability. I could forgo the ones for the sides.

[maladroit]

If you add more grommets, you can get a tarp patch kit and make some double-reinforced patches before installing the grommets. Some have also reported good results by sandwiching the area to be grommetted with some Gorilla tape or similar, but I'd be suspicious of the dust peeling the tape off. The vinyl patches and cement would be much more durable.

[KnotJim]

More great tips thanks maladroit! You must be reading my mind I was thinking of gorilla tape reinforcement at the grommets too, I love the stuff, keep about 3 feet of it wrapped around an old gift card in my pocket always.
The tarp I'm getting also has a sewn in poly bolt rope around the edge.

[krly]

Also, check out http://galaxybeing.com/galaxyhut/ and http://math.about.com/library/blcirclecalculator.htm
krly

[Fan C]

Only thing I'd add to your plan is to keep in mind the path of the sun when you set up. I like the ends north south as much as possible. Otherwise the sun peaks in in the ends in the morning and evenings.

[DoctorIknow]

...put that effort into 36" rebar instead of the 24", and more ground anchors.

36" rebar is way overkill for this.

In fact, I'd say anyone thinking they need to go 36" should look at auger style earth anchors instead of recycled steel of dubious quality rebar that will drive you nuts trying to drive it into or remove from the playa.

It's impossible to know the safe minimal depth of rebar for any structure in whatever the playa conditions are for any particular spot on the playa, but for my 8 guy roped 32' x 20' shade structure, with one of the four posts supporting 40 pounds of water 9' up a 12' 4x4, I've used eight pieces of 18"-22" rebar (from top of the flush to the playa surface candy cane to tip) and never had a problem for 15 burns. (BTW: making candy cane rebars this size involves waste. If one wants no waste from the lengths of rebar available, they will get too long or too short rebars...)

[KnotJim]

I'm well aware of the need to orientate the hut for the sun, I've got a couple of sun tracking apps on the phone. Will set up for max sun protection and use the rental minivan for wind block.
I like the galaxy hut design but want to keep the build somewhat simple. Just need enough room for my 4P tent and a turtledog hammock stand.

[socks2]

Do you know how hard it will be to get a 36" piece of rebar back out of the playa,
Use # 5 rebar x 24" for your poles
Use# 4 rebar x 14" candy cane stakes with bungee balls to anchor the side of your tarp keep it taught
But most important is placement of your MH. Make sure you have the prevailing winds hit the side of the MH not going thru it
If in doubt look around at your neighbors.
One lesson I did learn the hard way bring a few spare T and X couplers along for some cheap insurance.
Enjoy your going on the biggest adventure of your life

See ya on the playa
socks

[Ratty]

Don't over think it. There is no 'One correct way' to secure your shade. My rebar is all lengths, thicknesses and some is candy caned. I pull a lot of rebar that others have left in the ground on Mon. and Tues. Get it long enough and drive it in at the correct angle. Use something strong to tie down your structure. Now...what color tutu are you going to wear on Tuesday?

(36 inch is a bit too long to hammer in or to pull out.)

socks2 this is a great tip

One lesson I did learn the hard way bring a few spare T and X couplers along for some cheap insurance.

[maladroit]

...put that effort into 36" rebar instead of the 24", and more ground anchors.

36" rebar is way overkill for this.

In fact, I'd say anyone thinking they need to go 36" should look at auger style earth anchors instead of recycled steel of dubious quality rebar that will drive you nuts trying to drive it into or remove from the playa.

It's impossible to know the safe minimal depth of rebar for any structure in whatever the playa conditions are for any particular spot on the playa, but for my 8 guy roped 32' x 20' shade structure, with one of the four posts supporting 40 pounds of water 9' up a 12' 4x4, I've used eight pieces of 18"-22" rebar (from top of the flush to the playa surface candy cane to tip) and never had a problem for 15 burns. (BTW: making candy cane rebars this size involves waste. If one wants no waste from the lengths of rebar available, they will get too long or too short rebars...)

Monkeyhut relies on feeding rebar up inside the rib PVC pipes to keep it in place. 18" into the playa, 18" above it. At least that's what works for mine.