From my own curiosity….

[anrfknm]

...I would like to discuss the advantages of tarp vs tent.

[Mellow]

I've never used just a tarp... but I do know I've camped in some areas where there appeared to be lots of spiders or ants around as well as mosquitoes and the enclosed tent, while letting a couple in, did a great job of keeping me bite-free.

[Ripshod]

I want multiple-choice. I'd go with 'A' and 'B'. I always use a tent but I also carry a rainfly. Not to sleep under, but to sit, eat, drink, and BS by the fire under. It's also great for packing and gearing up on a rainy morning.

I've also been known to participate in activity 'D' in the past, but my riding buddy doesn't appreciate it so I try to restrain myself in deference to his delicate sensibilities.

[anrfknm]

I thought I made it multiple choice.

[Mellow]

I thought I made it multiple choice.

You did.

[bigTom]

I'm a tent guy. If the weather is really nice, I can leave the rain fly off and open up the screens up top. It's a great star show.

Bugs are a consideration, as is changing weather, and privacy. Not that my sensibilities would be insulted, yours might:)

[Ripshod]

I thought I made it multiple choice.

Oh. Then I just didn't try it that way. Fact is, I didn't know it was possible to set it up that way. Looks like I learned something else today.

Okay, vote retracted and recast.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I use a tent, it always rains anytime I camp! :mad:

[anrfknm]

Most of my camping is out west with fewer bugs to contend with. I’m sure that allows me the luxury of the open tarp and the coolness it affords. I can pack the entire shelter and support gear in a bag 5x5x10” that’s handy.

[bluepoof]

I'm a tent gal myself, but I've never seriously tried a tarp or hammock. I'm tempted to this summer. :D

[anrfknm]

I use a tent, it always rains anytime I camp! :mad:

tarps are great in the rain, you can set them up for protection or just to keep the rain off, but allow you to enjoy it.

[Ripshod]

tarps are great in the rain, you can set them up for protection or just to keep the rain off, but allow you to enjoy it.

Do you carry poles? In my travels west I've noticed a marked scarcity of trees in some parts.

[anrfknm]

Do you carry poles? In my travels west I've noticed a marked scarcity of trees in some parts.

No, no I don’t. You can tie the tarp to most anything, boulders, park tables or your bike if need be.

[Yamifj1200]

...I would like to discuss the advantages of tarp vs tent.


I can imagine that a tarp may be lighter, smaller to pack (depending on the size of the tarp) and easier to stow on the bike. Other than that I'm not sure there is any advantage of a tarp vs. a tent. I usually take both when on extended trips. The tent for a dry area to sleep and stow gear in and the tarp for a place to cook, stay dry and relax out of the weather.


Eric

[Mellow]

I will bring a tarp sometimes, the lightweight tent-fly type. Not as my primary cover but just in case there might be a need for one over the table to block the sun or rain.

[anrfknm]

I can imagine that a tarp may be lighter, smaller to pack (depending on the size of the tarp) and easier to stow on the bike. Other than that I'm not sure there is any advantage of a tarp vs. a tent. I usually take both when on extended trips. The tent for a dry area to sleep and stow gear in and the tarp for a place to cook, stay dry and relax out of the weather.


Eric

That would be ideal, but my back packing experience keeps me pushing for smaller and less. Plus the fact, I usually don't stay anywhere more then one night so I camp primitive most of the time.

[bigTom]

Quote by Mellow
I will bring a tarp sometimes, the lightweight tent-fly type. Not as my primary cover but just in case there might be a need for one over the table to block the sun or rain.

Blues Traveler (Kieth) had a tarp to put up to block the wind at SeaStoc. What a great idea, I'll steal it for my own from time to time:) Normally, if I'm camping in a National Forest, I can pick a spot for wind and rain shelter, but a tarp in improved campgrounds really makes sense...

[Ripshod]

Blues Traveler (Kieth) had a tarp to put up to block the wind at SeaStoc. What a great idea, I'll steal it for my own from time to time:) Normally, if I'm camping in a National Forest, I can pick a spot for wind and rain shelter, but a tarp in improved campgrounds really makes sense...
Yeah, they come in very handy for that. Last year we had a beautiful campsite by a lake in the Catskills. It was a beautiful clear night but just after dark, the wind off that lake came on so strong our fire was getting dangerous. Up came the tarp. Sometimes you have to get creative to make them stable in the wind, but it's worth it.

That would be ideal, but my back packing experience keeps me pushing for smaller and less. Plus the fact, I usually don't stay anywhere more then one night so I camp primitive most of the time.
My experience has driven me in the opposite direction. On a dedicated camping trip, I carry a kitchen with a charcoal grill and furniture. Even though I rarely camp more than one night in one location, I like to set up housekeeping for comfort while I'm there. Of course, the downside is that stopping with a couple of hours of daylight left and then getting all that gear stowed away in the morning means less miles travelled per day. But it's all good.

[the Ferret]

Bugs, snakes, small rodents, skunks, bears etc.... I try and keep them at bay whenever I can and tents do a better job of that than tarps. ;)

Was camping one time with a buddy who used a tarp. In the middle of the night I heard panicked screaming. Seems some guys were out running their coon hounds and one of the dogs happened to wander into camp and found my buddy's face with his nose. Took him a few to realize he wasn't being attacked by a bear. Actually it was a riot, I couldn't stop laughing and to this day we laugh about it.

[Trailace]

I always use a tent now but back when I was younger I just slept under the stars. If it was raining we would just keep moving. I was thinking about trying a tarp but my one man tent packs so small and light not sure it would save that much space.

[anrfknm]

I always use a tent now but back when I was younger I just slept under the stars. If it was raining we would just keep moving. I was thinking about trying a tarp but my one man tent packs so small and light not sure it would save that much space.

i still often just put my ground cloth and bag down if i know it won't rain. easy is the word i operate by.

[Trekker]

Back in my youth, I used to sleep under a tarp on backpacking adventures, especially in the winter or cool excursions. My camping buddies & I were into ultralight packing in those days. No poles, only tarp & rope & stakes.

If bugs are a concern, then a bivy with screen can keep the critters off.

These days, I use a tent (for ease & privacy) and am adding a tarp for rain protection (to sit under).

[Ironheadziggy76]

Has anyone tried using Tyvek house wrap as a tarp? It would be light and pack small. I know a guy who uses it as his ground cloth under his tent, so I'm guessing it might make a decent tarp.

[Mr. Guy]

A lot of the ultralight backpackers go this route. Light , small , and cheap. I'm in favor of the cheap part.

Guy

[msscull]

I prefer to have some sort of shelter with walls & a floor, so it is a tent for me.

[DJ.]

I always use a Tent.

[Mellow]

I always use a Tent.

DJ, Welcome to the site.. Great Attitude.

[anrfknm]

Tarps are clearly a minority.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome DJ.!

[George]

I usually set up the tent but occasionally sleep under the stars. Depends on weather and location. I've been caught out, too, and got wet enuff to set up the tent after the fact. :D

[VFR]

I carry a tarp & poles but have never used them. In fact, I carry a bunch of stuff that I have never used, but you never know - just might need it some time. The other side to that is that when you need it isn't the time to be learning how to set it up. I watched a guy at WARPED last year take over an hour to set up a tarp. Even after that, every time I walked by his camp, the tarp was in a different position. I could easily double that time... P^

Larry

[swandog]

i use a tent , but in summer in the desert areas of B.C. if i pull into the campsite late i just sleep under the stars , in my favorate campsite [lilooet] its so hot and dry with no morning dew a tent is hardly needed . its hard to believe but the southern interior of brititish columbia gets scortching hot in summer , the desert has cactus and people can grow bananas in green houses

[VFR]

Has anyone tried using Tyvek house wrap as a tarp? It would be light and pack small. I know a guy who uses it as his ground cloth under his tent, so I'm guessing it might make a decent tarp.


I use a Tyvek ground cloth. Nice piece - it's about 118db when putting it out or packing it up..... :eek: Can't imagine anyone using one for a tarp.

Larry

[Ironheadziggy76]

Whoa! You must have the Super Duty Tyvek! :eek:

I was thinking more like this.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/Ironheadziggy76/Tyvek.jpg

[anrfknm]

Ahh, the old 'make do in the middle of nowhere' routine. Always fun in the telling, later.

[Black and Blue]

Whoa! You must have the Super Duty Tyvek! :eek:

I was thinking more like this.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w294/Ironheadziggy76/Tyvek.jpg

Now that's a heck of a picture.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I "borrowed" that pic from ADVrider, it was in one of gaspipe's Baja threads. I think it was the ride report "How many beers did we drink last night?".

[VFR]

I "borrowed" that pic from ADVrider, it was in one of gaspipe's Baja threads. I think it was the ride report "How many beers did we drink last night?".


I remember that one. His reports are always interesting and he does have some adventures. P^

Me, I don't do dirt & especially that kind.....

Larry