Tarptent Flapping

imported
#1

Been playing around with my tarptent squall the last week or so. been setting it up every way I can think of.

have gotten the ridge line very taught, as the instructions advise, but the sides still billow and flap in a light breeze. since it is a single wall “tent” and may be prone to condensation, I am wondering if any condensation formed will be sprinkled down on my when the wind blows even a little and the sides flap.

anyone had problems/suggestions with a tarptent re: 1)the sides billowing and flapping 2)condensation and 3) a combination of 1 and 2 where the condensation that formed got on you cause of the sides billowing and flapping? my main concern is #3. please advise if you have any info. thanks!

Dean

#2

There shouldn’t be condensation inside the squall, after all it’s ventilated. I intend to cover my bag while inside with thin garbage nylon sheets just to be on the safe side.
As for the flapping, there is a tiny loop down there , in the middle , tie it to an extra stake.

zammy

#3

Should have mentioned, this is with the both of the side loops staked.

I spent the bucks on the thing so it would act as a cover to keep my sleeping bag from getting wet. if i have to carry something else keep the tent itself from getting my sleeping bag wet, i will send the tent back.

Dean

#4

Ive noticed my Squall moderatly flaps around and makes some noise in certain situations. I recently camped at the edge of Max Patch Mtn with 40 mph winds. It flapped around all night. But, this is to be expected. Camping on a bald with a standard tent would have done the same thing. As far as condensation, this thing has verry little of it due to the venting. Ive had my Squall over a year and never had many condensation issues. The one time I did, I found myself pressed up against the wall of the shelter breathing into it from sleeping on an uneven ground, which was my mistake. Overall, the Tarptent’s Henry Shires makes are the best in my opinion to anything currently created for 3-season use due to: weight, comfort, ease of use and price.

guru

#5

Have you even tried the Squall out to see if you get condensation? I’ve never had any problems with condensation with my Virga. I get a slight film of moisture but it has never beaded up or dripped. If you use a trekking pole for the front support, try adjusting it to different heights. Also, after you get the ridge line tight and the sides tied down, try adjusting the arch at the foot of the tent by moving to ends of the pole back. Single wall tents are known for horrible condensation but the Tarptent is among the best at alleviating the problem due to all the ventilation. If you’re not satisfied with it, you may want return it and stick with the more traditional, although heavier, tents like the SD Clip Flashlight. No product is perfect, you just have to choose which one that has flaws you can live with…

Nooga

#6

Condensation is far less in tarps than tents. Although it might be simplistic, you might could say that the tartent is in between a true tent or tarp in condensation. They seem like they get a lot of ventilation to me. I have a true tarp, which has better ventilation, and can be pitched in a variety of ways to match climate conditions. My bag has gotten wet (I can only think of once) only when the air was so saturated, there was no escape except hiking out. That was a poor site choice (in a narrow drainage on a coldish San Juan evening).

Practice will probably take care of the flapping, if it behaves like my tarp.

Tha Wookie

#7

Thanks you, Guru, the only one of the group who has actual experience with a tarptent from which he could draw AND didn’t use my question as an excuse to be snippy. I apprecuate your response.

Dean

#8

I used a tarptent on the PCT. It flapped like crazy until I figured out that proper staking of the front side stakes helped tremendously. Picture an “L”. The guy line should stretch out from the corner of the “L” at equal distance from both sides of the “L” (I sure hope that makes sense). If you do this, you should eliminate any wrinkles in the side walls. This, combined with the taut ridgeline you’ve already mastered should help.

I’ve had condensation in my tarptent. But, on those nights, so did the people with tents. I’ve never had condensation so bad that my bag got wet. The condensation just drips down the sides, and the Tarptent is big enough that my bag never touched the sides. The condensation never dropped off the inside of the tent. And, the Tarptent dries extremely fast. If you get condensation overnight, just lay the Tarptent out do dry when you stop for lunch.

Henry Shires is happy to help with setup questions (or any other questions). Email Henry: info@tarptent.com

yogi

yogi

#9

Thanks Yogi. The L makes sense. That is the configuration I have had most luck with. Appreciate your response. Take care.

Dean

#10

Zammy—you posted the intent to cover your sleeping bag with garbage bags while inside the Tarptent. This isn’t a great idea. The heat released by your body will be trapped between the garbage bag and your sleeping bag, and this could cause your sleeping bag to dampen.

If you’ve got a bad water problem to the point where your bag is getting dripped on, I’d suggest placing your breathable rain jacket on top of your sleeping bag instead of garbage bags. But I can’t imagine having a water problem INSIDE a tent or tarp which would require this (except for a leak).

yogi

#11

You are right, didn’t think about it.
Not enough experience with trail climate.
Thanks.

zammy

#12

Would be find the same probelm with silk liners, or are they breathable enough not to trap condensation?

Jeff T

#13

Dean,

Of your concerns, I think #1 (walls billowing) and #2 (condensation) are both reasonable, but #3 (both in combination) is not. If there is signficant breeze, then the tarptent will ventilate well and condensation can not build up. So problems #1 and #2 don’t typically go together.

Regarding #1 (walls billowing), getting the tarptent taut on FLAT GROUND is a matter of pitching properly. Generally ridges on the tarp’s surface run parallel to the direction of stretch, which means that you need to add force perpendicular to any visible ridges.

Getting the tarptent taunt on WARPED ground has been a continuing difficulty to me, perhaps because the design is more sulpted than a simple tarp. (I’ve used both exensively.)

Eric

#14

Silk liners are very breathable and will not trap moisture. They’ll keep your bag a lot cleaner, too.

pigpen