How to Connect Tarp Grommets
Grommets are a common feature found in many kinds of outdoor equipment, such as a tarp, groundcloth or dining fly. They are the small metal rings that are inserted into the perimeter of the material by the manufacturer. When the waterproof material is used as an outdoor covering, rope is often passed through the grommet hole to secure the tarp. Tarpaulins have many uses, which may include an installation as a makeshift tent or a covering for a motorized vehicle, when it rains.
Instructions
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Using a Tarp as a Shelter
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1
Use a piece of rope as a ridge line. Usually the rope is tied taught between two trees at a height of anywhere from 3 to 7 feet, and then the tarp is placed on top of the ridge line, so half of the tarp hangs down on each side.
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2
Insert the end of a piece of rope through one of the corner grommets and then tie two half-hitches. The cord should be long enough, so it will reach the ground after the edge of the tarp is stretched out at a 45-degree angle from the ridge.
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3
Do the same thing for the other corner grommets. The lengths of each corner piece of rope should be about equal.
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4
Place a tent peg firmly in the ground at a 45-degree angle. The tent peg should actually lean away from the ridge line.
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Loop the cord or rope around the tent peg and pull the end back towards the center of the tarp.
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6
Tie a taut line hitch, which is just a slight variation of three half hitches tied in a row.
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Tighten the taut line hitch as tight as it will go. Now you have one corner completely tied off and anchored to the ground.
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Repeat the same process for all four corners. It may also be necessary to anchor the two sides to the ground by also using cord, to tie two half hitches and a taut line hitch that is connected to a tent peg.
How To Tie a Taut Line Hitch
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Wrap one end of the rope around the tent peg and pull the end of the rope back toward yourself.
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10
Put in a half hitch by wrapping the loose end around the main strand of rope.
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11
Throw in an extra turn in front of the half hitch.
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Pull the loose end toward you and then add another half hitch, right above the two turns. Once this is done, you will a knot that is wrapped around the main strand three times.
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Pull the knot tight and then adjust the tautness. If done correctly, the knot should hold the rope in the taut position.
Tarp Rain Covers
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14
Cover the desired item with a tarp that has many grommets installed along the outside edges. Then make sure the tarp is centered on the desired item, which could be anything from a snowmobile to a sand pile.
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15
Cut a length of rope for each tie-down point.
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Tie two half hitches through the grommet with one end of the rope.
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Loop the other end of the rope around the nearest point of attachment and then tie a taut line hitch. If covering an outdoor stationary object, you can place tent pegs in the ground and use these items as a point of attachment.
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Tighten and slide the knot until there is tension between the grommet and your attachment point.
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Tips & Warnings
A dining fly can be installed by using four corner posts and a center post, but the fly must be specially designed to accommodate a center post. This often is done with a grommet and an extra flap to keep the rain out.
Don't make your own holes in a tarp. Always use the ones that are made with grommets.
Don't use bungee cords to tie down a tarp, because when stretched too far they can unexpectedly release their stored energy an cause an injury to the eye.
References
- Photo Credit Camping - tente image by albillottet from Fotolia.com
