How to Build a Homemade Rainproof Tent

Silnylon tarps are waterproof and extremely lightweight, which makes them ideal for making tents.

Waterproof and lightweight, silnylon is made from nylon fabric which is then impregnated with silicon. Generally used to make tarps, this fabric is ideal for lightweight backpackers looking to cut down on pack weight, while also hoping to find multiple uses for their tarps. Simple tarp tents can be made from a tarp or from a roll of silnylon using nylon rope. Rainproof and inexpensive, these tents can save campers and backpackers a lot of money and can be set up in a matter of minutes.

Things You'll Need

• One 101/2-foot by 10 1/2-foot silnylon tarp.
• 1 tube Silfix glue
• 4 10-foot lengths of nylon rope
• 1 spool of polyester or nylon thread
• 1 sewing machine or .80mm/.90mm needle
• 1/2 inch grommet tool
• 10 grommets
• 2 1/2 feet of 1 1/2-inch wide nylon webbing
• Lighter
• Scissors
• Long length of nylon cord or 550 parachute cord
• Tent stakes
• Tent poles or trekking poles
• Tent floor (optional)

Instructions

1. Lay the tarp flat on the floor, matte-side down. Silnylon tarps come in 60- and 63-inch widths and feature a shiny, coated side and a matted side.

2. Apply spots of Silfix glue every 6 inches along each side of the tarp. Silfix glue is specially designed to adhere to silnylon and may be found in any camping or hardware store.

3. Run one length of nylon rope along each side of the tarp. Fold the tarp's edge over a 1/4 inch so that it covers the rope and adheres to the glue. This will serve to reinforce the sides of the tent.

4. Sew the corners of the tarp to reinforce the places where the tent grommets will go. Use a strong, polyester or nylon thread, and a needle at least .80 mm in diameter. Sew 1/8-inch stitches with a 1/8 inch seam. Backtack the stitches in both directions, or reverse and restitch the line at least three stitches in length.

5. Cut the webbing into 10 pieces, 3 inches in length. Use the lighter to cauterize or seal the edges of the webbing.

6. Fold pieces of the webbing in half, sandwiching one corner of the tarp between one piece of webbing at each corner. This should create a flap above each corner, and this is where the tent's grommets will be placed. Add another piece of webbing to a 5-foot mark on two opposing sides of the tarp. Add two pieces of webbing to each of the remaining sides of the tarp, one at the 2 1/2-foot mark and another at the 7 1/2-foot mark.

7. Sew the patches to the tarp in the same manner as its corners. Backtack these patches just like before. You can then use the grommet tool to punch holes in the middle of each patch and secure the grommets.

8. String the length of nylon cord or parachute cord between two trees, draping the tarp over the cord. Stake the tent poles, using the sides of the tarp with the single grommets to hold the poles. Stake the sides with two grommets to the ground. You may also use this tent in conjunction with a tent floor if you prefer.

Tips & Warnings

• Silfix, a waterproof adhesive that creates a pliable seal, may be used not only to reinforce the sides of your tent, but also to repair holes, waterproof seams, and reinforce worn areas on your pack.

References

• "Backpacker Magazine"; Make a Tarp Tent; Lesley Suppes; September 2008