Rainshadow2 – Adding a Tarp or Vestibule?

[Jake]

I am planning on ordering a Rainshadow2 for some family backpacking trips (me and my wife and 2 year old + a 80lb Choc Lab). Size wise, I think it should work fine (and looking at the reviews, etc.).

I saw a few tarps and possible attachments to various tarp tents, but not this one.
Here is, ideally, what I am looking for in a Tarp:
– Has pre-installed grommets or tie outs.
– Light, but also wind resistant
– 6×8 or 8×8? (suggestions welcome)
– Would like to be able to rig it as a shade or rain cover.
– Would be nice if I could rig it over the door of the Rainshadow- BUT it does not HAVE to be attached…
– Summing this up, I want some extra space to block rain/sun at the door to the tent, or even near the tent, if that is not possible.

I realize the answer may just be a simple tarp, but figured I would ask.

– Jake

[Franco Darioli]

Here in Victoria we have had a drought for some years now, but it rains when I go camping with friends, so I decided to take my Sea To Summit poncho/tarp with me for meal time and card games.
It is about 10 oz but can be used as a poncho as well (funny that)
The Contrail XT version (the only Contrail XT in existence…) is easy to do, you could use two poles with the Rainshadow to keep the same line as the tent.
Or you could get a groundsheet, put four grommets in yourself , use it in the sun or rain when required and shove it under the tent before you go to sleep.
For sun protection, Tyvek works better than silnylon…
Franco

[Jake]

That looks like it works well w the S2S poncho.

Adding the grommets into the Tyvek makes sense as well… so you get the duel use… interesting… OK, well I'll see what I can rig up. The photos help.

– Jake

[Richard D.]

I am partial to the good ol' emergency blanket with sheet bend tie-outs. The size is about right for your needs, it is way light and way cheap, and — most of all — the silvery side reflects all rays, producing heavy-duty shade. The downsides are that it's harder to get a really tight pitch (may or may not be important), it is a bit noisy in wind, and it has only 4 tie-out points unless you fix up additional ones with duct tape.

[Jake]

I have a thick orange/silver blanket… put it weighs 12 ounces. Any ideas for a lighter one? I guess in the big picture that is not bad, and considering I own it, it is free! I am not sure the brand since I have had it

Adventure Medical has a "bivy" at 3.5 ounces, but no grommets.

What do you use?

– Jake

[Richard D.]

They use two kinds of material in their emergency sheets — one heavier (your 12 oz blanket), and then the lighter stuff (the 3.5 bivy and their "heetsheets" blankets). I go with the lighter stuff, which is surprisingly durable. I just attach tie-outs to the 4 corners using a sheet bend knot.

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