Lightweight, adjustable tarp poles…

[Jon Denham]

I'm looking for some lightweight, adjustable length tarp poles with the 'sharp' end that will go through a grommet at tarp ends.

I've got a couple of the GoLite poles ( http://www.golite.com/Adjustable-Shelter-Pole-Long-P903.aspx )that I may yet figure out a way to modify (drill and tap the top end cap and thread in a stud with locking nut, is my latest thought), but am trying to see if there is anything else on the market that will go 6' plus and not be any heavier and bulkier and still be adjustable. This is for a fairly large family car camping silnylon tarp that will be about 15' x 18' for very good coverage over a picnic table. It also might get taken on multi-day kayaking trips.

Any other ideas? Thanks.

[Kevin @ Seek Outside]

Sorry for the commercial response, but we have lightweight strong poles that can be configured to that length. We do not have the trekking pole type end.

One option you might consider rather than fabricating an end is to make a little pole pouch to connect to the grommet.

[Jon Denham]

Thanks for the help. I'll take a look.

[Jon Denham]

Any other ideas out there?

[Ben H.]

I had these guys make me some poles once: http://www.polesforyou.com/

It is the place Henry Shires links on his build your own tarptent instructions. I was satisfied with the cost and quality I got.

[Jon Denham]

Hmm…that looks more like tent poles that a straight, adjustable length tarp pole. But, thanks anyway.

[Rakesh Malik]

Titanium Goat makes custom tarp poles; I had one of them made for my pyramid (before I realized that Seek Outside offers a lighter one).

IIRC AppyTrails and BearPaw also make custom poles, both straight and curved.

[Sam Farrington]

If you want value for cost, consider the telescoping aluminum tube golf ball retrievers that I have seen in Kmarts. They extend longer than you want; but you can easily remove the smaller diameter sections at one end, or the larger diameter at the other, depending on how much strength you want.

The shortened assembly will be quite light. The price at Kmart was $12, and the twist locks functioned surprisingly well for such a low cost item. Wanderlust Gear used to recommend these for its Nomad tents for folks not using hiking poles.

For a grommet worthy pole end, try installing some tent pole tips. The plastic ones used by TarpTent are probably the lightest around, and don't wear down the grommets.

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