adding additional guy lines (Tarptent Stratospire Li)

[Mike M]

I’d like to make this shelter as bombproof as reasonable.  I’ve already added the two optional guy lines that come with it and replaced all of the 6″ stakes with 8″ ones.  As is, it’s done pretty well in some pretty decent winds, but if I can improve on it with additional guy lines I will.

Would appreciate any input on where to additional guy lines should go :)

 

Thanks in advance

 

the yellow X’s are where the current two guy lines are

 

[Jerry Adams]

I assume there are 6 tent stakes along the edges

Maybe add a tent stake loop between each, a total of 6 more?

[Mike M]

yup six stakes on the bottom (two additional to the guy lines provided); hadn’t thought about adding anything to the bottom, but that would certainly help

 

 

 

[Robert Spencer]

Mike,

The two added guy lines from the peaks would add a lot of stability. What if those guy lines were anchored by two stakes each instead of one? You could rig a V configuration which would disperse the load and protect against swirling winds. I will leave it to the physicists to confirm this technique.

You could also add stick-on guy points mid panel in a few spots.

[Bonzo]

I have used a V-arrangement for the peak guy lines on mine; I don’t know that it offers a great deal of functional strength, but it sometimes makes a taut pitch somewhat simpler.  I’ve also used a single, longer line and had similar results.  8″ or 10″ stakes are okay, unless the ground just isn’t going to hold them…and at that point, not much is going to improve the situation.  I’ve also lengthened the factory guy lines at the lower corners and seen marginal holding improvements…but not enough to really count.

[Mike M]

v- arrangement would be pretty easy to accomplish and not add much extra weight- might be a good starting point- thanks!

I was looking at something like MLD sells for stick on guys loops

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/dcf-loop-superkit/

and thinking maybe somewhere mid panel, not sure where though

 

@bonzo- all my lower guys have been already lengthened, maybe 6″- figured it couldn’t hurt :)

[Stumphges]

Mike, you might inquire with BPL member “Mole.” I think he’s used the silnylon version for years in the UK, where it tends to be very windy and also where folks seem more  inclined to sew on additional guy lines.

I know from hanging around trek-lite.com that the word over there is that the pitchlock corners require long stakes and that the apex guys are very helpful.

It’s not specific to the Strat Li, but this thread is very long and might be helpful: https://www.trek-lite.com/index.php?threads/tarptent-stratospire.2789/ …and this one: https://www.trek-lite.com/index.php?threads/tarptent-stratospire-2-initial-appraisal.2192/

I have a Strat Li (for sale) but have not used it enough to be of any help.

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

> You could also add stick-on guy points mid panel in a few spots.

DONT do that.  Doing so will induce permanent fabric deformation.

[Mike M]

thanks Henry- did not realize that, I’ll cross that off my list

I’ll try doubling up the upper guy lines at the existing locations; if you have any other suggestions would be appreciated

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

Happy to take a look at setup photos here or sent to “[email protected]”. Well staked the SS Li is pretty bomber and you should not need any additional lines.

[Mike M]

Henry one night this fall I had it out with sustained 20-25 mph winds, with gust probably getting into the 35-ish (maybe a little more) range and it was solid.  All perimeter staking points and both upper guys staked- with 8″ Easton nails (vs the 6″ that come with it).

I’ve got a Dall sheep hunt (possibly this August), coming up and would like to take this shelter for it’s room, vestibules and light weight.  They can get some pretty rough weather in the Brooks range (evidently extremely rough this past season!), so just want to do everything possible to optimize performance under harsh conditions :)

from a backcountry mule deer hunt this past fall (here in Montana)

[Stumphges]

Henry,

Do you have any other suggestions for avoiding permanent fabric deformation in DCF tents? Any other things to avoid, such as common pitching mistakes, etc?

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

Pitch looks pretty good. The pitchloc facing the camera looks a little too tightened at the apex and it might be because the side to side / vestibule to vestibule tension is a bit off. Those first 4 stakes–initial pitch of vestibule edges and two vertical poles–are critical (see screen shot from setup video below) and you want a really solid, regular rectangular structure before pulling out the pitchlocs. Also, be sure your poles are set to about 120cm.

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

General suggestion for minimizing fabric deformation in DCF tents is to keep the forces aligned parallel to the fabric surfaces and to do what you can to keep all the forces equalized and running through reinforced areas. DCF will permanently deform in high stress areas over time but as long as the deformation is in line with the normal tension points then the effect on overall performance is low. Where you run into problems is with mid-panel pullouts and force lines orthogonal to surfaces areas as those will create “bubbles” in the surfaces and the structure will suffer in the wind.

[Stumphges]

Thank you, Henry

Regarding your suggestion, above, to set pole height at 120cm – I’ve found that to work well.  I had trouble getting the hem taut at 125cm.

[bradmacmt]

 

A beautiful old mountain buck Mike! Congrat’s!

Those are the kind of critters that interest me…

[Mike M]

A beautiful old mountain buck Mike! Congrat’s!

Those are the kind of critters that interest me…

thanks Brad!

it was a really great, but tough hunt- 7.5 miles from the trailhead (the majority of it off trail) got half of it out in one day and then did a 15 mile all day out back for the rest of the meat the next

[bradmacmt]

Well, that old buck was worth it IMO! Those are the kind of animals I hunt for. This years elk hunt was the easiest in a couple decades for me. I didn’t connect on my normal backpack hunt, but located an old mountain bull only 2.5 miles in on a day hunt, and the pack out was all down hill!

Merry Christmas!

[Mike M]

^ Perfect- congrats!

Merry Christmas to you as well :)

[Author]

Posts