How to add mid-panel tie-outs to a tarp?

[Pete M]

Being a MYOG newbie and not really having the guts or sewing machine skills for a from-scratch tarp project, I’ve decided to make some alterations to the10’x10′ one I have. Apart from one on the ridgeline, it doesn’t have any lifters/pull-outs and I’d like to add four:  two on either side, mid-way between the ridgeline and edge. The tarp is made of PU coated nylon. How would I go about this – what lightweight fabric would I use for the reinforcements, and do I glue or stitch or both? Any particular adhesive best for use on PU coatings?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Jerry Adams]

do you have access to sewing machine?

is it a pyramid?  How heavy is it?

grosgrain webbing is good.  Lightweight.  1/2 inch width is strong enough.  owfinc.com or local sewing store.

Fold in half and sew sideways back and forth a bunch of times to make a loop.  Sew the loose ends to the tent/

I think it’s better to add the tie-outs to the edge.  One between each existing tieout.  Put the loose ends on both sides of the hem and sew through grosgrain – hem – grosgrain.

If you put them on the side panels and pull it sort of deforms the tent.  Maybe other people disagree?

[Pete M]

Thanks Jerry – it’s for a 10×10′ flat tarp. The point of the pull-outs / lifters in the body of the tarp are when, for example, I want to create extra space inside the tarp when in half pyramid or storm pitch. Staking out guy lines attached to these points pulls out the back of the tarp thus increasing the inner space. Good for when with more than one person or accompanied by a wet stinky dog!

I personally don’t have a sewing machine but I know people who do.

[David Chenault]

This post illustrates my preferred method.  It’s more involved than just sewing a bit of webbing on, but the result is very solid.  For PU coated fabric you’ll need to use aquaseal.

[Jerry Adams]

“as I didn’t have a pair of scissors in the garage and didn’t want to go upstairs to use the rotary cutter, made do with a box knife”

ha, ha,… good one : )

[Mario Caceres]

I have been pretty impressed of the holding power of glued pull out points.  If I were you I would try that first and if I see the reinforcement starts to peal off runs a row of stitches over the edge.

As David suggested, Aquaseal works well on PU coated fabrics (Seamgrip works too as it has the same formulation but is a more viscous so easier to work with.  A very thin layer is very important to have a stronger connection).  Alternatively you can use COTOL to increase the viscosity of both products.  Both products are sold in packages with and without COTOL.  COTOL also accelerates the curing process.

I would sew a tieout loop to a small circular patch of heavy duty PU Fabric (i.e Oxford 200) and then glue the circular reinforcement patch to your tarp with aquaseal or Seamgrip.

[Pete M]

Awesome advice, thank you! David, you diluted your adhesive – would you do that with aquaseal then? And I agree with what you say about linelocs in that post, they make life much easier.

Mario – I’m just wondering if, because I want this tarp to be very wind-worthy, wouldn’t I be better off stiching the panel tie-outs from the outset, rather than just gluing? I do like the idea of dispensing with the stiching, but…

[Mario Caceres]

Pete,  if you sew the tie-outs/reinforcements to the main panel,  I suggest a couple of measures to help minimize the risk of catastrophic failure at the stitch-line 1) make sure to seam-seal the stitches as it will make them less likely to tear the fabric when put under stress. and 2) Put a small loop of heavy duty shock-cord between the pullout and your guy-line.  This will work as shock absorbed in the event of gust winds.  The shockcord has to be strong enough to pull the panel in calm weather without being fully stretched  but ideally have a lower tensile strength than the stitch-line  so it will break before catastrophic failure occurs in your tarp midpanel.  Again in my experience doing some testings with some tie-outs under load…. catastrophic failure always happened at the stitch line.

[Pete M]

Catastrophic failure sounds unpleasant Mario, especially as it’s most likely to happen when the weather’s at it’s worst. Perhaps I will try your ‘gluing first’ technique combined with the shock cord suggestion and take it from there (the less stiching the better I guess). If a mid-panel tie-out pops off in the wind at least the tarp itself should be OK and I can then do the sewing. Thanks for the tips!

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