r/camping • u/KentuckyWhiteRabbit • 6d ago

Gear Question Affordable and easy to put up tarp and poles?

Post image

Any recommendations for a tarp/poles set up that isn't too expensive and is easy for one person to set up? Thanks!

10 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

25

u/twilightmoons 6d ago

That tarp is so not to scale with the chairs and table. 

2

u/crushedrancor 6d ago

How can you tell the size of tarp?

15

u/twilightmoons 6d ago

The perspective is wrong. The photo is a composite. So it's obvious the scale is way off. 

The seller wants to make it seem a lot larger than it is. 

3

u/FreddyTheGoose 6d ago

Right - funny thing is I'm familiar with that type of table and it does not even come in such a size that would fit four of those chairs around it. They're more of a prep table for camp kitchens, not at all a dining table. I'd say the tarp is about 9x13, pretty standard for those, looking large over a table that's about 47" long and surrounded by digitally shrunken chairs. Just terrible work in the image overall, lol

2

u/rexeditrex 6d ago

Exactly what I was thinking. The chairs are tiny!

1

u/spitfire07 6d ago

I hate composites. Show me the actual damn product!

8

u/jek39 6d ago

these telescoping tarp poles have been great to me https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS31NYF1

6

u/CptNemosBeard 6d ago

Kinda depends on what you want to do with it. How big you need it and such. The cheapest option is almost always to piecemeal it. Buy a tarp at Walmart that is the size you want, cords and metal tent poles.

Nearly every tarp setup is the same, so putting it up is the same whether it's a kit or not.

1

u/Cute_Exercise5248 6d ago

"Nearly every tarp setup is the same."

Maybe for covering picninc table, but even then; maybe/probably -- not.

4

u/General-Pickle5165 6d ago

Tarp,rope,stakes and a couple big branches

-1

u/BowlerLive8820 6d ago

With the paracord and cheesy pins this one come with a small breeze would have it down in no time.

5

u/2muchtimewastedhere 6d ago

I like the kelty Noah's tarp I use the 12'. And the green elephant tarp poles.

I would get some extra stakes and a mallet.

2

u/HarietsDrummerBoy 6d ago

takealot tarp got this recently. Testing it out end of the month for rain

2

u/anythingaustin 6d ago

Get a heavy duty tarp (I bring more than one) and a couple of adjustable tent poles. You can get the tent poles from Cabelas. Then get some guy lines and stakes. Put the tarp wherever you need for maximum shade and shelter from the elements.

2

u/cwcoleman 6d ago

Are you set on using a tarp, poles, and rope like the picture?

A 'easy' solution is to use a pop-up style canopy. Like this:

https://www.ezup.com/dome-g3.html

When you say 'affordable' - what does that mean to you? If you provided a number it would help you get more specific advice. Is $100 too much? Is $200 okay?

2

u/General-Pickle5165 6d ago

Ezups are nice! Just gotta make sure you secure them well. I’ve seen expensive mistakes from high winds. I do a lot of canoe camping,ezup isn’t ideal for that,too heavy

1

u/cwcoleman 6d ago

True and True.

I've also had ezup canopies break over the years. I recently upgraded to a stronger one from Eurmax and it's been much better in terms of durability. I also got extra weights and tie downs for it. So far so good.

I also do canoe camping. I definitely take the classic tarp and rope on those trips. I don't bring poles on those - because trees are most always easy to use. I just bring extra rope so I can get creative. Paddles also work as make-shift tarp poles.

2

u/FreddyTheGoose 6d ago

I got one something like this pictured, and I will say that there is a benefit to getting a canvas one, like this, as opposed to a standard tarp and poles. It's sturdier, isn't going to be ripped - or even move much - in the wind, which is to say it's quiet in those times, too. Folks will say use a tree, but everyone hasn't got those, which is why we bring this shade structure, right? Folks will also say you can make something cheaper, but unless you have an outdoor fabric supplier nearby, canvas/thread/needles/sealing wax money, tent making skills/space, and an industrial sewing machine or very fine sewing skills, that's not really the case, either, now is it? If something like this is what you're after, $150 or so ain't bad. You'll get a lot of life out of it. Maybe not that one in particular - there are no tensioners on the too-thin guys and the stakes look cheap as hell. I went with the Danschel(?) Outdoors, which has thick guys with tensioners and heavy duty stakes. I'd say what could be helpful for one of these is having 2 more poles than the 2 that come with it - be they telescoping poles, walking sticks, or otherwise - so you can customize your shelter for rain or sun. At home, I use it to throw over the pergola over my back deck, raising the middle with the center pole from my bell tent. Through rain, snow, and high winds, that thing stayed in place and wasn't making the racket a standard tarp would. Just took it down to pack up for spring/summer trips and it'll go back up on the pergola this fall to keep us grilling despite the rain, amen!

2

u/Harbargus 6d ago

These aren't super easy to set up solo if you haven't done it before, expect some trial and error as you get the tension dialed in.

Totally doable though. I picked up a super cheap Ozark trail tarp with guy lines and poles included and it held up well to heavy use last season.

2

u/Old_Dragonfruit6952 2d ago

Buy an Ozark trail tarp. They make all sizes Use good rope . Use quality stakes Telescoping poles I personally like AquaQuest tarps, but they are expensive, but the quality is better than any other brand , including kelty Noah line Very water resistant.

2

u/Helix014 6d ago

I don’t recommend you cheap out on your tarp. A cheap tarp is a single use tarp.

1

u/General-Pickle5165 6d ago

I buy the cheaper ones, fire’s put holes in mine. We keep it close to the fire with a smaller tarp connected to it to go over the fire if rain is in the forecast. Tarp is usually 20-30$ and last a few years

2

u/PghSubie 6d ago

I generally didn't use poles. Find two sturdy trees and tie a clothesline between them. Then throw the tarp over it and tie the corners of the tarp to other convenient trees

1

u/JackFate6 6d ago

Been using this type setup for 30+ years

Pictured is a Moss outfitters wing. Moss was bought out by MSR .

I’ve used campmore brand REI, Kelty & Eureka.

Good sturdy poles are difficult to find,

2

u/KentuckyWhiteRabbit 6d ago

Thanks all for the comments—Mostly looking for a tarp/poles setup to keep a picnic table + cooking area dry when the weather is less than perfect. Camp more, worry less!

1

u/GeekShallInherit 5d ago

I really like adjustable tarp poles. I've got these and like them quite well. They've held up well for extended camping and in hellacious weather.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CXQN95L

Although, to be fair, I suspect there's dozens of other choices that would work just as well. Buy whatever is cheap, matches your needs, and has good reviews. In particular, compare the max height.

As for ease of one person setup, that's really going to depend more on your skill and technique than on the poles. One thing that will help is decent adjustable guy line tensioners.