Tarp over C/T (pics)

[Footy Shorts Shane]

Thanks Shane I did think you meant this was with no tarp was just checking    have you done temps with the tarp on? We have a tent fly type material storm cover that came with our tent which we always have on but often think a tarp would be better.  3 1/2 buckets always fun when you bring sand home lol.

I haven't with the tarp on. Can do next time we're away. Tarp definitely has to be up off the canvass though.

I really CBF with that many more ropes, and poles and hassle.. Suppose Im lucky, my tent is canvas as is the awning, so that keeps me dry

Takes us an hour to set up a 20 x 24 over the camper and 18 x 16 over the kids tent. Both are waterproof, but that's not why we tarp them. It's mostly for the heat. Brilliant when it's 36+ degrees
and your packing up under a free standing tarp. Takes 15 minutes to drop the tarp. Rest of the time packing up is in the shade.
The 2 tarps, ridge poles, ropes, pegs and poles are a PIA to lug around, but well worth the effort up here IMHO. Great being able to leave all the windows open and not have to get up at 2 am when a storm comes through from nowhere.

[Nay-DMAX]

I haven't with the tarp on. Can do next time we're away. Tarp definitely has to be up off the canvass though. Takes us an hour to set up a 20 x 24 over the camper and 18 x 16 over the kids tent. Both are waterproof, but that's not why we tarp them. It's mostly for the heat. Brilliant when it's 36+ degrees
and your packing up under a free standing tarp. Takes 15 minutes to drop the tarp. Rest of the time packing up is in the shade.
The 2 tarps, ridge poles, ropes, pegs and poles are a PIA to lug around, but well worth the effort up here IMHO. Great being able to leave all the windows open and not have to get up at 2 am when a storm comes through from nowhere.

That all makes sense.  We were at a CP in Mildura a couple of years ago and a couple arrived to set up it had been raining for a few hours by then, they set up there tarp first over the top of camper just corner poles from memory and it didn't take them long, even though they got a bit wet setting it up they were able to open the camper up dry and just used the tarp instead of awning.  Their clothes could be changed and they knew they would have a dry camper to pack up.

[Footy Shorts Shane]

That all makes sense.  We were at a CP in Mildura a couple of years ago and a couple arrived to set up it had been raining for a few hours by then, they set up there tarp first over the top of camper just corner poles from memory and it didn't take them long, even though they got a bit wet setting it up they were able to open the camper up dry and just used the tarp instead of awning.  Their clothes could be changed and they knew they would have a dry camper to pack up.

I fitted the awning/annex once to our previous camper, just to see if it would fit 
Current camper has never had the annex on.

Shane.

[Red Dog 4x4]

Here is my set up, I normally set the tarp up first then the camper, but on occasion I have had to put the tarp after the camper has been set up, and I will roll the tarp out the drag it over the top, kind of a pain in the back side.

[chisel]

I haven't with the tarp on. Can do next time we're away. Tarp definitely has to be up off the canvass though. Takes us an hour to set up a 20 x 24 over the camper and 18 x 16 over the kids tent. Both are waterproof, but that's not why we tarp them. It's mostly for the heat. Brilliant when it's 36+ degrees
and your packing up under a free standing tarp. Takes 15 minutes to drop the tarp. Rest of the time packing up is in the shade.
The 2 tarps, ridge poles, ropes, pegs and poles are a PIA to lug around, but well worth the effort up here IMHO. Great being able to leave all the windows open and not have to get up at 2 am when a storm comes through from nowhere.

I'm now quite curious about timings for my own setup.  The awning on the camper takes 20mins to setup properly, at a guess, with about 8x16 coverage out the front of the camper.  The 20x24 tarp we have might take 30-35mins, so a bit more ... but would give a heap more coverage out the front of the camper and some down the sides/back too.  Not to mention the tarp itself is cheap to replace compared to a damaged awning or camper roof.   Hmmmmm, think I've convinced myself to do the tarp-over-camper thing for next trip although it would leave me without a group area (the tarp is usually a common area if there are multiple groups)

[darrenh]

I took a long time to realise that putting the tarp over the camper makes an almost weather proof solution and when it rains and storms I just roll over and sleep better.
It also saves the hassle of wet pack ups and dirt and crap on the canvas.

The trick to holding the tarp in place in the wind is springs on ropes and also take a half hitch around the pole and then on the the pin on the pole. This stops the wind popping the rope off the tarp eyelet.




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[knoath]

Thanks for all the hints and pics everyone, keep em coming.

We were planning on heading up to Ulupna Island, but as I have to go into work on my day off for some training ( ) we are a bit squeezed for time, meaning we would have been setting up in the dark... prefer not to.
Anyway, my wise missus suggested somewhere a little closer to home, and we should get there before sundown and get things set up with less stress! 

I will try the YOOG tarp I got from Kangaron and see how many more poles I need 

Looking forward to a little get away and to see what other mods I really, oviously, need to have, I mean... do!!!

[Mallory Black]

BTW I use the aluminium Supa Poles, much lighter than steel and still up to the job

[knoath]

Thanks Mallory Black...I'll keep that in mind when shopping.

[edz]

Forget springs on the guy ropes for your tarps / awnings ...Go to a plumbing / pipe supplier and get some " O " rings aprox 150 round x 12 mm thick ..
In strong winds they give a lot more than springs [ springs pull up tight and go solid causing damage / pulling pegs out etc ]...

[ozstickman]

I've never done the tarp over the top thing unless it was just me in the swag. The points put across make me think about tarping the tent next time.

[chisel]

BTW I use the aluminium Supa Poles, much lighter than steel and still up to the job

Yes, nice, I have some but at $20+ per pole it starts to add up when you have 15-20 poles.  I have some cheaper steel ones to make up the numbers.