Tarp recommendations

[zcostilla]

Looking to upgrade to quality tarps. Thinking of getting two that I can lace together in an L-pattern and attach to the rear and sides of my 4Runner. I’m going to get some quality collapsible poles for the corners and use guy wires to keep it all up.

Those of you are are using manual tarps, please let me know what kind of tarp setup you have, and what you’d do differently if you had to do it again. A big budget setup is out of my price range, so I need to keep it simple.

 

[FishinCrzy]

Just bought this and have set it up once. For the price it works for me. Spent more money on pair of good three part retractable poles that have a protective end cover since tarp doesn't have grommet holes. Probably acquire two more poles at some point. There are so many ways to set the tarp up depending on needs and conditions. There's lots of choices on-line.

 

[Louiston]

I use the "Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp". It is absolutely the best tarp I have ever used. Being rainproof, wind proof and light weight/compact, I wouldn't go anywhere without it. It also comes with everything you need.

The brown box on the bottom between my cooler and the Action Packer is the complete setup, very compact for what you get. Good, strong material too!

 

[Billiebob]

same, I need 2 awnings and don't want to spend $800. I've been tethering 2 5x8 tarps to the trailer but it is not quite up to the standard I want. My trailer is 5x10 with a flat roof so I'm thinking about one 16x14 tarp, 6 poles, 6 guy ropes, covering the whole trailer and eliminating the need to attach to the trailer.

 

[zcostilla]

Just bought this and have set it up once. For the price it works for me. Spent more money on pair of good three part retractable poles that have a protective end cover since tarp doesn't have grommet holes. Probably acquire two more poles at some point. There are so many ways to set the tarp up depending on needs and conditions. There's lots of choices on-line.

no link, just an amazon logo

 

[zcostilla]

I use the "Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp". It is absolutely the best tarp I have ever used. Being rainproof, wind proof and light weight/compact, I wouldn't go anywhere without it. It also comes with everything you need.

The brown box on the bottom between my cooler and the Action Packer is the complete setup, very compact for what you get. Good, strong material too!

View attachment 149908View attachment 149911 View attachment 149910

That’s really great for $170! I might be able to save more on a set of two tarps tethered together, but until I price the tarps, not sure exactly how much. but having it all fit in a box like that might be too good to pass up. I might have to get this after I upgrade my 4Runner brakes to the Tundra calipers/rotors.

 

[rvrgrip]

I use the "Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp". It is absolutely the best tarp I have ever used. Being rainproof, wind proof and light weight/compact, I wouldn't go anywhere without it. It also comes with everything you need.

The brown box on the bottom between my cooler and the Action Packer is the complete setup, very compact for what you get. Good, strong material too!

View attachment 149908View attachment 149911 View attachment 149910

That’s really great for $170! I might be able to save more on a set of two tarps tethered together, but until I price the tarps, not sure exactly how much. but having it all fit in a box like that might be too good to pass up. I might have to get this after I upgrade my 4Runner brakes to the Tundra calipers/rotors.

If you don't mind building it... i have thought about a sectional tarp using tyvek, grommets and industrial velcro .... it's waterproof, extremely tough, and pretty cheap..if you don't mind the print on one side, and it being white.. there is black, but harder to find in larger pieces..
Hope this helps.... take care and be well

 

[Louiston]

Well ................ you mentioned "quality" tarps, so I posted up a "quality" tarp.



One thing I've learned over the years is that "cheap shit just pisses me off", especially when you need it most.

Buy once, cry once.

They are like 119.00 on Al Gore's inter-web.

 

[Downs]

I use a Kelty Noah's Tarp. Packs verysmall, lightweight and all that jazz.

I also use this setup but not all the time. It's attached to the Jeep on one side and I use bungiees to keep it rolled up. Detach bungiess roll out and use some Kelty Tarp Poles on the end. Works fairly well as an awning but is a little narrow. Once I get setup to cook under it there's not a ton of space left. The Kelty setup like I have pictured above gives me more space.

Here it is rolled up.

Deployed. Sometimes I use a center pole which is just an extendable painters pole I got at Lowes for less than 20 dollars.

Forgot to mention the above tarp is just a canvas 6x8 I found on Amazon for I think about 30 dollars. I went with that size because that's about the length of the OEM roof rack and I didn't want any hanging off the ends when I set it up.

 

[zcostilla]

Well ................ you mentioned "quality" tarps, so I posted up a "quality" tarp.

One thing I've learned over the years is that "cheap shit just pisses me off", especially when you need it most.

Buy once, cry once.

They are like 119.00 on Al Gore's inter-web.

For that price I don’t think I could say no. I don’t want to be that guy has has all the bright, shiny toys at the expense of financing it all on credit. But $120 is a great price on something already engineers and made to the right dimensions, and out of quality materials. I think I’d like to find one to see in person if I can, but if I’m only saving $30-&50 by the time I source the right tarp materials, poles, and guy lines, it would be worth my time and frustration to go with something ready-made. I want to be frugal, not cheap.

 

[zcostilla]

So I just saw this ad pop in my Facebook feed and it looks really intriguing too, and at an amazing price point. Just not sure if the quality. Curious to read your thoughts.

journeer.com

This domain may be for sale!

www.journeer.com

 

[Louiston]

So I just saw this ad pop in my Facebook feed and it looks really intriguing too, and at an amazing price point. Just not sure if the quality. Curious to read your thoughts.

journeer.com

This domain may be for sale!

www.journeer.com

1. The problem with an awning that small is getting your truck in the right position to provide shade. Even then, as the sun moves you'll have to keep repositioning the truck.

2. Unless any rain is falling straight down (zero wind) it will provide little protection.

3. Virtually useless when it comes to blocking any annoying wind.

The 270 degree Batwing awnings do a much better job providing shade and rain protection, but they are expensive.

As always, your mileage will vary.

 

[zcostilla]

1. The problem with an awning that small is getting your truck in the right position to provide shade. Even then, as the sun moves you'll have to keep repositioning the truck.

2. Unless any rain is falling straight down (zero wind) it will provide little protection.

3. Virtually useless when it comes to blocking any annoying wind.

The 270 degree Batwing awnings do a much better job providing shade and rain protection, but they are expensive.

As always, your mileage will vary.

And the voices of experience, like your reply, is why I come to forums like this

 

[Louiston]

And the voices of experience, like your reply, is why I come to forums like this

If you bought some of the accessories with the awning it "could" be a useful item (for me anyway).

Remember, everyone has a different opinion on what works or meets their needs.

I just never found an awning of that sort to be really useful to ME. The ease of deployment is great, but IMHO it kinda ends there.

 

[TexasGMG]

And the voices of experience, like your reply, is why I come to forums like this

We have that awning. Bought it a couple of years ago on Amazon and it works well for shade while we're cooking and what not. Our's is like 6x8 (mas o menos).

 

[Louiston]

We have that awning. Bought it a couple of years ago on Amazon and it works well for shade while we're cooking and what not. Our's is like 6x8 (mas o menos).
View attachment 150534

I rest my case, everyone has different wants and needs. Love your truck !!

 

[Prerunner1982]

no link, just an amazon logo

The image is the link, click on the "12ft Extra large tarp" text.
It happens mostly with Amazon links, can be rather annoying especially when you are doing a write up and it throws off the whole lay out of your post.

 

[Lou Skannon]

I use an 8x10 heavy duty tarp framed by 2 inch ABS pipe. Cheap and cheerful but not the greatest seal between vehicle and awning. Pipes are stored on the roof-rack when not in use.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The Slumberjack Roadhouse tarp can be setup several ways, comes with all the needed hardware. I use the bed for sleeping so it's very convenient. Rolls up for small storage, about 24"x6"+.