Tarp Kitchen Shelter

[@meander9354]

You have the most practical channel on here and your books are equally practical. Just wish I had come to appreciate tent camping earlier in life. (Better late than never).

[@moderntentcamping]

@@meander9354 Thanks for this comment. It means so much to this old teacher to hear that he has taught a lesson well.

[@SpiritualGrowthGuy]

I love the way you think, speak, and organize your material. Thank you.

[@moderntentcamping]

Thank you for your note. I was a college professor many years ago and my slow speech was fine in the classroom. But many viewers have complained that my presentations are slow and boring. So, I’m always happy to hear that some people appreciate my style. Thanks.

[@evobe]

Thank you! 2 years later and still giving great ideas

[@moderntentcamping]

evobe Thanks for your note. I’m glad to hear you have enjoyed the videos.

[@emmajane]

Thank you so much. What a joy it is to see all your experiments with tarps laid out and explained. I think we’ll start simple and upgrade to your fabulous walled shelter when we’re more experienced!

[@moderntentcamping]

Emma Jane Richards Thank you Emma Jane for the comment. I hope you enjoy your tarp shelter and camping trips for many years. Please send photos and let me know how things are going.

[@Dutcharmytent]

I was looking for ideas on how to make a tarp kitchen shelter and was so lucky to find your video. Thanks from the UK.

[@moderntentcamping]

Mr Strong I’m glad it was helpful. You can find A few more details on my web site www.ModernTentCamping.com. Thanks for the comment.

[@JOHN_COSMO]

Thank you I was planning on setting up tarps surrounding my van this summer in Tennessee. I'm going to pre-do the rigging you showed! Thanks for all the information we're going to call her tent City servants of Christ Jesus!!!

[@moderntentcamping]

Glad to hear this setup meets your needs. Will you have planned meetings or just a base camp for witnessing?

[@PeterKenyon]

I just bought your book started reading it and am loving it. Thanks for taking the time (40 years) to put it together. I highly recommend this well written and informational book.

[@moderntentcamping]

Peter Kenyon Thanks Peter. I’m glad you like it. If you want, send photos of your camping trips.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

You've got the tarp shelter designed to be quite useful for your needs.

[@moderntentcamping]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival This Shelter was inspired by KZbin videos like yours. I’ve watched a few of your videos and learned a lot. Thanks for sharing and commenting.

[@insertcoolnamehere2084]

Thank you i was thinking this a day or so ago and to see it work is a big help in making my own. You sir are a scholar and gentleman.

[@moderntentcamping]

[Insert Cool Name Here] Thanks for the comment. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner.

[@brent1387]

Excellent video on the tarp set up that you use....Cheap alternative for the poles is electrical metal conduit from the hardware store...this is usually available in 10 foot lengths and can be cut down easily with a hack saw. Thanks again...hope we can meet up in the summer some time....

[@moderntentcamping]

Brent Griffin good suggestion. Thanks Brent. I hope we can too. Some days I really feel like traveling and some days not. Today was a not. Warmer weather should improve my motivation.

[@scotthill6807]

Thank you for the tip. Tarp poles can get expensive. I may have to try conduit for a couple of poles.

[@moderntentcamping]

Brent Griffin I have used conduit before. I cut it in 3 foot lengths and used connectors to make the pole. Thanks for all of your support.

[@jimhunt6884]

How do you keep the bottom of the poles from kicking out and moving around?

[@moderntentcamping]

Jim Hunt Good question. We haven’t had that problem yet but if we do, I would dig a shallow hole for each pole. The problem that has plagued us is high wind that can rip grommet holes out, tear tarps, and throw poles like spears. When wind is expected, we take the tarps down but leave the guy lines/stakes in place and wait for the wind to subside. It is fairly easy to re deploy the tarps with the guy lines in place.

[@deanbotek152]

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you! I'll be purchasing the book to enjoy while camping.

[@moderntentcamping]

Dean Botek Thanks for the comment Dean. I glad to hear it was helpful.

[@scotthill6807]

I need to work toward this set up. As of now I use two inexpensive blue poly-tarps and four poles. one tarp serves as a angled side wall. It's good for protection from the sun but you don't get much wind or rain protection. Mr. Douglass' setup is clearly superior.

[@moderntentcamping]

Scott Hill Thanks Scott.

[@parson8582]

Great video as always with good ideas. Great history lesson too. Thanks for sharing all of your trial and error. Great insight. Go tent camping!

[@moderntentcamping]

Thanks Parson for your continuing support.

[@deaconessfaithcommunitynur4745]

Love your history as well as helpful tips

[@moderntentcamping]

Deaconess Faith Community Nurse Ministries History is so interesting and seems to give a good perspective for guiding our current efforts and avoiding well known problems. Thanks so much for your comments.

[@Mightiflier]

We like!!! Solution to our coming-up camping trip situation!

[@moderntentcamping]

Mightiflier I’m glad to hear it was helpful. Have a great trip. Thanks for the comment.

[@cabinlife2347]

Nice video, and great tarp shelter. We still have over a foot of snow and it's now a blizzard outside our cabin (Apr.6/18) in the Ontario wilderness of Canada. Working on uploading a video of the current snowfall today. Cheers. Glenn & Maureen

[@moderntentcamping]

Cabin Life Thanks Cabin Life for the comment. Stay warm.

[@giampieronicoli4381]

What a knowledgeable man!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@moderntentcamping]

Giampiero Nicoli Thanks for the comment.

[@tessa4883]

There is so much useful information here. Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@moderntentcamping]

Thank you and Thanks for watching. Have you seen my other camp kitchen shelter videos?

[@chadwaldron6329]

Cloudland Canyon, great place to camp. Great scenery.

[@moderntentcamping]

Chad Waldron Have you camped here? Thanks for the comment.

[@peterbennett4783]

Great story mate, good on you! so any memories you must have!! kind regards from from Peter Bennett , Victoria, Australia.

[@moderntentcamping]

Thank you Peter. It’s nice to hear from you. Send photos of your camps if you have any.

[@chloey6571]

Super helpful. Thank you

[@moderntentcamping]

I’m glad you found this video helpful. We used this tarp system for 20+ years but have now moved up to a kitchen shelter tent. And we are much happier. You may want to check out a few of my recent videos on kitchen shelters. Thanks for the note.

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

I have a "z-shade" $70...bought a 6x30 mesh shade tarp and surround entire tent, attached with zip ties (one side left open for River & Fire views) takes bout 20-25 mins to set up (I camp alone +🐶) it has worked well for 3 camping seasons (4-5 trips per season)..But I do love your new set up!.. it looks Soooo luxurious relaxed & neat! and do you realize you are about the only 'regular" camping Channel on KZbin? P.s...I no longer use "fire rings" at my camp sites (never where I want them to be)... Bought a notebook folding Grill (doubles as a fire pit) Always carry with me, can have my fire where ever I want & doesn't scar the land as it is not on the ground...holds about 3 logs...not a bon fire but still pretty darn warm.

[@moderntentcamping]

Ewife Journals Hey Ewife, It sounds like you have developed a comfortable and economical shelter also. What states do you usually camp in? What are your favorite Campgrounds? Thanks for all your kind comments. Hope to hear from you again soon.

[@moderntentcamping]

Ewife Journals I agree with you completely! Sometimes I have wondered what were they thinking when they designed this campsite. I prefer a fire ring in the front left corner when looking at the site from the road. But Michigan puts a big concrete ring right in the middle of the campsite. You sound like a very knowledgeable camper. Stay in touch.

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

Frazier Douglass I live in VA so I keep my travels to about 1 hr in all directions ( Va, Md, Wva)...my favorite grounds are all privately owned, as a solo female camper I feel the those types of camp grounds offer me the camping experience as well as a safe environment ( I am in Oddity and they actually keep an eye on me...lol)

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

Frazier Douglass ...thank you... started camping 5 yrs ago & your channel has been instrumental in helping me to learn the ropes of good basic common sense camping....so THANK YOU😊

[@moderntentcamping]

Ewife Journals I understand but I think you would also be safe in large popular state park Campgrounds.

[@curtriceennis2924]

Great camping ideas here. I may just get an extra lonnng tarp and fold the corners down to make a triangle shape at either end. TYSM for sharing how "disappointed" you were with the pricey screen rooms. I was looking at a few to get for my camp area. But, don't think I'll be getting one, now. 👍 Love your channel. 😻

[@moderntentcamping]

Thanks for the comments. Hope your tarp kitchen project works out well. That’s an old video and since then, we have started using a pricy screen house. The tarp shelter was very comfortable but was difficult to set up and had guylines that posed a tripping hazard - especially in small campsites. Take care.

[@curtriceennis2924]

@@moderntentcamping I'm only going camping in my back yard, and, I just camp out only a couple of days or so at a time. So, in case I were to ever want to get one, what screen room do you suggest is best ? I would need it to be a cheap - priced yet durable one, though. Thanks for your advice. 👍

[@moderntentcamping]

@@curtriceennis2924 Do you need a screen room? Here in the southeastern us, we really don’t need a screen room often. So my top pick would be an EZ up shelter with sidewalls. If you have to pack every thing in a small car, you might want to look at a Big Agnes Sugarloaf. Check out my website page on this topic. moderntentcamping.com/camp-kitchen-shelters

[@curtriceennis2924]

@@moderntentcamping Well, I'm from the same area. And, where I'm at, we have those big mosquitoes sometimes ... what we call gallon - nippers !!! LOL !!! So, I was just maybe wanting to get a screen room to keep from being "pestered" by them. 👍 I go back and forth about those rooms, and, I haven't quite made up my mind as to which way to go on getting one, yet. 🤔

[@moderntentcamping]

@@curtriceennis2924 Gazelle makes a pretty nice room but it can get very hot when the sun is shining.

[@PeterKenyon]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@moderntentcamping]

Peter Kenyon Thanks Peter for the comment. I’m glad to hear that it was helpful.

[@snakeclaw]

Seems complicated. Why not use the tent itself to support one side of the tarp and then just use two poles to support the other side?

[@moderntentcamping]

Tent is not strong enough to support the weight and wind stress of the tarp. Thanks for watching.

[@snakeclaw]

@@moderntentcamping weight and wind stress of the tarp? How heavy are your tarps? They are usually 10 to 15 lbs tops. Half the weight of the tarp being supported by a tent is 5 lbs. All my tents can handle that. Wind effects a tent regardless if there is a tarp on it or not. Any additional Wind load can be handled with proper installation, size, and guy lines. I think it's possible you've over thought the process.

[@ronachadwick7908]

Gt set up. Still perfecting my tarp setup.

[@moderntentcamping]

It’s definitely an economical way to make a kitchen shelter. Thanks for watching.

[@kloudstrife5960]

Great video I get a good amount of group festival camping experiences through out the year and learning how to assemble a car port or try to master tarps is a hands down necessity must know skill in open to the elements camping . This is a pretty impressive tarp survivalist easy pack up informative video .

[@moderntentcamping]

Micheal Perez Glad to hear it was helpful. Thanks for your comment.

[@echo1er]

Thanks for making this video and taking the time to make it, edit, and provide great tips.

[@moderntentcamping]

rhey simon You’re welcome. I’m glad it was helpful. Thanks for the comment.

[@annmorris6280]

I wonder how many times I'd trip over all those staked down ropes before finally breaking a leg......LOL!

[@moderntentcamping]

Ann Morris That can be a problem. When we plan our camp layout, we try to arrange the tent and tarp so that few guy lines are in the major walkways - but there are always one or two and we have tripped on them more than once. Sometimes, we’ll place chairs or other objects under them to help us remember. Thanks for the comment.

[@Ayerstairs]

Wonderful video. Very informative.

[@moderntentcamping]

Thanks for the kind words. If you haven’t visited my website yet, check it out. moderntentcamping.com/our-tarp-shelter#.XW5cgExOmhA

[@jamiemailhot7570]

hanging tarps is an artform, lets call it tarpology!

[@moderntentcamping]

Nice term. I think I’ll adopt it. Thanks for watching.

[@Wiftas]

I tried something similar this weekend. Strong wind came along and bent 2 poles. I usually use a dome shelter which can really take a beating.

[@moderntentcamping]

Victor Ekladious I’ve never had poles bend but I definitely have had tarps rip. That is generally no big deal. We can use small stones to make a temporary attachment point until we can buy a new tarp. But it is a hassle so we watch the weather and take the tarps down when storms approach. We leave the stakes with guylines in the ground so it is easy to put the tarp back up after the storm passes. We’ve tried small dome shelters and felt too crowded. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@nonnayourbsns1001]

Great job. Lots of great information.

[@moderntentcamping]

Nonna Yourbsns Thanks for the comment.

[@ivygarcia9525]

Excellent video! Very informative, thank you

[@moderntentcamping]

Ivy Garcia Thank you Ivy. I’m happy you liked it and sent this message. Take care.

[@LiuYan07]

Great information! Hope to see more tutorials

[@moderntentcamping]

Yan Liu Thank you for commenting.

[@mendyviola]

You sound like Arlo Guthrie! ❤️👍

[@moderntentcamping]

Never heard that before but I’ll take that as a complement. I like several of his songs - especially The City of New Orleans.

[@mendyviola]

@@moderntentcamping I kept waiting on you to start talking about 8x10 colors glossies with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one each one explaining what each one was. Your way of talking and vocal inflections is almost exactly like his on that song (Alice’s Restaurant).

[@moderntentcamping]

@@mendyviola ha!

[@QuantumMuch]

I love this video! Honestly I am impressed! Do you have any suggestions for repelling mosquitoes? I just use the coils and bug spray.

[@moderntentcamping]

It depends on where you camp. Most of the places we camp in the southeast and eastern U. S. have few mosquitoes and so we use Off and aThermacell. But if you camp in mosquito infested areas you’ll need a screen room. Thanks for the comment. I always like to hear that other campers liked my videos.

[@niksgee3538]

I really enjoyed this video.

[@moderntentcamping]

niks gee I’m glad to hear that. Thanks for comment.

[@peem1244]

Hi Frazier, i enjoyed your video and all the trial and error you went through to achieve your ideal tarp setup. I liked the historical details but i'm surprised you didn't mention the native american nomadic lifestyle and permanent 4 season living in teepees. Keep up the good work. Happy camping!

[@moderntentcamping]

Pedro ElGordo Hey Pedro, it’s good to hear from you. If you have time, check out my tent history videos recorded about 2 years ago.

[@moderntentcamping]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@peem1244]

hi Frazier, i have just watched your tent history videos and i can say i have learned a lot and i see where you have included native american living. Tent evolution is fascinating and i will keep in touch with your channel to keep current with all things camping. Thanks again. Keep up the good work.

[@ashleyhanks9608]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@moderntentcamping]

Thanks for your comment. I’m glad it was helpful.

[@28105wsking]

I wish you would list the kind of gear you use and where you got it. I did use your basic setup without tarps carcamping to all the national parks last summer and it worked just fine. Thank you! I didn't use the tarps because in the pleasant weather I didn't need them and I was only in each site for the evening. I was complemented on my campsite setup more than once.

[@moderntentcamping]

Hey Wendy, It’s good to hear from you. I mention most of our gear in my videos and on my web site. Have you seen the checklist on my web site? Are there some specific items you want me to list? I’m glad to hear that you are pleased with you set up. I’d love to see photos if you have any. Hope to hear from you again soon.

[@jameslamb7300]

Great idea!

[@mertgul]

I enjoyed watching your video. I'm sure this video help outdoor enthusiasts to save bunch of money buying all that useless camping shelters out there.

[@moderntentcamping]

Mert Gulpinar Thanks Mert for the comment. You’re right about the costs of commercial shelters. We are very pleased with this economy alternative.

[@chrisvalek4850]

This is great, thank you!

[@moderntentcamping]

Chris Valek Thanks Chris. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

[@scotthill6807]

Very nice setups. Have you ever tried Nite-Eze Firgure Nines? They allow you to tension lines without complicated knots and very affordable. It might reduce your setup and take down time so you and Ava can spend more time relaxing. Just a thought. Thank you for the video.

[@moderntentcamping]

Scott Hill I have never tried them but would like to try them some day. But we leave our guylines tied after each trip so we don’t have to retire them. Thanks for all your support. Will talk with you soon.

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

Scott Hill that's what I do...can't remember how to tie knots... unless I have my phone with a you tube video playing while trying to tie knot with other...lol

[@scotthill6807]

I'm right there with you. I can't tie a Truckers Hitch without a diagram, I'm just not good at it. Besides I go out to have fun not get frustrated trying to tie some complicated knot. Have fun and take care!

[@redwhiteblue7831]

That is one heck of a tarp shelter... Last summer my neighbors and I went camping in 105* temperatures, they had a screen tent... it added about 5-10 degrees... I had an EZ-UP a few years back, the same thing happened to me... The wind picked up and destroyed it... How does your tarp shelter hold up in the winds? Thanks for sharing Frazier D.

[@moderntentcamping]

RedWhite&Blue 78 Wind is a problem. As I mentioned in another reply, we take the tarp down when the wind gets strong. If we leave the stakes and guy lines in place, we can easily set it back up when the wind calms down. Thanks for commenting.

[@habituallinestepper8839]

Can you fit two tents in most camp sites?

[@moderntentcamping]

Yes, they are large enough for two 8-person tents plus a car. I should have said the campsites were crowded. Sorry. Thanks for the question.

[@BackcountryWanderer]

I have been wondering how you set up your tarp system thanks for sharing.

[@moderntentcamping]

Backcountry Wanderer Thanks for the comment. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner.

[@TheVirginiaStew]

Great Job...I like the New Design....

[@moderntentcamping]

TheVirginiaStew Thanks Tom. Hope all is going well with you.

[@moderntentcamping]

TheVirginiaStew Tom, I have posted a preliminary list of the top Virginia Campgrounds I’d like to visit on my webpage. Www.basictentcamping.com I’d like to cut 4 to make an even 15 and at least 2 of the cuts should be from those in the western corner. Can you give me some suggestions?

[@TheVirginiaStew]

The ones I like best are Douthat State park and Occoneechee state park I have stayed at both they have nice amenities... I have also stayed at First Landing State Park...if you like SAND it is okay... but at VA Beach stayed at Holiday Travel Park its much nicer but not a state park....

[@aliciacasals5044]

very good!!

[@moderntentcamping]

Alicia Casals Thanks again

[@debb5045]

Great shelter. We set up one similar to the ones without sides last summer. I made the poles out of PVC pipe with a bolt put through an end cap. Our main problem was the grommets ripping out of the tarp because of the wind. Do you have any suggestions to keep them from ripping out? Great video!

[@scotthill6807]

I heavily Duct Tape the area around and over the grommets then cut holes in the grommet openings. That seems to help distribute the stress to a larger area of the tarp fabric. It is the closest thing I found to reinforcing the grommets. Hope that helps you.

[@debb5045]

Scott--thanks so much! I'll try it!

[@moderntentcamping]

I have found that good tarps can handle light to moderate wind reasonably well but can tear with strong wind. When strong wind is predicted, we will take the poles and tarps down but leave the stakes and guy lines in place. When the wind subsides, we can easily put the tarp back up. If a grommet pulls out, we make a temporary grommet by wrapping a small stone in the tarp with a small piece of cord with a double half hitch slip knot at one end and an overhand loop at the other end. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@debb5045]

Thanks so much! Love the videos and all your tips. I agree with everything you said about other shelters. We set up a tarp for the first time last summer, and I wasn't sure if we were going to do it again, but after watching this I'm going to keep setting it up. I got some great stakes and rope today and am going to try your method of staking it. Your tarp looks steady and secure and perfect! Thanks again and happy camping!

[@moderntentcamping]

Deb B Thanks Deb. How did the pvc pipe hold up?

[@cybersecretary]

thanks!

[@moderntentcamping]

Dee I’m glad to hear you liked it. Have fun.

[@sandersjones1577]

Do you feel safe camping out just you two?

[@moderntentcamping]

Yes, absolutely. But we only camp in safe campgrounds. Look for large, popular campgrounds with entrance gates, park rangers, campground hosts, and after hours emergency numbers.

[@mrbillmacneill]

may I suggest a small collapsible wood stove? I have an ellis stove but there are plenty to choose from. 3 dog makes a Ti stove thats quite light I hear...

[@moderntentcamping]

mrbillmacneill I’m afraid of wood stoves for heating the tent. In Army Basic training, we always had a fire guard at night but don’t have one in camp. We use an electric space heater for our tent. Have you seen my video on my folding wood cook stove? Thanks for the comment.

[@mrbillmacneill]

Hi Frazier found it! quite a few videos there... I will have a look at it . my first impression was it is good way to cook. did you make that ?

[@moderntentcamping]

I designed it and had it produced by a metal fabricator.

[@RosaFernandez2009]

I wish you could actually show us step by step

[@moderntentcamping]

Rosa Fernandez I wish I could do that but I don’t have a good photographer and I can’t do both things at the same time. I would be happy to answer any of your questions. Thanks for the note.

[@Roudter]

Nice knife....

[@moderntentcamping]

Roudter Thanks, it’s an economy priced Buck but serves my needs well. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@kirkthiets2771]

That first image of a wall to reflect heat was actually a self feeding fire.

[@epenaloza52]

where can i find the extending poles!?

[@moderntentcamping]

epenaloza52 Camping outfitters like REI have them but someone suggested home improvement stores sheet rock tools or paint roller poles would also work. Thanks for watching.

[@epenaloza52]

@@moderntentcamping that's what im looking at in home depot the painters poles get heavy after hiking and the store REI im looking at an arm and a leg

[@moderntentcamping]

epenaloza52 I bought Eureka nesting backpacker poles 20 years ago when they were cheap. And they are compact and lightweight. Today, your options are expensive lightweight, cheap heavy, or tie tarp to trees. Since we stay in developed state and federal Campgrounds, we would probably make our poles from wooden clothes hanger bar or electrical conduit. And tie them to our rooftop luggage rack when traveling. Sorry I can’t offer any better options.

[@rbpe3thatsme841]

Give it to my buddy