DIY Hammock Tarps: How to Make DIY Hammock Rain Fly

DIY Hammock Tarps: How to Make DIY Hammock Rain Fly

A hammock can be your best family friend, allowing you to enjoy a perfect holiday in the summer with your family when you go camping.

But wait, camping in a perfect world is accompanied with rain, wind, snow, or flies that may ruin your camping experience – So, how are you going to deal with it?

The solution is Rain Fly or Hammock Tarps, which are essential components of hammock camping gear, limiting the effect of rain, wind or flies, giving you the comforts of your home anywhere you want. So, whether you are an outdoor go-getter or want to spend lazy afternoons under the sun, you can simply relax in hammocks by building your own DIY Hammock Traps.

Usually, camping hammocks are equipped with rain flies and traps to protect from any possible disaster, such as rain, snow, wind, or insects. But, if you don’t have such a hammock then keep reading this article because we’re going to share some tips and tricks for building DIY Hammock Traps, eliminating the need of buying expensive pre-build rain flies or traps.

Let’s get started with the topic:

Top 05 Favorite DIY Hammock Traps

1- DIY Hex Ripstop By the Roll

If you want to make your hammock trap without putting in much effort, this DIY hammock trap is perfect for you. You need a complete tarp kit with a tarp, cord locks, drawcord, and more in this tarp. Feel free to use the cords as it is because it is not necessary to cut them. 

All you need is to buy a hammock tarp kit for setting up rain flies over your hammock conveniently. Keep yourself dry in the rain while camping and on trips by limiting rain entry via DIY Hex Ripstop. 

  • Materials Required:
    • Sewing machine
    • Ripstop Hex 12 Tarp Kit
  • How to Make the Rain Fly?

Follow these steps to create a rain fly hammock with DIY Hex Ripstop by the Roll. 

  • Read Kit Instructions Carefully – The first thing you need to do is carefully read all the instructions to get an idea about using a tarp kit. 
  • Start Sewing Ridge Line and Guy Lines – Take a sewing machine and create a small tube on every side of the trap. This sewed small tube is very effective for the guy lines due to their presence at the ends. You can easily create a top ridgeline in the DIY hammock tarps by sewing a small tube in the middle of the tarp. 
  • Make Accurate Attachments – After this, you need to attach different points and lines to build a hammock rain fly. Attach anchor points of the tarp with the ridgeline and guy lines into the ground accurately by using the carabineers. 
  • Tighten the Tarps with Tensioners and Cord Locks – Every Ripstop Hex 12 tarp kit comes with a few tensioners and cord locks. Protect yourself from harsh weather conditions by tightening tarps with these accessories. 

2- RevHiker Ultralight DIY Hammock Rain Fly

Another useful way of making hammock rain fly is from ReviHiker. This is one of the lightest DIY hammock tarps. Another fact that makes hammock rain fly worthy is its low price. 

If you want a lighter but cheap hammock trap, this is the right pick for you because it’s super lightweight than expensive store traps. However, this tarp set up for making hammock rain fly lacks toughness and durability. Use this DIY hammock tarp carefully to protect yourself in rainy weather. 

  • Materials Required:
    • 4 Guy Lines
    • 4 Tent Stakes
    • Duct Tape
    • Rope or Cord for RidgeLine
    • Eco green painters drop cloth
  • How to Make the Rain Fly?

The following steps are to create a lightweight hammock rain fly with the RevHiker Ultralight DIY hammock tarps.

  • Reinforce High Using Areas With Duct Tape – As the RevHiker setup lacks durability, you should use duct tape for reinforcement of high-using areas. Make sure to reinforce ridge top, ridgeline, and tarp edges with duct tape.
  • Attach Guy Lines on Hammock Tarp – Use duct tape to attach short guy lines along the four sides of the hammock trap. This attachment makes your rain fly trap strong and tight. 
  • Set up the Tarp – To set up the RevHiker rain fly trap, fasten both anchor tees with ridgeline ropes and cords. You can also use two hammock straps in place of two anchor tees. Drape your trap to elongate the rain flu on all sides equally. Never forget the adjustment of the pitch of your tarp depending upon weather conditions. 
  • Stake Guy Lines into the Ground – Staking guy lines in the ground is essential to pull up all corners of the tarp tightly. Feel free to adjust the angle of guy lines at different positions to evaluate their maximum tightness. 

3- Backcountry Banter Hammock Tarp

If you are a passionate camper, hiker, or tourist, you must be aware of the importance of lightweight gear. That’s why it’s convenient to store lightweight DIY hammock tarps in the backpack. 

Backcountry Banter Hammock Tarp is the lightest as well as a durable option for making a rain fly. However, it’s believed that there is a need for extra effort to set up this hammock trap. Spend ample of your time sewing and setting up this sturdy hammock tarp.

  • Materials Required
    • Scissors
    • Sewing Machine
    • Guy Lines
    • Shock Cords
    • Nylon Webbing
    • Ripstop Nylon
    • Polyester Sewing Thread
  • How to Make the Rain Fly?

Here are the key steps to set up a lightweight, durable Backcountry Banter Hammock tarp.

  • Tarp Cutting – Take a new DIY backcountry banter hammock tarp and start cutting ripstop nylon. You can cut this nylon into appropriate sizes of different shapes. It’s convenient to use square and rectangular shapes for the hammock rain fly. However, you can also use a diamond shape. 
  • Edges Reinforcement – Use a sewing machine to reinforce tarp edges with the ripstop nylon. It will boost the durability and strength of your hammock rain fly tarp. Moreover, it’s effective in the prevention of hammock fraying in the future. 
  • Guy Lines Fastening – After edge reinforcement, there is a need to add guy lines. Use a sewing machine to attach nylon webbing to the tarp corners. Fasten all the guy lines to the four corners of the tarp. Moreover, stake these lines into the ground to keep the tarp affirmed in place during rain. 
  • Ridgeline Installation – Make sure to install a ridgeline of the hammock tarp above the tarp. Fasten ridgeline with hooks to the apex of tarp for showcasing a slight ridgeline displacement.
  • Plastic Clips Addition – Using plastic clips on all the ridgelines and guy lines make it easy for you to take up and down hammock rain fly any time. 

4- DIY Sportsman Ultralight Tarp

Unlike other DIY hammock tarps, DIY sportsman ultralight traps are heavier. You might be thinking about why this trap is worth using despite its heavy weight. Well, it's because of its longevity and durability. 

You can easily use it for 3 seasons to protect yourself from heavy rain. If you want to use it in heavy snow, keep in mind that its strength can fluctuate. Feel free to hang up this hammock trap set up anywhere, either with trees or with hooking poles. 

  • Materials Required
    • Scissors
    • Carabiners 
    • Guy lines
    • Tent stakes
    • Sewing machine
    • Rope or cord
    • Membrane Silpoly Fabric
    • HyperD300 Reinforcement Fabric
  • How to Make the Rain Fly?

To create a hammock rain fly with the DIY Sportsman Ultralight Tarp, follow these steps carefully. 

  • Cut Membrane Silpoly Fabric – Firstly, you need to cut down the Membrane Silpoly Fabric in such a way that it covers the hammock properly. One of the effective ways is to cut 6 yards of fabric into half to cover the tarp. 
  • Edges Hemnes and Reinforcement – All the outer corners of the fabric must be sewed properly to enhance durability. Sewing machines are very effective for both hem and Reinforcement of tarp corners to the fabric. 
  • Reinforce RidgeLines – Take a small thin strip of reinforcement fabric and see it over the Ridgeline. Besides this, you can also sew two reinforcement fabric strips on the space in between to strung tube-like Ridgeline in it.
  • Make Strong Attachments – Attach every guy line to every reinforced corner of the hammock tarp. Also, avoid stringing out the Ridgeline from the tarp middle area and place a carabineer at every end to hone its strength. Clipping carabineers will enable the easy attachment of a hammock rain fly tarp over the hammock. Stake the guy lines tightly into the ground for an amazing hammock fly set up. 

5- How to Make the Rain Fly?

It’s not possible to get all-in-one DIY hammock traps for the creation of hammock rain fly. However, some rare tarps are amazing in both quality and cost-effectiveness. 

You can get this hammock trip for only $25 to enjoy its longevity. Its high durability makes it feasible for you to use it for several seasons. The downstream ok this hammock is based upon the plastic sheet used. Make sure to use the one having tear-resistant as well as wear-resistant. 

  • Materials Required
    • Tent stakes
    • Ridgelines 
    • Guy Lines
    • Clear Duct Tape
    • Low-density Polyethylene Plastic

6 - Cheap Bastard’s Hammock Hex Tarp

These are some of the main steps you need to follow while setting up a Cheap Bastard’s Hammock Hex tarp. 

  • Cut Plastic Material into Appropriate Size

Take scissors to cut down the plastic material into a suitable size. Make sure to check whether the plastic covers the entire hammock when folded in half or not. 

  • Reinforcement of Edges and RidgeLines – To reinforce DIY hammock tarp edges, you should use duct tape. There is no need to worry if you have made extra cuts; you can attach the ends with this high-quality trap for toughness and durability. Make sure to use duct tape over the hammock ridgeline to minimise its wear and tear strength.
  • Make Strong Attachments – Use duct tape to make sturdy attachments of guy lines and ridgelines. Fasten the guy line with every corner of the tarp. However, plug your hammock rain fly over the tarp ridgeline to hold the hammock in an erect position for long.
  • Set Up Everything Accurately – Attach hammock tarp ridgeline with the hammock straps or with the anchor points. This attachment is often carried out when the tarp is draped over the top of the hammock. Never forget to fasten guy lines to tent stakes in the ground for the right pitch. 

In the warm climate of Queensland, a hammock tarp is your best defence against mosquitos and other pests. Once committed to your hammock tarp, shop the best range of hammocks Brisbane has access to at MyHammocks. 

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