|
|
Post by Teachndad on May 9, 2020 5:19:58 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
All my trailers are covered with tarps. If I want to go into them, its a laborious effort to undo them. I have rope running like shoelaces under the trailer to the grommets on the tarp. So, if I want to get into the trailer, it takes at least 10 minutes to undo knots and pull everything slack and then throw the tarp up on top of the trailer to get access to the door. Then, I have to do the reverse and it's all about retying and reattaching ropes.
It's still cool enough to enjoy just sitting inside my trailers, but to untie/retie thing takes the fun away.
Anyone got some clamp or easy attach/detach method for tarps.
Cheers,
Rod
|
|
nccamper
Administrator 
Posts: 7,744 
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on May 9, 2020 6:21:51 GMT -8
I use bungy cords and attach them under the camper (across to the other side) in a few places.
When I want to get inside I often lift the tarp and leave it on the roof. I think the biggest hassle is stretching it across the roof. Especially working alone.
A lean to is the best system short of the huge Man Cave Garage I keep begging to build.
Not anything elaborate, maybe something like this with 9' doors? My says, "How about a $40 tarp instead?"
|
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on May 9, 2020 6:38:57 GMT -8
nccamper I have two poles with a nail in each one. The wife and I stand at the back of the trailer, put the corner grommets of the tarp onto the nails then lift the tarp and just walk it forward over the camper (or carport in this case). Speaking of carports... I've seen several frames for free on Craigslist recently. People chuck them because the replacement canvas is more expensive than a new carport, but you can attach any old tarp to the frame and it's much easier to get in and out of the trailer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on May 9, 2020 7:53:57 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
I have used bunnies before. They work if it's not windy. But I worry about the end closest to the skin maring it as the wind catches the tarp and the you get an oscillating action.
I like Dan's idea of the two pile method for easy covering. I can't lift tarps up on top of the roof of my trailer any more for medical reasons, so that leaves dragging it over the top with pre thrown ropes to the other side. I wouldn't do that if my trailers were painted but it doesn't matter now with 70 year old paint.
This guy has already used the free carport frame method. Two years ago I picked up enough framing for two 36 foot long carports that had been discarded to the curb. They are the beefy kind. But like everything else in life it takes time and energy to build this and incorporate it into the honey do lists and broken this and thats that occur in life.
The good thing is that I inserted ground anchors a few months ago right after the last rain to anchor the structure against winds when it gets built.
Yes, the structure would be optimum.
I wonder if ratchet straps to the tarp grommets to the ground anchors might work, but then Mr. Wind can come up teasing the tarp to flap.
Uggh.
Rod
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on May 9, 2020 10:28:46 GMT -8
Place the tarp over the trailer. The door side tarp edge should lay just over the door eyebrow and/or no lower than 1" over the door. (depending on the trailer's leak issues) I use baling twine (the orange stuff) to tie the tarp: 2 in the front, 2-3 in the rear and along the street side.
On the door side, tie down front and rear quarters plus the ends. You will have two areas near the door left to tie. Tie the twine with a loop in one end so you can run the end thru, tighten and secure with a single loop knot. Any easy to loosen knot will work. As you tie, try the door to see if it will open.
If you want the tarp lower over the door, you will have to loosen the door ties when you open the door. (8 to 12 inches is the limit hang over or the tarp won't release the door) Bungees might work well as it is easy to loosen. Keep a stick handy to lift the tarp when the door is opened. Keep it simple. The above knots don't need to be complicated, just easy to tie and untie.
Zippers might help if the tarp is heavy duty. Modern RV covers use one on each side of the door and it rolls up to tie with velcro.
Have fun.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on May 10, 2020 7:01:56 GMT -8
Interesting Vikx,
Thank you. Gotta try that.
Rod
|
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on May 10, 2020 18:32:09 GMT -8
We used the danrhodes technique with slight variations depending on which side we were working on. Pulling the tarp from one side or the other made for shade or a dry area in which to work. I had tent stakes that I used to anchor the floppy loose end at ground level. When done for the day we just moved everything back to cover everything up. At first I thought not having a garage or some other interior space would make it difficult, but it all turned out OK. I am still yearning for something better (far less extravagant than what nccamper posted!) But here we have conservation restrictions that make building anything difficult and expensive. Don't tell anyone, but I'm building a chicken coop on the sly. Bad daddy.
|
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on May 10, 2020 19:20:21 GMT -8
turbodaddy chickens are fun. I try to shush them for my neighbors sake but they are funny little creatures to have in your life.
|
|
Hamlet
2K Member
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 925
Currently Offline
|
Post by Hamlet on May 11, 2020 9:09:13 GMT -8
turbodaddy chickens are fun. I try to shush them for my neighbors sake but they are funny little creatures to have in your life. We ply our neighbors with eggs. It’s easier to shush neighbors than chickens. We aso live in an historical district, but the coop isn’t permanent, so we had some leeway. We built it to look like an old outbuilding, complete with salvaged antique window and door. It’s been there for six years and no one from the town. Has complained ... yet. |
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on May 11, 2020 17:27:19 GMT -8
Now you've got me worried. I thought only the roosters make a lot of noise. We're planning on only 5 ladies in our coop. If there is a rooster, it'll be heartbreaking, but he'll have to go, one way or another. My neighbors have dogs. Most of the time they are really considerate about barking and call the dogs in quickly. I can't imagine chickens being as annoying as barking dogs. The coop and run I'm building is overkill, but we have too many potential predators to skimp on the design. I'll post pics if anyone is interested. By the way there is another forum www.backyardchickens.com that is a lot like this one. Lots of great, useful info. |
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on May 12, 2020 9:09:21 GMT -8
Now you've got me worried. I thought only the roosters make a lot of noise. We're planning on only 5 ladies in our coop. If there is a rooster, it'll be heartbreaking, but he'll have to go, one way or another. My neighbors have dogs. Most of the time they are really considerate about barking and call the dogs in quickly. I can't imagine chickens being as annoying as barking dogs. The coop and run I'm building is overkill, but we have too many potential predators to skimp on the design. I'll post pics if anyone is interested. By the way there is another forum www.backyardchickens.com that is a lot like this one. Lots of great, useful info. Here's our coop, but they only really sleep in it and have both a large run and free reign on the lawn when noisy. Chickens are quite noisy...Some people don't mind it, some do. Most of the noise centers around laying. They will make a loud egg cry after laying, but they also build up and do it before, and when someone else is in the box they want (make 3 boxes, they will all use one). Different breeds are worse than others. Right now, our loudest is an Ameracauna, our quietest is a random red rescue and a small amber sexlink that is the bottom of the pecking order. We recently rehomed a Rhode Island Red because she was very loud and also pretty aggressive...nearly killed our rescue who now has her own coop made from a playhouse and run because her injuries leave her exposed to the other's aggression. www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cali-coop.65122/  |
|
|
|
Post by vikx on May 12, 2020 10:27:16 GMT -8
I like chickens but don't like the fact that they are in constant danger. The neighbors have lost quite a few recently to coyotes and 'coons. Hard to keep them safe.
|
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on May 12, 2020 18:41:05 GMT -8
Very sorry, I think I hijacked this thread. We're becoming vintagetrailer-chickentalk. My fault. I am having fun though!
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on May 13, 2020 12:38:54 GMT -8
Well, we could be tying tarps over the chicken coop... Not totally out of line.
|
|
