DOWN N DIRTY TARP TRICK NOBODY KNOWS 

my dad taught me this back in the 70's. and I have used it many times. something he added to it if you have access to a water, source, even if it is not potable, dampen the inside of the V on both panels and you will benefit from the evaporative cooling on the air flowing as well.

My Dad spent WWII in the South Pacific. He taught us this method as well as using a fly over a tent, shelter-half, or another tarpaulin just for the heat relef. He also carried a folded section of inner tube (about 18") so he always had a dry spot to sit. These methods worked camping, hiking, and campaigning.

We use a similar idea when we take our camper trailer out for a weekend during the summer. I have a silver coloured tarp and 8 extension poles that is 6m X 9m that completely covers the camper trailer and annex to reflect the bulk of the sunlight heat before getting to the canvas sleeping and annex section. Regards, Jas.

Very cool! I see how this works, hot air rises creating draw. I've set up dual tarps many a times experimenting with this and now I see some set ups I did were actually trapping hot air.

I’d love to see a side by side comparison on a sunny day where you measure the ground temperature after an hour or so. Great video thanks for sharing.

Very glad to see and hear others are using this technique too. Learned this as a stump jumper running aerial fiber in Texas. Literally saved my life a couple times.

Wow ! " EXCELLENT Idea - Perfect ! My Navy SERE - POW Instructor team designed the first " Desert Survival " program for pilots students , etc. at Warner Springs, Ca. Det. back in 1970's. NAF El Centro , Ca was the testing area. ( Ugh ! 100 - 110+ temps. ). We used the military manual " Desert Shade Shelter " idea with dug a ground trough bed ( like my Aussie pup uses, ha.) 2 layers of parachute , creating the inner air space and a space blanket on the top = reflecting the sun and creating a rescue signal. YOUR IDEA IS EXCELLENT ! , Thank You . I sure will test it here in W. Colorado, tipi camp. " Mtn Mel " , Ret. USN SERE - JEST - DEST Inst. 59- 82. VN Vet.

Land Rover used this system on their all terrain vehicles years ago. It was called a safari roof. The roof of the vehicle had a second roof panel giving a gap of about three inches above the actual sealed roof, the top one being open all around to allow air flow through when driving which would cool the inner cab. I don't know why it's still no longer used because it was actually very effective in use.

You know this is the first time I've ever seen this, and it's ingenious, I might try this and take some temperature measurements, I like it.

I did something similar when working my way through college at a boatyard. The first time I did it, my boss was watching me like a hawk and was about to dock my pay for screwing around, but noticed I was able to work longer periods at a time than my cohorts. Memphis summer sun is no joke.

I call it insulated shade. I do this trick with my easy up when I do farmers markets, I put an extra wall On the Sunny Side it makes a huge difference.

Once again, I learn something I have never seen before! This is one of the very few channels that ever happens with. Great technique!

Good science lesson. Thanks for sharing. I will remember this. with summer coming.

Thank you for the info. I watched it 5 times . You explain it in very easy to understand terms. I am not embarrassed to admit that I watched it 5 times. When I studied electronics at school I did the same thing by reading and studying the material over and over and that way I had a good understanding

This is great! Most of the videos I've seen deal with retaining heat as opposed to keeping cool. Perhaps that's due to me being on North American continent so I think that way... I see video of guys building cave shelters and I wonder why they don't build the fireplace with fire box inside shelter with a big flat stone to heat up to possibly cook on and retain heat inside shelter even after fire is out. Fire beds in cold isolated areas are well known in the North. If you have a reflective tarp or space blanket that would be a big plus to help keeping cool in the heat and warm in the cold...

I can testify that this works. I have used it in the AZ deserts and in Italy. I have mostly used it with tracking poles because trees were few and far in between. Travel was done in the cool of mornings and evenings. It the noon heat it was time for a siesta.

Once again proving the wisdom of my Elders ... I can always learn something useful from others if I'll listen more than I talk. Thank you for this brilliant tip! (As you said, you learned it from another fellow.) Glad you took the time to pass it along to the rest of us! God Bless

You answered a question from our '60s Scouting trips! We backpacked/camped with tarps here in Western Oregon where rain is the main concern and a standard A-frame works best. But we looked for cooler designs when camping in the chaparral or desert of Eastern Oregon, a plow pitch had some effect--if only we'd just turned the A-frame upside down! Thanks

They’ve used a similar principle on Land Rover defenders for decades in vehicles prepared for very hot climates. They have a secondary roof skin a couple of inches above the normal one with an open gap to let the heat disperse when moving.

Been in the woods since your last Tuesday tip. I used this exact trick. No rain here this past week so the only reason I brought a tarp was to double up on my hammock for the coolness. Works great. Good job as always Blackie. 👍

I am known as a "Tarp Master" by my camping friends. This is a GREAT technique! I will incorporate it into my bag of tricks! Thanks!

Wow! Great idea and the other comments show it's a well recognized system. Thank you for sharing this with those of us who didn't know about it.

Wow. I never knew there was so much science in a simple tarp. That was interesting.

Impressive! I have never thought about this.

I'm impressed with this! Got the science of it figured out and all, cool tip Blackie.

That is so bloody simple, thanks. Ive been miserable inside a one layer tent. Never thought of using a tarp, freaking brilliant!

Short course in Thermo Dynamics 😁. Interesting how much Bush craft is geometric, physics, and other of the "Advanced science's". But a much better classroom.

This is fantastic. How not to bake on a sunny day here in SC. Thank you. God bless.

Thanks Blackie! I live in the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas so this is good stuff to know! 👍

I do basically the same thing with my super fly trap and a space blanket . I put my super fly in porch mode , then I hang the space blanket with shinny side out at same angle and gap as yours. Really makes a difference when resting in my hammock. If it rains the water just goes down and out the bottom between the two. Ipu

Excellent advice as always. As someone who has spent a lot of time in the outback in summer I can confirm all those things you talk about make a huge difference.

Physics meets bushcraft bloody awesome

Thinking about it this set up makes sense. Thumb up for bringing it to light.

So well explained, thank you for teaching

We used this setup in west Texas when i was in the oil field we would tie off to mirrors on the lowboys and we would use this as a rehab station for over heating during the day

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge with us!

Very good informative video! Thanks for sharing...

Brilliant! Going to love using this here in arizona!!

Great information, Brother !!! We were taught that in several survival manuals in the military. Keep up the great work !!!

I use two "Arcturus" tarps. They have reflective Mylar on one side and heavy green plastic on the other side. Used the way you describe they do create a very effective heat barrier. Conversely, they serve as a reflective back stop for a camp fires heat

Never seen this before, it’s like a reverse super shelter. Thanks Blackie, great info.

Living in AZ this is a very useful tarp design! TY 😎👍

Years ago before I became a welding inspector I was just a hand on my tools. Many a time I've had jobs in Texas fitting up pipe and Welding. And what I used was a tripod with a beach umbrella and a shop fan it worked for those circumstances

Thanks Blacky ! As always I have learned something great from you!

ANYTHING to beat some of this heat in the ozark foothills is going to be a God send!!thank you.

Hello my Outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this very informative video. All the best to you, stay healthy. 🤗

Great tip Blackie, very scientific. Thanks, I'll have to remember that for sure.👍

This is great information because it's in everyone's best interest to stay out of the sun as much as possible and having a shade out in the open to go to can save your life. The inherent problem with most " sunshade " rainfly's is that they are made of such dark colors. This is fine if your shade is a good several feet over your head. The problem is that those dark colors soak up the sun and radiate a shit-ton ( technical term ) of heat down on you. Usually, you have a choice between either sunburn or heat stroke from your shade trying to kill you with convection. This solves both problems nicely.

God dang it Blackie you always come up with the best ideas and tricks that always works. Thank you I will be using this idea.

Smart. Thanks for the physics lesson. I like reality.

1:00 "I can generate a shade that is superior to just the tarp itself" *KABOOM*

Excellent video, with a clear explanation of the physics of convection, and thermo-dynamics; dead air spaces triumph again :-) :-) Cheers.

Got to love the power of dead air space great video!

I’ll have to try to apply that to my 40’ shipping container Phoenix Arizona a winter sweet box and summer oven

Very good Mr. Thomas. Thanks for the knowledge, I'll never forget it. Peace.....

Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Practicality of physics - who knew!?

love your channel and tips just got a pietta 1858 new model army . the cilnder spring broke before I even shot it thanks for the 1858 disability video God bless you and your family.

Greater evaporative cooling is another reason why it's cooler under broad leaf trees (deciduous) vs needle leaf trees (conifer).

Well I will just be damned!!! And here I thought I already knew everything!🤣🤔 I have had to stretch a tarp, poncho, lay pine boughs, etc hoping for a little shade, but never knew about this trick. Simple, but oh so effective. I will learn how to set this up, and definitely use it. Thank's for teaching this old dog a new trick. By this video alone, you just grabbed a new subscriber. Be safe. Be well. Roger

They used to do something like this on old Land Rovers destined for hot climates. Called a safari roof, it was basically a second roof skin mounted a couple inches above the normal roof. It kept the direct sun off a large portion of the cab, and while you were driving, air constantly flowed through the space.

Something new to experiment with, thanks for sharing buddy. I am from UK so there's only a handful of days a year that would necessitate this kind of shelter, plus our native woodland is nearly all broadleaf but appreciate you taking the time to show us. Cheers and all the best from England.

I had no idea! This is brilliant. Thank you for teaching me

Finally someone who understands physics of heat transfer!

Nice video, I'm gonna try it. I'm on the Texas coast I figured if I utilize the breez and dig a hole to lay in it could optimize the concept. I'll let you know what I get. Thanks for the video!

excellent advice. i'm a tarp user all the time and this advise is great....thanks

This is a fantastic tip! Thanks so much!

OUTSTANDING!

Loved it that was some great knowledge learned my brother definitely going to use this technique especially in next couple months

I am glad you called attention to this. I had seen articles about Saudi Arabia buildings using an outer shell for passive cooling, but I never related it to tarp shelters. The Texas heat gets to me. I will try some variation of this. Maybe two tarps, a 7 x 7 plow inside and an 8 x 8 plow over the smaller tarp.

Very interesting!!! I'm a science teacher and this makes perfect sense. I may test this and report back with actual data. Thank you for sharing.

Summer in full swing here, Thank you Blackie for taking the time to share this tip, I will give this a try.

Hearing those gunshots in the background, this guy should be used on a Kevlar tarp

excellent..and on my Birthday too ! thank you Sir

Good general outdoor comfort and survival info! The kind of video RU-vid should get behind more of! Thumbs up

Thanks Blackie. Great tip.

Yes sir. Be using that when wrenching on things. Man could used this yesterday. Lol. Be ready for next 90 degree day wrenching in sun ☀️. Thanks keep those video’s rolling and stay safe. From ur wv hillbilly buddy.

I did the same thing kind of Onan RV I've got a sore blanket over my the roof of my RV so I'm not getting direct sunlight onto the RV and it was noticeably cooler and that's a great hat

I learned that in my Desert training.

awesome video... and it does work very well have used it many times

Good explanation, makes sense. Thank you, thumbs up

Good video. Very good trick. Lifesaving trick in some cases. Thanks for this one.

Slicker than owl snot on a winder right there!

Awesome Idea!

You bushcrafters are hardworking people in the wilderness!

Love the knowledge you drop on all your videos!

I really appreciate the physics behind this. I learned something. 👍

Great video and great information. I will remember this.

Nice set up one thing I never bought is those plastic stakes always used wood like trapping stakes

Great tip, Blackie! Thanks for sharing.

Damn!! This man just dropped some serious tarp science ... BOOM! 👍

Some good advice. Thanks

Nice bro. Layers, it's all about layers. Good job illustrating it !

Great video makes sense thanks for sharing.

Great explanation and great idea

Top shelf content, thanks, Blackie

Awesome tip! Thanks for making this video :)

Yes, simply put... you don't want a hot surface shining it's invisible IR heat on you... from the back side. You have to use a second layer with air in between...

That's good to know. COOL trick.

Woe, 😯🤔🤔.. Agreed with aggyMI!! And in humid Indiana, I need to try this!.. Thanks brother... Hoobilly.

What a great idea thank you for the tip. Makes perfect sense.