Steel tent stakes for anchoring a tarp to rocky ground?

[John E Davies]

I usually find stones or rocks to lay on top of my ground cloth near the front door, but on the last trip there were NO rocks of any kind, just the heavily compacted gravel site pad. I have a bunch of the plastic sand stakes and the little aluminum stakes that are from an old tent, which bend over when they encounter a rock....

What do you use to anchor a tarp or fancy rug into gravel? Do you add a loop of rope to each to help pull it back out? I found these: .... SE Heavy-Duty Metal Tent Pegs Stake Set (10-Pack) (Strange Amazon pricing, order 20 for just $1 more...)

I know this is a weird topic, please comment. I don’t know why I didn’t figure this out in say 1970.....

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Overland]

I use Snow Peak pegs, which are similar to these - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XR4NWJK/?coliid=I1MUQN0AFAD1DL&colid=313GIXWETZMYH&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I have two different sizes and they’ve never let me down. Some 8” and some 15”+/- which are my go to for holding down the Ollie’s awning. They’re obviously heavy though.  You won’t ever bend one.

I have the matching hammer that has the claw to pull them out. Stupidly expensive for what it is but does what it’s supposed to do and does it well - https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Peak-N-002-Peg-Hammer/dp/B000AR2OBQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=snow+peak+hammer&qid=1619230731&sr=8-3. I’m sure there’s a knock off version out there by now that’s just as good for less money.

I also have some various smaller stakes in aluminum and copper that I’ve had forever and which travel in our general camping box.  I have a few sand stakes too that I’d bet I’ve never used but they sure seem like they’ll be useful some day.

Related, I’m really happy with the newer dyneema cord and these little tensioners - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07LB8LK8K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

[SeaDawg]

I have a collection of old, very long  tent stakes. If I can't drive them in, it's kind of, oh well. Not meant to be, and we live with a heavy walkoff mat.

I actually don't like mats over gravel. Tripping hazard, over unseen surfaces.

[Overland]

1 minute ago, SeaDawg said:

I actually don't like mats over gravel. Tripping hazard, over unseen surfaces.

Nor do I, but man that gravel sure does like to hitch a ride into the trailer on my hiking shoes. 

[SeaDawg]

Just now, Overland said:

Nor do I, but man that gravel sure does like to hitch a ride into the trailer on my hiking shoes. 

Agreed.

We take our shoes off at the door. 

I always carry easy on/off clogs for around the campsite. The difficulty is, multiple footwear choices, inside the door. 

[Mike and Carol]

2 hours ago, John E Davies said:

What do you use to anchor a tarp or fancy rug into gravel? Do you add a loop of rope to each to help pull it back out? I found these: .... SE Heavy-Duty Metal Tent Pegs Stake Set (10-Pack) (Strange Amazon pricing, order 20 for just $1 more...)

 

I have this exact set.  I use them around the inside of the Clam and to anchor bungees to hold down the shade that attaches to my awning.  For the rug, I use big nails 5-6” with a large washer.  I also carry a set of heavy duty  12” Galvanized Stakes that anchor the straps that are attached to the middle of each of the Clam sections.  I have a small sledgehammer with a short handle that I got at Home Depot to pound them in and a hikers claw hammer to pull them out.  All of this (bungees and tie down straps included) fit in a small canvas tool bag.  Mike

[Overland]

5 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

Agreed.

We take our shoes off at the door. 

I always carry easy on/off clogs for around the campsite. The difficulty is, multiple footwear choices, inside the door. 

Yeah my camp shoes are just old hiking shoes so I guess not the best choice. Maybe those dancing shoes will do the trick. 🕺🏻

[John E Davies]

1 hour ago, Overland said:

I use Snow Peak pegs, which are similar to these - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XR4NWJK/?coliid=I1MUQN0AFAD1DL&colid=313GIXWETZMYH&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Those look great, but they say to oil them after use to prevent rust, do you do that? I like the hammer too but I am not going to  spend that much cash on one.... Thanks,

John Davies

Spokane WA

[SeaDawg]

My Camp shoes look more like this. Not suitable for dancing. 😁 Wish they were.

Still looking for a pair like yours, @Overland 

[Overland]

5 minutes ago, John E Davies said:

Those look treat, but they say to oil them after use to prevent rust, do you do that? 

I do not, and I’m sure I’d spot some rust if I cared to check. 

[Overland]

@SeaDawg if only they came in red. 

[SeaDawg]

Red is probably available.  

One of my fave colors, too.

Here you go

[John E Davies]

I think I will get some of their stakes and the hammer, it is too cool, and read this..... I had no idea!

https://www.snowpeak.com/blogs/explore/the-peg-hammer-story

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Overland]

Well after reading that I feel like I’ve disappointed someone by not oiling them.

I also feel like I’ve backed myself into a corner on those shoes. I’ll stick with my cariuma’s for the moment though. Hipster tent pegs and hipster shoes - can’t really separate the two. 

[John E Davies]

Overland, do you have a case for your hammer? This one?

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[Overland]

I plead the fifth.

(It’s nice.)

[Overland]

I do not however have the copper tipped hammer. That’s too much even for me. Unless you know of one on sale somewhere. 

[John E Davies]

6 minutes ago, Overland said:

I do not however have the copper tipped hammer. That’s too much even for me. Unless you know of one on sale somewhere. 

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Overland]

I’m starting a Go Fund Me now.

Help fund a commemorative hammer to help a poor overlander complete his Snow Peak collection.

[mossemi]

I have been drooling over these stakes for a while.

https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Screw-Ultimate-Ground-Anchor/dp/B01B28QS8G/ref=bmx_2?pd_rd_w=EDWAf&pf_rd_p=b56a886c-2bb4-4e74-b4cf-23d7a76693c8&pf_rd_r=T750X98JKNJ13S99QAFR&pd_rd_r=661c6fd9-b230-421a-8005-69cfa8d51c6a&pd_rd_wg=xyJE8&pd_rd_i=B01B28QS8G&psc=1

Mossey

[Carl Hansen]

These interest me.  You can use your power drill to set these in the ground, and to retract them.

https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Seeka-Outdoor-Threaded-Stakes/dp/B07RXMVM8M/ref=asc_df_B07RXMVM8M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385197825271&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12173547767707272533&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032898&hvtargid=pla-843618643122&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=81331770711&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385197825271&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12173547767707272533&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032898&hvtargid=pla-843618643122

 

[DavidS]

I have both plastic and steel tent stakes left from our tent camping days. Sorry, I do not have a fancy Snow Peak Peg Hammer. 🥺

Instead I have a hard plastic mallet, which I got for $5. Currently $9 on Amazon. It works quite well, with the bottom end working either as a lever or a pulling device for removing the stakes. 

 

After we got a shade screen, we had campgrounds where the tent pegs did not stay in the ground very well. Maybe the 15 inch Snow Peak pegs that @Overland mentioned would have done the job. 

I had read about spiral stakes, and I considered the ones from Valterra, Camco, as well as pet leash stakes. I ended up buying the Orange Screw Ground Anchors that @mossemi is drooling over for $22. So far they have worked well.  

I see that the Orange Screw design has been copied by others, and available for less money, here and here. 

[topgun2]

Apparently I'm with the "low rent" crowd in that THESE Guys are a bunch easier to replace and are also available at WalMart.

With those high priced models I'd feel as though I'd have to polish and clean them. 😁.

Of course, while driving these puppies into hard ground and you hit a big rock, the result on that plastic hammer could be a bit bad 😁.

Bill

[Overland]

No offense Bill but those stakes already look bent in the product photos. 😂

[topgun2]

Yep - that is what makes them go around those big rocks 😆