Have you ever used a Byer Madera hammock leg?
Do you think it's high enough to hang with a station wagon style car? Any problems with this product?
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Have you ever used a Byer Madera hammock leg?
Do you think it's high enough to hang with a station wagon style car? Any problems with this product?
I think that the Madera is really intended for backyard use. I've never used one myself, but from what I've heard from others the negatives are that it's heavy, not as stable as it could be, and the ground screw is no good on difficult ground. If you're car camping the weight wouldn't be an issue, but you would probably be better off ripping a 2 x 4 in half and using some sufficiently burly stakes. This would be stiffer, cheaper, lighter, and you could trim the length to suit your needs. Given that you're travelling in a station wagon, I would think that you have room for the poles.
Alternatively, you can use a crutch or a pair of ski poles, as long as they meet your height requirements.
I have one and have used it when car camping only. It's much too heavy and bulky for any other use. The ground stake is worthless, I use a screw in stake from Lee Valley Tools, a 3/8" drill sinks it nicely into any ground save rock. It is high enough for car hanging, mine is a Taurus wagon. I do prefer a tree if available, just not always possible.
The Madera or two 2x4s DIY sound about as bulky as a Vario stand when it's broken down. Might as well save $$ and pack the Vario stand for car camping. Thanks for the responses.
You mean this one?Quote:
Originally Posted by indyflyer
They're spendy, but if you want something to stay anchored, this will do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by NCPatrick
You all have any photos posted of the Byer Madera in use with your hammock?
The 'ole lady bought me the Byer Madera hammock leg for Christmas. Here it is in action yesterday in our driveway with one end tied to the car roof rack.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/...e14656.jpg?v=0
The legs seemed solid. And so did the rope and stake. The stake's stability would be very dependent upon what kind of ground it was banged into. Our saturated lawn held the stake in well. I think typical forest duff and soil will hold it down too. However, I wonder about the legs staying on the ground. It seems it's a good idea to gouge the legs into the ground so they don't slide out under pressure. When I was in the hammock the Madera felt solid. It didn't bend or sway or sag.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/...813547.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/...ee39cb.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/...d053fa.jpg?v=0
The stake is heavy! It weighs 3 lbs 4 oz.. If a lighter substitute for this stake could be found, this hammock leg could be used on canoe or horseback trips. This hammock leg is not intended for backpacking. It is much lighter and easier to pack than the Vario. I plan on using the Vario in the backyard or home and the Madera for car camping.
I just weighed both the stake and Lee Valley screw, the stake was 3 lbs. and the screw is 12 oz. The screw is shorter by a couple of inches also. One trip the stake would not hold in the campsite ground, it was dry, not compacted soil and too much duff mixed in. The Lee screw has always held a good bite and never pulled out, has to be unscrewed. Neither will work in loose sand.
Here's my trip report with many photos and experiences of using the Byer Madera hammock leg http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=8923.