"The Switchback" by Tree to Tree Trail Gear

[Darrel]

Hey Guys,
Excellent debut !

I have one question that perhaps you could help me out with.
In this picture below we see that the bug screening is held up by two independent tie out lines going to the trees.




I use a separate ridge line under my tarp and was wondering if these lines could simply be run up to this tarp ridge line?
I am thinking of similar hardware to how we hold the tarp centered and tensioned with Prussic knots and Mini Biners.

Thanks,
Darrel

[Darby]

Yes, you could use that system to suspend the net. I would still incorporate shock cord in the system to prevent overloading the net in case of hammock suspension slippage. I tend to lean towards overkill (John & my girlfriend will attest to that), but my grandmother was a Murphy , so I try to avoid problems before they occur.

Cheers, Dale

[Darrel]

...I'm on the list!

Single 1.9 in Black is getting a new home in Michigan.


Darrel

[Darrel]

Hey Dale,

We are offering the spreader bars as a option. We feel most will probably make their own, but for those who prefer to buy, we will make them. I made mine from carbon arrow shafts and that makes them cost prohibitive to produce.

I was hoping to get some basic dimensions on theses so that I can start sourcing the materials to build myself a set.
Any additional construction tips you would care to share would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Darrel

[Darby]

Hey Dale,



I was hoping to get some basic dimensions on theses so that I can start sourcing the materials to build myself a set.
Any additional construction tips you would care to share would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Darrel

Hey Darrel,

The Switchback is designed for 22" spreader bars. If you want to make them collapsible, I would suggest the following;
For each shaft, cut one side 12" and the other 10", then glue a 4" ferrule on the 10" piece with a depth of 2". that way both pieces are now 12" long un-assembled & 22" long assembled. I added shock cord and plastic end caps I got from Lowes. Adding the shock cord: I plugged both ends of the spreader bar with a short piece of wooden dowel (glued in) and then drilled a hole through the dowels. NOTE: Make sure you countersink the dowels when you glue them in, enough so the knot in the shock cord does not protrude beyond the end of the shaft. Install the plastic caps and your done !!!
I Used carbon arrow shaft for the bars and aluminum arrow shaft for the exterior ferrule.


Cheers, Dale

[Darrel]

Hey Dale,
Thanks!
Sounds great. I will run up a couple pairs this weekend.
Great tutorial by the way.

Cheers,
Darrel

[MacEntyre]

Darrel, your MMP stays are only one inch longer than those spreader bars... just sayin'.

- MacEntyre

[Darrel]

Darrel, your MMP stays are only one inch longer than those spreader bars... just sayin'.

- MacEntyre

Hummmmmm?

Cheers,
Darrel

[Darby]

Darrel, your MMP stays are only one inch longer than those spreader bars... just sayin'.

- MacEntyre

MacEntyre,

Are the stays made from the tubing we talked about ? I haven't been too lucky finding any at a reasonable cost. I tried Michaels online, but a search revealed no hits.
Can the stays be cut down any ? I think the max length that would fit is 22 1/2" but that is tight.

Cheers, Dale

[MacEntyre]

Are the stays made from the tubing we talked about ?

Yes... IIRC it is 0.198 OD, 0.166 ID

I haven't been too lucky finding any at a reasonable cost. I tried Michaels online, but a search revealed no hits.

Hobby stores... R/C in particular

Can the stays be cut down any ? I think the max length that would fit is 22 1/2" but that is tight.

It would not hurt a thing to take an inch off the stays in a MMP. The trick is to figure out a simple, secure way to fasten the opening in the top of the binding, after you slide them back in. I'm sure Darrel will come up with something!

- MacEntyre