Question from a suburbian hammock addict (who sadly lacks trees)

**TheCookiemonster125** · 12-09-2015, 23:56

Greetings from the northern Chicago suburbs! I have a quick question for y'all. There are plenty of trees to hang from when I go camping, but my backyard's trees are annoyingly unsuitable for my hammocks. I want to use my hammocks more this year because I always sleep better. How could I set one up without trees? (I have one tree that works, if that changes the answer at all...) In my research so far, people have suggested using supported branches stuck in the ground or even hiking poles. Just out of curiosity I looked into some of those metal hammock frames people use for those woven non-camping hammocks. Has anyone tried these?

**Datahiker** · 12-10-2015, 06:01

Originally Posted by TheCookiemonster125

Greetings from the northern Chicago suburbs! I have a quick question for y'all. There are plenty of trees to hang from when I go camping, but my backyard's trees are annoyingly unsuitable for my hammocks. I want to use my hammocks more this year because I always sleep better. How could I set one up without trees? (I have one tree that works, if that changes the answer at all...) In my research so far, people have suggested using supported branches stuck in the ground or even hiking poles. Just out of curiosity I looked into some of those metal hammock frames people use for those woven non-camping hammocks. Has anyone tried these?

Go look at the TurtleDog stand thread over in DIY. I have five trees on my property but none are in a good position to hang. I can put the stand up in about five minutes and be hanging in 10. It's semi portable so it gets broken down and stored when I'm not using it.

WV · 12-10-2015, 07:24

You'll find lots of info on various hammock stands here, and I encourage you to build one that you like the looks of, but first plant at least one tree! In ten years you may wish you had a better hammock stand. This way you'll have one.

**GreatBigDave** · 12-10-2015, 12:23

Originally Posted by WV

...first plant at least one tree! In ten years you may wish you had a better hammock stand. This way you'll have one.

Maples grow fast. Honor the Maple King.

**Littleg** · 12-10-2015, 08:04

I have the same problem as to in the northern burbs. I have this in my backyard.

**Littleg** · 12-10-2015, 08:05

And I use my Ridgerunner on it

**TheCookiemonster125** · 12-10-2015, 08:26

Originally Posted by Littleg

I have the same problem as to in the northern burbs. I have this in my backyard.

I was looking at those earlier. Just out of curiosity, is the DIY one any bigger than just a regular metal one from the store?

**Littleg** · 12-11-2015, 06:32

Originally Posted by TheCookiemonster125

I was looking at those earlier. Just out of curiosity, is the DIY one any bigger than just a regular metal one from the store?

You can adjust the spread however you need. I fit a ridge runner and an 11 got Dutch Argon on it no problem. It all depends on what length board you use on the arms. Mine are are feet.

**jamaulwall** · 12-10-2015, 09:25

I'll second the turtledog stand. It's cheap and easy to build once you understand what parts are needed. I think I built my first one in about 45 minutes and paid about $40 for all the parts. I use it all the time for back yard hanging and testing.