Dutch Clips Question ...

**SkyPainter** · 07-05-2010, 16:50

Thinking about ordering a set of Dutch Clips, but have a question ...

I currently use locking, gated, climbing carabiners, with a toggled bight. They work great. The Dutch clips would certainly reduce the weight, but here's my question:

They way the Dutch Clips work, all the weight would now be placed on ONE of the sewn looped ends on the HH straps, rather than BOTH when I use the 'biners. The clips would certainly be easy to use, but by placing ALL the weight on only ONE strap loop, am I doubling the chance of strap failure?

'Biners - both loops engaged and sharing the load
Dutch Clips - only ONE loop engaged

Silly question, but inquiring minds (mine) want to know!

**fjones15** · 07-05-2010, 16:54

I'll bring my extra set to Grout pond so you can try them out.
Fred

**Bubba** · 07-05-2010, 16:58

Don't quite understand how you intend to use the dutch clips with your HH? When used in place of a biner on typical suspension they always are only on one loop of the strap. Sorry I can't picture it. Can you elaborate?

**G.L.P.** · 07-05-2010, 16:58

you will be fine, one loop will hold just fine.......
thats all i ever used is the one loop on the HH tree huggers...

also do the same with my DIY huggers...and i never woke up on the ground

**SkyPainter** · 07-05-2010, 16:59

Originally Posted by fjones15

I'll bring my extra set to Grout pond so you can try them out.
Fred

===> THANKS, Fred! I am wondering how the straps will hold up. I think they should be fine, but thought I would ask anyway.

Seeya in Vermont!

**SkyPainter** · 07-05-2010, 20:52

Originally Posted by odds

Don't quite understand how you intend to use the dutch clips with your HH? When used in place of a biner on typical suspension they always are only on one loop of the strap. Sorry I can't picture it. Can you elaborate?

====> Sure .... I normally put a gated locking, climbing carabiner through both end loops of the HH tree hugger straps. Then I take the HH cord, and tie a toggled bight through the carabiner. Works great!

With the Dutch clips, only one end of the tree hugger will go to the carabiner/cord/knot, taking all the weight that was shared by BOTH end loops before.

My concern, I guess, was with the tree huggers - will just ONE of the end loops hold-up in a hang? MY guess is yes, but I asked because I was curious.

I will get to try them out next weekend in Vermont, maybe, and see how they feel.

Hope that helped some.

**SkyPainter** · 07-05-2010, 20:53

Originally Posted by greenlespaul

you will be fine, one loop will hold just fine.......
thats all i ever used is the one loop on the HH tree huggers...

also do the same with my DIY huggers...and i never woke up on the ground

====> Thanks, dude! Encouraging!

**JayS** · 07-05-2010, 21:19

I use Dutch Clips with Strapworks straps, 14' long, to cinch buckles. The DC is attached to the loop in the strap, therefore a single loop takes the full strain. Never any problem encountered or observed in visual inspection. If you use DIY straps or tree huggers, you make the choice whether to trust your thread injection. But Dutch Clips were made specifically to use in this manner so I have no worries about the clips themselves.

**SkyPainter** · 07-05-2010, 21:33

Originally Posted by JayS

I use Dutch Clips with Strapworks straps, 14' long, to cinch buckles. The DC is attached to the loop in the strap, therefore a single loop takes the full strain. Never any problem encountered or observed in visual inspection. If you use DIY straps or tree huggers, you make the choice whether to trust your thread injection. But Dutch Clips were made specifically to use in this manner so I have no worries about the clips themselves.

====> Thanks, Jay! I think they should be just fine! The tree huggers from Tom Hennessy seem pretty rugged, and should be able to take the load rigged that way.

There are a couple of pics in the gallery of my current suspension rig - NH Hang. Shows the toggled bight fairly well, too!

**RePete** · 07-05-2010, 21:53

Looking at the pic in your gallery I would be concerned about your straps slipping down the tree. Assuming your straps are not slipping I would argue that you are placing all your weight on one end of the strap more often than you think. Any time you get into or out of the hammock or rock you will be shifting the weight onto one or the other of the loops and in the case of rocking you will be shifting the weight from one to the other alternately. With the Dutch clip you will be able to tie your marlin spike directly in the strap and you can use a much smaller dia tube. I use aluminum slurpee straws cut down.