550 cord for a ridgeline?

**spamburglar** · 06-04-2011, 15:44

I'm looking to add a ridgeline to my ENO double but dont know what to use. I have some 550 cord here, but not sure if it is suitable or not. This is my first attempt at a ridgeline so I dont really know the best way to go about it. I searched for threads about using 550, but didnt find anything. Any ideas guys?

**Kallorne** · 06-04-2011, 15:56

It will work, sort of....you'll find it stretches too much and needs re adjustments. It would be good to try out until you can get something less stretchy. I use 200 or 400# poly dacron cord sometimes because I can get it locally, but I prefer lash-it or dynaglide.

**wisenber** · 06-04-2011, 19:02

If you just want to hang stuff from it, 550 or anything will work. If you want it to be structural, you'll need to find something with less stretch to it.

**dant8ro** · 06-04-2011, 19:06

Yeah, what they said! If its going to be structural paracord wont cut it. If you happen to hang your hammock too tight you could snap 550 cord. Dynaglide makes a great ridgeline.

Dan.

(Who loves his Dynaglide so much he has several hundred feet in the project room.)

**GIHanger** · 06-04-2011, 19:19

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s....php?t=33704-- active thread

**spamburglar** · 06-04-2011, 19:33

I tried it out and it didnt work out too well. Probably just need to break down and order a ridgline. Oh well, I can at least use my 550 for my tarp ridgeline....or would the stretch factor affect that as well?

**GIHanger** · 06-04-2011, 19:50

you can use it for that-- it's a little heavy for that though. I think there are more appropriate cordage for both ridge-lines, IMHO.

**timabababaluka** · 06-04-2011, 20:51

Originally Posted by spamburglar

I tried it out and it didnt work out too well. Probably just need to break down and order a ridgline. Oh well, I can at least use my 550 for my tarp ridgeline....or would the stretch factor affect that as well?

I use it, but it's not a continuous ridgeline, so I'm not using as much. I've thrown my tarp (a VERY heavy poly) in all types of weather, and the paracord has done just fine. Then again, I'm not much of a weight watcher, and I tend to use whatever I have on hand (better for me to do what I want to NOW, than to have to wait and do it nice/right

)