5' tree straps...long enough?

**Girotogo** · 06-16-2011, 02:34

I have 6' whoopie slings. Are 5' tree slaps long enough? If not, I read about suspension extenders. Are they made of amsteel and how do you make them?

**oldgringo** · 06-16-2011, 05:17

How long is a string?

Seriously, it all depends on where you hang. How large are your trees, and how far apart are they? What you describe would serve me very well here in the midcon. For reference, a 6' strap will work for anything I can reach around.

As for extenders, I don't have any first hand experience, but an extra whoopie would get the job done.

**turnerminator** · 06-16-2011, 05:47

Do a search for continuous loops, Opie did a great pictoral guide on them.

I carry a couple, they are very useful.

**myles to go** · 06-16-2011, 05:59

I sometimes carry a 3rd tree strap as extra if a tree is to big but I always carry 2 lengths of amsteel about 4' with small fixed ends to use as extenders or in case something was to brake. They work as tree straps or whoppie extenders.

**WLMiller54** · 06-16-2011, 06:08

I use 5' - 6' tree straps and carry one 1' tree strap extender with me. It is made of webbing, and has a loop on each end. In the SE this works on most trees.

**myles to go** · 06-16-2011, 06:24

I try to avoid the really big trees if I can because the bigger the tree the bigger the widowmaker. We have lot of big white pines and they are famous for shedding there branches and hard to see to the top to inspect them.

**lori** · 06-16-2011, 06:36

In california? probably not. Mine are 6 1/2 feet and max out frequently.

**redhawktx** · 06-17-2011, 00:46

I carry 6' straps for state park camping (in Tx). My back yard has an OLD oak tree that requires a 15' strap to go around it and leave enough end to tie the whoopies to. No joke. Its like oldgringo mentioned ... check the sites where you will be hanging and see how big around the trees tend to be.

**JohnSawyer** · 06-17-2011, 00:58

You're in Davis, CA? Hike in the redwoods at all?

I can just see one of us trying to find a tree strap long enough for a giant sequoia...

The General Grant tree is only 107 feet in circumference...

I'd get straps that are 2' longer than the circumference of the largest tree you expect to hang from...

**JaxHiker** · 06-17-2011, 08:27

Originally Posted by oldgringo

Seriously, it all depends on where you hang. How large are your trees, and how far apart are they?

Indeed. With my Hennessy and ring buckle setup my straps were 10-12' (I forget how long I made them). Usually I had a lot left over (using pines) but I did run into a problem (potential) at Cumberland Island, GA. I had to hang from oaks and barely had enough.

Now that I'm using a Light Hiker with whoopies I have 6' straps and carry two 2' whoopie extensions.