Hammock Setup Method

[fire_water]

Hi,

I am new to hammock camping and have been practicing setting up my Warbonnet Traveler (1.1 double layer) in my backyard.

I am curious about the process you use to setup your hammock. So far, this is what I do:

1.) tree distance: about 15 feet (15.5 of my feet = ~15 feet)
2.) suspension strap height: a couple inches above my head (I'm 5'10"), more if tree distance is 15+ feet
3.) center hammock: I have been using a tape measure to verify both suspension straps are equal length
4.) lower head end: I add about 10" of length to the suspension strap on the head end
5.) verify height: about chair height
6.) verify ridge line: get into sleeping position and verify ridge line can be bent about 90 degrees

Questions

1.) Does anyone else use a tape measure or am I just being overly cautious here?
2.) I have also heard about the use of a line level. Where exactly is this tool used in the setup process?

I sleep on my side and so far I have only been able to bend the ridge line to about 45 degrees. The sleeping position seems comfy so far but the real test will be sleeping in the hammock overnight.

I ordered a Warbonnet Blackbird too just to see which model I prefer more.

Thank you :-)

[zukiguy]

Back away from the tape measure.....

Everything else sounds good but go higher on the trees. I'm 6'0" and I put the straps just as high as I can reach (almost 8'). This will put a little less tension on the ridgeline.

I've never seen the need for having the head end higher or lower. Pretty much level works fine for me but that's a preference thing. Don't worry about a level. Your eyeball becomes pretty calibrated after a very short time. Even if it doesn't it's really not that important (at least to me).

[Hooch]

Back away from the tape measure.....

Agree. Get your practice in eyeballing it. No need to be that precise about hanging. It's not an exact science at all.

[shumway]

I guesstimate distance. That bit me in the rear once when I picked trees that were too close. Now I use my arm span to get it more correct. 2.5 spans apart is pretty close to correct. A line level would go on the ridgeline to make it level. Again, I don't do this, I eyeball it.

[Bubba]

Along with eyeballing things, comfort is a good indicator. If I set up and everything feels good then that's all I need to worry about.

[taylo]

As an avid traveler user, I assure you, you DO NOT need a tape measure. Just hang it as high as you are comfortable falling, that the golden rule here. You never know when you could fall. But in general, hang the footend a good 5 degrees higher than the head end. other than that, you cant go wrong with the traveler. It's one of the best there is.

[Nicodumas]

I really just hang and see how I feel. You will know when you are out of your safe zone

[dejoha]

Feel the rhythm.

> http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=20780

[gunner76]

Forget what the others said and go out and hire a surveyor to come out and make sure your measurements are correct and everything is really level. No need to take any chances.


I just string mine up, give it a quick check with my mark one eyeball and climb in.

[Reeper]

Just try not to worry about the small stuff. Good info here. Just hang it, see how it feels. IF don't feel right adjust and enjoy. No need to add stress. The link posted is great. To find the 30 deg. I hold my hand out in front of me vertical. Drop thumb to finger with finger nail curved up. Thats pretty close to 30 deg. for me. But i don't worry about being exact.