Have I re-invented the wheel?

**Bobbo** · 01-25-2012, 18:49

Hey people, This idea is so simple that I am sure it is known to most...but what the Hell? Here goes. On a recent 2000 K trip down South I made up a piece of dowell... About three quarter inch diameter. I sewed a piece of one webbing around the centre of this dowell and then, about four inches from the dowell I sewed a one and a half inch S/S ring.
You position the dowell inside your car door and shut the door. This leaves you with a suspension ring hanging from your car exactly where you would like it to be. Now you just park the desired distance from any vertical object and you are home for the night.
It worked fine. Make up two and keep 'em in the glove box. You will never need to sleep on the ground again.

**taylo** · 01-25-2012, 18:53

That's a new one on me, and I've looked at everything on here. I must say though, I have no intentions of trying it on my $20,000 truck.

**MedicineMan** · 01-25-2012, 18:55

When car topping kayaks I do the same thing but under the hood of the car to create an attachment point for the bow line (security in case anthing happens to the thule straps)...BUT never thought to use the door jam as a fixed point for the hammock suspension.
At the Ocala hang 2 weeks ago Andy used his Thule rack towers as a fixed point...I'd bet the car door jam is stronger than the towers!
Thanks for a great idea.

**gunner76** · 01-25-2012, 19:20

I would not trust Thule, Yakima or just about any other roof rack to hang from. I sell and install them where I work and the are not designed for that kind of stress.

Going around the door pillar post I would trust and it has been used before by various members.

**Rain Man** · 01-25-2012, 20:14

Originally Posted by gunner76

... and the are designed for that kind of stress.

I suspect an edit is needed?

FWIW, I'm not sure door frames are designed for that kind of stress, either.

Rain Man

.

**FLRider** · 01-25-2012, 23:46

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I suspect an edit is needed?

FWIW, I'm not sure door frames are designed for that kind of stress, either.

Rain Man

.

I'd suspect you're right about the first one, but the door column is probably rated for those kinds of stresses. It's got to absorb much greater forces in potential impacts on the road, so I'd think it'd hold up to even five or six times an adult's mass just fine.

I could be wrong, though...

**JerryW** · 01-26-2012, 00:34

It's one thing to go around the pillar between front and rear doors, but something entirely different to just slip this device in between the door and pillar.

Unless it is placed near a hinge or latch, I could easily see it spreading the door open and slipping out.

Be very careful if you actually try this.

Jerry

P.S. - I doubt your insurance will cover the damage, either.

**kayak karl** · 01-26-2012, 01:40

i tie to a frame part under car on other side. run strap up and over roof. put a blanket under strap to protect rusted paint

works good. a 12' ratchet strap with hooks works best.

**RedBeardHanger** · 01-26-2012, 02:17

I have an ’05 Jeep Wrangler and have on several occasions tied off to one of the roll bars and then to a tree or solid structure. I stayed at a friends house in PA and tied off from his Jeep roll bar to my roll bar. He had to stay in his 40’ RV! Sucks to be him!!

I was toasty warm and cozy all night long while he was sleeping on a rock hard mattress! hehe He has since bought an eno SN...

**Red Wing** · 01-26-2012, 09:59

Love this idea, and the webbing around the column idea as well. I've been able to hang inside my vehicle and it's definitely been a consideration as far as getting a more fuel efficient vehicle. Especially when working a lot. This definitely opens up the versatility of my sleeping arrangements in a pinch or road tripping.