The TurtleDog stand

**trailhunterwnc** · 01-01-2015, 23:14

I have a 150 i was making my set and the big question for me was would my xl tarp fit between the two tripods with a pole that was going to be the same length. I made my pole a few feet longer so it allowed for adjustability for me to move tarp. This is also if i put the tarp across my bar however i tried my tarp under the bar and for me i like this better but still have a ridgeline tied to an eyebolt which is connect to middle leg of each tripod. The hammock work great i just thought your tarp liberty would be a big concern also.

**richtorfla** · 01-02-2015, 08:45

Originally Posted by trailhunterwnc

I have a 150 i was making my set and the big question for me was would my xl tarp fit between the two tripods with a pole that was going to be the same length. I made my pole a few feet longer so it allowed for adjustability for me to move tarp. This is also if i put the tarp across my bar however i tried my tarp under the bar and for me i like this better but still have a ridgeline tied to an eyebolt which is connect to middle leg of each tripod. The hammock work great i just thought your tarp liberty would be a big concern also.

Thanks. For my fence pole I have another piece I am going to cut in half to make it a little longer. With that it will be over 15 ft. I have a double mayan that will need that length so I can get it off the ground. With that addition, I will have plenty of room to put a tarp over the pole.

This has been a fun project taking in everyone's ideas and making mine how I want it. Thanks turtlelady and olddog for coming up with this hanging system!

**hppyfngy** · 01-02-2015, 10:05

I hoped it was clear that the original intent was to make a stand that took up as little floor space as possible and was stable. My stands have been such for me, but using them outdoors or on uneven terrain, well, a wider stance certainly does provide more stability.

HYOH

**richtorfla** · 01-02-2015, 21:13

Originally Posted by hppyfngy

I hoped it was clear that the original intent was to make a stand that took up as little floor space as possible and was stable. My stands have been such for me, but using them outdoors or on uneven terrain, well, a wider stance certainly does provide more stability.

HYOH

No problem here. I like your design so much I decided to try it out. I thought the angle tops were very clever. Thought the three feet footprint would be good enough for me. It ended it up I am just too clumsy and needed the wider footprint. I still use your eyebolt and chainlink to hang the pole.

When it comes down to it I am just too fat and clumsy! Haha! Its all about experimenting and find out what works best for you!

Now I need to figure out how to hang a Jrb bridge on my TDS!

**hppyfngy** · 01-03-2015, 09:27

Originally Posted by richtorfla

No problem here. I like your design so much I decided to try it out. I thought the angle tops were very clever. Thought the three feet footprint would be good enough for me. It ended it up I am just too clumsy and needed the wider footprint. I still use your eyebolt and chainlink to hang the pole.

When it comes down to it I am just too fat and clumsy! Haha! Its all about experimenting and find out what works best for you!

Now I need to figure out how to hang a Jrb bridge on my TDS!

No, it's really a bit fiddly with the 3' footprint. You're not alone in thinking that!

You can hang a bridge, but you need a good bit longer ridgepole.

**ihavea4** · 01-06-2015, 20:46

I just went out to Home Depot and got everything needed for the TDS, except the wood. I couldn't carry it easily so I'll just go back later this week. I was just curious though, would regular wood be ok, or is pressure treated better? I confess I don't really know much about this kind of thing... I don't mind paying extra if it'll hold up better in bad weather or anything, I just don't want to waste the money if regular untreated wood will be just fine.

**skwatupu** · 01-06-2015, 21:02

Originally Posted by ihavea4

I just don't want to waste the money if regular untreated wood will be just fine.

I used regular, untreated wood. HOWEVER, I stained and sealed the regular kiln dried pine so I could leave it outside this summer in Wisconsin's sun and rain. Worked just fine for me and looking forward to hanging in the TDS for many years to come.

**Pigpen** · 01-19-2015, 22:11

Almost finished mine just need to decide how far up to drill the holes for the strings to keep the 2x2s from spreading. And also how I am going to connect the hammock. Don't like the way I had it in the pic. (Carabiners attached to end of pole) Thinking of installing some eyelets facing down on both sides right under the middle of all the 2x2s...

**bradray** · 01-20-2015, 01:57

I wish I took a picture of my stand before it failed on me. I build a turtledog stand following the instructions on here but I failed to trim the fence rail posts and had them too long. It worked great for my 11' hammock in the winter time, but as soon as I got it out into the summer heat, about 2-3 minutes after I got into it, I was slowly lowered to the ground with my pipe bent. =( I'm a big guy, and the Arizona sun it fairly hot. =)

I instead went with the 1.5" stainless steel pipe stand mentioned on one of Derek Hanson's posts (http://theultimatehang.com/2012/07/p...ck-pipe-stand/.

It's a bit heavy, and cost me about $150 in pipe and connectors, but it works great. I was able to get everything from Home Depot and put it together in 20 minutes. For lighter people, the 1" pipe would probably work, but after my last experience I wan't to play it safe.

Another thing I would have done differently would be to get the Kee Klamp connectors instead of the threads. It is sometimes a pain to thread the pipes on campouts (and the threads can be sharp).

**DiverJim242** · 01-26-2015, 11:16

I finally made a TDS!
I got the materials and brought them to FHV, I built it Saturday afternnon in the parking area at Doe Lake from the back of my suv. Went together great and I hung the double nest I got at the garage sale earlier that day. I tested it out and was really amazed how sturdy it is, if it will hold me, it'll hold anyone!(FYI I'm 382 lbs, but not for long)
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The next day I was going to tinker with it some more and set up my regular rig on it to sleep Sunday and Monday nights, but I had to leave Sunday with what turned out to be a gout attack in my ankle.
Yesterday I set it up again and did some more fiddling and took some more pics. I can't wait to try this out on an overnight.
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