How strong should a biner holding your tree strap together at the tree be? Would a standard S-biner work, or would you need one that would handle serious business?
How strong should a biner holding your tree strap together at the tree be? Would a standard S-biner work, or would you need one that would handle serious business?
I used to be a somebody, now I just camp.
Any hardware used should at least match the weight rating of the rest of your suspension. S biners won't cut it. Friction on the tree bark will take a lot of the load especially if you wrap the straps around more than once but in terms of safety, its a good idea to stick with what matches your straps and whoopies.
Don't let life get in the way of living.
I wouldn't use anything less than climbing rating, but I don't like hitting the ground in the middle of the night...
The first Dutch Clips were rated at something approaching 1000lbs, and several people still managed to bend or break some. It does matter how they're used.
If you want to throw the suspension up carelessly, I'd recommend a big safety rating.
“I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy
There have been two threads with pictures here recently of hardware failing at the tree: one was an aluminum Dutch clip and the other was an aluminum Mammut carabiner. That's why I moved my titanium carbiner to the tree straps.
Mike
I threw my suspension together kinda haphazardly on my last group hang, and hit the ground...twice. Gladius was kind enough to share a biner with me in lieu of what I was using, but as is the MO for the day, I want it now. I don't want to wait for shipping, but I can't find anybody locally (thus far) that sells the CAMP biners that I think I want.
I used to be a somebody, now I just camp.
I've shied away from using hardware because the ease of setting it up leads to being lazy. So far, my diligence in always making myself tie knots has kept me from ever hitting the ground.
But I didn't get this way hammocking. I learned it after a couple very cold and wet nights when I used a tarp shelter on the ground.
For the price vs weight limit, go for climbing rated carabiners, strong, light, simple and proven tech.
They are normally rated at around 25KN static load (2500kg). Id be very surprised if one broke from supporting a hammock - especially when i trust my life to them twice a week!
I use soft shackles for my connections rather than carabiners. Super light and Amsteel-rated.
Method makes a huge difference. Consider that many hang quite successfully from straps using no special hardware at all only a trail stick as a toggle.
David
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