Big hammock trouble

**matthiastrek** · 11-20-2012, 23:24

Bad news for my hammock.

I was in the midst of configuring a ridgeline in order to find how much sag is most comfortable to me, when suddenly, while I'm sitting in the hammock, it rips in two.

I am trying to figure out what I did wrong. The trees were about 3 meters apart, the webbing about 1.5 meters off the ground, and the hammock suspended at 15 degrees. The hammock itself was somewhat taut, but not so taut that it was near-horizontal.

Am I not supposed to set up a light weight hammock (GTN7) at that angle? Should I have found a shorter/longer tree distance? Whatever the case, its $55 down the drain and now I have to find a new hammock.

**Mouseskowitz** · 11-20-2012, 23:30

It's a good possibility that your 15 degree hang angle is the problem. 30 is what is recommended, here is some reference reading. I think that is actually talking about the stress on the trees but I'm wondering if some of that is transferred to the hammock.

A couple more questions. What part of the hammock ripped? What is the hammock made from? How close are you to the recommended limits for that material?

Edit: If it was your Nano 7, it seems to be made from single 1.7. According to this the recommended weight range would be less than 90 kg.

**matthiastrek** · 11-20-2012, 23:44

The center of the hammock ripped, so there is a big hole in the middle. It is made of ripstop nylon, and the limit is 200 lbs. I weigh 140, but after looking at the chart you supplied me, I'm thinking I added more weight with that 15 degree setup.

**Mouseskowitz** · 11-20-2012, 23:47

Another possibility is that you had some thing sharp or pointy in your pocket and it started the whole mess. One of the disadvantages of a single layer is that there is no redundancy if you have a weak point. If you can identify the point of origin you might be able to see if there is a weak spot or damage to the fabric.

**matthiastrek** · 11-20-2012, 23:50

I definitely did not have anything in my pockets, nor was I suspended over any sharp or pointy objects.

**Mouseskowitz** · 11-20-2012, 23:53

Was this your first time in it?

**Throkda** · 11-21-2012, 00:03

I would also contact Grand Trunk and explain what happened. Sometimes there's a defect and it didn't get caught before packaging. They might be willing to work with you. Aside from the hang angle, I don't think you did anything incorrectly.

**matthiastrek** · 11-21-2012, 00:06

This was probably the 10th time I was in it. Like I said, I was testing and adjusting my ridgeline. And I didn't buy it directly from GT, rather from wrightstuff off of ebay. I sent them a message, and hopefully they will have mercy on me and give me a refund.

**Mouseskowitz** · 11-21-2012, 00:07

Originally Posted by Throkda

I would also contact Grand Trunk and explain what happened. Sometimes there's a defect and it didn't get caught before packaging. They might be willing to work with you. Aside from the hang angle, I don't think you did anything incorrectly.

I was thinking that too especially if the hammock is new.

**default** · 11-21-2012, 00:13

yeah, the 15* angle is a bit too steep. that should, in effect at least double the weight you put in it. so your 140lbs ended up being 280 and with the hammock really tight, it just went over the "line" so to speak.

not to mention GT's are a little on the thinner side, and since you already had what i think is the lighter one, it made a big difference. what you experienced was hammock body failure, which is caused by the weakest link being overloaded. and in this situation, if it wasnt a defect being the week link then it was the fabric.