Question for the Forum, i need some help

[bayoubomber]

Here's the deal, my buddies brother is somewhere in the range 500-600 lbs! We are desperately trying to get him moving so he could come hiking with us. I was thinking about making him a 3 layer crinkle hammock, has anyone ever made one like that before? I think each layer would hold a little over 200 lbs.

What do yall think?

[adkphoto]

According to Papa Smurf's chart, a double layer of the 2.8 oz crinkle taffeta should be good to 500 pounds. You might want to use 1/8" whoopies or strong straps for the suspension. Maybe even 2" tree straps.

David

[Ramblinrev]

Make sure your supports are solid and keep to the 30* below horizontal to minimize the stress factors on the supports. Remember you are dealing with a whole system, not just the fabric factors.

[PapaSmurf]

I've loaded a single layer of the 2.6 Poly Crinkle Taffeta with 520 lbs. I left it for quite a while like that and had no signs of stress in the fabric and no popped stitches on the channel.

[bayoubomber]

I've loaded a single layer of the 2.6 Poly Crinkle Taffeta with 520 lbs. I left it for quite a while like that and had no signs of stress in the fabric and no popped stitches on the channel.

Wow, so a double layer should be good. Thanks

[bayoubomber]

According to Papa Smurf's chart, a double layer of the 2.8 oz crinkle taffeta should be good to 500 pounds. You might want to use 1/8" whoopies or strong straps for the suspension. Maybe even 2" tree straps.

David

Thanks, I've seen that chart before but couldn't remember where. Yep 1/8 whoopies should hold over 2000 lbs.

[Gresh]

Wow, so a double layer should be good. Thanks

A double layer should be sufficient, but as a "person of girth" myself at 375lbs, I can tell you that I like the idea of more support. If Papa Smurf says a double layer should carry the load, I'd take it to the bank...but 1/8 Amsteel for the whoopies should be the MINIMUM, a strong 2" tree strap (think seat belt material), and the 30* angle will be a must.

Good luck to your friend on his journey. I know it's a hard one.

[bayoubomber]

Make sure your supports are solid and keep to the 30* below horizontal to minimize the stress factors on the supports. Remember you are dealing with a whole system, not just the fabric factors.

Yep I hear ya about the whole system, we want him to be comfortable and not scare him away. He doesn't want to be a ground dweller.

[bayoubomber]

A double layer should be sufficient, but as a "person of girth" myself at 375lbs, I can tell you that I like the idea of more support. If Papa Smurf says a double layer should carry the load, I'd take it to the bank...but 1/8 Amsteel for the whoopies should be the MINIMUM, a strong 2" tree strap (think seat belt material), and the 30* angle will be a must.

Good luck to your friend on his journey. I know it's a hard one.

Thanks, I'm a big guy as well and once I decided to start hiking I changed my life. I started last summer at 272 lbs and now im down to 238 lbs. So it can be done, his trail will be harder than mine but we want him to start getting in shape.
That's what I'm going to do, make him a double layer to get him started!

[WV]

A static load is not the same as a dynamic load. Just getting into a hammock can put some significant forces in strange directions. I'd suggest supplex double layer. It will be more comfortable, too. But the others are right - pay attention to the entire suspension package (and the trees).