Generally how long are a set of tree straps? I just made my first hammock and whoopee slings and was wondering about the tree straps.
Generally how long are a set of tree straps? I just made my first hammock and whoopee slings and was wondering about the tree straps.
6 footers work well in these parts. Not many old growth trees left here. You can take the circumference of the averaged size tree you may hang on and add 2-3 feet for a marlin spike hitch/toggle setup.
I started with a pair of 6' straps.
Then ran into a couple of trees that were a tad bigger! I had to find another set of trees.
I made a pair of 8' straps.
Then had a tree in a perfect location that the 8' was really a tight fit and those darn things don't stretch an inch (which is normally a good thing. I had 2" of strap left over after the MSH.
And we're not even talking about looking at some old growth here in our forests.
I just made a 15' tree strap - granted it was so I could use it for running through both the doors on my mini-van in case I need to make the van into a 'tree' for the upcoming road trip.
Figure out what kind of forest you're planning to mostly use, then add a couple of feet, you'll be glad you did.
Since they're so easy to make, I now have 3 sets and a single...talk about gear collecting!!
Dutch sells straps in 25 foot lengths, so I normally make 3 roughly 8' straps out of a piece. I did run into a tree that was too large for them. I would probably make one closer to 9'-10' and the other 6'-7'. The other possibility is to have a amsteel dog-bone or continuous loop to use as an extender....that is what I did with some nylon rope to make up for the extra foot that I needed.
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If you buy them I usually see them in 6 foot lengths. I'm thinking about making some that are about 6 and 1/2 feet long with loops on each end I could put some kind of hook or carabiner or something to extend them if I was out in the backcountry with no other options
Mine are 8 ft. and have been good to this point.
"I love not man the less, but Nature more."
Byron
Mine are 4' in total length, but have 6" loops at either end. I have mine intergrated with my whoopie sling suspension/Dutch hook, and have 1.5' amsteel extenders for wider trees.
I like to have a 4 footer and a 5 footer. That combination works well for me.
Peace Dutch
GA>ME 2003
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I've got 10 footers but apparently I'm compensating for something. Seriously, I went to 10' because some of the places I frequent either had big trees or distance was a factor or both. I don't mind the extra weight and the versatility makes it worth the carry.
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6-8 foot straps is the most common size we do as well but it depends a lot on where you are and the trees you have to work with. In the south east US many folks are good in that range...in the NW not even close for most. Out here 10-12 foot is about as short as is really safe and there are times when that won't cut it...like if you get into some ponderosa pines.
If your mostly going to be around home in the SE then you should be safe in the 6-8 range....if your traveling go long or go to ground.
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