portable stand

**sashurlow** · 05-18-2009, 15:11

I guess this is the best place to post this question...
has anyone tried to make one of these? http://www.byerofmaine.com/amaz-acces_madera.htm
It would seem easy enough. Some 2x2 or 2x3, an eyelet bolt, some rope and a stake. I am imagining a solid ridgeline would keep the legs upright when not under tension. This would be for backyard or car camping.
How high to stands have to be anyway?
Scott

**Miguel** · 05-18-2009, 15:46

Mine are 6' long. When spread, the anchor point for the hammock is about 5' high. I used an anchor bolt for the pivot point. I also attached a couple of eye hooks at the the bottom of each bar. I run a thin strong line from each eye hook when set up. This prevents the bars from kicking out to the side under pressure.

I have not used it with the stake hold down. Occassionally while car camping I can't find two suitable trees but can almost always find at least one. (Tree telephone pole...whatever) Since I don't totally trust the stake tie down I usually can position my car so the final stakeout is to the trailer hitch of my car. It works great....just don't forget to untie your hammock when going for that all important beer run.

It's nice backup system when car camping. Must be the stakeout system works but I personally trust my Honda Element much more.

Good Luck, Miguel

PS Use a good hardwood...not pine.

**headchange4u** · 05-18-2009, 16:57

This thread has some good info on that type of stand.

**Knotty** · 05-18-2009, 17:07

I've used a DIY version but found that the stakes are the problem. Despite using very large and long stakes and even using a 2' rebar (1' in the ground with the top tied back to two 10" stakes) I always end up pulling out the stakes. May just be the nature of the soil in my yard.

**headchange4u** · 05-18-2009, 17:11

Originally Posted by Knotty

I've used a DIY version but found that the stakes are the problem. Despite using very large and long stakes and even using a 2' rebar (1' in the ground with the top tied back to two 10" stakes) I always end up pulling out the stakes. May just be the nature of the soil in my yard.

Have you ever tried those big stakes for anchoring a dog tie out in the ground? I'm not talking about the screw in type. The stakes I have seen are bright orange "V" shaped stakes that are probably 18" long and are made from very heavy steel. Seems to me that they ran about $8 each at Walmart.

**Miguel** · 05-18-2009, 22:43

Originally Posted by Knotty

I've used a DIY version but found that the stakes are the problem. Despite using very large and long stakes and even using a 2' rebar (1' in the ground with the top tied back to two 10" stakes) I always end up pulling out the stakes. May just be the nature of the soil in my yard.

And I guess I don't have to tell you where the supports wind up heading when a stake pulls. Bingo...right on top of you! Always sleep with your head at the other end when using this system. It's why I tie off to my Honda.

Miguel

**Knotty** · 05-19-2009, 07:36

I was napping one morning in the hammock woke up when I hit the ground with a gentle thud. Hammock was hung very low. Sure enough, next thing to hit me was the support A-frame.

I've been using the brightly colored (yellow and pink) large long plastic stakes from Home Depot. My main problem is that I only have a few inches of topsoil over mostly rock.

**miisterwright** · 05-20-2009, 02:05

I haven't made anything permanent like that, but I've lashed together poles before and used them as a bipod. I like to stake it down in an "N" shape. If that doesn't ring any bells that's where your line attaches low on the first stake, then a second line goes from the top of the first stake to a low point on a second stake making an "N" shape when you look at it from the side. You can also just tie to the base of a bush or small tree instead of staking.

* I agree with putting your head toward the tree - in these photos I was trying to face the camera for some reason.

**sashurlow** · 05-20-2009, 15:06

I thought of a solution to the staking. Use a 2x4 as a ridge line between the supports. The forces pulling the two supports would be greatly lessened and it would still be an easily transportable stand (with a roof rack). I know of one place I intend to hang that has no trees, so supporting both ends is necessary.

**Shadowmoss** · 05-20-2009, 19:55

Using a tripod on each end with a ridgepole is what TurtleLady uses. She worked with a friend of ours who works in metal, and they fabricated a design that packs into her car trunk. I keep waiting for her to describe it here, but she hasn't. She's bringing it over Tuesday night when she comes to stay with me so she can take me to the airport to fly back to WA next week. I'll know more about it after that. I want to try to fabricate it out of wood. Or, bribe our friend to fabricate one like hers for me. There is a picture of her and part of the stand showing in neo's pictures from his recent hangout.