Bridge Hammock questions/advice

**eviscerate3** · 02-20-2014, 21:23

Hello, I'm getting things together to build my first bridge hammock. I've got the webbing and the titanium bridge hammock pieces that dutch makes on order and already have the fabric and amsteel. My question comes in with the width of the hammock vs. the width of the spreader bars. What are your expierences with tapering the hammock body, wider at shoulders and narrower at feet? How wide do you guys make yours and how wide of spreader bars do you use? It seems that .625 is what most people are using? I have watched quite a few of the videos of how to make them but am curious what you all think. I appreciate any tips you can give on bridge hammocks in general. Thank you!

**Dutch** · 02-20-2014, 21:38

I find the spreader bars being 75 to 80% the width of the fabric at he head is best. Any higher and it gets tippy, any less and you get squeeze. I tried to save weight with narrower foot end but didn't like it as much. I like to be able to move my feet around. You can get away with a thinner bar on the foot end though.

**gmcttr** · 02-21-2014, 00:23

My version 4 and every night sleeper is as follows.

Head bar - 38.5"
Foot bar - 36"
The fabric was cut to 83" long x 49" at head x 48" at foot with 7" cat cuts. The finished width is 2" narrower than the cut size.
1.6 oz ripstop nylon

With a hang angle in the 20*-25* I find it very comfortable. The wide foot end spreader bar helps to open it up.

Very similar to hikingdad's Easy DIY Bridge Hammock. The main difference is my longer head end spreader bar.

**Refreshing** · 02-21-2014, 01:33

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ad.php?t=88467

I just made this thread. I am not sure if it will help but it shows you the option of not using ANY spreader bars but still not worrying about the squeeze effect. There is a link at the end of the thread with all of the specs too.

**ExPXGUY** · 02-21-2014, 07:22

+1 to what Dutch said. Suggest you sleep in it before putting on end caps or bug net, I've found it helpful to play with spreader bar lengths to find my optimum (but I usually use hiking poles so it's easier)

**krshome** · 02-21-2014, 19:58

I have made a lot of Grizzly bridge hammock with a few tweaks for my size 220 lbs 6'2". the length of the bridge 85" depth of curve 6.5". The first number on a line is the distance (in inches) from the center point on the curve (i.e., middle of the curve). The second number is depth of curve, in inches and number of 1/8's of inches. So 7 (4) is 7.5". Laid out this way it is easier to read off a ruler. I'd cut the head end 55" wide and the foot end 46 “

0 6 (4)
1 6 (4)
2 6 (4)
3 6 (4)
4 6 (4)
5 6 (3)
6 6 (3)
7 6 (3)
8 6 (2)
9 6 (2)
10 6 (1)
11 6 (1)
12 6 (0)
13 5 (7)
14 5 (6)
15 5 (6)
16 5 (5)
17 5 (4)
18 5 (3)
19 5 (2)
20 5 (0)
21 4 (7)
22 4 (6)
23 4 (5)
24 4 (3)
25 4 (2)
26 4 (1)
27 3 (7)
28 3 (5)
29 3 (4)
30 3 (2)
31 3 (0)
32 2 (7)
33 2 (5)
34 2 (3)
35 2 (1)
36 1 (7)
37 1 (5)
38 1 (2)
39 1 (0)
40 0 (6)
41 0 (4)
42 0 (1)
42.5 0 (0)
Head body 55" head spreader bar 40" foot body 46"foot spreader 30" so grizzles measurements for foot and head ar the same but the spreader bars are different making the end caps different. For the end caps the distance from top to bottom will be 17” on both head and foot. this Is the most comfy bridge I have built. Good luck and yes .625 for the bars no less the will snap trust me! Find mule tape for the webbing and get Dutches bridge things. I do a single layer 1.9 body works well for my body size.

**eviscerate3** · 02-21-2014, 21:54

Thank you everyone! I like the looks of what you have going on krshome. I like the thought of a little wider. I'm 6" and about 225lbs. The Dutch gear is on its way! I got the dog bones done already and picked up some black 1.9. I've never layed in a bridge hammock so I'm not sure exactly what to expect but I'm excited to try it. Do you guys recommend quest outfitters for the spreader bars? Do I just buy 4 sections and cut them to the exact length I need? I appreciate everyone's help!