A Warning - Suspension integrity can be trumped by carelessness

**Passinthru** · 08-02-2014, 17:53

Just thought I would share this as a reminder to others.

This was the result of user error (mine) and not a criticism of any product.
I hung my hammock using the webbing and buckle shown in the picture. I tested it by laying in it, then made an adjustment and tested again. As i put my full weight into it (200#) I heard a ripping sound and dropped to the ground. The webbing at the head end had ripped at the point where it passes thru the open hook of the hardware. The webbing that passed thru the 'buckle' area was undamaged. The webbing at the foot end was also undamaged.
My guess is that I somehow got the webbing out of place and it got punctured by the 'hook' on the hardware. Once punctured, it weakened the webbing enough to tear in two.
Just be careful - at least no one was around to see me hit the ground.

**ntxkayakr** · 08-02-2014, 19:32

Good to hear you did not get injured. Also a reminder for us all to "only hang as high as we are willing to fall" like our mother's always told us. And why when on the trail it is good to have backup cord or straps, because the only ones of us who have not experienced "user error" are the liars. LOL

**MAD777** · 08-03-2014, 05:31

I am convinced that webbing is nearly always the weak link in a hammock system. Hence, I have recently gone from the lightest webbing I could find, to beefier stuff.

**stevebo** · 08-03-2014, 06:31

i did something similar a few months back, with the same results! ------definitely dont hang any higher than you are willing to fall! (Glad you didnt get hurt!)

**stevebo** · 08-03-2014, 06:35

I love the whoopie sling suspension, but that can fail too-------the toggle breaking, the whoopie slipping over the knot, the toggle slipping side ways so it goes thru the whoopie etc. In Ed Speers book "hammock camping" he recommended regularly inspecting your hammock for damage, and looking carefully at the suspension before you put all of your weight on it. (Great advice I dont always follow!)

**MagicPaddler** · 08-03-2014, 06:36

I have one web strap damaged because the strap was not straight in a different type of buckle.

**The Tree Frog** · 08-03-2014, 08:24

Thank you for sharing your experience. Sometimes we feel we are better because we have "evolved" to the next level by elevation. Important to remember to keep our "feet" on the ground.

**Mic** · 08-03-2014, 10:50

I sleep in my hammock outside each night. I rigged a heavy tarp for the everyday use. I noticed my 1" straps are compressing the tree so I just ordered some 2" webbing from Dutchware Gear hoping to give the trees a break and put some fresh suspension straps on as these are out in the weather 24/7. I may have to rig something more forgiving in the future since I'm hanging on the same two trees every night.

**Loki** · 08-04-2014, 07:41

Originally Posted by stevebo

I love the whoopie sling suspension, but that can fail too-------the toggle breaking, the whoopie slipping over the knot, the toggle slipping side ways so it goes thru the whoopie etc. In Ed Speers book "hammock camping" he recommended regularly inspecting your hammock for damage, and looking carefully at the suspension before you put all of your weight on it. (Great advice I dont always follow!)

Exactly why I use a camp nano 23 carabiner instead of a toggle

**Rain Man** · 08-04-2014, 07:50

Originally Posted by ntxkayakr

... the only ones of us who have not experienced "user error" are the liars. LOL

Got a good laugh at that one! And it's got a lot of truth behind it.

Justpassinthru, thanks for sharing your experience.

I wish more "liars" were willing to do that. I haven't yet (knock on wood) had a suspension break, but have sat on bug netting, had a bamboo frame collapse on me, and barely escaped a full flip once.

I certainly believe in the "don't hang higher than you're willing to fall, or over anything you're not willing to fall onto" mantra.

Rain Man

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