Pickup truck hammock stand

**Navigator** · 03-03-2011, 20:30

I went on a campout with the troop last weekend to a place with limited tree access, so I built this simple hammock stand from 2x3 lumber and 3/8" bolts. I suspend one end of the hammock from the truck and the other from a simple A-frame. In between the two I put two 2x3s bolted together to make a long bridge. All this bridge does is transfer the horizontal load from the A-frame to the truck, so it is in compression all the time and is not under much load. Anyway, it worked great and I was able to have two pleasant (if chilly) nights above ground. Here are a few pics.

**JohnSawyer** · 03-04-2011, 02:54

Very nice.

Why Chilly?

**Alamosa** · 03-04-2011, 09:04

Howdy from a fellow Scouter! That is a nice and simple stand.

**RePete** · 03-04-2011, 09:06

Can you show a pic of how you are attached to the truck? That is the part that interests me the most.

**RePete** · 03-04-2011, 09:08

Originally Posted by otter46544

Can you show a pic of how you are attached to the truck? That is the part that interests me the most.

I posted this and then realized it may be to late to get this pic. If you can great if not oh well.

**JohnSawyer** · 03-04-2011, 17:02

Originally Posted by otter46544

Can you show a pic of how you are attached to the truck? That is the part that interests me the most.

From squinting at the pic, it looks like a support rod in the lumber-rack mount point.... Like maybe a large piece of all-thread??

**RePete** · 03-04-2011, 19:28

Originally Posted by JohnSawyer

From squinting at the pic, it looks like a support rod in the lumber-rack mount point.... Like maybe a large piece of all-thread??

Since you mentioned it I zoomed in and I do think you are correct. (Hint if you hold the ctrl button and hit the + button it will zoom in and Hitting - will zoom out. At least this works with firefox. Saves a lot on the eyes.)

**oldgringo** · 03-04-2011, 19:38

"All this bridge does is transfer the horizontal load from the A-frame to the truck..."

I think it's doing much more than that...it's keeping you from bending whatever that is sticking up out of the stake pocket, or bending the stake pocket itself.

**Navigator** · 03-05-2011, 14:53

Originally Posted by otter46544

Can you show a pic of how you are attached to the truck? That is the part that interests me the most.

In the lumber hole at the back of the bed I placed an 18" round steel stake that I bought at Lowe's. It has through-holes drilled a couple of inches apart down the length of the stake. I put a nail through the hole then set the cross beam, with a hole drilled through it, down onto the stake.

Here's a zoomed portion of the original high-res picture:

**Navigator** · 03-05-2011, 15:04

Originally Posted by oldgringo

"All this bridge does is transfer the horizontal load from the A-frame to the truck..."

I think it's doing much more than that...it's keeping you from bending whatever that is sticking up out of the stake pocket, or bending the stake pocket itself.

Whatever. I guess I could work up a free body diagram to show exactly where the forces go, but it's not worth discussing. What matters is that it works well.