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  1. #1
    New Member laziboie's Avatar
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    Question Grand Trunk UL Reliability

    Hey all, I'm new to hammocks and wanted a low-cost option to enter the arena. It sounds like the GTUL is a great option, but I have one main hesitation:

    • How reliable is it?


    I have read several comments about folks having it rip right down the middle after a few uses, with them in it, stranding them in the field with no sleep system. A couple of these reviews are coming from Amazon.com. What are yall's thoughts on this?

    If this is not the best place to ask about this then I apologize...please direct me to the proper section.

    Thanks in advance for your help,
    Matt

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    I have two, one I bought lst year for my wife, and one that I have had for years. Neither has ever given me any trouble. It is a great hammock for the price, and a great way to try out hammocking. Replace the stock suspension with something a little lighter and get some tree straps and you're good to go.

    Also, it is a smaller hammock, so if you're a big person it might not be the most comfortable hammock.

  3. #3
    Senior Member fallkniven's Avatar
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    I've had my one GTUL for maybe 4 years now. It spent 2 straight years, strung up outside, in all the weather and sun. The fabric never shown signs of failure or deterioration. In fact, I still use it most days for lunch at work.
    Although a bit narrow for overnight sleeping, it's a great hammock. Can't go wrong with it. Actually my avatar picture, is of me in it, strung up at my primitive camp I lived in for 2 years.

  4. #4
    Senior Member bear bag hanger's Avatar
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    Never had a problem with mine, but to be honest, never used it much. Took a few naps with it and used it overnight once. It just seemed so thin and light, I feared it wouldn't hold up, plus it seemed too small for me (I'm 5' 6" tall and pretty close to 200 lbs). I keep it in case I ever have to hike with children who want to try a hammock. Having read the Amazon reviews, not sure I'd want to risk a child's safety with it.

  5. #5
    New Member laziboie's Avatar
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    I'm 5'10, 175 lbs. I hope it works out for overnighters, what is an ideal length?

    Also, I have been looking at suspension systems and it seems like the 7/64 Amsteel lines are what people like to use, especially with the whoopie sling. I was planning on that, a ridgeline of some sort and straps with the toggles. Seems really easy to put together.

    My next question, what should I use for the ridgeline? A 10' whoopie from whoopieslings.com (or anywhere selling them) or something else? Just trying to feel out what will work best.

    Thanks again!

  6. #6
    Senior Member OldRagFreeze's Avatar
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    Never had an issue with durability with mine... But it is not comfortable for me at all. I'm 6'.
    "We're the Sultans of Swing."

  7. #7
    New Member laziboie's Avatar
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    Oh, and I went ahead and got one off campmor.com...it was their daily deal for $13.96 and I need a few other things so I was able to get free shipping (on orders over $49). I'm excited...ready to try it out.

    EDIT: I do want to note that I bought it at 1AM last night thinking that since it was a daily deal, that it would go away soon...I started browsing before midnight. However, it is still on their website at $13.96.

    What would you all recommend "Budget-Friendly" please for someone that is 5'10?

  8. #8
    Senior Member Brute1100's Avatar
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    Re: Grand Trunk UL Reliability

    The ridgeline doesn't need to be amsteel... That's WAY overkill... Most of mine are dynaglide or ZingIt... And they hold me up fine... I ordered some of mine from arrow head equipment... They are great people with good prices...

    I enjoyed my grand trunk and I bought mine for the same reason your buying yours, as my gate way hammock... After the GTUL I suggest buying a tablecloth from tableclothfactory.com and whipping you up a big one... Those things are way more comfy than the UL but significantly heavier... A trade off that's sometimes worth it in the pack...
    Live, Laugh, Love, if that doesn't work. Load, Aim and Fire, repeat as necessary...

    Buy, Try, Learn, Repeat

  9. #9
    Senior Member BillyBob58's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fallkniven View Post
    I've had my one GTUL for maybe 4 years now. It spent 2 straight years, strung up outside, in all the weather and sun. The fabric never shown signs of failure or deterioration. In fact, I still use it most days for lunch at work.
    Although a bit narrow for overnight sleeping, it's a great hammock. Can't go wrong with it. Actually my avatar picture, is of me in it, strung up at my primitive camp I lived in for 2 years.
    Wow, what a testimony! I can't believe any hammock would live through that, at least if it was not shaded from the sun. Either way, I doubt it gets any better than that.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by laziboie View Post
    Hey all, I'm new to hammocks and wanted a low-cost option to enter the arena. It sounds like the GTUL is a great option, but I have one main hesitation:

    • How reliable is it?


    I have read several comments about folks having it rip right down the middle after a few uses, with them in it, stranding them in the field with no sleep system. A couple of these reviews are coming from Amazon.com. What are yall's thoughts on this?

    If this is not the best place to ask about this then I apologize...please direct me to the proper section.

    Thanks in advance for your help,
    Matt
    I had one and after putting whoopie slings on it and making tree straps, it tore in half. I called GT and they gave me a much nicer one to replace it. My two older son's use there's all the time. They did not have the problem that I had. I have read others who had the same issue I did. The problem I think is that the UL is not rip stop fabric and a small nick and rip...so you need to take good care. It is great for the $13 we paid for them on Amazon.

    I am 6'4" as well and the GT Single Parachute hammock I got as a replacement fits me much better.

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