View Full Version : Suspension Ideas ???
Ridgehanger
12-08-2014, 15:57
So i have this hammock and i know nothing about it. I got it at a pawn shop or thrift store with no tags or anything but it seems to have a 3/8s rope run threw a cannel sewed in to both ends with ss hocks on the end of the ropes kinda worried about it on a extended hang.. I am going to the fl hang with it for three or four nights. Cant help but feel i need to up grade the attachment setup.. I will be makeing a set of tree straps..
So any ideas on what i should do will greatly be thanked
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corrupt_reverend
12-08-2014, 16:01
Reminds me of the hammocks from walmart. They use that thick rope and steel hooks a well.
I slept in a walmart hammock every night for about a year. Never failed on me.
Ridgehanger
12-08-2014, 16:07
Cool i have just slept in it in the yard so far have used it more as sitting out on the trail :)
Yep - that looks like the wally world one. Swap out the suspension for some whoopie slings and your golden.
Ridgehanger
12-08-2014, 16:43
Sorry really new to this hammock thing "whoopie slings" ?!?!
Sorry really new to this hammock thing "whoopie slings" ?!?!
Sorry - whoopie slings are a light weight very strong suspension system for hammocks. You can make your own or purchase them.
http://www.whoopieslings.com/
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php/70189-Video-How-to-make-Whoopie-Slings
Ridgehanger
12-08-2014, 17:22
Very cool ill will look in to it for sure thanks for the tip!!
Floridahanger
12-08-2014, 18:05
Your bed(hammock) is as custom to you as clothing.
Some folks like shorter hammocks, others like really long hammocks and everything in between. Check the length of the hammock, and the width. My guess is this hammock is less than 10'. Try a little longer hammock to see what you like. At the FHV, you'll be able to try plenty.
For the suspension, I used Whoopie Slings for 3+ years just fine. Now I use Dutch Speed Hooks with Amsteel Lead. These types of suspension are easily larksheaded to the hammock body so you can change out your current suspension. That hammock end seems to use up 6-8 inches of hammock body so changing it may lengthen the overall hammock.
After your done with the suspension change, look into making a SRL(structural Ridge Line). This SRL will help you to set up your hammock with same amount of sag every time you set up. It's not absolutely necessary, but it does help a lot.
Ridgehanger
12-08-2014, 18:20
When the suns back out ill get it layed out and measure it and get some better pics. Im going to do some looking around for strap material this week as well for tree straps
hutzelbein
12-09-2014, 06:15
Or you could get your suspension here: http://dutchwaregear.com/hammock-stuff/
I often find it faster, easier and even cheaper to order with a specialist shop right away. I have wasted weeks looking for stuff offline, only to end up ordering in the end...
I am very new myself so I don't have much experience but I can give my opinion on what I have tried.
I ordered some 7/64ths Amsteel and made 2 whoopie slings. I am so happy that I did. Super light weight and very easy to adjust. I use it in combination with tree straps and toggles using the Marlin Spike Hitch. All can be searched on this forum and on Youtube for instructions.
Ridgehanger
12-09-2014, 11:56
Now on whoopie slings.. i remove the old ropes and use these in there place?? Or use them with the old ropes?
Either way works. just get rid of those S-hooks and make short loops from the existing ropes.
OR get rid of ropes too and larkshead whoopies through the fabric channel -lightest is whoopies only
Ridgehanger
12-09-2014, 12:27
Thanks for the help i will be looking at ordering some amsteel this week!!
Forgot...
Remember to use tree straps and protect our trees
Ridgehanger
12-09-2014, 13:23
Forgot...
Remember to use tree straps and protect our trees
i have got about 22 feet of 1'' wide strap to make some tree straps.. but i need to pick up ssome more needles for my machine thout i had a pack but it was empty lol
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 16:49
So how much amsteel should i order for a set of whoopie slings??
corrupt_reverend
12-10-2014, 17:14
So how much amsteel should i order for a set of whoopie slings??
Take your desired minimum length, double it, and add 2-3 feet. That will be for one whoopie sling.
So if you want it to adjust down to 6 feet, you'll need about 15ish +/- feet.
Floridahanger
12-10-2014, 17:20
Take your desired minimum length, double it, and add 2-3 feet. That will be for one whoopie sling.
So if you want it to adjust down to 6 feet, you'll need about 15ish +/- feet.
Then multiply that by 5.
This may get you enough Amsteel to control your new addiction until your next fix.
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 17:45
Take your desired minimum length, double it, and add 2-3 feet. That will be for one whoopie sling.
So if you want it to adjust down to 6 feet, you'll need about 15ish +/- feet.
Per end or total??
corrupt_reverend
12-10-2014, 18:20
Per end or total??
That would be one whoopie sling. You'll need two for a hammock suspension.
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 18:29
That would be one whoopie sling. You'll need two for a hammock suspension.
Sweet hoping to order some friday
Scott8691
12-10-2014, 20:44
I went to YouTube and watched http://youtu.be/KtJGTgpv4dc, I also recommend Shug's videos for noobs. There are so many helpful people on this forum. I learn best by watching, so the videos really helped!
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 20:52
I went to YouTube and watched http://youtu.be/KtJGTgpv4dc, I also recommend Shug's videos for noobs. There are so many helpful people on this forum. I learn best by watching, so the videos really helped!
belive it or not i just found his channel i love his vids his a hoot (shug) whooooooooooooooo buddddddddddddddyyyyyyyyyy!
Scott8691
12-10-2014, 21:16
I agree! Great information and very entertaining!
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 21:28
Id love to go on a trip with that guy lol
Floridahanger
12-10-2014, 22:37
You first have to join the "Below -20*F club". That would be going colder than -20*F. Yikes.
If you survive, you may then "ask" to see if you can get on the waiting list to join the "Below -30*F club" for a chance to then "be asked" to go into a yearly lottery where only 5 are chosen :jj:
He's a great guy, but, he would tell you that you would be bored with him. I know. I can't figure it out either.
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 22:43
You first have to join the "Below -20*F club". That would be going colder than -20*F. Yikes.
If you survive, you may then "ask" to see if you can get on the waiting list to join the "Below -30*F club" for a chance to then "be asked" to go into a yearly lottery where only 5 are chosen :jj:
He's a great guy, but, he would tell you that you would be bored with him. I know. I can't figure it out either.
HAHA but i bet it would be worth it lol it be a blast im sure
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 22:46
You first have to join the "Below -20*F club". That would be going colder than -20*F. Yikes.
Heck i need to survive at 40 above first lol hahahaha
Floridahanger
12-10-2014, 23:00
Remember, at FHV, it has been known to hit 23*F so be prepared.
It's car camping so your rig should be fine when you dial in your suspension. Just bring any kind of insulation that you can fit in your car.
As a point of reference, this is the coldest I've been, my best personal low. 23*F is 63 degrees warmer than Shug's and Strung Out's BPL.
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 23:09
Remember, at FHV, it has been known to hit 23*F so be prepared.
It's car camping so your rig should be fine when you dial in your suspension. Just bring any kind of insulation that you can fit in your car.
As a point of reference, this is the coldest I've been, my best personal low. 23*F is 63 degrees warmer than Shug's and Strung Out's BPL.
I have acouple sleep bags and a couple wool blankets just in case LOL and a bluse closed cell foam pad by next season ill make some better uq and tq
Ridgehanger
12-10-2014, 23:31
just a wonder would paracord (milspecstuff) work for rigging {whiping the ends and stuff ) ridge line
corrupt_reverend
12-11-2014, 00:07
just a wonder would paracord (milspecstuff) work for rigging {whiping the ends and stuff ) ridge line
Should be alright for whipping, but I wouldn't use paracord for anything that bears a load. Paracord's got quite a bit of stretch.
Even just for whipping, there are better options that are less bulky. I use mason's line for my whipping.
Ridgehanger
12-11-2014, 00:13
Should be alright for whipping, but I wouldn't use paracord for anything that bears a load. Paracord's got quite a bit of stretch.
Even just for whipping, there are better options that are less bulky. I use mason's line for my whipping.
mason line i do have !! i am going to order amsteel i just saw a ol roll of paracord and thout id ask lol
Floridahanger
12-11-2014, 00:27
A SRL (structural ridgeline) is not necessary to hang your hammock. Many hammocks don't have them. It's just nice to have when changing campsites or trees a lot.
If nothing else, you can use paracord for your hammock RL if you want to use one. Just understand that a little stretch may happen by morning. Most folks use Zing-it or Lash-it because it's very light and only has a little bulk.
Mason's line is also what I use for my whipping and tarp guy lines. It may hold a little water, so, I will probably change out my guy lines for Zing-it.
Ridgehanger
12-11-2014, 00:36
where would a good place to order amsteel and the alike be???
corrupt_reverend
12-11-2014, 01:33
Dutch sells Amsteel. (http://dutchwaregear.com/diy-stuff/)
He's also got all sorts of other suspension goodies.
Duthwaregear.com is awesome to order all the stuff you need. It's been mentioned a couple times already. Btw if you want to use about half the amsteel that you would use to make whoopie slings I'd suggest going with dutchware's speed hooks with amsteel leads and amsteel continuous loops, both of which you can make yourself out of amsteel that you can buy from dutchware for under $6 for 25 feet. Which will be plenty to make two 6-7 ft. leads and two 8 in. continuous loops. These videos will point you in the right direction.
http://youtu.be/tyHcjwh8JSg
http://youtu.be/xcoKeXAwBZY
http://youtu.be/Vnc7T6tsE9s
The third video is a locked brummel splice that I use to larks head to the tree straps.
Ridgehanger
12-11-2014, 14:27
So i made a test tree strap from a cargo strap i had laying around i swung on it a coulpe mins just to test the sewing seams to be ok
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so what do you think ??
corrupt_reverend
12-11-2014, 16:00
Looks good to me Ridge!
Ridgehanger
12-11-2014, 16:05
Heres the whole rig hanging
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Need to grab some shock cord
Floridahanger
12-11-2014, 23:03
I also like the Dutch Speed Hooks with Amsteel Leads. Dutch has a great source for the Amsteel and Zing-it/Lash-it and other hardware to make your hang easier. I got ADutchable Clips for my straps, Speed Hooks for my suspension for the hammock(already had Amsteel). For my tarp RL, I got Lash-it, Fleaz and a Dutch Hook. Easy to order, great price and I love the weight savings and bulk.
You may want to put a few extra lines of stitching, maybe 3 more, in case the box fails. Or, you can make a double X(not single) to reinforce the box.
Ridgehanger
12-11-2014, 23:10
You may want to put a few extra lines of stitching, maybe 3 more, in case the box fails. Or, you can make a double X(not single) to reinforce the box.
what do you mean by the box???
Floridahanger
12-12-2014, 00:07
Sorry, the stitching for the loops on your straps looks like a rectangular box. Put a few reinforcing stitch lines or double XX stitches there.
Ridgehanger
12-12-2014, 08:38
Sorry, the stitching for the loops on your straps looks like a rectangular box. Put a few reinforcing stitch lines or double XX stitches there.
Oh now i get it very good idea thanks!!!