Foot end spreader bar failure
I just finished my DIY bridge hammock and set it up for it's maiden voyage. Unfortunately, my foot end spreader bar broke on the first try. My spreader bar was an Easton aluminum tent pole tube, .433 diameter, single piece 26" long. The sides of the triangle were set at 18". It folded and broke exactly in the middle. I weight 180 lbs. The ridgeline was at 9'4" and the front spreader bar is a (2) piece .625 that is 36" long with sides set at 28".
I don't remember high school trig, so maybe some of you mathites can figure out where I went wrong.
Anyhow, I am moving up to .625 diameter easton tubing, setting the sides longer (I am using dynaglide whoopies for the side lengths so adjustment will be a cinch) and using (2) 13" poles with a pole insert in them.
Happy Trails
Possible reason found for spreader bar failure
I designed my bridge hammock to run 7/64" amsteel for the suspension arcs thru fabric tubes - not sewn to the fabric. At the ends of the arcs I had fixed eye loops spaced exactly 80" apart, the length of the hammock body. I had the spreader bars running thru fabric tubes to keep the hammock body from slipping.
After the .433 easton aluminum foot spreader broke, I reassembled the hammock, but noticed that the suspension arc amsteel seemed too long.
IT WAS - IT WAS NOW 83" (versus the original 80"). Both of them stretched the same length. Oh my aching back.
I have been using amsteel for whoopies and never knew that it stretched, since stretch is not noticable in whoopies (they are constantly being readjusted).
LESSON LEARNED - PLAN FOR 3" OF STRETCH OVER 80" FOR 7/64" AMSTEEL OR PRESTRESS YOUR SUSPENSION PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY.
Hangnout figured it out, if you read his post.
.433 easton tubing will probably work fine for you potential bridge builders, but I am still moving up to .625.
Happy Trails, Happy Hangs