Looking for the simplest suspension system

I have an ENO double nest that is currently hanging in my backyard from the chains and eyebolts that were used for my previous cotton rope hammock.

In time i want to use the ENO for backpacking and taking along when we use the fifth wheel. I am looking for a simple, easy to use, quick set up suspension, i think i also want a structural ridgeline.

I am currently leaning towards the whoopieslings All-in-one setup. I am not a great knot tier, I use an improved clinch, a double surgeon and a nail knot for fly fishing but i am not really into learning more and complicated knots.

if anyone can point me to something that would be simpler, easier and more stable than the whoopieslings I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Joe

more stable than whoopies????? might want to tell us what you mean by stable. I've got somewhere between 40 and 50 hangs using whoopies and I've always been stable-stable defined as not hitting the ground :) Plus they are no knot. and with dutch clips and dutch biners allow a tot. no knot hang.
When you get to dealing with the tarp ridgeline you might have to tie one knot on on end to a s-biner but that's a one time deal...on the other side you can use a figure-9 and again find yourself knot free.

as for the tarp ridgeline, get one from whoopieslings.com that has the nightize knotbone on one end, and fig 9 on the other. prussic biners for the tarp. No knots there. As mentioned, tree hugger with the fixed loop end of the whoopies attached to one tree hugger loop and a dutch biner connecting the adjustable end of the whoopie to the hammock loop.

Thanks for the input. i define stable as not hitting the ground and not stretching excessively.

Whoopies are and pretty quick, but you need tree straps to protect the tree.

I think the webbing, carabiner, and ring buckles/decending rings are the fastest and simplest, but weigh a little more and cost a little more for the parts. I use this system because of speed of setup and take down.

If weight is an issue the all in one is a real good chioce for simple. If you don't mind carrying a little more weight, webbing buckles and Carabiner or Dutch clip is really simple and fast.

I agree... we have two WBBBs we bought used and both came set up differently. Current set ups are... original straps with dutch clips and cinch buckles, second one is set up with tree straps connected to fixed end of whoopie and adjustable end to carabiner to hammock loop.

after playing with both, whoopie set up is lighter, but you cant beat the ease and convenience of the dutch clips and cinch buckle. Clip-n-tug. done.

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Originally Posted by Crotalus

Thanks for the input. i define stable as not hitting the ground and not stretching excessively.

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The stretch issue will go away when you get some quality straps.
Don't use nylon straps or rope, they are both notorious for never ending stretch.

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Originally Posted by Dutch

If weight is an issue the all in one is a real good chioce for simple. If you don't mind carrying a little more weight, webbing buckles and Carabiner or Dutch clip is really simple and fast.

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What Dutch said....... for easy.
Shug

Simplest in terms of operating parts would be webbing only, or maybe cord and tree huggers as a close second.

Simplest in terms of operation would be cinch buckles with a biner in the loop.

Best balance, IMO, is whoopie slings with a Dutch Biner connecting the sling to the hugger.

I use Shugs method, whoopie slings to the tree strap with a marlin spike knot, (and remember "the whoopie goes on the knot not the toggle,the knot not the toggle"quote from shugs vids...

As JustJeff said: "Simplest in terms of operating parts would be webbing only..."

And here's the simplest webbing only form. No hardware--just a trail stick.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=21407

not to pile on here, but please note that your hammock (i have a DN) will stretch more than your suspension if you use the proper materials (not nylon webbing/rope as has been said).

i've been using home-made 7/64" amsteel blue suspension components with 250 lbs (me and 2 three-year-olds) quite often (and vigorously) over the past several weeks without a hint of play that makes me question stability.

Simplest will depend entirely on who you ask, what they have or have not used, which hammock(s) they have or have not used, their physical capabilities or inabilities, their mental capabilities or inabilities, their biases, which year they were born in (and which month and which day of the week and the moon phase when they were born and whether at night or not), whether they are left handed or right handed (left/right footed?), whether they are using the system in the summer or winter, and the list could go on for paragraphs.

Asking for the simplest suspension system will get you very definitive and adamant answers from lots and lots of forum members, each one totally certain that the system they use is the simplest, lightest, fastest, easiest to use.

The worst part of the answers is that each and every definitive and adamant answer is totally correct - for the person writing the answer.

Is the answer correct for you? Well try all of the suspension systems vocally and adamantly championed and then you will know the answer for you.

Oh, and let us know when you find it because it may be different from the suspension system used by any other forum member and then we can add another simplest, easiest, fastest and lightest suspension system to the growing list.

Oh another thing - stretch is a function of the materials used and not the knot or splice. So if you want to eliminate stretch, the easiest answer is to avoid nylon (webbing or rope).

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Originally Posted by Crotalus

I have an ENO double nest that is currently hanging in my backyard from the chains and eyebolts that were used for my previous cotton rope hammock.

In time i want to use the ENO for backpacking and taking along when we use the fifth wheel. I am looking for a simple, easy to use, quick set up suspension, i think i also want a structural ridgeline.

I am currently leaning towards the whoopieslings All-in-one setup. I am not a great knot tier, I use an improved clinch, a double surgeon and a nail knot for fly fishing but i am not really into learning more and complicated knots.

if anyone can point me to something that would be simpler, easier and more stable than the whoopieslings I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Joe

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webbing with cinch buckles on Blackbird. . .wonderful and simple !

whoopieSlings ( with straps as tree huggers ) on both ENOs . . . wonderful and simple !

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Originally Posted by coolkayaker1

As JustJeff said: "Simplest in terms of operating parts would be webbing only..."

And here's the simplest webbing only form. No hardware--just a trail stick.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=21407

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I'd argue that the simplest webbing only form is webbing only...not even a stick. Just wrap it around the tree like the old Speer 4-wrap.

Not the quickest, but the simplest...only one piece permanently attached, no hardware or sticks, no knots/lashings/whips to learn, etc.

Arguably webbing and a JRB Triglide is a strong candidate for the knot challenged seeking simplicity...Circle the tree and back thru the triglide ... as easy as buckling your belt.

Pan

There are 2 other factors you also have to consider:

1. weight - webbing suspension systems are going to be a minimum of 3 times heavier than equivalent rope systems. Webbing of equivalent strength to dyneema/spectra rope is 3 times heavier per unit length.
2. bulk/volume - for equivalent lengths, webbing occupies much more volume than rope. A webbing suspension system is going to occupy more volume in your pack than a rope suspension system. One of the reasons for this is the comparative inflexibility of webbing when compared to dyneema, single braid rope.
3. hardware - practically all webbing systems require hardware, triglides, carabiners, dutch clips, dutch biners, rings, cam buckes, cinch buckles or cleats (at least 3 different kinds have been used) or probably other hardware that has been used. Hardware occupies a lot of volume. Also hardware is the heaviest part of a suspension system other than webbing. Rope systems can be easily devised that also use hardware, but more to the point rope systems can be easily devised that use no hardware and no knots. No hardware rope systems are in common use by many members on the forums. Any webbing system that doesn't use hardware uses knots in the webbing. For webbing there is no substitute for either knots or hardware. If you don't like knots in rope, than you will like knots in webbing even less.
   
   NOTE: in referring to webbing systems, I mean systems that are all webbing. Rope systems still use webbing for tree huggers, although some of us have now switched to rope huggers and dispensed with webbing entirely.

I appreciate all the info and will continue to read up on the different methods.

to me simplest means no fancy knots :)

At this point i am leaning towards the whoopie all in one system and possibly substituting the Dutch clips for the carabiner at the tree.

Weight and volume are not big considerations for me - yet. Simplicity and staying off the ground are ;)

"I'd argue that the simplest webbing only form is webbing only...not even a stick. Just wrap it around the tree like the old Speer 4-wrap.

Not the quickest, but the simplest...only one piece permanently attached, no hardware or sticks, no knots/lashings/whips to learn, etc."--JustJeff

Argument accepted. What you've written, JJ, is true.
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My system is a 2 step setup. It is the same as a webbing setup, but only lighter since you don't use webbing for the whole length of the suspension using whoppies instead, attached to the tree hugger via nacabiner, dutchbiner, carabiner, or permanently attached. Same simplicity, lighter.

My hammock is up in less than a minute and my whole setup weighs less than 20oz including all suspension components.

What you need:
Two six foot lengths of polypro/polypro webbing for tree huggers with an eye sewn on each end
Two dutch clips or two carabiners
One of these: nacrabiner, carabiner, or neither if you run your sling through the eye before finishing your whoppie sling
Thirty feet of dynaglide line to make two whoppie slings to be attached via locked brummel.
Small needles with big heads. These are not sharp needles, they are sold in a pack of 4-5 at your local fabric store, one is usually blue and plastic, the others metal.

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Making the setup:
One whoppie sling on each end of your hammock:
See the whoppie sling thread for how to make slings, make sure you make the end that attaches to the hammock properly.

Two huggers
Take the webbing and cut 2 6 foot lengths. Sew an eye in each end, sew it strong. Sew a dutch clip(or carabiner) into one eye of each hugger.

Make Nacrabiner:
See loop/shackle thread for how to make a nacrabiner or use a carabiner instead for a weight penalty.
Attach the nacrabiner to the hugger and to the sling, or simply clip a carabiner to the hugger and to the sling.

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setup process:
wrap tree hugger around tree 1 and clip onto itself
wrap around tree 2 and clip onto itself
adjust whoppie sling to desired lay

oh yea, make your slings from dynaglide, will pack really small and be really light. Polypro is the lightest webbing. No knots, no marlin spikes, no time.

I too am a noob, like many others on this forum, but.....am I missing something here? I've read lots, and watched multiple suspension-related videos (such as Shug's and Grizz's), but I've yet to find a simpler method so far than the combo of whoopie slings larksheaded to the hammock and connected to tree straps with a marlin hitch/toggle combo. Am I missing some component? Why add the complexity/weight of biners/rings etc etc. Can some vet weigh in on this? Just Jeff? Shug? Cannibal? I've had 5+ nights of hanging with the afontioned syspension and it seems perfect...

I like whoopies...that's what I have on my hammock for now, and it's larksheaded as you mention.

I've stayed away from the marlinspike b/c it's still a hitch that's not needed, IMO. Lots of folks use it for convenience...I just don't think it adds enough to the system to be worth the simple click of a Dutch Biner or Dutch Clip on the hugger.

The reason I didn't list them as the most simple is b/c, as a system, it still has moving parts and hardware...by definition that means it's not as "simple" as other methods. But it's the one I use b/c it's a good balance between simple components and easy setup. And if one part fails (as it did on my Smokies trip) it's very easy to compensate.

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Originally Posted by Flatland

I too am a noob, like many others on this forum, but.....am I missing something here? I've read lots, and watched multiple suspension-related videos (such as Shug's and Grizz's), but I've yet to find a simpler method so far than the combo of whoopie slings larksheaded to the hammock and connected to tree straps with a marlin hitch/toggle combo. Am I missing some component? Why add the complexity/weight of biners/rings etc etc. Can some vet weigh in on this? Just Jeff? Shug? Cannibal? I've had 5+ nights of hanging with the afontioned syspension and it seems perfect...

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We're talking about simplicity/speed. You still have to wrap your hugger around the tree, run it through itself, find a stick (break it to length, make sure its strong enough, get rid of any sharp edges to protect your eyes), marlin spike-it to the hugger, then run your sling over it, and perhaps move the stick up or down the hugger if you can't get the lay adjusted properly. Then do the same for both sides. You could have a toggle already attached to your hugger, but you would still have to do everything else-and you would be adding hardware too. For the penalty of 2 dutch clips, all i have to do is clip my hugger onto itself on each end.

My weight is so low i can handle adding two dutch clips(12gs each) to it(11lb baseweight). My whole setup including hammock, huggers, slings, 2 stakes for WBBB + elastic tieouts, nacrabiners and dutchclips, is less than 20oz.