Pickup/Car Hang

**TonyR5** · 09-16-2015, 12:02

Anybody have a creative way to hang a hammock from a pickup/car with minimal or no additional equipment?
My set-up at a scout camp earlier this year:
Pickup Hammock Setup.jpg

**pgibson** · 09-16-2015, 12:11

For most vehicles it's as easy as opening the doors and running wide straps around the frame.

**ipokebadgers** · 09-16-2015, 12:17

TonyR5, I have a roof rack on my Toyota FJ. I have wrapped a strap around the rear corner post of the rack and the other end to a fence post, a crack in a large rock, and a tree (three different hangs). I like your method. I travel across the Mojave with a friend who has a Taco. I will have to remember this for the next trip and see if I can get him to try a hammock.

**TonyR5** · 09-16-2015, 12:22

Originally Posted by pgibson

For most vehicles it's as easy as opening the doors and running wide straps around the frame.

I almost did that; might keep that in mind especially if I'm using the cleats for something else (tie-down, cargo net, etc)--thanks.

**TonyR5** · 09-16-2015, 12:27

Originally Posted by ipokebadgers

TonyR5, I have a roof rack on my Toyota FJ. I have wrapped a strap around the rear corner post of the rack and the other end to a fence post, a crack in a large rock, and a tree (three different hangs). I like your method. I travel across the Mojave with a friend who has a Taco. I will have to remember this for the next trip and see if I can get him to try a hammock.

I used the opposite cleat (top photo) as an anchor; wasn't sure if the near cleats would pop out of the slot they were sitting. Tell your friend it might be the best sleep he'll get outdoors--that's what turned me!

**oldgringo** · 09-16-2015, 13:36

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...One-Truck-Hang

**Hugh Morris** · 09-16-2015, 14:00

Originally Posted by pgibson

For most vehicles it's as easy as opening the doors and running wide straps around the frame.

Just to make sure I'm picturing this right- you mean through the car, across driver and passenger seats (or across the backseat) and then over the roof?

**GadgetUK437** · 09-16-2015, 17:13

Oe you could just hang IN the van!!

**oldgringo** · 09-16-2015, 17:21

A member here, Debi Jaytee, tore the rack off of her Subaru when she hung from it. The rack on my Tacoma is held on by sheet metal screws...no way I would hang from it.

**pgibson** · 09-16-2015, 17:39

Originally Posted by HughMorris

Just to make sure I'm picturing this right- you mean through the car, across driver and passenger seats (or across the backseat) and then over the roof?

Correct, simply use the entire roof of the car/truck/van as your anchor...your strap would be sideways to how it normally goes around a vertical structure (tree, pole etc.) but that is of no consequence. The roof's structure with wise if far stronger than any roof rack out there...as OldGringo has pointed out racks are not always attached in a structural manner. Most are made to hold moderately light weight items down and are not built for lateral forces to pull on them. Remember that the suspension angles are a compromise in using a vehicle rather than trees as hammock anchors....aka you are not likely going to be able to get a good 30° hang angle so your load forces on the anchors will be much much higher than we like on suspension systems. But it can be fun to find ways to be sure you Do Not Go To Ground!

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