sliding straps on unweighted hammock

[framjam]

Whoop....a virgin, no more!

I just hung my hammock for the first time in the back yard, using a Dutch Spider strap around my linden tree and a homemade Madera stand at the other end.

I knew I would have to adjust several times, but I didn't expect the strap to keep sliding down the tree. I was quite confident that it would be fine when weighted, and it was, but it was massively frustrating when going back and forth to the two ends, having to raise, re-centre, and tighten the strap each time.

Am I doing something wrong?

IMG_20180628_195635.jpgIMG_20180628_195705.jpg

[SilvrSurfr]

The bark on that tree looks slick as heck. I'm not surprised the straps slip.

[framjam]

Yup. It's a pretty young linden (~10 years), and it's not got its mature bark, yet.

OK, so I should try some other trees, too. There are actually two nicely-spaced trees in my front yard, but I didn't want to make a total fool of myself for everyone to watch. Once I get the lashings and spacing more under my thumb, maybe I'll hang in the front!

Thanks.

[TominMN]

It looks like both end of the strap go to some amsteel (a whoopie?) Am I not seeing this properly? Usually, even with multiple wraps, the loop end of the strap is up against the trunk. I wonder if that is affecting grip. btw, kudos for doing multiple wraps around a thin-barked tree!

[framjam]

It looks like both end of the strap go to some amsteel (a whoopie?)

It's the stock rope from a HH Exped. Since I wanted to practise the lashing technique recommended by Hennessey, I put it through both loops of the strap. I used the same lashing on the other end, though, through the eye-bolt, so i could easily do on the tree side, too.

[TominMN]

I think most will agree that there are better methods than that lashing...

[framjam]

I think most will agree that there are better methods than that lashing...

Awesome. Teach me, Sensei.

[Shug]

Awesome. Teach me, Sensei.

Here is my suspension series. May give some insight......https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...RN4_MaZ8UAyzWm

Shug

[Phantom Grappler]

Are both ends of strap coming off tree to join midair?
Or is one end of strap pulled through end loop of other end of strap? That way it can choke tree a little bit—-this is better
And do not have strap exit tree on side, like a P or a b, instead have strap exit tree so that it chokes tree a little bit.
Multiple wraps are good for tree squeeze and for added friction.
If you own the land and you are mean like me...
You can graft a branch an inch below your attachment point.
Or you can cut a small short notch on far side of tree for strap to gain a bite.
Or you can drive a smooth stainless steel large carpenters nail at right height to keep strap from slipping down.
Please don’t hate old Phantom, farmers used to nail in barbed wire fences directly on trees. The trees outlived the farmers. And if you have ever taken notes on paper or used a paper towel; you too, are a tree killer.
Good Luck

[TominMN]

Mostly like he said, eh! Mostly because any defacing of a tree can lead to a bad rep for hammockers. Of course you CAN do it to your own trees, but will they always be yours?


You want the "p" or "b" if you're using something like a Dutch Clip to hook the loop to the bitter end so as to not strain the hardware. If you're simply pulling the end through the loop, "choke" away!


You could put CLs on the ends of that hammock and greatly increase your options for connecting the strap to the hammock. Plenty of info here on the forum. Of course by now you've watched Shug's vid. You just gotta like us MN folks, after all, we almost speak Cannuck.