Figure 9 "Carabiner"

[SkyPainter]

I just grabbed a coupla Figure 9 Carabiners (not the regular Fig 9's) with a gated opening. Got 2 LARGE, and 2 Small - both gated.

Thinking about trying the LARGE ones on each end of the hammock suspension rather than regular carabiners (which I also have - gated, and screw-locked).

They say each is rated for 150 lbs. SO, if I have one at each end of the hammock, then they are 'sharing the weight load, I would guess, and it would be somewhere OVER the single rating, at least.

I am around 185 now, and am wondering of the two Fig 9s combined would work for the hammock. If NOT, then either the small or large should work for the tarp, I think.

Trying to think of a configuration that might use both the regular carabiners, AND the figure 9s.

This is too much fun!!!

[Mustardman]

Your understanding of the sharing of the load isn't quite right - in fact, due to the nature of forces and tensions, you can actually exert FAR MORE force than just your weight on the suspension system. The tighter your suspension is pulled, the worse the effect will be.

[Greg Dunlap]

When you go to test that, hang very low to the ground. Your going to end up on it. The force or load on the suspension is far greater because your at an angle and not just hanging straight down.

[SkyPainter]

When you go to test that, hang very low to the ground. Your going to end up on it. The force or load on the suspension is far greater because your at an angle and not just hanging straight down.

===> Wow ...I guess an engineer, I am not! LOL! I should still be able to use them to put the tarp up, tho, right? Would that hold okay?

BTW - WELCOME HOME, BRO!

RVN '66 - '67
1st Inf Div
C 1/18 "SwampRats" RECON
"Don't mean nuthin'" "You live, and then you buy a hammock."

[SkyPainter]

Your understanding of the sharing of the load isn't quite right - in fact, due to the nature of forces and tensions, you can actually exert FAR MORE force than just your weight on the suspension system. The tighter your suspension is pulled, the worse the effect will be.

====> Live, ask questions, and learn. I guess I will stick with tried and true suspensions I read about on here. I do plan to use the real 'biners with my HH and the huggers, tho. Maybe with rings if I can find 'em.

Thanks, dude, for another helpful post! I would rather hang in the tree, rather than fall out of 'em!

[Mustardman]

I use the figure 9 biners all the time on my tarp ridgeline - they are very convenient, and it's nice to be able to leave them connected to the tarp, but also be able to move them around if you want to change the way you are pitching it.

The small ones will be plenty strong.


One tip though - if you use a stiffer cord that doesn't want to hold very well in the figure 9, you can back the wrap up with a slipped half hitch, which will keep the loose end from flopping around and coming undone when it's windy.

[SkyPainter]

I use the figure 9 biners all the time on my tarp ridgeline - they are very convenient, and it's nice to be able to leave them connected to the tarp, but also be able to move them around if you want to change the way you are pitching it.

The small ones will be plenty strong.


One tip though - if you use a stiffer cord that doesn't want to hold very well in the figure 9, you can back the wrap up with a slipped half hitch, which will keep the loose end from flopping around and coming undone when it's windy.

===> thanks! So at least I didn't waste the money!

[Knotty]

If the suspension is at a 30deg. angle from horizontal then each suspension line will carry a load equal to your weight. At lower angles the load increases. At higher angles it decreases. Plus you have to factor in much more than just your weight due to shock loads, etc.

That said, I think most hardware is rated with a 5:1 safety rating so those 150# rated devices can take more than that but IMHO the safety rating exists for a reason so why tempt fate. I do believe there are people on this forum that have used them but not me.

[SkyPainter]

Thanks! I will go more mainstream for now ...testing it on Sunday. Again ...these are NOT the regular Figure 9 devices, but a gated carabiner made by Nite Eyz......

I looked for some steel rings today at Home Depot - they had nothing that would work...loads too light. Also, the rope they carried was only rated to 290 lbs .....not sure I even need more ropes!

Sunday will be the test with the HH Exp right out of the bag! I want to get at least one set-up before I head in to the mountains......

[Frawg]

Here's about 64 pages of figure 9 discussion that might have something useful for you. IIRC, it included some ideas on the big figure 9 carabiners, though you may have to dig through the thread to find 'em. Also, a tag search on 'figure 9' brings up some other threads that may be of general interest. .