Help! dutch clip failure.

**Cannibal** · 09-09-2010, 21:23

Dutch isn't perfect. Just almost.

But, I don't want to believe it either.

**Pitch** · 09-09-2010, 21:23

Sorry to hear about the failure.

Without really expensive analysis of the pieces there will be no way to determine the reason for failure other than deductively doing so based on your observed setup.

What others have said about angles and clip position all comes into play.

I hope nobody got bruised in the fall - but in the end you gotta remember:

Never hang higher than you are willing to fall.

Get back on the horse!

-X

WV · 09-09-2010, 21:55

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

I saw an interesting post a while ago...don't remember who...talked about force at the point where the webbing comes together as a function of the angle. Conclusion was most force when snugged against tree.

Doesn't the pull of the hammock always snug the Dutch Clip against the tree? Is the angle in question the one formed by the webbing as it passes through the DC? If this is the same phenomenon Tiredhiker is talking about, then an angle of 0° (the webbing doubled back against itself) would be strongest.

Originally Posted by tiredhiker

I always make sure the clips are to the side of the tree and not right in the center. If there in the center the force that is exert on them is multiplied, but if they are off to the side then it is just holding the straps together with little force.

I think I understand what you're saying. If the webbing doubles back, the force exerted on the Dutch Clip is in the same plane with the flat clip. If the webbing comes off the clip at an angle of 90° the force isn't necessarily magnified, but it's applied to the clip as a twisting force. The clip has less material to withstand the pull in that direction. Does that make sense?

I guess when hanging from birches, beeches, or other smooth-barked trees it would be well to use a small enough tree to wrap the webbing twice around the tree, so it wouldn't slip to the front and yank the clip sideways.

**G.L.P.** · 09-09-2010, 22:32

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Dutch isn't perfect. Just almost.

But, I don't want to believe it either.

No....he is not perfect...he is the GreatEst....Hike......EVER

**MedicineMan** · 09-09-2010, 22:33

I'm shaken to the core and I'd just put a few stitches in my webbing insuring a Dutch Clip cannot be lost.

**G.L.P.** · 09-09-2010, 22:35

well...this is the first time in how many sold it's happend...
and the new ones are cut down to save on weight ..
i don't see this as a problem for the DC's ... but i would love to see a Pic of it...just so we can see the breaking point

**VegaMike** · 09-09-2010, 22:43

I predict this thread will melt down the servers.

**G.L.P.** · 09-09-2010, 22:56

Originally Posted by VegaMike

I predict this thread will melt down the servers.

i think the internet is melting my head

**Hawk-eye** · 09-09-2010, 22:57

Originally Posted by greenlespaul

i think the internet is melting my head

nawh ... that's just your back meds!

**dutins** · 09-09-2010, 23:06

So we need to get some diagrams, pictures of setups, something to try and make sense of this! I feel like I just found out the Easter bunny isn't real!