Ok so heres my first hammock video its kinda awful and I ended up falling on my butt. Didn't catch it on the video but did show the aftermath. So, be easy on me you great hammock video masters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqtxw4Lpv24
I would like to thank TZ Brown for the hammock sock shown in the video. It really is a nicely constructed piece of equipment.
Last edited by packeagle; 02-23-2011 at 16:18.
My guess is that your ratchet strap's rating is probably anywhere from 200-400 lbs...According to a couple of post's that I've read on the forum showing calculations, this is a lot more force on the straps then you weigh. I would recommend purchasing some new ones for this purpose on one of the HF vendor's sites. I got mine from Paul at AHE but there are many other choices too.. I believe they are rated at 1000 lbs or more..
Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!
That is in the plans now. I figure I'll wait for my tax return and go for the Toxaway tarp if its still on sale while I'm at it.
I would also re position your Dutch clips so there was less pull into the clip.
Rotate the clip end around the tree farther, so the strap pulls straight through the dutch clip, instead of across it.
TZ
Packeagle,
Thanks for posting this video. I've used yellow Harbor Freight ratchet straps for tree-huggers, but I've always wondered if they were really strong enough. The 1" polyester straps from Strapworks seem much stronger, probably because they are also much heavier. I've heard good things about the straps available at Jacks-r-Better and AHE. I expect someday I will try them (both).
Did you measure the broken strap to see if it broke at the Dutch Clip? Also, how tight was your structural ridgeline? I crank mine down pretty tight, but I keep in mind that it more or less doubles the strain on the tree strap. I have measured the eventual sag angle when I've tightened my whoopie slings as much as I can; it's usually about 15° after I get in the hammock.
I hope that snow was deep enough to cushion your landing.
I tighten down my whoopie slings fairly tight. I think your assessment of 10-15* seems to be about right. The trees in my backyard are far apart and i reached as high as I could with my arms. I was hnly about 2 ft above the ground when loaded before the snap. It was a bit short of the dutch clip. There may have been a small nick in the strap. I'm not sure if i remember the nick or if I'm making it up after thinking about the failure so much.
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