First extended trip out...and a rip?!

[BlackTalon]

I purchased my HH Exp Deluxe about a month ago and have done about 10 overnight-ers in it...mostly in the backyard. I've tested different setups, to manage different temps, and rain conditions. All have gone flawlessly and really impressed me with the quality of the hammock.

I spent this entire weekend out on a primitive camping trip, and slept every night better than I would have at home in my own bed. When packing up, I removed the wool blanket that I was using as insulation under me in the hammock...only to find a 2 inch hole in the bottom of the hammock!! I have no idea how it got there as I always remove any items from my pockets before entering the hammock and try to be careful with it. I am a big guy, 6'4" 255lbs, and I am wondering if somehow my size caused the nylon to split. The tear is just above were my butt would be.

I'm assuming this would be considered wear and tear (literally) and wouldn't be covered in any warrenty, so could someone please help me with trying to fix the hole, and possibly reinforce the area? I'll snap some pics of it...

Thanks in advance for the help!


Matt

[Busky2]

I too am a big guy and have one of the early Safari models so it has a fair amount of use and have had zero defects or issues so I wold think that this is not normal wear or tear and should be covered by any responsible and customer dedicated business. Can you post a pic of the damage area? I would also without a doubt contact Hennessy about the hole and tell them the history of use, not abuse, and send them a pic of the damage area before doing anything else. If a company has the wherewithal to not cover this kind of a single event/hole then I am sure it may be worked over and patched but I would think twice of ever dealing with that company again. And then most importantly let us know what happens with Hennessy and your hammock. As a fellow Hennessy owner I want to know of any changes that will effect future purchasing decisions as I am sure first time buyers doing research on the Hennessy would also be interested in your results. Customer service after the sale is one of the most important factors even above price, in determining who I spend my money with.

[kkjellquist]

I wold think that this is not normal wear or tear and should be covered by any responsible and customer dedicated business. Can you post a pic of the damage area? I would also without a doubt contact Hennessy about the hole and tell them the history of use, not abuse, and send them a pic of the damage area before doing anything else. If a company has the wherewithal to not cover this kind of a single event/hole then I am sure it may be worked over and patched but I would think twice of ever dealing with that company again. .

I guess this just proves various people think differently. If I found a tear in a jacket I would never say "well, I don't know how it got there so it must be defective."

Just because the OP doesn't know the source of the tear doesn't automatically mean he has a defective product. I believe in Ockham's Razor theory. Use it here and we get two possibilities;

1. A well known, well built product developed a defect in an unlikely place with no other explaination than a defect.

2. After 10 uses including, set ups and breakdowns, and a weekend trip the OP noticed a tear that is most like the result of snagging the fabic on something at some point and stressing the fabic.

Which is more likely?

I worked in retail for several years in a business that had plenty of legit warranty issues. We also had people who assumed anything and everything was a material defect and never their fault or simply an accident.

I would contact Hennessy to inquire about the best repair method or maybe a nice price for a replacement.

[BlackTalon]

Here are a few shots of the tear...

I am not trying to "fake" a warranty claim at all. I really have no idea how it got there, and did not notice it until packing up. My only thought was either it was caused by me being a big guy, or somehow there was something underneath the hammock that it was rubbing on. Neither of which seem likely, but that's all I can think of.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57926564@N06/7021428727

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57926564@N06/6875323886

[kkjellquist]

Here are a few shots of the tear...

I am not trying to "fake" a warranty claim at all.

It's clear you are not trying to fake anything.

I get bothered with consumers, not you, that immediately yell 'defective' and anything short of a no questions asked 100% free replacement is deemed poor service. In most cases it is a totally unrealistic expectation.

[Catavarie]

I'd shoot hennessy CS an email and attach the photos of the tear. Be sure to reference your order number (perhaps also attach a copy of the receipt) so that they can verify that it is a recent purchase. And ask about a replacement.

I'm no expert, but it looks as if the material itself gave way, which should not happen since you are under the weight limit and often times the commercial hammock companies set the "weight limit" lower than absolutely necessary to give themselves padding from potential failure and therefore lawsuit.

It could be that they manufacturing plant used the wrong material on the hammock, which could theoretically cause such a failure to occur.

[Manchego]

Here are a few shots of the tear...

Weird, never had anything like that with mine, any of my hammocks actually (have Hennessy I use primarily now, Clark, ENO, and still my old net like thing from the early 80's). That said, I can't see how something chewing on it would arrive at that, maybe a snag and a rub point of some kind, like if you had it sitting in such a way it contacted a bike tire or something.

My only thought was either it was caused by me being a big guy, or somehow there was something underneath the hammock that it was rubbing on. Neither of which seem likely, but that's all I can think of.

I'm about 5 lb less than you now, but I've spent at least 30 or so nights in mine, ranging from soaking rain to Maryland summer humidity, weighing about 25 lb heavier than I am now. So, I wouldn't put too much into the "big guy" theory.

[BillyBob58]

Here are a few shots of the tear...

I am not trying to "fake" a warranty claim at all. I really have no idea how it got there, and did not notice it until packing up. My only thought was either it was caused by me being a big guy, or somehow there was something underneath the hammock that it was rubbing on. Neither of which seem likely, but that's all I can think of.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57926564@N06/7021428727

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57926564@N06/6875323886

No doubt you are not trying to fake. I ( 215 lbs) am using my HH Explorer UL for 6 years now and still have no holes or tears in the body, although one of the side pull outs did tear after several years. Def give HH a call, there customer service is excellent.

Though there is always the possibility that- after you got in and the hammock sagged- that something sticking up from the ground- thorns or a stick- could have caused a little tear which then grew with use. I have had a few close calls with such. And you might not even feel it with that blanket in there.

If it is not product defect, folks here can put you onto some good easy quick repair methods.

Edit: Oh, I see you have already contacted HH, and without a whole bunch of help. Did you buy it new from them? Your best bet is what you have done, just repair it yourself. I can't remember if Tear Aid is what folks here have used with great success or something else.

[Caribou Bentspoke]

I'm about that weight and my Explorer gets real close to the ground if I do not set it up initially a little higher to compensate. That damage looks like abrasion. Or you may have had a rat chewing on it during the night.

[Ramblinrev]

One thought... Do you take your shoes/boots off when in the hammock. Is it bottom entry or zip? In the bottom entry I can find myself using my heel to help position myself. I am very careful to remove my shoes before I settle in. My major pressure area for my heel would be about where you say the rip is. This is applicable only to the bottom entry I would think. I have never used a zip so I can't comment on that style.

I would certainly get a picture of it and e-mail it to Hennessy. Let them give you their take on the situation. I have found Hennessy to take customer service seriously.