The TurtleDog stand

**Floridahanger** · 10-23-2013, 14:48

FlaMike,
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, it was foresight, you just adjusted until you could see it

I hope you can change your schedule for Jan 17-20, MLK weekend. Remember, that's the 4th Annual Florida Hang and there will be folks from all over the SouthEast. We would like to have you there to represent the TDS community. There is a perfect open spot for a TDS city.

**xtemplarx** · 10-23-2013, 19:54

Originally Posted by Floridahanger

Remember, you can cut the length but you cannot add length. 7' is ok to use. Just lower the ridgepole without cutting the leg length.

I left my legs their full 8'. I like the size of them. Not to mention, I'd have had a tough time hanging both my wife and I under there were it any shorter!

I do need to lengthen my top rail though...

**FlaMike** · 10-24-2013, 05:16

Unless I absolutely have to, I'll be leaving the legs at 7 feet. I did install the spreader limiting rope and more or less fixed the spread at 56".

Now I am kind of wondering if the way I did the spreader limit thing was such a good idea. Since the distance to each leg at the base was 56", I measured up from the bottom of each leg half that, plus 1", and drilled a hole. The idea being, at that height, when the tripod is folded, the rope wouldn't hang out past the end of the folded legs.

That part worked out like it was supposed to. But when I ran the rope through the holes, I also took a turn around each leg and added a half hitch, so all I have to do is pop the legs out and they are automatically are set to the right distance and no adjusting needs to be done. That, I like.

But the whole idea was to be able to adapt to uneven ground. So now I'm wondering if I shouldn't undo that spread limiting rope and run it back through the holes, without the extra turn around each leg, leave out the extra knots, and simply tie the rope off around a single leg with a little extra length tied off there, to make the spread easily adjustable.

I seem to have a way of taking something simple and making it complicated!

Oh, I did put a length of Amsteel between the eye-bolt and the shackle at the hinge. Now I have plenty of vertical adjustment on the ridge pole. That worked out well. I also did a duct tape wrap around the threads on the eye-bolt and over the washer and nut on the bottom of the bolt, to protect the Amsteel from cuts. Today, I'll make the soft ground foot pads. (There I go again, complicating things!)

I appreciate all the help and advice I've been given.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

**hppyfngy** · 10-24-2013, 08:55

You can't overthink something if you're enjoying the mental exercise.

That's how discoveries are made!

**Ewker** · 10-24-2013, 09:13

how do these work with bridge hammocks?

**hppyfngy** · 10-24-2013, 10:08

Originally Posted by Ewker

how do these work with bridge hammocks?

I used my Ridge Runner on my 16' setup, no problems. The 10' ridge pole, I can't imagine a bridge that would work on that.

gmcttr?

**gmcttr** · 10-24-2013, 10:27

Originally Posted by hppyfngy

I used my Ridge Runner on my 16' setup...gmcttr?

Agreed, a 16' ridgepole is needed for the WBRR. You could probably get creative with the suspension and use a 14' ridgepole but I like mine close to stock. Slept in mine last night on a TLS with 6' legs. Other Bridge hammocks may be shorter overall.

Here's the only photo I have of that setup taken when I was originally testing the combination. The straps need to be pulled in tighter to raise the hammock (had it close to the ground as I hate hanging over concrete).

IMG_3308 (Medium).JPG

Short version...they can work very well with bridge hammocks.

**hawghangar** · 10-26-2013, 10:40

sorry if this has already been addressed in the 184 pages in this thread, but does anyone have examples of how you've rigged your tarp with your TDS?

many thanks.

**Nighthauk** · 10-26-2013, 11:37

For my stand I used the end caps that are for the poles. I don't have close ups I am sorry but someone here does. The I put a D shackle through the hole and put my whoopie sling through that with the tarp string. So everything was tied to the same shackle. Here are some pics but not close enough to highlight. You might be able to zoom in and get an idea.

**BroChaos** · 10-28-2013, 17:47

just finished my first TDS! just trying to keep it really simple. do people still use the top rail end caps as hammock attachment points? it seems the metal used is aluminum, not sure how strong they are. i do plan on replacing the rope (leftover from the woot bugnet hammock) with amsteel continuous loops.

any inherent issues with the way i have this rigged up? comments, suggestions welcome.