The TurtleDog stand

[Chigger]

Almost finished mine just need to decide how far up to drill the holes for the strings to keep the 2x2s from spreading. And also how I am going to connect the hammock. Don't like the way I had it in the pic. (Carabiners attached to end of pole) Thinking of installing some eyelets facing down on both sides right under the middle of all the 2x2s...

You don't need strings. When you are in the hammock the tripod cannot move if it is on dirt. Also if the lay of the land is not level you can adjust the legs to get a level lay with the hammock. If you are not in the hammock and the wind is blowing the entire rig will blow over with or without strings.

[Chigger]

So I finally got around to making my TDS. I used the hppyfnguy's set up on the top (cut the angles). Tried it out a few times but the spacing of the triangle ended up around 3 feet. It ended up being too tippy (fell 3 times) and it collapsed on me twice.

I decided to cut the angled tops off. Poles were cut to 78 inches and I went up 2 feet from the bottom and drilled holes for some rope. My triangle ended up being around 4 feet. Man it became super stable for me now. I think the ridge pole became about 13 feet long. I like this a lot better.

You have confirmed that the angles are not only not needed but are a problem.

[Max Capacity]

Changing the angle of the cut based on the length of the legs will change the spread. I liked the angle cut because it was a hard stop, no playing with ropes to get the correct spread. but you have to get the leg length correct. One thing I tried on my prototype was a bolt through the angles to keep them from walking in. Only got to sleep in it one night but it worked well.

Please excuse the focus...or lack of it.
TDS.jpg

[Truescotsman]

I am thinking of starting to build one of these stands soon. I recently purchased a Blackbird XLC and the instructions talk about having the foot end higher than the head end to eliminate the calf ridge. It seems like you would need to angle the top pole on this to accomplish that. Would the tripods want to tip over then? Has anyone tried anything like that with this design? Or do you just adjust the suspension angles from 30 degrees?

[oldpappy]

I am thinking of starting to build one of these stands soon. I recently purchased a Blackbird XLC and the instructions talk about having the foot end higher than the head end to eliminate the calf ridge. It seems like you would need to angle the top pole on this to accomplish that. Would the tripods want to tip over then? Has anyone tried anything like that with this design? Or do you just adjust the suspension angles from 30 degrees?

I just adjust via the hammock suspension - Keep the TD stand top rail parallel to the ground.

[Truescotsman]

Do you keep the 30 degrees on the foot end or the head end? Or do you just split the difference? I was wondering which is more comfortable.

[oldpappy]

30 degrees is about right for me. I use the TD with a 10 foot pole, keep the hammock centered, and can't tell the difference in balance with the foot end a couple inches higher - the only result i see is that I just don't slide down toward the center during the night as much.
To figure out what is right for you, just vary the adjustments until it feels right.

[drichi]

Has anyone found a way of anchoring the stand to the ground to help with wind when not in it?

[njredneck]

Has anyone found a way of anchoring the stand to the ground to help with wind when not in it?

You can drill the legs and drive long stakes in

[Tankosl]

Hi,

Just in case, I screwed some self-drilling eyes into the posts, near the bottom. This means I can push tent pegs through the eyes to anchor it to the ground. I don't use limit string on my setup, but if I did I could utilize the eyes for this as well!!!!!

Mark