The TurtleDog stand

**daneaustin3** · 05-11-2015, 07:27

The physics is simple. The force applied inward is transferred to the pipe and not the tripods. The force applied to the tripod is only down at that point. Without the pipe my 200 lbs will pull the tripods on top of me regardless of the orientation of the legs.
If you want a lighter stand there are some monopod stands out there. I built one that anchored a monopod on each side with two guy lines for each. Works good if the ground isn't too soft.

**Kamper Kurt** · 05-11-2015, 10:18

Originally Posted by daneaustin3

The physics is simple. The force applied inward is transferred to the pipe and not the tripods. The force applied to the tripod is only down at that point. Without the pipe my 200 lbs will pull the tripods on top of me regardless of the orientation of the legs.
If you want a lighter stand there are some monopod stands out there. I built one that anchored a monopod on each side with two guy lines for each. Works good if the ground isn't too soft.

Yeah....I had a chance to draw out the diagrams last night. There is really no way to reduce the inward vector of the force (enough) on the tripods without the beam between them. Each idea that I came up with was flawed. Oh well, doesn't hurt to try.

**leemur** · 05-11-2015, 11:04

My SO decided to make a TD stand for me last year for my birthday. It's a big deal since he's not the handy sort. However he still makes me wear a bike helmet every time I try to hang from it so it's not as relaxing as it should be.

For uneven ground, I prefer the TL stand with the lashing. I guess I just have more confidence in my lashing abilities rather than my SO's building abilities.

**Truescotsman** · 05-11-2015, 13:56

I really needed a stand for Boy Scout summer camp. We will be in a big field with no trees in sight.

I built my set this weekend and got the hammock set up real nicely after only tipping over once. I am unsure the best way to do my tarp though. I set it up under the ridge pole but I don't like how low it is. Has anyone put their tarp over the pole? I am a little worried about the pole scratching the tarp or it getting caught at the junction point. Has anyone noticed anything like that? Also, are people stacking the tripods down to avoid a flying hammock?

**leemur** · 05-11-2015, 14:15

Originally Posted by Truescotsman

I really needed a stand for Boy Scout summer camp. We will be in a big field with no trees in sight.

I built my set this weekend and got the hammock set up real nicely after only tipping over once. I am unsure the best way to do my tarp though. I set it up under the ridge pole but I don't like how low it is. Has anyone put their tarp over the pole? I am a little worried about the pole scratching the tarp or it getting caught at the junction point. Has anyone noticed anything like that? Also, are people stacking the tripods down to avoid a flying hammock?

I tie my hammock up to avoid the kite effect. If you have a snakeskin or just tie strategically so there are no pockets that will balloon out and catch the wind. Depending on how complicated your setup is and how much helping out with the group, you could just leave the stand up and just pull out your hammock before bed.

**MrClean417** · 05-11-2015, 23:22

Moved into a new house last Friday was first night. No hooks in the wall? Turtledog to the rescue. My daughter and two grandkids came over for mothers day. Where do the kids hang out to play?
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Moved plants and pots over from new house today, put on a fancy thermostat AND accessed the Ultimate Hang App on my phone, new hooks are in and I'm headed into the hammock in 5. But 3 nights in the Turtledog, most appreciated BEST addition to my hammock since the tarp.

**MrClean417** · 05-12-2015, 12:22

Ahhhhh, another successful night. Woke up to the alarm this morning and noticed the room was the wrong color. Nice thing about the hammock, doesn't matter where the hammock is, the sleep is the same.

**CamRuns** · 05-12-2015, 12:54

Originally Posted by MrClean417

Ahhhhh, another successful night. Woke up to the alarm this morning and noticed the room was the wrong color. Nice thing about the hammock, doesn't matter where the hammock is, the sleep is the same.

I will agree. The stand is a must for any hammock lover.

**Kamper Kurt** · 05-13-2015, 11:48

Well, after reading this thread I went out yesterday and bought the materials to build a stand for myself. It cost around $30 and took about 90 minutes to build. Slept outside in the hammock last night to test it out and it worked like a charm. Of course, now the kids think they have a new toy

**skwatupu** · 05-13-2015, 12:25

Originally Posted by Kamper Kurt

Well, after reading this thread I went out yesterday and bought the materials to build a stand for myself. It cost around $30 and took about 90 minutes to build. Slept outside in the hammock last night to test it out and it worked like a charm. Of course, now the kids think they have a new toy

Nice report. Happy to hear you had fast success. Did you go with 2x2s, or did you rip 2x4s?

The TDS sure is a great project and perfect solution to the treeless backyard.

Happy hanging!