Putting Spreader Bars Inside Clark?

[SingleTrackMind]

Hi. I own an NX-200.

The bars I have in mind can be made with aluminum tubes/pipes. The ends of each bar, the bar being probably a foot or so long, would have a snap stud and the snap would be installed on the hammock fabric. They would snap into place at the head and foot of the hammock.

My thought is that is might create more horizontal space, thus leading to more comfort.

Any thoughts on the matter would be great.

[Dutch]

I would hesitate before putting a snap in the hammock fabric because it cuts a hole in the fabric. Maybe you can put the snap on a piece of webbing or grossgrain and sew that to the seam or the hammock body. The Idea of a snap is interesting though.

[moski]

I have done something similar.
I took a tent pole , saw to the right length (a foot or so).
On the ends i still have plugs from the tent pole.
The small pole is actually two pieces and plug ends are connected with
shock cord, so the hole thing is fold able.

In the hammock i sew in two pieces of Tubular webbing.
That kind of give me a tub on each side to insert my small tube.

The webbing takes most of the stress put into the sides.

Does anyone understand what i'm babbling about?

[SingleTrackMind]

Hi Moski. I speak babble.
It sounds like you had the same idea in mind. Did you find that it made the Clark Hammock more comfortable?

[moski]

Hi Moski. I speak babble.
It sounds like you had the same idea in mind. Did you find that it made the Clark Hammock more comfortable?

I only have it on the head end and it sure makes it more roomy.
The bug net tends to lay in my face (on occasion on some spots) otherwise.

Try for yourself with a big diameter stick (handle of broom).

Good luck!

[SingleTrackMind]

This sounds like it could be an interesting experiment. I like the tubular webbing approach because the snaps can unsnap if put under pressure in some cases. I'd say the webbing is there to stay.

[Zenodog]

I found that I can tie lines to the little black loops just outside the head end of my North America's netting zipper. If I stake those lines out to the side, then the netting seems to spread out a lot more above my head. Maybe this could accomplish a similar result as spreader bars? I can easily adjust the tension on both lines from inside hammock by unzipping the bug netting just enough to reach out and slide my taut-line knots.

[RTR]

I found that I can tie lines to the little black loops just outside the head end of my North America's netting zipper. If I stake those lines out to the side, then the netting seems to spread out a lot more above my head. Maybe this could accomplish a similar result as spreader bars? I can easily adjust the tension on both lines from inside hammock by unzipping the bug netting just enough to reach out and slide my taut-line knots.

Hey I have considered doing this myself. When you do this do you use shock cord or static/guy line (i.e. 550)? And in your experience do you notice any serious tension that can rip these tabs?

[Zenodog]

RTR,

I just got my Clark. So far, I've only had time to use it for an afternoon nap. I thought it would be nice if the netting had more room around my face, so I tried tying the hammock's side loops out a bit. The cords I used were static, but didn't take much tension to open up the netting nicely. It didn't look like the side loops were in any danger of tearing, but it wasn't windy either. I didn't think of using elastic lines, but that's a good idea that should be more reliable in the long run.

[ZDP-189]

Tubular webbing, like on my Bridge Bag, but the closed end of the webbing can be stitched to a leather or webbing pad which is then stitched onto the fabric. This prevents the tubular webbing from ripping the fabric.