Tarp Attached to Hammock, Easy Setup!

**cfi on the fly** · 09-02-2012, 06:05

Nice idea and work. I agree that the setup process of the tarp is the most time consuming and this would seem to make things easier. Do you have a pic of the whole thing put away in its storage bag?

**gargoyle** · 09-02-2012, 06:25

I don't like it.
Because it is not in pencil. From now on Mule, you are not allowed to post pics, drawings only.

Either skins for the tarp or the hammock would help when packing up wet. Or both??

Not that it ever rains when Mule camps.

**MAD777** · 09-02-2012, 06:32

Originally Posted by Mule

....the whoopies and loops to the cinch buckles end up at 25 inches each side and the whoopee tarp ridge line is 176 inches for doing this to a BB

I love the simplicity of this setup, Mule!

I don't see why you would need 25" extra width per side though. As always, a lot depends on the length of the tarp, of course.

If you use dynaglide or amsteel for the tarp ridgeline, you wouldn't need any adjustability because it could take the strain. Simply splice a fixed eye on each end of the ridgeline and use your biners to attach to the cinch buckles. Then, attach the D-rings of your tarp to the tarp ridgeline with prussics. Hang the system such that your tarp ridgeline is taut. Again, amsteel or dynaglide would be required to take this load.

Now you would have a system with "structure" which would allow you to hang the hammock off the cinch buckles with no need for adjustability either. Just straight dynaglide or amsteel with fixed eyes in all ends from hammock to cinch buckle. Because the cinch buckles are now a set distance apart, from the hammock's perspective, it's hanging the same every time.

There is no stress on the tarp because its tightness is controlled be the prussics. If the tarp is 12" longer then the hammock at each end, add another 8" for the prussic, fixed eye and biner, the total tarp ridgeline should be about 140" on a WBBB with a 100" ridgeline.

That's a 3' difference between 176" and 140" ridgeline. This system could hang between trees that are closer together and therefore with a much lower mounting height.

See what a great idea this! You got me all worked up and doing math before my coffee in the morning!

**Cranky Bear** · 09-02-2012, 08:18

Post deleted!

**Mule** · 09-02-2012, 08:32

Originally Posted by FLRider

Another option is to make (or buy) some snakeskins and attach them along the suspension below where the hammock attaches to the buckles. That way, you can draw them closed over the hammock while it's still hanging and have it more-or-less waterproof before wrapping it up in the still-wet tarp.

It adds a small amount of weight, though, due to the difference in design from a snakeskin to a BB bag.

That'a a good idea! Thanks, the skins could be longer by 50 inches too to include the suspension up to the cinch buckles. My tarp comes off by just opening a small biner on eah end, though, so I double that I keep it all stuffed together. Last time I put it up it all went into the BB stuff sack.

**tbctx** · 09-02-2012, 08:43

There are other threads doing similar. You can use alpine butterflies and biners/soft shackles to allow removing the hammock. I use a similar setup to allow hanging the tarp and then setting the rest up from under it.

One of the older threads is
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=32421

**Mule** · 09-02-2012, 09:03

Originally Posted by cfi on the fly

Nice idea and work. I agree that the setup process of the tarp is the most time consuming and this would seem to make things easier. Do you have a pic of the whole thing put away in its storage bag?

I haven't taken a picture but it all fit back into the BB stuff sack. (:

**Mule** · 09-02-2012, 09:06

Originally Posted by gargoyle

I don't like it.
Because it is not in pencil. From now on Mule, you are not allowed to post pics, drawings only.

Either skins for the tarp or the hammock would help when packing up wet. Or both??

Not that it ever rains when Mule camps.

What? Did you think any of these were photos? LOL

**XTrekker** · 09-02-2012, 09:08

I like the design. But....I have been on quite a few backpacking trips where it started to pour down on me and I needed to get my shelter setup. Just thinking to myself of how bad it would have sucked if I had to set up my hammock first in those heavy downpours, just to get my tarp up. That is why I removed the Rain-Fly from my HH and gave it, it's own suspension.

Sometimes I may not want to set up my hammock, but just the tarp instead, so I can wait out the heavy part of the rain, then move along the trail again.

I would bring a fall back plan just in-case. Of course, that will add the weight back on that you saved in attaching the tarp to the hammock in the first place.

I guess just keep a sharp eye out on the weather.

**Mule** · 09-02-2012, 09:25

Originally Posted by XTrekker

I like the design. But....I have been on quite a few backpacking trips where it started to pour down on me and I needed to get my shelter setup. Just thinking to myself of how bad it would have sucked if I had to set up my hammock first in those heavy downpours, just to get my tarp up. That is why I removed the Rain-Fly from my HH and gave it, it's own suspension.

Sometimes I may not want to set up my hammock, but just the tarp instead, so I can wait out the heavy part of the rain, then move along the trail again.

I would bring a fall back plan just in-case. Of course, that will add the weight back on that you saved in attaching the tarp to the hammock in the first place.

I guess just keep a sharp eye out on the weather.

XTreker, you are right about the tarp. There will be no way to set it up by itself, so just to set out a downpour would be both hammock and tarp. As I said, my tarp comes off with just small biners on each end so I won't carry it attached most of the time because it's easy to attach after the hammock is up. IF I think it's going to rain I will leave it attached.
Thanks for the great comments. Everyone would have to understand your point.