Length of Suspension for UQ?

[cvlngnir]

I have looked around and can't find a reccomendation for the length of the shockcord suspension for an UQ. I made a 72" long UQ and with channels on each side. How long should my shock cord be to support the UQ snug but not too tight. I plan to leave extra so that I can adjust it but just need a good starting point. Is 10 ft too much? Is 8 ft not enough?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

[MAD777]

I find that an all shock cord suspension to be too much. I use 5' of 1/8" shock cord (on each side) and the remainder is zing-it.

[FLScouthanger]

I find that an all shock cord suspension to be too much. I use 5' of 1/8" shock cord (on each side) and the remainder is zing-it.

What method/knot do you use to "connect" the shock cord to the Zing-It?

[Lost_Biker]

I use a double fishermans knot for joining shock cord and zing it or masons line -same as MAD777 suggests.

http://www.animatedknots.com/doublefishermans/

Makes small knots so it doesn't get caught in the channels.

[MAD777]

What method/knot do you use to "connect" the shock cord to the Zing-It?

I use an Albright knot. It's the sleekest knot I know. Doesn't get hung up on underquilts or snake guides on fly rods

[cvlngnir]

Good suggestion but that still doesn't give me a total length.

Also, to clarify, is that 5' of shock chord per side (left and right) with zing-it on each end going to the triangle thingies? So each side would have something like this:

---zing it---shock cord---zing it
x 5ft x

Please tell me how long the x's should be.

[DemostiX]

Experts advise that shock cord should be 40%-50% stretched. Good cord stretches 100%. So 10ft of shock cord gives you 100-40 = 60% x 10ft or 6 feet of play. I think that is more than enough. If you include too much you can take some out of service by tying some of it off, or with a cordlock.

UQ makers supply an abundance of the stuff because many folks use long hammocks, and the easiest way to hang the UQ was to clip it to ends of the hammocks. That's whether that hook-up provides the most reliable and conforming fit through the night or not. It does permit you to move the UQ to a different hammock and try a different hanging method.

Use 1/8" or heavier shock cord. Lighter cord will fail to retain elasticity in the deep cold, when you are most counting on it; and you need stronger pull for the greater weight of a full length UQ.

Take a look at what hangnout, leighlo's chief of R&D & head of field testing suggests for a hanging method: His short video is called "Updated LeighLo Hammock Underquilt Suspension", found at http://www.hammockquilts.com/underquilts.htm.

[PuckerFactor]

I have a 74" winter UQ, and I use about 6' of SC on one end, and paracord on the other. I find this takes a lot of fiddling out of the adjustment process (which is a good thing when it's 15F!). I also have cordlock on the SC and a prussik knot on the paracord so I can adjust them as needed. I usually put the SC end at my feet.

PF

[Lost_Biker]

I use an Albright knot. It's the sleekest knot I know. Doesn't get hung up on underquilts or snake guides on fly rods

Thanks for that, MAD777.

[MAD777]

Good suggestion but that still doesn't give me a total length.

Also, to clarify, is that 5' of shock chord per side (left and right) with zing-it on each end going to the triangle thingies? So each side would have something like this:

---zing it---shock cord---zing it
x 5ft x

Please tell me how long the x's should be.

That's the pattern that I use. My quilts can then slide along the shock cord making it easy to adjust them under me.

The dimension "x" is dependent upon the length of your hammock. I usually put a 4' section of zing-it on each end of the quilt, tied to both sides of the quilt, with a cord lock in the center.
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