Potential Backpacking Hammock Stand

[olddog]

Found out this weekend the practical truth in what MADD777, an engineer, had been trying to politely explain about the stresses we impose on our suspension systems. The weakest link in your system will put your behind on the ground. My Single Line Suspension (SLS) failed at the tree hugger loop. With the crack of a 22 cal rifle I was on the ground! The amsteel was adequate for the loading but my DIY stitching of the loops wasn't. Physics will find the weakest link in any system resulting in a failure.

Lesson learned. Overbuild for sucess or hang close to the ground for the inevitable failure.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Ok, built the stand. Used Technora 1/8" rope, rated at 2800#'s for the lines. Used 1 3/8" dowels cause they were cheaper than the 1" dowels. I bought 4 ground stakes (these: http://www.lowes.com/pd_349251-258-G...t=ground+stake).

I put it up the first time last night and had a stake failure. The stake just pulled out of the ground. I made some adjustments, lengthened the ropes a bit and lowered the connection point. All held good for a bit, then I had another stake failure. This one was different though. It actually bent the stake against one of the support ribs. you can see the lighter orange stress marks along the plastic.

I think the design is good, just need better stakes that can take the forces. Think I'll go back and try these: http://www.lowes.com/pd_65507-1278-1...ike&facetInfo=

Suggest you go back and look closely at what Alamosa did. Not a stake you get at Lowes. The "stake boom" concept is key here because you're asking your stakes to counteract ALL of the compression force.

This is the voice of one who has endured a number of stake failures, including the ones you're thinking of using next.

[Lupus]

Suggest you go back and look closely at what Alamosa did. Not a stake you get at Lowes. The "stake boom" concept is key here because you're asking your stakes to counteract ALL of the compression force.

This is the voice of one who has endured a number of stake failures, including the ones you're thinking of using next.

Thanks for the heads up about the 12" spikes. That's some money saved.

My problem is, I don't have the tools to build any kind of stake boom. This leaves me to wonder about the original video link I posted where the guy used 10" lag bolts.

Hmmm. . . .

[gmcttr]

...My problem is, I don't have the tools to build any kind of stake boom...

No problem...go to plan B. Use multiple stakes connected to reinforce one another. There is a name for this that I couldn't remember so I had to draw it. Some one will give us the name and you can google other examples.

Multiple Stakes.png.jpg

[Lupus]

I suppose if I get really desperate I can go for one of these:

http://www.lodimetals.com/double-headed-tent-stake

[Lupus]

No problem...go to plan B. Use multiple stakes connected to reinforce one another. There is a name for this that I couldn't remember so I had to draw it. Some one will give us the name and you can google other examples.

Multiple Stakes.png.jpg

I"ll give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen?

[ezhiker]

These look like the stakes for a GP Large military tent hardly lightweight.

[gmcttr]

These look like the stakes for a GP Large military tent hardly lightweight.

I believe that whooshing sound you heard was Lupus's joke going over the top of your head. Or I could be wrong.

[Lupus]

These look like the stakes for a GP Large military tent hardly lightweight.

Yeah, I meant it as a joke.

The more I have to engineer this, the more weight seems to be getting added, and the less likely it seems to be that it will make it into the 'backpacking' category.

Stake booms seem to be a potential fix, but would increase the weight to at least double the original stake weight. Using multiple stakes to reinforce the stakes, would mean even more added weight.

I think going with the 12" spikes and longer ropes to reduce the angle on the stakes may be the answer. Provided the forces on the stakes isn't enough to physically bend the stakes, as was the case with the plastic stakes.

[TallPaul]

Litefoot gave a demonstration of one at our recent hangs in NC.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...&postcount=217

A bunch of us tried out the hammock & it held fine.
I've since made one myself successfully.

Here's another video, different angle.