Hammock from a VW Wesfalia Camper

**ewhammock** · 12-15-2012, 02:01

Hi All -

I am trying to think of a good way to rig a hammock from my VW Westfalia (Vanagon-style) camper. Preferably, I'd like to hang it from the side with the sliding door - taking advantage of my awning. Mostly this would be for hanging out, but I could also see it being for my WBBB for when the rest of the family is in the van for the night. I am not against bringing some kind of single pole rig for one side, if I can figure out a way to safely connect one end to the exterior of the van itself. I do have roof racks, and the towers are sturdily mounted onto heavy brackets on the side of my fiberglass roof.

Usually just find a couple trees in the vicinity - but like the idea of being under the awning.

Thoughts from those who have rigged from vehicles?

**Brute1100** · 12-15-2012, 06:35

I don't know about hanging off the vehicle, but something like a turtle dog or turtle lady stand would fix your problem with a place to hang...

**flatline** · 12-15-2012, 08:10

Originally Posted by Brute1100

I don't know about hanging off the vehicle, but something like a turtle dog or turtle lady stand would fix your problem with a place to hang...

i concur. IMHO the separate stand would be advantageous.

**Brute1100** · 12-15-2012, 09:35

One other thing is I would not hang from anything that's bedded in fiber glass... My few experiences with fiber glass failures are sudden and dramatic... With about 5 seconds of warning prior to collapse... And 5 seconds is just enough to go "what's that sound, it sounds like..." And then finding the floor with your butt...

But hang your own hang...

**mph5** · 12-15-2012, 09:54

We have had a few Vanagons/buses over the years.
What if you could open the camper top, and run your suspension over the metal roof? Then tie off to the wheel or frame on the other side. Maybe put something under the strap to protect the roof paint.

Marti

**breyman** · 12-15-2012, 10:07

+1 on the TurtleLady or TurtleDog stand. If that isn't an option for one reason or another, you could rig it to the camper on one side and either buy or make something like the following for the other side:
http://www.byerofmaine.com/products/...era-stand.html

Or, park close enough to a tree to attach one side to the camper and the other side to the tree.

**Yojimbo** · 12-15-2012, 10:22

I grew up in a family of five traveling in a VW camper for three to four week cross country trips. One thing you don't have is room for is a tutrlelady stand.

One idea would be to open a door window a crack, run the strap around the metal part, if your strap is long enough, go over the roof (not poptop) and hang on the opposite side. Then you will need just one pole for the other end with secure staking.

**old4hats** · 12-15-2012, 18:04

No help with the connection question, but every movement by the person in the hammock will shake the van and whoever is inside. Could end up interesting.

**HURTHEART** · 12-15-2012, 19:15

I remember seeing a video, on this site, I think, about hanging your hammock, in a vehicle, that was a newer VW Bus and then one on hanging in a newer van. Warnings so you did not spring the doors or damage the vehicle.

It was interesting because we have a 1976 VW Bus. I will think about it more, see if I can remember how I found it. I know it was in the past 12 to 16 months.