Swinging (rocking) in a hammock? Do's, Don'ts and Why Not's

[japhyaz]

As a new experimenter with hammock camping, I'd like to drawl from the well of experience here to discuss the act of swinging in hammock. Perhaps rocking would be a better term to express what I mean because I'm not talking about using a hammock as you would a swing.

Anyone care to share their experience and knowledge on the topic?

• How vulnerable is; nylon, polyester and/or Dyneema, to shear from the friction of a gently rocking hammock?
  
• Does adding metal connectors like Dutch Clips to woopies and carabiners to tree straps safely mitigate the shearing risk?
  
• What points are most susceptible to risk; tree straps, marlin spike, suspension to hammock anchor points, hammock stitching?

[skyclad]

I've sometimes fantasized about a device with a battery powered motor running in sync with the sway of my hammock, an axle and wheel on the side, staked to the ground and attached by a length of paracord, that would rock me gently as I sleep. I foresee no stress at all on my hammock's suspension, only a deep and restful sleep under the stars.

Skyclad

[Brute1100]

I have swung HARD in my table cloth... It had whoopies at the time, running to Walmart ratchet strap tree straps... I swung hard enough I was almost 90* off the ground... I am not saying you should... But these hammocks are stronger than they appear assuming even load over a large area... I was about 185# at the time of the swing...

[lilprincess]

My son and I together were pushing 200 # last year when we were swinging softly in nighthauks DIY of 1.0 rip stop nylon. No problem. Whoopies and Dutch buckles and hooks.

[bear bag hanger]

A little swinging might be OK, but I suspect it might not be something you want to do all night. The weak point is where the webbing attaches to the tree. When swinging, you're sawing the webbing at the point where the two lines meet at the attachment point. Do it too much and you'll find yourself on the ground, probably with a nasty headache.

If you're still wanting to do this, you might want to try (and I do mean 'try' - it's all experimental from here) wrapping the webbing with a towel or something to take the sawing action away from the support lines.

[Shug]

I tend to be a bit tough on my hammock......swinging egress at 2:00.
Dutch biners and Dutch clips used on hammock with whoopie slings and tree straps.
Shug

[Oblomov]

Legendary stuff. ^

[IK_]

I've sometimes fantasized about a device with a battery powered motor running in sync with the sway of my hammock...

//snip

You just described the car windshield wipers.

[Bic]

saw a video once of a guy who staked out a line and ran it into his hammock so he could just pull on it to get the swinging motion started... always thought that was a great idea.

[old4hats]

Swinging, actually swaying, a bit is relaxing on a hot summer day. When it comes time to go to sleep I like it dead still.