Grand Trunk UL Reliability

[desmobob]

My girlfriend bought one last spring and we did a good amount of hammocking (all four seasons) with no troubles or worries. I bought one to put up in the yard this summer.

Take it easy,
desmobob

[lazyboy]

Hey all, I'm new to hammocks and wanted a low-cost option to enter the arena. It sounds like the GTUL is a great option, but I have one main hesitation:

• How reliable is it?

I have read several comments about folks having it rip right down the middle after a few uses, with them in it, stranding them in the field with no sleep system. A couple of these reviews are coming from Amazon.com. What are yall's thoughts on this?

If this is not the best place to ask about this then I apologize...please direct me to the proper section.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Matt

Happened to me but I do weight 220# which is close to the rated 250 limit

[BackPackHiker]

Why not go for the Hammock Bliss single hammock? It is the same price and it comes with suspension. OR your could get the Ticket To The Moon Single hammock for just 35$ great company great customer service great products. You can check out reviews from all three companies on my website campinghammockreviews.com the link is below. Good luck deciding I know how hard it can be.

Also the Byer of Maine Lite hammock, only $22. Grand Trunk is good but I find when you are getting basic gathered end single hammocks they are all very similar in comfort that the only thing separating them is price.

[CrankyOldGuy]

I was helping a friend set one up last and I thought to myself, "Self, these suspension lines look mighty thin..." but I replied, "C'mon, man, they wouldn't sell anything that wasn't rated to hold an average sized body, would they?" Well, this could have gone on for sometime, but my friend sat on the hammock, gingerly, and POP! The line failed before he had his full weight on it. He ordered whoopies and longer straps from Enlightened Equipment last night.

[fallkniven]

I was helping a friend set one up last and I thought to myself, "Self, these suspension lines look mighty thin..." but I replied, "C'mon, man, they wouldn't sell anything that wasn't rated to hold an average sized body, would they?" Well, this could have gone on for sometime, but my friend sat on the hammock, gingerly, and POP! The line failed before he had his full weight on it. He ordered whoopies and longer straps from Enlightened Equipment last night.

The line that came with the grand trunk hammock? The stuff that came with mine has been wrapped around the same tree for maybe 5 years now, still holds me up. They must of switched their line. Crazy though....

[PDA]

I suspect most of the "problem" tears arise from exposed metal on the hammocker. e.g. rivets on jeans, clipped on key rings, phones etc. the sharp metal nicks the cloth and the tear races across the width/length. Get into your hammock naked and the problem will not arise (make sure that your finger and toe nails are clipped short).

[CrankyOldGuy]

There enough "mature" hangers that naked hanging could be a problem. Ewww! Something's you can't unsee.