? about loosening WB suspension

[Certain]

Ok, I feel I must be getting dumber in my old age. I'm getting ready to teach a group how to hang hammocks and I can not (for the life of me) figure out how to easily loosen the buckle/strap suspension that comes stock on the Blackbird. Any suggestions?

I hang the hammock, get it all adjusted then tighten the straps up till they have slight tension (not with full power, but everything is taut). If I need to adjust them again, I can't figure out how to get the buckles to "release" to loosen the strap, and taking the hammock down takes me so long, I'm now officially in the negative category for "cool points."

[JohnSawyer]

Grab the hammock to take the load off the buckle, use fingers to separate the buckles... Once loaded they hold really well! Sometimes, too well...

[zukiguy]

I have the same webbing suspension on my WBRR and I'm not really that happy with it. I guess it's just personal preference from using whoopies and tree straps with my HH for the past few years. I have an extra set and every time I break out the RidgeRunner I keep planning to swap them out. Maybe next time....

[cpverne]

I watched Brandon's video a bunch of times waiting for my RidgeRunner, and when I got it setup and had to perform the 'separate the buckles' step, I could never do it.. I found that if I put my thumb on the hammock-side of the narrow end of the buckles, and my fingers on the tree side of the larger end, by pulling my fingers towards the hammock, and pushing my thumb towards the tree, I could get the buckles to slide.

[TallPaul]

Grab the hammock to take the load off the buckle, use fingers to separate the buckles... Once loaded they hold really well! Sometimes, too well...

+1 on this.

[Loki]

1. Remove load from buckle (i usually place my palm through the loop or the hammock suspension and pull the small loop toward the tree using my palm)
2. separate the buckles (at the wide end) -just a bit
3. tilt the buckles wide-end away from the tree, about 90* to 180*

they'll slide much easier now.
Does take some practice !
Hint: better to begin adjustments before drawing both straps too tight (don't ask me how i know)!

Got it? Good.
No? Re-Watch Brandon's video (he loves it when you do that

Start at #1, above, repeat... Wax-on-wax-off...

[WV]

I haven't done this, but with similar equipment I've wondered if a keeping a small loop of cord around one of the buckles would give something to tug on to separate them. It would need to be thinner than the suspension strap - maybe mason's line or dacron kite line. Warning: extreme conjecture has just occurred.

[Cannibal]

Remove the buckles; replace with rings.
Easy as pie.

[Certain]

Remove the buckles; replace with rings.
Easy as pie.

Well you know, I had a homemade strap/ring set up for my HH (thanks to Bruce...not sure if he's still on this forum?), and never had an issue. The rings just required you to pull the loose end of the strap at a 90-degree angle and it loosened. I thought these would work the same way so was surprised when they didn't. On the other hand...you surely don't have to worry about these WB buckles slipping.

[Certain]

1. Remove load from buckle (i usually place my palm through the loop or the hammock suspension and pull the small loop toward the tree using my palm)
2. separate the buckles (at the wide end) -just a bit
3. tilt the buckles wide-end away from the tree, about 90* to 180*

they'll slide much easier now.
Does take some practice !
Hint: better to begin adjustments before drawing both straps too tight (don't ask me how i know)!

Got it? Good.
No? Re-Watch Brandon's video (he loves it when you do that

Start at #1, above, repeat... Wax-on-wax-off...

Thanks! I'll definitely do this. Going out this weekend again so hopefully I'll get this down. Appreciate all the ideas everyone!