Mule straps

**Ben Guss** · 02-09-2014, 23:05

I'm looking for around 25 feet of mule tape to make my suspension for my first setup. I found some on ebay but had to buy 100+ feet; can any one help out?
Many thanks!
Ben

**Charleskbrown2** · 02-10-2014, 07:53

Harbor Freight (if in your area) has cheap tow straps for around $3.50. It comes with 14' x 1" poly.

**Ben Guss** · 02-10-2014, 11:30

Thank, but the harbor freight straps are not made from mule tape...
Mule tape is 1/2'' wide and weighs much less than the poly straps.

**Redoleary** · 02-10-2014, 13:48

Actually mule tape comes in multiple widths 1/2" being one of them. That being said the convention around here is to use 1" webbing for suspension. I know others have used mule tape but if nothing else the perception that 1" is better for the tree goes a long way. And I would be surprised to see a significant difference in weight between equal lengths of the Harbor Freight webbing (with hardware cut off) and the mule tape webbing.

**Bushwhacker** · 02-12-2014, 01:57

Originally Posted by Redoleary

Actually mule tape comes in multiple widths 1/2" being one of them. That being said the convention around here is to use 1" webbing for suspension. I know others have used mule tape but if nothing else the perception that 1" is better for the tree goes a long way. And I would be surprised to see a significant difference in weight between equal lengths of the Harbor Freight webbing (with hardware cut off) and the mule tape webbing.

I think photosenior's point is that you can wrap the strap around multiple times, to protect the bark. This would give a strap more versatility, for instance if you're going to a forest with trees that at most have a 2 foot diameter. Then you would need 6 feet of webbing. But then, when you find a smaller tree, say 1 foot in diameter, you would have 3 rather than 2 extra feet of webbing in your suspension length.

Weight matters to gran weenies. Any weight.

Also, I believe mule cord is much cheaper. Other people have had some success from dumpster diving electrical companies. I wouldn't trust that rope, but you can try.

**nothermark** · 02-12-2014, 10:09

Originally Posted by Bushwhacker

I think photosenior's point is that you can wrap the strap around multiple times, to protect the bark. This would give a strap more versatility, for instance if you're going to a forest with trees that at most have a 2 foot diameter. Then you would need 6 feet of webbing. But then, when you find a smaller tree, say 1 foot in diameter, you would have 3 rather than 2 extra feet of webbing in your suspension length.

Weight matters to gran weenies. Any weight.

Also, I believe mule cord is much cheaper. Other people have had some success from dumpster diving electrical companies. I wouldn't trust that rope, but you can try.

You also need to use significant amounts of detergent and effort to get the wire lubricant off the used mule tape. ;-)

If weight is the issue and you are going to carry enough for multiple wraps 1" is probably lighter as it is thinner than mule tape.

You also have to figure tree circumference. A 6 in tree is ~ 3 x 6=18 in. a 12 in tree ~= 36 in. Are you going to carry 3 ft extra for the second wrap around the 1 ft tree? Got bigger trees to worry about?

That still does not get you past Mr Ranger who is not worried about you hanging but is worried about the trees. A lot of places push 2 inch webbing for that. 1 inch is the narrow maybe compromise.

**Bushwhacker** · 02-12-2014, 12:10

Actually, sorry for hijacking this thread (although I think it may have already died), but do you have any good references on tree strap width and damage? Something that would also take into account the hang length? I'm wondering about how one might build a minimal impact treehouse/platform, and it seems like webbing is the way to go, but if you're leaving it up for a few years, it may no longer be good.

**Ben Guss** · 02-10-2014, 14:27

Thanks RED.
Please see Sgt. Rock's video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch-bqE7OQZw
as this was the originator of my idea.

**Redoleary** · 02-12-2014, 12:31

If you're leaving something on the tree for a few years then it probably actually causes less damage to bolt something into it rather than girth it with a strap.