New suspension. So excited!

**craige** · 07-18-2014, 20:15

Originally Posted by J_Emory

The catalog said it had a 400 lb. average strength... I figured that'd be enough... I guess I'll try it out in the yard a few nights before the field.

Yeah, the 400lbs is a static load. For dynamic loading i.e. a person in a hammock, you typically want around 5 times or more the max load (your weight). We're not saying they won't work... at first and if you're careful, however they won't last long, the line will deteriorate quickly.

Paracord is generally not recommended for suspension either. However it would last longer as suspension due to the slightly higher breaking strength and the stretch (nylon) absorbing some of the load.

Saying that, you've made them now, you may as well try them. Hang low, check for wear often and try and catch it on camera if and when they fail

Good luck.

**Ratdog** · 07-18-2014, 20:16

Zing It and Lash It make great tarp guy outs. Add a little shockcord if you are using a silnylon tarp.

**J_Emory** · 07-18-2014, 21:11

Good to know. I was planning on talking them on a three nighter I have coming up here in a few weeks. Don't really want to fall on my bum. I think I'll just use them for my tarp and order me some Amsteel to replace them with. I'm glad I got the info before I went out!

**Bic** · 07-18-2014, 22:50

Originally Posted by shef

I've used zing-it for a UCR ridge line before, and I won't do it again. The adjustable bury eventually locked up due to the excess wight. My guess is, if it doesn't fail and drop you, they will wind up being a 'one time' suspension, and be unable to be adjusted again after a night of hanging in them.

I have Lash-it whoopies one of my tarps and it was a bad idea for this same reason. The adjustable bury part has sort of started to lock up and has become a pain to adjust at times.

**J_Emory** · 07-26-2014, 12:31

So I finally got my Amsteel in from diygearsupply.com! I ordered the7/6th stuff but I think they have me the 1/8th inch instead. But i was still able to make proper whoopies with it

I used that zing it to make a system for hanging my tarp and I'm pretty happy with it

**Roadmarker** · 07-26-2014, 17:10

Glad you're using your head. The zing it sounds perfect for tarp use, but not hangin'. Heck, I'm at 250 and I'm probably pushing my amsteel 7/64 whoopies due to the dynamic load. I just gotta quit hammock dancing!

**MDSH** · 07-26-2014, 17:14

You'll be very happy with the 7/32" material. Sleep soundly!

**SirMarkos** · 07-28-2014, 22:36

Just as a reference data point - I'm about 180# and before buying amsteel whoopee slings, I used a 550 cord suspension exclusively for about a year. I did use a double strand configuration with over hand knots every 6 inches, and yes there was some stretch, but during each hang, I'd load my hammock, get the stretch out of the way, adjust it to the next 6" point up the line and call it good. Those paracord suspensions are still operational. Zero failures.

But, I can say this, I wouldn't trust it to suspend me over any height greater than 3 feet from the ground. Over a canyon or gorge would be out of the question. But if you are budget minded, or just don't want to invest in whoopies just yet, they are a feasible, common man alternative.

**SilvrSurfr** · 07-29-2014, 13:13

Originally Posted by SirMarkos

But if you are budget minded, or just don't want to invest in whoopies just yet, they are a feasible, common man alternative.

Well, feasible is not the adjective that comes to mind when I think of a paracord suspension. I think inadvisable, unreliable, dangerous, foolhardy is a bit more appropriate. And all those overhand knots derate the 550 paracord into 150 paracord. We do get quite a few people who join the forum saying they've hung with paracord and Figure 9s for eons, questioning why it's not more popular and vociferously defending its safety. Take Hamster here, who hasn't been back to the forums since folks questioned the advisability of a paracord suspension.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...light=paracord

When I hear stories of people using paracard suspensions, I consider them to be Tales of the Extremely Lucky. Personally, I'l skip "common man alternatives" and stick with "common sense alternatives" and best practice.