Inexpensive (downright cheap) tree straps

**trick420** · 11-05-2015, 16:33

So I was at my local sporting goods retailer the other day and I picked up a couple of Coghlans Utility Straps for $1.99 each. They're 6' long 1" polypropylene straps with a sewn on buckle. I'm basically looking to upgrade my ENO single nest for my son (8yo) to camp in.

So I cut off the super cheap buckle and now I have a 6' strap with a sewn loop on the end. It remains to be seen if the loop is sufficiently sewn, but either way it's a cheap source for strap material, and if it fails a figure 8 would work just fine. My intent is to use these with a marlin spike hitch and some whoopie slings.

Anyone else trusted their hang to a Coghlan's strap?

**brianb** · 11-05-2015, 19:14

I use these from harbor freight. Same price, a little longer. Bright yellow. You decide if that's a plus or minus.

Link to Harbor Freight Straps

**zukiguy** · 11-05-2015, 19:23

Last but not least.....lurk on the bargain barn on Strapworks site. I bought about 50' of maroon 1.5" polypro webbing last year for what came out to be about $.04/ft. Sew it or tie it. Either way those were some cheap and awesome tree straps.

**trick420** · 11-05-2015, 21:12

Originally Posted by brianb

I use these from harbor freight. Same price, a little longer. Bright yellow. You decide if that's a plus or minus.

Link to Harbor Freight Straps

Oooh. Yeah, those look a little more robust. I'm not confident that the sewn loops on the coghlans are gonna hold up in the long run. Those HF ones look like they have much better loop sewing.

**gmcttr** · 11-05-2015, 22:20

Originally Posted by trick420

S...They're 6' long 1" polypropylene straps with a sewn on buckle...

Just so you know...1" x 0.060" polypropylene heavyweight webbing has a breaking strength of 900 lbs compared to 3800 lbs for polyester webbing of equal dimensions.

The 1" polyester webbing frequently used for tree straps has a breaking strength of about 1500 lbs.

**trick420** · 11-05-2015, 22:48

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Just so you know...1" x 0.060" polypropylene heavyweight webbing has a breaking strength of 900 lbs compared to 3800 lbs for polyester webbing of equal dimensions.

The 1" polyester webbing frequently used for tree straps has a breaking strength of about 1500 lbs.

Dang... Details... Oh well. It will hold my 70# 8 year old son just fine though!

**dirtwheels** · 11-06-2015, 00:12

I've hung dozens of times on those yellow straps, I just broke the buckle off and use a Dutch clip, I've used tri-glides, dutch buckles and dream hammocks new buckle/slotted tri-glide and cinch buckles on those. And BTH, if you want yellow you better hurry, the new ones are orange.

Originally Posted by trick420

Oooh. Yeah, those look a little more robust. I'm not confident that the sewn loops on the coghlans are gonna hold up in the long run. Those HF ones look like they have much better loop sewing.

**Rain Man** · 11-06-2015, 08:56

Originally Posted by trick420

... I picked up a couple of Coghlans Utility Straps for $1.99 each. ... I'm basically looking to upgrade my ENO single nest for my son (8yo) to camp in. ... but either way it's a cheap source for strap material.... Anyone else trusted their hang to a Coghlan's strap?

You consider this to be an upgrade?! The adage is "you get what you pay for." And no, I would not trust el cheapo straps to hang from. If you read the warnings, I'm betting they say "not for use" for human life or limb.

Don't hang your son any higher than you are willing for him to fall, nor over anything you are not willing for his spine to hit first.

Good straps simply are not that expensive.

**Bubba** · 11-06-2015, 10:02

I wouldn't trust those straps, especially not the small sewn loop. There's no indication of breaking strength (at least the ones I've seen in stores). If the tree strap on the head end breaks, then your son's head may be injured. If you make him wear a helmet when biking, then I'd suggest stronger straps.

**trick420** · 11-06-2015, 13:54

Originally Posted by Rain Man

You consider this to be an upgrade?! The adage is "you get what you pay for." And no, I would not trust el cheapo straps to hang from. If you read the warnings, I'm betting they say "not for use" for human life or limb.

Don't hang your son any higher than you are willing for him to fall, nor over anything you are not willing for his spine to hit first.

Good straps simply are not that expensive.

Actually, I was thinking it to be an upgrade. It's all relative.. The backstory is: Not knowing any better, that hammock has been hung using nothing more than this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...4156/202048173 for the past 12 years. This rope is old and dry, and in looking recently is only rated to 244#. I hang in it, all three kids and two of their friends have hung (and swung) in it... THAT is dangerous. If these straps, worst case, are rated at 900#, then I have just upped the safety factor by almost 4x.

Now, being new here, and not having in previous exposure to proper suspension systems, I agree, they're not the best option. After looking at the sewn loops, I agree, they're not adequate. I would have no problem though tying a figure 8 loop though and using that, and that's what I was planning after inspecting the loops.

I will get proper poly webbing for this project and keep these for an emergency backup.