safe working load of hammocks????

[Realearner]

Hi there, been looking at getting a tarp and hammock, however i am on the heavy side (111kg) :ashamed: so i was wondering what the safe working load of a hammock. i know the cordage will be more than suitable, and i need to practice knots. But any suggestions as to this dilemma, i would be grateful.

Thanks in advance realearner.:camping:

[JEEP]

A hammock from a reputable manufacturer should have such information available on their website, packaging and/or in the product manual.

I have a Trekmates Expedition Hammock, which takes up tp 150 kg.

[Tony1948]

Hi Realearner ,Im 17 stone stay a ground dweller like me.Welcome to the forum,atb........DONT GET EATAN BY THE BEARS...........TONY

[mark]

when i ordered mine last x mas i was 19 stone and at 6'2, some what of a lump. the dd frontline has done me proud, but yes you are right practice those knots. The first time you sit in it it will stretch.

[Realearner]

Thanks for the replies, and if I get it wrong I will be on the ground anyway.
Still will do a bit on internet and hopefully get a good set up.

[Tony1948]

Hi mark got enny dates for the nexst camp at home farm yet atb ............TONY

[mark]

just waiting for the wife to start her new job then i can go up at least once a mouth

[andy202wr]

Pitch it a few inch's of the ground then if the knot fails you havent far to fall.

[Adam Savage]

Tenth Wonder hammocks are rated at 150kg, but they tested them with 400kg of kit (obviously static load, with no drops, swings, or shuffles) and they stood up fine. The material itself will hold plenty, the stitching is the key area of concern. Like Jakob said, go for a known brand and it will be perfectly adequate for your needs.

Adam

[garethw]

Hi there
I think most of the serious camping hammocks are rated for 150kgs minimum. I have a DD Travel hammock and that's what their info states. DD's are triple stitched at the gathered end, but if you get a sign of stress on this point it's easy to cinch the chord around the fabric on most hammocks, although I doubt it would be necessary.
The weak spot is the junction between suspenion and hammock as all the proper suspention ropes, chords and webbing are rated far higher than 150kg. The Amsteel for my whoopie slings is rated at over 700kg.
Anyway go for it! I've been hammocking since the spring regularly and its just great. Never slept better. I'd suggest reading or watching some of the Youtube vids.. ie: Shug, Grizz the Profesor Hammock etc. They give loads of very useful info to get you going.
Happy Hanging
cheers
Gareth

[MikeWilkinson]

Have a look at these threads for some links to good hammocking pages and advice on hammocking in general:-

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?1533-Maiden-voyage-of-my-home-made-hammock-this-week...!
Hammock physics in here regards your suspension technique.

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?100-How-do-you-hang

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?244-Resources-for-Budding-Bushcrafters-and-more-advanced-folk.
Links in here to 'to the woods' and the hammock forums, both excellent resources for hammockers.

As to will the hammock take your weight, as mentioned above most hammocks are tested/rated as 150kg, however most companies test to at least 4x that as I believe there are some commercial safety laws/regs that would put them under some serious scrutiny if they didn't. If in doubt, look at some of the links above and make your own, just pick a heavier material like 4lbs ripstop instead of 2lbs.

[Ashley Cawley]

I'm about the same weight as you Realearner and have been hammocking for years. I would recommend hammocking over ground dwelling as I find it a lot comfier, but again this depends on you as an individual & your back.

There are tips & tricks to hammocking that slowly let you get a better & better nights sleep, but here's a couple of videos that I made last year, they will give you a good start...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78OhtWrIInE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEhzZ771PnI

[Realearner]

Thanks to all you guy's. Been under the weather for the last day so will be using all the links and info today now I am feeling better.
And I think that it will be a hammock as I have been on the ground a long time ago and I don't think my old back could take it any more.

Thanks to all Damon (realearner)