DD Hammocks - setting up

[cave dweller]

Hi All,

This is a dumb question, but I can't find a sensible answer, so here goes...

DDs website recommends using either the falconer's hitch, or the mooring hitch to tie up their hammocks. But... they ship with one piece of webbing at each end. Now I can tie both those hitches no problem, and I can put the hammock up, no problem.

The trouble is, I can't for the life of me work out how to sensibly use those hitches using the webbing that DD supply. They are both designed to hitch a rope to a pole (or similar), so are they suggesting that you tie each end of the webbing to the tree independently, so that there are two hitches at each end? That doesn't seem to make sense. I've watched a bunch of videos, but most seem to show people using whoopie slings, tree huggers or other methods - not the supplied straps.

It's not a big deal - I'd just like to understand how DD intend them to be used so I can learn another way to do it. Any recommendations please?

Ta!

[ian c]

You can buy more of the webbing from DD or get some whoopie slings which are lighter and less bulky than the webbing.

[Kernowek Scouser]

Q: If you can hang your hammock with the webbing supplied, using knots that make sense to you (and work), does it really matter?

[cave dweller]

Q: If you can hang your hammock with the webbing supplied, using knots that make sense to you (and work), does it really matter?

Well, yes... kind of. I'd just like to understand it really. I'm a complete hammock noob, so I'd like to try a few ways and work out what works best. It's a learning thing!

[cave dweller]

You can buy more of the webbing from DD or get some whoopie slings which are lighter and less bulky than the webbing.

Thanks, but I have whoopie slings (never used them in anger though) and I don't need more webbing - I just don't understand how to use the webbing I already have with the knots that DD recommend, and I'd like to. Call me curious! I've seen that there are plenty of DD users on the forum, so I figured somebody might know.

[Kernowek Scouser]

Fair enough. I've been where you are, so I get that. And I've explored similar paths to those you are now wandering (but with different knots). The conclusion I came to was, if simple works, don't worry about complications.

But each to their own.

Good Luck :D

[cave dweller]

Fair enough. I've been where you are, so I get that. And I've explored similar paths to those you are now wandering (but with different knots). The conclusion I came to was, if simple works, don't worry about complications.



Fair point - I'm at the point of being unsure about it, and thinking that I'm doing it 'wrong'. I've never been good at keeping it simple. I suppose as long as I don't end up on my backside in the mud, it's all good :D

Thanks for the advice.

[Ehecatl]

Don't know if it's any help, but I did this --> http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/shelter/dd-hammock-karabiner-mod-rain-proof-your-hammock.html

The guys on the linked site seem ok to me! ;)

M@

[Silverback]

first thing i did was ditch the stuff supplied and made my own set up

[Tigger004]

whoopies all the way, set mine up in a couple of minutes and have lunch in it regularly

[Silverback]

i use gash climbing slings and caribiners

[jus_young]

To be honest cave dweller, I think you would struggle to get the answer to your question. Although DD give instructions on how to hang their hammocks, in reality everyone has their own way and is unlikely to follow the instructions. As we all know, instructions only exist as a last resort ;)

But for folks that have not heard of this, and as per DD instructions, the Falconers knot or Mooring Hitch is a one handed knot that would allow you to pull the hammock suspension tight with one hand whilst tying the knot with another. It is a knot I am very familiar with having been a falconer, and is very useful to know. I have shown folk how to do it on meets and even a Bushcraft Instructor that did not have a bloody clue on how to tie his own shoelaces, let alone teach a bushcraft course!

I can't see how this could be used effectively with two ends on each length of webbing. My assumption was that one end was attached to the hammock whilst the other wrapped around the tree, thus giving the full length of webbing to span varying gap distances between trees.

Hope that helps in some way.

[cave dweller]

I can't see how this could be used effectively with two ends on each length of webbing. My assumption was that one end was attached to the hammock whilst the other wrapped around the tree, thus giving the full length of webbing to span varying gap distances between trees.


I'm glad it isn't just me! I think your idea makes sense actually. I reckon I'll keep experimenting until I find something that works for me.

[jus_young]

I'm glad it isn't just me! I think your idea makes sense actually. I reckon I'll keep experimenting until I find something that works for me.

That's the fun of hammocks, you can experiment for years and still find different ways.

[Sar-ian]

you could ask 10 different people what set up they use and you would get 10 different answers, I watched the vid below, used that as a base set up then tweaked it until it suited me. as I often say about bushcraft, it's what works for you.... cheers Ian..

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

[Adam Savage]

you could ask 10 different people what set up they use and you would get 10 different answers, I watched the vid below, used that as a base set up then tweaked it until it suited me. I as often say about bushcraft it's what works for you.... cheers Ian..

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

I second that. This video shows you the basic "out of the box" kind of setup, with simple (but secure) knots. After a few goes in the hammock you'll start to modify it in ways that suit you, then after many nights in a hammock, you will peek at other hammock users' setups, then "borrow" aspects of them, maybe even come up with a totally knew idea for a part of it. :)

Adam

[MikeWilkinson]

Have a look at this thread from when the forum first started. It might give you a few ideas.

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

I still use a single line suspension with an Evenk Hitch at one end and an assisted truckers at the others.

Mike

[garethw]

Well, yes... kind of. I'd just like to understand it really. I'm a complete hammock noob, so I'd like to try a few ways and work out what works best. It's a learning thing!
This is great for explaining to noobs allllll about hammocks... Did I tell you its all about hammocks?


http://youtu.be/d7NZVqpBUV0

cheers
Gareth

[cave dweller]

You have to love Shug!

Thanks for all the replies folks. Since we're 18 posts in and nobody has said they use either the falconer's or the mooring hitch, I'm going to forget all about those and experiment with some of the other suggestions in the thread. cheers!

[chrisj]

I don't know what instructions DD are supplying now because I've had my hammock for a couple of years. Mine came with a length of webbing threaded through each end. The instructions were to take both ends round the back of the tree (one in each direction) and tie in a bow on the front of the tree (underneath the lines from the hammock not over). It sounds a bit iffy but it works fine.
I did the karabiner mod, where you tie a small loop of webbing through the end of the hammock and clip a karabiner through it, then thread the main tape through the krab and use as before. This helps stop water running down the lines into the hammock.