Hammock + 550cord = fail?

HandofCod

HandofCod

Joined
Feb 27, 2010
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My hammock looks great but came with really dodgy looking rope that is too short to wrap around even a small tree. I've replaced it with 550 paracord that's doubled up in the fashion seen here:

Basic Camping Knots

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My concern is that paracord won't hold my weight given the force is not just horizontal but also vertical so the force isn't just equal to my weight.

Anyone used paracord to sling a hammock up?
 
I wouldn't sleep soundly with 550 cord holding me up. Go buy some .5" flat webbing for your suspension, it doesnt harm the tree as much as is rated for something ridiculous like 2400lbs or something like that.

Personally I use no stretch sailboat rigging rope that is real thing but extremely strong and has no stretch.
 
I think I remember reading somewhere that the force exerted on the upright supports (tree) you tie to is like 700lbs, I don't know if its true, but it would make me think twice about using paracord.
 
I haven't, but at a gathering last year someone tried. In the middle of the night it went snap!
 
Look up amsteel blue. Stuff is stronger then steel cable they say. Easy to use and light as all get out! I know alot of people on Hammock Forums are using it in several different set ups.
 
The force on each ot the lines holding up your hammock is half your weight divided by the sine of the angle the line makes with the ground. Most people tie the hammock tight so it does not form a vee shape. The sne of a small angle is very small so the force would be high.
 
First time I've heard of amsteel blue. Sounds like amazing stuff, I'm definitely going to have to order some to play with.
 
amsteel blue is insane stuff. Same stuff we are using on my two winches. Stronger than steel, easy to splice and fairly light.
 
I wouldn't use paracord for a hammock. The 550 rating is for static weight, without any other considerations. Stronger cord would be better, or something made specifically for the task, like the ENO slapstraps.
 
storl said:
I wouldn't use paracord for a hammock. The 550 rating is for static weight, without any other considerations. Stronger cord would be better, or something made specifically for the task, like the ENO slapstraps.
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You should consider adding Amsteel blue in the small diameters to your cordage section, sounds like amazing stuff.
 
Not only is paracord probably not strong enough, it stretches like crazy. I do NOT want my hammock suspension to stretch.


As others have recommended, amsteel blue is outstanding. PLEASE use webbing straps around the trees, though - rangers in many parks have already banned hammocks due to concern about damage to the trees, and we don't need to contribute to that. Webbing instead of rope on the trees spreads the force over a larger area, making damage to the bark and layers directly beneath the bark much less likely.

I actually use an entirely webbing based suspension - buckles attached to the hammock, webbing has a carabiner through a loop in the end. It's incredibly easy to set up - pull out the webbing, wrap it around the tree, clip it to itself, and use the buckle to adjust length. Doesn't get much simpler than that.


Arrowhead equipment sells a number of different options for hammock suspensions, available pre-made, and he will custom sew loops and things in webbing. A lot of really good options available on his site.

http://arrowheadequipment.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/category/270327
 
Looks like I'm going to have to do some searching for some of those items. Down to Bunnings today, hopefully they have some of this stuff.
 
Bah this may be harder than I thought. Looks like I'll have to mail order.

Any Aussie's know where to get webbing in Melbourne?
 
I also forgot to mention that you want something like a polyester webbing. Nylon webbing stretches too much. Seat belt webbing is good, or 1" polyester strap webbing works too.
 
HandofCod said:
Bah this may be harder than I thought. Looks like I'll have to mail order.

Any Aussie's know where to get webbing in Melbourne?
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I'm in NSW. I've bought polypro webbing from spotlight and while it held up, I don't trust it. If you go to an outdoor store or climbing store, they should have climbing tape that you can use.
 
HandofCod said:
Bah this may be harder than I thought. Looks like I'll have to mail order.

Any Aussie's know where to get webbing in Melbourne?
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Any outdoor shop that sells climbing gear. Flat tubular nylon webbing is extremely strong and holds knots well. Learn to tie a "water knot" and a "figure eight on a bight" and you'll be all set. I believe test on 0.5" tubular webbing is 1500 lbs.

Knot site: http://www.chockstone.org/TechTIps/F8Knots.htm
 
Again, I want to repeat that climbing webbing is less than ideal for hammock suspension. While climbers consider webbing to be a "static" component of the system, in fact nylon webbing does have some stretch to it. For hanging a hammock, you want the least stretchy material possible. Dyneema, spectra, or polyester webbing are the way to go.

If you have to settle for nylon, it's better than nothing, but you might have to adjust your hammock after you've laid in it for a while, to compensate for the webbing stretching. Nylon doesn't "hold" the stretch, so this might be something that needs to be repeated every time you hang.
 
You should be able to find any vectran core sailing line for much cheaper than aramid lines like amsteel. Like a buck a foot cheaper or better. Plain old 6mil stay-set would do fine and is rated at like 1200lbs.

5 mil V-100 (vectran core line) is good for 2500lbs and if you jump to 6mm its good for 4500 lbs. Its also cheap compared to amsteel and webbing. It will weigh more though.

These lines are widely sold at sailing shops, or you can mailorder.
 
Try Paddy Palin, or other climbing shops in Mel, shouldn't be hard to find. 3mm accessory cord will do the trick just fine, but the webbing will be better.
 
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