Hammock Straps

I bought a hammock at a yard sale. It is actually a yoga hammock and comes will all sorts of extras but was missing the tree straps which I discovered when I got it home. I have been looking into buying straps, the price varies but someone mentioned I can make my own with materials I have. I have been researching. Some say you can use ratchet straps; I have lots of these. One video said to use paracord but then allegedly the rope hurts the tree plus some complained it stretched too much.

Has anyone made their own hammock straps? I want them light and easy. I can buy them but I prefer DIY in-case I ever lose them while hiking.

 

I would think ratchet straps would work fine as long as you position the ratchet properly.

 

Never thought about it , but the rachet strap idea sounds good as you could easily adjust the tension to suit your taste .

 

Ratchet straps are what came to mind before I even finished reading the full post.

 

This being survivalmonkey and all banana hammocks came to mind before reading the full post.

 

I bought 1 ton batlecord to string mine up by. Cheap, works, and you have tow rope on your hammock.

 

Since I could give two farts about having a secret online identity My last name is Hammack and is usually misspelled by everyone as Hammock, so this post stood out like a beacon to me. I third or fourth the ratchet strap suggestion.

 

Do you want to borrow my tin foil hat?

 

Nope I am not the tinfoil hat type Figure all of the Government inspections I get for the business if they are out to get me they already know the score here. And what they and general public don't know will remain unknown until a time comes that it needs to be known

 

Don't use Paracord use some webbing that will not stretch or you will end up on the ground I always make mine longer also because you do not know what distance you're tree or poles will be when I play all night ball tournaments I take mine with me and set up some times to the field fence and sleep in between games and it works out well for me.

 

Ratchet straps, the wider the better! One trick I like to use is to make 4X4 recovery wraps ( Tree Savers) for the straps, you can find them through WARN industries and Northern equipment, but they are stupid simple and easy to make!

Stop by your local Fire Dept and ask them for chunks of old Fire Hose ( Get as much as they will give you) and make your own!
Old Firehose has many many uses for the savvy prepper, so get ready to expand your horizons! Shop the local marine supply shops and get the Double "D" rings like you would use for horse harnesses and make the Fire Hose into belts and straps that you can adjust! This stuff is super strong and can even be used for snatch straps or lifting slings, just be careful!

OR, Low tech, wrap your rope closely several times around the tree and then cross wrap your final loop over the previous wraps, and your good to go!

 

The one ton doesn't stretch? I just do not want to wake up on the ground. Do you use certain knots or have certain hardware?

I love firemen! Cool an excuse to swing by the fire station. Isn't fire hose kind of heavy?

 

Yes, it can be, but it's well worth it, Trust me!

Might meet some cool Fire Men while there!

 

Am I the only one who finds it interesting that so many Monkeys know so much about adjustable straps/restraints and are so quick to show off their knowledge?

 

Well, I'm an Expert "Rigger" in Mil. Climbing, and Forestry, so there is that I s'pose!
I know how to make harnesses and Bridals for Livestock, Battle, and even Drafting for horses and large breed Dogs!
I can even do Sky Line Rigging, though rarely used or needed, ya never know! You ever get an A-10 stuck in the mud, I'm the guy that can get it unstuck!

 

always a good thing to know how to secure yer load whether it is mobile or stationary!

 

Very true. The boys strap their spare onto the roof rack. They learned that buying quality straps also matter. The cheap ones kept coming loose.

 

I have made my hammocks from soft cotton canvas. Hand sewn the ends and then sew in hand made grommets and lace up the individual ropes into a "Hammock Knot".


Concerns for the tree leads me to suggest making your own straps.
Cotton rope is cheap and will not hurt most barks.
Cotton rope of the 1/4 inch size will stretch but if it is a 3 braid and tied correctly then it will last the night and is easy to secure with a square knot. The correct way is to have a hand made loop in the middle of the tree strap. Have the tree strap long enough to wrap around the tree and meet the other end at the opposite rope on the back side of the tree. This prevents downward slippage and allows a solid square not on the back side of the tree.

The center loop in the tree strap allows a center pull point that is stable and will not slip.

Takes longer to to write about it than it takes to actually make it.

Any 3rd class Deck Ape/Bosuns Mate can do it.
Or your average Monkey

 

Where it will get fun is when the boys catch Mom sound asleep in the Hammock and quietly wrap several bands of duct tape around her firmly securing her to the Hammock and then spin her round and round