DD Hammock suspension kit upgrade ideas please and help with set up

[eddieb]

Hi All,

I have recently just upgraded/ purchased a DD frontline hammock and I have some questions. So when i set it up it didnt have an even 'sag' length ways and presented some tightness in the material that would create ridges and towards the side of the hammock these ridges were less present; what this meant was when I shifted over I fall to the otherside of a ridge and always have these taut ridges im laying on.. now i believe this is due to how is it being suspended and also the material needs to stretch a bit to conform. If you have any experiences with this and how you fixed it please comment.

Suspension system: so as you may know, it is jsut some black nylon braided chord, quite a lot of it either end, and yeah you can tie it to a tree or a tree hugger system etc.. its just thick chord.. now i believe this might be causing an issue with how the hammock lays. Did you upgrade this and with what please so i can get some ideas. What im thinking of doing is swappin the chord out with something else like some webbing and looping it then getting a hammock tree strap, with all the loops. and just caribbeaner it to that..

Set up: now from my previous silk parachute hammock this DD frontline is WAY different, even to how it behaves. How do you find this Hammock lays best, pulled quite taut with less dip or propa banana dip and lay more diagonal. Also what other things have you done to your set up that was a game changer?

Lastly: how thick of a sleeping bag are you using as a sleeping bag or top quilt? I used a 3 season in 3 degrees 2 nights ago and that felt boarderline and i was fleeced up.. should i be punching up a season with hammock use in general?

its been about 10+ years since ive been hammock camping so I feel quite new to it again: I did a youtube video on my night out too, Eastwestbushcraft is the channel feel free to skip forward and see my set up:

thanks for any advice and tips in advance, appreciate you all

 

[Falstaff]

Not been a fan of the DD hammock either - even with the underquilt and a sleepmat in the sleeve. I find it a lot colder than being a ground dweller. I'm mulling on the idea of a clipped on or throwover small tarp on the hammock itself to reduce heat loss. The alternative being to use a bivvy bag in the hammock.- same as being a ground dweller but gets over any unsuitable site ground conditions, brambles water etc etc.

 

[Hammock_man]

I noticed you did not mention any "under" insulation. I 100% recommend, {to the point of insisting} that you have a CCF mat in the double bottom pocket. An under quilt is nice as well but I found the CCF mat also helped with the bath tub effect.

As for hanging:- Cut some of the DD hanging strap off and use it to make a permanent loop through the gathered end. I can not remember the name but the clockwise strap passes though the anticlockwise Knot band the anticlockwise strap passes through the clockwise knot. Put a climbing strength binner through this and then run your tree huggers off the binner. We can talk of whoopie sling later.

 

[Brizzlebush]

This site changed everything for me.
Loads of info on there.
Suspension height and tree distance are key.

Hammock man's post is great advice.

I've never looked back since using underquilts. Completely changed things for my set up. Currently using the Snugpak one, it's warmer than the dd. But also bigger and heavier. The dd is my summer underquilt.
I've slept in my hammock down to -5°c. Cosy as toast with a decent bag and under quilt.

I faffed about for years with my set up. It's part of the fun.
Now I'm set up in 20 mins and I know what works for me.

I started with the dd scout (?), found it too short and narrow. I'm 6,1' medium build.
Now I've got a double hammock. 3m long 1.8m wide. Comfier than my bed at home!

 

[C_Claycomb]

I could be wrong but I think some of the problems described with the DD hammock stem from its lack of a structural ridgeline. Also, I always see DDs at a very flat pitch, while the standard advice for hammock sag is 30 degrees. Sorry, not used a DD myself. Hennessy Exped gen1, WoodsmanX, Chameleon.

I don’t think the cord makes a bit of difference to hang, other than whether it stretches overnight. The WoodsmanX came with whoopie slings and nylon webbing tree straps that were a bloody menace. Polyester straps, or really nice polypropylene/UHDPE hybrid webbing all the way! Such a huge difference. Always use webbing on the trees.

Game changers. Under quilt. Side entry after original Hennessy. Zip close-able gear hammock along side main hammock. Sil-nylon or sil-poly tarp that could be packed away by stuffing in a sack, no carful folding and tight rolling needed.


Other observation, appears that paracord is being used for tarp ridge line. Paracord has vast amounts of stretch and stretches more once wet…and holds quite a bit of water.
Marlow Excel Pro 3mm polyester is much better.

Marlow 3mm Excel Pro

Marlow Excel Pro - low stretch twisted polyester core and durable 16plait cover, ideal less expensive option for less serious racers.

jimmygreen.com

EXCEL PRO | Marlow Ropes Ltd

EXCEL PRO - Marlow Ropes Ltd

shop.marlowropes.com

The 2mm stuff or Kingfisher equivalent is good for guylines.

 

[eddieb]

Not been a fan of the DD hammock either - even with the underquilt and a sleepmat in the sleeve. I find it a lot colder than being a ground dweller. I'm mulling on the idea of a clipped on or throwover small tarp on the hammock itself to reduce heat loss. The alternative being to use a bivvy bag in the hammock.- same as being a ground dweller but gets over any unsuitable site ground conditions, brambles water etc etc.

yes I feel the sae with everything you just said. I'm trying to make the hammock work for me but yea my ground dwelling set up has never failed me

 

[eddieb]

I could be wrong but I think some of the problems described with the DD hammock stem from its lack of a structural ridgeline. Also, I always see DDs at a very flat pitch, while the standard advice for hammock sag is 30 degrees. Sorry, not used a DD myself. Hennessy Exped gen1, WoodsmanX, Chameleon.

I don’t think the cord makes a bit of difference to hang, other than whether it stretches overnight. The WoodsmanX came with whooping slings and nylon webbing tree straps that were a bloody menace. Polyester straps, or really nice polypropylene/UHDPE hybrid webbing all the way! Such a huge difference. Always use webbing on the trees.

Game changers. Under quilt. Side entry after original Hennessy. Zip close-able gear hammock along side main hammock. Sil-nylon or sil-poly tarp that could be packed away by stuffing in a sack, no carful folding and tight rolling needed.


Other observation, appears that paracord is being used for tarp ridge line. Paracord has vast amounts of stretch and stretches more once wet…and holds quite a bit of water.
Marlow Excel Pro 3mm polyester is much better.

Marlow 3mm Excel Pro

Marlow Excel Pro - low stretch twisted polyester core and durable 16plait cover, ideal less expensive option for less serious racers.

jimmygreen.com

EXCEL PRO | Marlow Ropes Ltd

EXCEL PRO - Marlow Ropes Ltd

shop.marlowropes.com

The 2mm stuff or Kingfisher equivalent is good for guylines.

wow yes thank you for the cordage upgrade ideas they genuinely sounds great!! Paracord was just the standard stuff at hand I had but yes your stuff I can see thats a game changer !!!

 

[eddieb]

I noticed you did not mention any "under" insulation. I 100% recommend, {to the point of insisting} that you have a CCF mat in the double bottom pocket. An under quilt is nice as well but I found the CCF mat also helped with the bath tub effect.

As for hanging:- Cut some of the DD hanging strap off and use it to make a permanent loop through the gathered end. I can not remember the name but the clockwise strap passes though the anticlockwise Knot band the anticlockwise strap passes through the clockwise knot. Put a climbing strength binner through this and then run your tree huggers off the binner. We can talk of whoopie sling later.

Hi yes i have an underblanket, no issues with it, i put a wool blanket in between the frontline hammock layers too.
DO you have any videos or pictures of this knot you are describing so i can take a look please?

 

[Falstaff]

I spent some time at home playing with the degree of sag, but am not a natural bananna sleeper, more of a side sleeper. I found I slide down until my natural gravitational hammock position ends up with my feet being at the same height or more than my head - not a comforting position for me.
Maybe a sort of non-slip fabric inside the hammock would help.

 

[Hammock_man]

A fixed ridge line can be added to the DD which will aid in a diagonal lay. Once you have found your best length, fix it in place and you are sorted for the next and every next time. Both Kim and I spent years in DD and where warm and comfy.
Going for a 4x4 tarp instead of the normal 3metres is also a game changer.

BUTT {se what I did there} you must get some insulation under you. I found that bringing the DD straps to the back of the tree, loop and bring to front, over and under the straps from the hammock and a simple knot at the back was all that was needed. Would keep my larger bottom in mid air easy.
I have used whoppie slings and I found them handy. a ladder sling works just as well, having said that there is still nothing wrong with the "issued" straps. Ours lasted for years.

 

[Hammock_man]

It is called a fishermans , it was like a lump of steel after years of holding up my bott*m.

 

[Hammock_man]

It will give you a nice loop at the end the hammock to pass the rest of the straps through or to fit a binner to.

 

[hopper333]

I could be wrong but I think some of the problems described with the DD hammock stem from its lack of a structural ridgeline. Also, I always see DDs at a very flat pitch, while the standard advice for hammock sag is 30 degrees. Sorry, not used a DD myself. Hennessy Exped gen1, WoodsmanX, Chameleon.

I don’t think the cord makes a bit of difference to hang, other than whether it stretches overnight. The WoodsmanX came with whooping slings and nylon webbing tree straps that were a bloody menace. Polyester straps, or really nice polypropylene/UHDPE hybrid webbing all the way! Such a huge difference. Always use webbing on the trees.

Game changers. Under quilt. Side entry after original Hennessy. Zip close-able gear hammock along side main hammock. Sil-nylon or sil-poly tarp that could be packed away by stuffing in a sack, no carful folding and tight rolling needed.


Other observation, appears that paracord is being used for tarp ridge line. Paracord has vast amounts of stretch and stretches more once wet…and holds quite a bit of water.
Marlow Excel Pro 3mm polyester is much better.

Marlow 3mm Excel Pro

Marlow Excel Pro - low stretch twisted polyester core and durable 16plait cover, ideal less expensive option for less serious racers.

jimmygreen.com

EXCEL PRO | Marlow Ropes Ltd

EXCEL PRO - Marlow Ropes Ltd

shop.marlowropes.com

The 2mm stuff or Kingfisher equivalent is good for guylines.

I agree with almost all of this.

A structural ridgeline is very helpful but make it from something low stretch, tough and light like dyneema. This is also excellent for other aspects of suspension like end loops and dog bones. Jeff Myers is a constant source of good ideas on YT.

Polyester tree straps made from the material used in seatbelts are excellent; very tough and long lasting, won't stretch, not expensive and easy to Beckett Hitch - which is a knot that every hammocker should know.

You won't go back once you try underquilts. Alpkit make a good one (Mora) but it's now more expensive than it was, and you may want to gather the ends as I have with some simple sewing and cord. Others are available or you can make your own, in particular from poncho liners.

I make my own hammocks and suspensions and it's very easy & satisfying with simple tools and a sewing machine once you learn some skills should you wish to. You will save a lot of money and be able to experiment with many things.

Some useful links:

https://www.hammockforums.net/

Polyester Webbing - Outdoor & Camping

Our collection of UV resistant polyester webbing is perfect for any outdoor use. Whilst resisting sun damage, it maintains its strength and colour over time. Perfect for straps, tie-downs, and outdoor gear, it offers excellent long-lasting weather and abrasion resistance. If you have any...

www.profabrics.co.uk

Dyneema products for sale | eBay UK

Buy Dyneema products and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay UK! Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items

www.ebay.co.uk

Jeff Myers

Hardware free and lightweight solutions for hammock suspensions and shelter tie outs

www.youtube.com

 

[eddieb]

It will give you a nice loop at the end the hammock to pass the rest of the straps through or to fit a binner to.

ah yes i know this, i do this for lanyards - cool, i shall give this a try n all

 

[Woody girl]

Daisy chains and a couple of climbing grade karabinas, and pitching the foot end slightly higher than the head. A pillow to bring your head back to a more comfy height. A good firm mat to stop the sag in the middle and sleeping as diagonally as possible. And definatly a decent underquilt.
I'm a side/tummy sleeper, and many say it's not possible in the dd, but at 5'.7 " I can do so comfortably. I sleep like a baby in mine. Better than at home in bed.
I don't realy winter camp nowadays, but in the past, on a realy cold night, I would put a cheap fleece throw over the netting to lock in a bit more warmth.
Your hammock should have a couple of loops to be able to hang a ridgeline once you get the ultimate position. My (very old )one has, and the interior ridgeline gives me the ability to hang it correctly every time. I use bank line for that. I also have a zip up ridgeline hammock pocket on it to keep keys, meds etc and am able to hang a small light on it too. Useful on dark nights so you are not struggling to locate a headtorch in the dark if needed.

 

[Hammock_man]

I found hang a blanket over the hammock's ridge line {not the tarp's} did not work for me. I found the total lack of light very disquieting. I know its dark when I close my eyes, I know there is very little light at night in the woods but the TOTAL darkness, oh no. Not scared of the dark but I do like to know when I think I have opened my eyes they actually have opened.

 

[Woody girl]

I found hang a blanket over the hammock's ridge line {not the tarp's} did not work for me. I found the total lack of light very disquieting. I know its dark when I close my eyes, I know there is very little light at night in the woods but the TOTAL darkness, oh no. Not scared of the dark but I do like to know when I think I have opened my eyes they actually have opened.

Yes, a blanket can be like that. I use a cheap thin light coloured throw, and It only covers half the hammock over my head and about half my torso so there is still a little bit of contrast in the light levels.
It can be a panicky feeling of claustrophobia if you cover the whole hammock, but then I've had that on one occasion on a particularly dark night in dense woodland without the blanket over me

 

[Sooty22]

Hi All,

I have recently just upgraded/ purchased a DD frontline hammock and I have some questions. So when i set it up it didnt have an even 'sag' length ways and presented some tightness in the material that would create ridges and towards the side of the hammock these ridges were less present; what this meant was when I shifted over I fall to the

The XL DDs are wonderful hammocks. My top tips are;
-For the temps you mention, I use a Carinthia Defence 4, layered with the Tropen in anything colder. You get much more bang for your sleeping bag's weight if you just drape it on top of you like a quilt; the hammock compresses a lot more bag on the sides, making that insulation become useless. Loft insulation only works uncompressed, so just pile it on top of you, and rely on something else for the bottom and sides (underquilts are great).
-Lay it 'banana'-like, and lay on the hammock at an angle. If you do it properly and lay at about 20-30 degrees to the hammock's length, the hammock wraps around your body and keeps it more or less straight. I doubt you'll manage to sleep on your side, and hammocks works pretty much only sleeping on your back, but it is much more comfortable if laid like that than really tight as some folk do. I started off with a tight hammock, and only realised what a game changer the slacker method is once I watched a video and tried it.
-DD's whoopie suspension slings are absolutely ace, very lightweight and really adjustable. Combine with tree huggers and a hammock sleeve, and you pitch up in a couple of minutes, sling a tarp and you set for the night.
-For winter camping, I use a much bigger hammock without a net, from Eagle Nest Outfitters, I think it's called Double Nest or something like that. It's a double hammock. Much longer, 3m or so, and very wide, so it it much more comfortable for having a thick bag, clothes etc.
-I was not happy with the DD underblanket, I found it too small and light. Try finding a Robens underquilt, and get two of those for winter camping.
-Hammocks for winter camping are a very heavy set up actually! I only use them when on a big kayak, or bike camping with bike trailers, when weight is not an issue. Otherwise, for hiking, bivi all the way in winter.
-on the DD, you can squeeze a groundmat between the hammock layers, but the underquilts work much better with the 'diagonal' sleeping positions further up, in my opinion.