question ( hammock)

[the interceptor boy]

Hello everybody,
I would like to know if any of the members out there have actually tying a hammock using 550 Para cord as webbing straps instead of the Normal webbing provided with the hammock. As it would be much lighter in weight and probably much stronger too. I am only asking a question and please don’t bite my head off. Thank you.
Regards
The interceptor boy.

P's, let say using a three 550 strands Flat Sinnet / Braid knot?

 

[Still Waters]

I am a new hammock user but i find the flat rope that comes with the hammock would provide more surface area than para cord so be of less impact to the tree

It came with my dd hammock and it works ive read i may have problems with tracking water though so i may have to use a metal loop of some sort

 

[Exploriment]

Not a good idea. I can't quote you the exact physics, but the amount of strain that is put on cord when you're laying in a hammock is greater than the straight up breaking strength can stand. While on the face of it paracord has a breaking strength of 550 pounds, much like the strain you would be putting on it if you tried to abseil with it, it can't handle that kind of load.

I've read of people trying it, and they all ended up being unceremoniously dumped on their keister some point in the night.

 

[Shewie]

I use 4m lengths of 25mm climbing tape at either end of my hammock, I wouldn`t have thought paracord was up to the job.

 

[Gill]

paracord is great stuff, but it is no good for this as it stretches and will let you down literally. the stuff you want to use is spectra dyneema cord or amstel blue these are found in chandlers they don,t stretch and are as strong as wire rope ,this is what i use

 

[phaserrifle]

you're not the first person to have that idea. our explorer leader had the same plan when we made our hammocks. he got into his and the cord snapped, he landed on the ground in a heap, I was already in mine (also with paracord) and was fine (although concerned about the streching)

I later worked out the physics and if the cord was at the right angle, and was performing at it's full breaking strain then I was fine. a few degrees up or down, or any minor weakening of the cord and I would have ended up on the floor. and as I was 15 at that point I still had growing to do (and would therefore get heavier)

moral of the story: it can work, but you have to be very light.

 

[Thijzzz]

On Hammockforums.net (great site BTW) I noted some remark that stated that "another dummy had tried it with paracord."

It seems a few have tried it and that the hammockers at Hammockforums.net have long since concluded that it just is no good. Maybe you can find the exact who/why/what on their site.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Its been said, but think of the impact on the tree. I still have my tree hugger's some where?
But since I got a Mosquito hammock the tapes supplied are fine.

 

[ZDP-189]

Hello everybody,
I would like to know if any of the members out there have actually tying a hammock using 550 Para cord as webbing straps instead of the Normal webbing provided with the hammock. As it would be much lighter in weight and probably much stronger too. I am only asking a question and please don’t bite my head off. Thank you.
Regards
The interceptor boy.

P's, let say using a three 550 strands Flat Sinnet / Braid knot?

Don't do it! Even without the knot, 550lb paracord is not going to hold you up unless you are a child or a Yorkie.

I hang with 4mm spectra line; even 3mm tends to stretch. There is some math but the gist is the line tension is many multiples of your weight.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Paracord is designed for......parachutes, many lines of paracord hold the descender.

Stick with the limey green wide nylon DD send with the hammock.

Nick