Hammock Length vs Suspension Height

[superslow]

I was thinking of adding a lightweight net-less hammock to my day bag. I'm pretty short and with my 9' foot hammock I often am just about at my max reach for attaching the suspension to a tree. I was thinking of trying out an 11' hammock and it just occurred to me that it might need to be attached higher up on the tree than a 9' hammock to get the angles right.

I'm wondering about the attachment height vs different length Hammocks; can anyone shed some light on this for me? My brain just keeps flip-flopping on higher/lower, shorter/longer, is there enough difference to even matter?

[Bubba]

All things being equal, and longer hammock will have lower attachment points than a shorter hammock. Think about it this way, the closer to the trees the hammock gets, the lower the attachment points. If you put a structural ridgeline (SRL) on your hammock, attachment point heights will be less of a factor since the SRL maintains your consistent sag and allows for a lower than 30 degree suspension angle.

[weaver2469]

I don't think that is right, although I might be confusing myself. A longer hammock would affect the suspension length, but I don't think anything changes the hang height except for distance of trees. If you keep all variables the same on Derek Hansen's hang calculator, except the hammock ridgeline length, the only thing that changes is the suspension length, not the hang height. http://theultimatehang.com/hammock-hang-calculator/ In essence, a shorter hammock needs longer straps, but that is about the only difference. ( I could be wrong, though. It has been a long day)

[Floridahanger]

The distance of the trees gets closer to the attachment point of the hammock. This is the starting point of the suspension to the trees.

Anyways, it is a moot point. If you use hiking poles you can increase the attachment point to the trees using these to your reach height + the pole length. Just use the point of the pole to go under the strap and work it around the tree. I can get almost 8' up comfortably and I'm 5'9".

[superslow]

All things being equal, and longer hammock will have lower attachment points than a shorter hammock...

This makes sense to me. But now that the attachment points are lower won't my butt be on the ground? So now I have to raise the attachment points. How much? Seems to be a break even proposition.

[superslow]

...use hiking poles you can increase the attachment point to the trees using these to your reach height + the pole length...

Good tip. I'm just wondering if I use a shorter hammock can I avoid such maneuvers on my average hang.

[johnmark]

I'm not even going to pretend that I took the time to do the math on this, but from my past experience, I always seemed to be able to hang my shorter hammock's (9.5 feet long) tree huggers much lower than I can my longer hammocks and still stay about the same distance off the ground. As I think about it though, it may be because I am able to (and usually do) hang the shorter hammocks from trees that are spaced closer together.

[Floridahanger]

Yes, if you find trees closer together. Then you run into the issue of making sure your tarp will also fit.

If you get a complete kit taking all of this into consideration, you can get a lower attachment point for your hammock and the tarp will also fit. Then the issue is finding the perfect trees to fit your desired hang. Keep the hiking poles-as-reach-extender idea in your arsenal of weapons to find your perfect hang and don't worry about the perfect trees....Just close enough.

[dshoemaker]

I'm running into the same problem. My hammock is 11' and I'm using whoopie slings with tree straps and Marlin hitch. My trees have to be around 18' apart to get a good hang.

Any ideas on how be able and get in shorter tree spans?


"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks" -John Muir

[Carbon]

I may be completely off but my thinking is if you're hanging between the exact same trees the mounting height should roughly remain the same regardless of hammock length. ????