Tree hugger fail

[AlaskaChad]

I recently ordered a netless 11' Dutch hammock that I absolutely love! I got the whoopie hook suspension, 4' tree huggers, and ti Dutchclips to hang with.

I've spent 7 nights in it so far, the last 5 at the same location. As I got into the hammock tonight, I heard a ripping sound, and promptly hit the ground. The tree hugger failed where it attached to the Dutchclip. I inspected the other tree hugger, and found wear at the same spot. (Hard to see well in the picture)

I am 210 lbs, and have kept my hang angle at 30*. Below are pictures of the failed strap, the other strap before I removed it, showing an identical setup, and a close up of the worn strap that didn't fail.

Am I doing something wrong, or do I exceed the weight these are rated for? Luckily, I had my heavy Atlas straps with me, so I can still hang tonight!






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[packeteer]

yeah, that's incorrectly rigged. the pull should be straight

[AlaskaChad]

yeah, that's incorrectly rigged. the pull should be straight

That picture was taken after the hammock was on the ground from the other side failing. The Dutch clip was positioned on the side of the tree as illustrated in the instructions.


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[GadgetUK437]

Below are pictures of ... the other strap before I removed it, showing an identical setup

That picture shows it on the side of the tree... just the wrong side!

So, are you saying that the tree strap moved from the right side of the tree to the wrong side of the tree, when the other strap broke?
Because if the picture is "showing an identical setup", then the length of sling exiting the hook is bent thru nearly 180 ° and therefore the load on it is doubled (you, 210lb, 30° hangle, load on hook 420lb)

[AlaskaChad]

Sorry for the confusion, this Dutch clip is attached to the left side of the tree, with the strap pulling forward. The zing it is my tarp suspension. This is my understanding of how Dutch Clips are supposed to be rigged. Am I mistaken?

The strap didn't move when the other side failed, but the hang angle is obviously different due to the hammock being on the ground outside of the picture frame.


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[AlaskaChad]

I see the difference from how I had it set up compared to Dutch's video. I was going by memory. Is the stresses on the strap really that much different?

Edit: never mind, I get it now. Thanks.


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[Ratdog]

Just so you know, I've got nearly 150lbs on you, plus the weight of a couple dogs and gear all in the hammock, easily 400lbs loaded up, and I've used that same setup for literally hundreds of nights without issue. Used it every day for 14 months straight, outdoors on trees, not inside.

So yeah, the rigging is that important.

Glad you weren't hurt. Always good to have backup gear. I carry extra whoopies and dogbones so I can improvise if needed.

[Ratdog]

Oh and fwiw, the tight radius bend setup wrong w/ the clip and strap not only produces much more stress on the strap and the Dutch clip, but the movement of the hammock will create motion that is basically sawing through the strap. So it's a combination of factors that will create the failure.

Get a new set of straps, re-rig and you'll be good to go. Tell Dutch you were doing some Setup Verification and Failure Limit Testing. Who knows, might get a little something in the mail for your trouble.

Oh, and watch those Atlas straps, if you use the loops upside down/incorrectly, the bar tacks will start to unravel. There's a bunch of bar tacks, so it won't be a sudden failure but double check your setup on those as well.

[AlaskaChad]

Thanks everyone, I was being a bonehead and not looking at my rigging logically. I appreciate the feedback.


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[Dutch]

Actually you gave a great example for others to learn from. We will replace those strap if you like.