Backyard Hammock hanging question

**Marine2000** · 12-03-2016, 14:13

I'm setting up some 4X4's in the backyard to substitute for the lack of trees near the house. I purchased two, 12 ft 4X4's and two 60 lbs bags of quick creet. The plan is to sink the posts about 3 feet into the ground, pour cement mix in the hole and let dry.

My question is how far apart should the posts be? I want to be able to utilize tree straps and simulate setups with all my hammocks but I can't decide what the "perfect" distance should be. Any suggestions for construction and distance would be greatly appreciated. Also if there is another thread with all the info I'd appreciate the link and the mods can close this.

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**johnspenn** · 12-03-2016, 14:37

I'd go with a 6x4, with the 6" sides in line with your hammock. Or if you use 4x4s, make sure you use a cross brace across the top. There are some threads on here where people have snapped 4x4s hanging on them.

Distance depends on your hammock and suspension. 15' is the sweet spot for me but YMMV.

Do a search from the Google bar on this site's home page. There are several threads that might help you.

**curlymaple42** · 12-03-2016, 14:49

Make sure you get lumber with no knots and before you set them, round over the corners with a router bit so you don't wreck your tree straps. You may want to set those deeper too and use more concrete. And the 4x6 in line with your hammock is a good idea too. That side loading from a hammock is way more than you would imagine!

**curlymaple42** · 12-03-2016, 14:51

You also could tie the two parts together with a ridge pole. So if you do 15' spacing like suggested above, get a16' clear 2x4 and lag bolt it into the tops of the posts. It may make you feel better. It also might bow too. Hmmm...

**TrailSlug** · 12-03-2016, 14:55

As others have stated 4x4's are too small to handle the stresses of a hammock and can be dangerous if one snaps and flies back at you. If you must use 4X4's you definitely need to use a top cross pole, lumber, or something else to bridge the two poles.

**Marine2000** · 12-03-2016, 16:43

Ok I decided to use the one Maple tree in the yard and set the 4x4's side by side with the 8" in line with the hammock. I used a 15' span and believe this is going to be perfect. In hindsight the 12 foot poles were a little overkill and 10' would have been plenty. I set them 38" deep and could only fit one 60 lbs bag of concrete in the hole. I think it's going to be plenty. If for some reason it fails on me I'll post pics from the ER

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Marine2000** · 12-03-2016, 17:10

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**TrailSlug** · 12-03-2016, 17:57

Nice and it looks like you've already lost that hammock to the kids.

**Marine2000** · 12-03-2016, 18:01

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

Nice and it looks like you've already lost that hammock to the kids.

Yeah it's gone lol!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**SnrMoment** · 12-03-2016, 19:33

Looks good, but keep an eye on the inward lean angle of the posts. Given the forces of leverage on the poles and the wetter ground in FL, it will tend to rock the cement base forward at the top and out/back at the base. I had that happen with my original set up and it's a lot drier in Montana.