How far to set 4x4's, in ground for permanent hang in yard?

[Duggie Bravo]

We put a hammock village in on a local scout campsite using 5x5 2 ft in the ground, with 6 ft out.



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[CorwinC]

I did exactly this in my treeless back yard. Difficult digging (rocks the size of bowling balls), so the 8' long 4x4's are only about 24" in the ground. That left a nice 6' above ground to hang on. I spaced them at 15' because I was experimenting with a 12' hammock at the time and wanted plenty of room.

Unfortunately, and as you might expect, they are neither strong enough nor deep enough to be stable. My "temporary" solution, a harbor freight ratchet strap from the top of the post to a 20" long 3/4" diameter re-bar stake about 6' further out from the post. It gave it enough rigidity to work (even with my 300# "ample" frame), but took up more room than I wanted it to. The stakes are also a bit of a trip hazard. The advantage is that there is no ridge pole to interfere with a tarp. I fully intend to re-do this, but in the meanwhile, I've hung there very often and comfortably for almost 2 years.

[travelfeet]

Keep in mind that there are many ways to lengthen the suspension on a hammock, but no easy way to move those posts further apart once they are in the ground. You may end up using different hammocks over the many years that properly planted posts are going to last, so plan for the max distance you might ever use.

[GadgetUK437]

If you only have 4x4"s, then you can maximise their strength by aligning them on the diagonal. A 4x4" is 5.5" across its diagonal.
Canting the poles out at a significant angle will help too. It puts some of the force down through the length, rather than levering across.
A wire/rope backstay really helps, and a top bracer beam is great (with one of those you could even go down to 3x3").

But as you are gonna have difficulty digging you plot, a stand might be a better option. If you have a suitable tree, you only need one tripod (turtledog). The cross beam can go between the tripod and the tree. I have two turtledog tripods and a tree, with three cross beams I can hang three hammocks.

[LuvmyBonnet]

Step 1.....find one of the half dozen or so threads here on the same topic.

Got any pointers for searching those threads!?! I have a terrible time with search results on the forum. I've been wanting info on setting up posts in my backyard as well as info on distances and height for setting up toggles on my walls inside the house.

[Woodsie8]

I agree! I search and end up with a screen telling me to narrow my search! I have no luck searching forum

[TrailSlug]

Guys,
Try your search term in google and use this syntax
search terms site:hammockforums.net via Google for the best results.

[LuvmyBonnet]

Mucho Gracias TrailSlug that helps a ton!

[Ocracoke]

4x4 post, anyone using these?

I need something that will hold 230 lbs, also long distance between the posts, because of an old school Navy like hammock with a clew.

I take it this would work because the post are braced at the top to each other?

http://dfohome.com/blog/2015/10/how-...for-under-200/

[TrailSlug]

4x4 post, anyone using these?

I need something that will hold 230 lbs, also long distance between the posts, because of an old school Navy like hammock with a clew.

I take it this would work because the post are braced at the top to each other?

http://dfohome.com/blog/2015/10/how-...for-under-200/

Yes, this will work with 4x4's but I would recommend 4X6's with these plans. The issue with 4x4's is it's so hard to get high quality lumber and a knot in the post will weaken it significantly.