Tato Gear Stand and Bridge Hammocks - does it work

**cougarmeat** · 01-04-2018, 20:34

Most posts I've read about Tato stands are referring to Gather End hammocks and I'm sure it works great for them. But Brandon once told me that the usual distance between the apex point of the Ridge Runner suspension was 13 ft. That's a little longer than I think you can get with the commercial Tato stand.

So if you are using a Ridge Runner, or any other Bridge Hammock, with the Tato stand, how is it working for you? Is the distance between your suspension points different (shorter) than what you'd use if you had the right trees? Do you have to suspend the bridge hammock lower to the ground than you would if you had trees?

**LuvmyBonnet** · 01-04-2018, 20:51

I have the original Tato stand that use the wood legs. I think it would work OK if I got a new ridge pole (13 ft).
I wouldn't do anything to shorten the suspension as I understand that is a Big NO-NO as it put a considerable amount of stress on the hammock. Anyone else run a 13ft ridge pole?

**TrailSlug** · 01-04-2018, 20:52

It works good with a 13-14 foot top rail.
20161120_135102.jpg 20160506_102043.jpg

**Johnny Gunz** · 01-05-2018, 09:13

I use a Tato with my justbills/Towns End biggy deluxe. It works great.

**Watertooner** · 01-05-2018, 11:18

I've hung my WB Ridgerunner on my Tato stand. Works just fine. Doesn't need any whoopies, straps, UCRs, or anything. Just clip directly onto the RR's metal connectors.

**cougarmeat** · 01-06-2018, 13:46

By "new ridge pole" do you mean you'd make one yourself - say from cyclone fence top rail or electrical conduit? I'm guessing - as those come in about 10 lengths - that you'd get two 6 - 6.5 ft lengths plus some center connector. Or can you specify the longer top bar from Tato? It would be great if they had something like a 2 ft extension accessory. Tato said they work fine with a Ridge Runner as is - but it seems a little short (in theory - I don't have one) to me.

**LuvmyBonnet** · 01-06-2018, 13:58

Yes, the early version you bought your own pole and cut it to the size needed. It comes with an aluminum plug to put between the 2 pieces. So from the sounds of it I could either hang from the WB triangles or get 2 6 1/2' pipes.
I believe my pole is metal electrical conduit .

**HandyRandy** · 01-06-2018, 14:20

Originally Posted by LuvmyBonnet

I wouldn't do anything to shorten the suspension as I understand that is a Big NO-NO as it put a considerable amount of stress on the hammock. Anyone else run a 13ft ridge pole?

Oh really? I was going to try out some 36” dogbones. I only weigh about 150lb tho. I have read of others here doing it, so I figured it was ok.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**snwcmpr** · 01-06-2018, 14:58

There is a thread, recently, of a guy that added a ridgeline that shortened the length about 8" on each side. The ridgeline 'slid' in the suspension bringing them together. He did that to fit in a Superfly tarp with doors closed. There was discussion about how much he could shorten the suspension before a failure.

Ken in NC

**TrailSlug** · 01-06-2018, 15:46

Originally Posted by LuvmyBonnet

I have the original Tato stand that use the wood legs. I think it would work OK if I got a new ridge pole (13 ft).
I wouldn't do anything to shorten the suspension as I understand that is a Big NO-NO as it put a considerable amount of stress on the hammock. Anyone else run a 13ft ridge pole?

I have the kit that you supply your own poles so with the left overs from cutting the legs I kept a 2', 3', and 4' section so I can extent for my Ridgerunner of shrten for my gathered ends. The pics I supplied are showing mine with a 13 ft ridge line which works perfectly for me.