My first dumb question. I am thinking about getting a hammock. I just haven't decided which one yet. I may also try to make one. I need one over 250 weight capacity. What raises the weight capacity? Is it the suspension, two layers of nylon, or what? Thank you. These forums have been very helpful.
There seems to be two main things that alter the weight capacity of a hammock:
1) the weight of ripstop/fabric used - 1.1 oz., 1.9 oz, etc.
2) the number of layers
Yes.Originally Posted by charley
The material will be the biggest issue; I'm pretty sure the suspensions we're using will hold just about anything you want to load. The material (ripstop) will most likely not fail at weights above it's 'rating', but it will stretch quite a bit. The stretch results in less comfort for most people, but some actually like the stretch. I'm well over the ratings for 1.1 and have slept many nights in single layer 1.1 hammocks. However, I believe the more complicated the hammock (bug netting, tie-outs, footboxes, etc.) will reduce the life span of a lightweight hammock with a heavier hanger. I just think stitches and seams will bear more of a burden under the constant stretching of the material. JMO.
Trust nobody!
Any one know the difference in weight of a square yard between 1.1 and 1.9?
Bazza
Just a guess, but maybe about 0.8 oz.
Trust nobody!
Yep. 0.8.
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
Sorry should have said anyone know the weight of the two. I now know the difference but don't know what to add the difference to.Yep. 0.8.
Should have asked the right question in the first place.
Bazza
Easy. 1.1 is 1.1 oz/square yard. 1.7 is 1.7 oz/square yard, 1.9 is 1.9 oz/square yard, etc.
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
I think the things you add to your hammock (bugnet, topquilt, tarp, reinforcement patches, underquilt or pad, suspension ropes, tree huggers, and so on all have a bigger effect on the total weight than the fabric you lie on. When I first thought of making a hammock, I talked to Kay at Questoutfitters, and she recommended Supplex "because that's what Ed Speer buys". So that's what I got, and found out later that it's the fabric he uses for heavy-duty hangers (which I'm not). However, I have never regretted that choice. Supplex is a great fabric - very comfortable. And it has stood up to things I forgot to take out of my pockets, boots, dog toenails, bark, dirt, snow, etc. I have since scaled back to 1.9 oz. ripstop for the top layer but in so doing I only saved about 6 oz. over the supplex. I saved a lot more by insulating with down, using amsteel or dynaglide suspensions, and cutting both ends off the hammock and replacing them with lots of spectra fishing line, and designing a smaller tarp that still gives good end coverage. Next I'll make a lighter top quilt, and after that I'll do up the tarp design in cuben fiber. But will I change the hammock bed from 1.9 ripstop to 1.1 just to save another 2.2 ounces? No way. It's my bed, and I'll lie in it.
Cheers Hooch simply eh
Bazza
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