Need some input from other minds on this idea... I want to create an easily-deployed hanging system for our camping vehicle that I can set up regardless of 1) tree availability and 2) soft ground for staking out a tarp. The goal is to have a system where I can support myself and my wife, or myself and two kids (in 2 or 3 hammocks, respectively) fanned out between our Land Cruiser (head end) and a tripod (foot end).
My current thought is that there would be two long metal pole supports in a 'V' that would go between the truck's roof rack area and the tripod (ala the turtledog stand). This would accomplish a few things, in theory... It would provide a strong, triangular structure so that whether one person hangs on one side or two people of different weights hang on both sides, the structure would remain rigid. It would also allow for quick deployment of a triangular awning over the 'V', to which side panels could be zipped when needed for rain/wind. These side panels could also attach to the vehicle+tripod if stakeout wasn't possible, but I'd need to ensure that the overall frame would be heavy enough to keep them from becoming a giant sail in high wind.
I'm still trying to solve a couple things. To keep the length of this at a reasonable size (15 feet or less), the head ends of my hammocks need to connect at a point of the truck lower than the roof, so I probably can't connect them in the typical turtledog style. So, if the hammocks connect to the truck pillars, the truck takes that weight, but the poles will then be taking shear force from the tripod end, and shear force isn't great for roof racks. I guess I could build some kind of bracket that would attach to the doorjams like Yakima/Thule clips do, but I'm not sure. I'm also not positive that connecting to the truck's pillars is the most elegant solution. Maybe you all have better ideas... or you can critique the overall idea.
Thanks, and happy hanging!
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