WB Ridgerunner Zipper modification

[ricktreks]

Hi everybody,

Does anyone know where I can get a Ridgerunner zipper modified? Currently the RR has two zipper sliders that circle around the entire perimeter of the hammock and stop at the foot end where the bugnet can be rolled up and stowed away, but you can only enter/exit the hammock from one side at a time. If for any reason you want to sit or use the other side, you have to walk the zipper sliders around and position them on that side. I'd like to be able to enter from either side without having to think about it.

Also, once inside the hammock it'd be nice to stick my hands out from both sides to make adjustments or grab something from the outside. I like to put gear and stuff on the "blind side" of my hammock to make use of that real estate. Currently, that's not possible. Finally, it'd be nice to make the bugnet completely detachable too. Sometimes you just don't need the bugnet.

If anybody is handy at modifying hammocks, or knows someone, that'd be of great help.

Thanks,

R

[mistone]

2QZQ should be able to help you with that give them a call I’m sure that we were glad to help you

[hutzelbein]

As far as I know, this just means adding two more sleds to the zipper. If you were to order a new Ridgerunner from Warbonnet, they might be able to add two sleds for a small charge. Maybe they're even willing to modify your current Ridgerunner. Might be worth contacting them.

[infrastellar]

I tried talk to them before I ordered mine, no way they would do what I needed.

They told me that they have those zippers and thats it. I would very much prefer removable bugnet with the sliders on both sides without the need to go all around the hammock.

I am really considering to exchange the zipper with another one, as the original does not have the ending, thus its not so easy to cut it.

[hutzelbein]

They told me that they have those zippers and thats it. I would very much prefer removable bugnet with the sliders on both sides without the need to go all around the hammock.

They didn't want to add 2 extra sliders or they didn't want to use a different zipper? Adding 2 extra sliders should be fairly straightforward. Using a different zipper that can be separated is probably impossible for just one order. You would need a zipper with a length that fits the Ridgerunner exactly. The separating zippers for the XLC are custom-made for Warbonnet, as far as I know. And they only have one slider each. That's why they use two zippers to allow for opening and closing the zipper near the shoulder instead of the head or foot end. They would need to get custom zippers in a different length.

I am really considering to exchange the zipper with another one, as the original does not have the ending, thus its not so easy to cut it.

Do you want to just add two sliders? I just had a close look at the Ridgerunner; the ends are only sewn closed. I haven't worked with zippers, yet, but I think it would be possible to open one seam and add a second pair of sliders. I would practice on a piece of zipper first, though.

[infrastellar]

They didn't want to add 2 extra sliders or they didn't want to use a different zipper? Adding 2 extra sliders should be fairly straightforward. Using a different zipper that can be separated is probably impossible for just one order. You would need a zipper with a length that fits the Ridgerunner exactly. The separating zippers for the XLC are custom-made for Warbonnet, as far as I know. And they only have one slider each. That's why they use two zippers to allow for opening and closing the zipper near the shoulder instead of the head or foot end. They would need to get custom zippers in a different length.



Do you want to just add two sliders? I just had a close look at the Ridgerunner; the ends are only sewn closed. I haven't worked with zippers, yet, but I think it would be possible to open one seam and add a second pair of sliders. I would practice on a piece of zipper first, though.

We can solve the opening with additional zipper pulls, but I just want the bugnet to be removable. I dont need the bugnet in winter, its storage on the hammock is not that clever/comfortable, it always pops up, always needs my attention. I would pretty much prefer two zippers on each side going around allowing me to remove the bugnet. For example dutch sells such zippers at 103inches, I need two of them. Maybe I will try to replace. And then I can start to play with topcover.

[ricktreks]

We can solve the opening with additional zipper pulls, but I just want the bugnet to be removable. I dont need the bugnet in winter, its storage on the hammock is not that clever/comfortable, it always pops up, always needs my attention. I would pretty much prefer two zippers on each side going around allowing me to remove the bugnet. For example dutch sells such zippers at 103inches, I need two of them. Maybe I will try to replace. And then I can start to play with topcover.

Infrastellar, I'm really interested in your project. As a matter of fact I haven't bought the RR precisely because it doesn't come with these features and the manufacturer is unable to make those changes for me. But since you already own one and are having the same issues others have expressed and I foresee having myself if I owned a RR, I'm very curious to know how your project turns out to replicate it if I ever bought that hammock.

About the top cover, I'm more in the camp of those who prefer an open hammock and a tarp in cold places, but I don't do a lot of winter stuff. I'm surprised WB has not come up with the option of making the bugnet and top cover interchangeable, since that's the direction the cottage industry seems to be going. If you use the Spindrift Sock with your RR, you still have to carry the weight of the bugnet. Not to mention the extra weight of the sock that hangs below the hammock, granted it protects your underquilt from wind drafts, so at least the sock there has a function, but the bugnet whether it's rolled up or deployed, is dead weight.

[ricktreks]

I am really considering to exchange the zipper with another one, as the original does not have the ending, thus its not so easy to cut it.

Yeah, go for it. If you already bought the hammock you just have to get the zippers. I've used this company in the past for other projects and they're great, www.questoutfitters.com/zippers.htm and they can help you choose the best zipper size for your hammock. They'll probably ask you to take some measurements, but that's fine.

I don't DIY anthing, except for my whoopie slings. So I just take stuff like this to a seamstress with detailed instructions of what I want. Never had a problem. Obviously I'd prefer that the manufacturer made the modifications on the product, but sometimes that's just not possible.

[ricktreks]

Good to know, I've actually given up on the Ridgerunner for the time being. A few weeks ago after learning that Warbonnet was not able to make this minor modification, I had decided to buy the RR as is and have a seamstress make the zipper modification for me back home.

I wrote Warbonnet asking them when they would have the RR available in Blue, and they never replied. So I took it as a sign that they're either too busy or not interested in my business.

I had also contacted 2QZQ earlier to see if they could replace the zipper if I bought the hammock and new zipper coils separately and had those shipped to them, and they kindly replied that no, they wouldn't.

All that combined with the fact that some RR users claim that you sleep as flat as in a bed kind of turned me down, at least for now. I like my gathered end hammocks because with the slight curvature I can sleep on my back the whole night. It's just my natural position. But if the hammock is really as flat as a bed I know that within minutes I'll get tired of lying on my back, and I will be turning all night to one side or the other. Bridge hammocks are narrow in the center, which means that while lying in a fetal position my knees are going to press against the edges of the hammock on its narrowest side.

I've decided to wait until I can go to a Hang event somewhere and try a bridge hammock for myself. I'm also open to other bridge manufacturers and see what they bring to the table.

For the time being, I have too many gathered-end hammocks, and currently eyeing a Dream Hammock Sparrow from a distance.

R

[Dvankirk]

Bridge hammocks are narrow in the center, which means that while lying in a fetal position my knees are going to press against the edges of the hammock on its narrowest side.

I've decided to wait until I can go to a Hang event somewhere and try a bridge hammock for myself. I'm also open to other bridge manufacturers and see what they bring to the table.

For the time being, I have too many gathered-end hammocks, and currently eyeing a Dream Hammock Sparrow from a distance.

R

Check out JustBill's video on the different positions that you can get in with his bridges. After watching his videos, I tried reversing my lay by putting my head at the narrower end of my Luxury Bridge and it gave me more room to flare my legs out when I sleep on my side. Just a thought.