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  1. #1
    QiWiz's Avatar
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    Mod to reduce risk of bridge hammock damage to DCF tarps

    I am new to bridge hammocks but have been reading about others' experiences with damage to their tarps from the spreader bar ends of a bridge hammock when getting in and out. I came up with an idea that seems simple: I cut the pin ends of the spreader poles down so that they barely stick out of their anchoring holes. See photo for unmodified and modified ends. I will test this out on a trip this weekend with my new bridge hammock and report back.

    IMG_1183.jpg
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  2. #2
    Senior Member Otter1's Avatar
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    Way too simple to actually work !!!!!

    Love it.

  3. #3
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
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    I don't have a picture of my fix but on night one I use my socks from the day and fold them around to make bumpers on the side that always goes up when you sit down.
    I am also extra cautous when setting to not allow the hammock to hit the tarp.

  4. #4
    Senior Member TrailSlug's Avatar
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    Sep 2015
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    Huntsville, AL
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    I tried this mod two years ago when I got my RR and boy did it backfire on me quickly. I climbed into my hammock and the head end pole shot out like an arrow. This happened three times on one trip so I ordered a replacement set of spreader bars. So be forewarned. The only good part of this story was the pole glanced off my SilPoly tarp so no tarp damage but it made getting into the RR a very nerve racking activity.

  5. #5
    QiWiz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TrailSlug View Post
    I tried this mod two years ago when I got my RR and boy did it backfire on me quickly. I climbed into my hammock and the head end pole shot out like an arrow. This happened three times on one trip so I ordered a replacement set of spreader bars. So be forewarned. The only good part of this story was the pole glanced off my SilPoly tarp so no tarp damage but it made getting into the RR a very nerve racking activity.
    I hope that my bridge doesn't do this. Hopefully, magically, wonderfully. Fingers crossed. If I have the same problem, it won't be the first time I tried a mod and regretted it. Stay tuned.
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  6. #6
    Member
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    Would having the pin on the clip and a hole drilled in the end of the pole work.

    Button head machine screw tapped in, or probably with a nut to hold it. Then cut off the original pin and drill the end plug.

  7. #7

    Join Date
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    I carry some of these:
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/ClosetMa...-100095946-_-N

    Once the bars are in place I put the small size on first, then the larger size over that. Haven't damaged my tarp yet. Just slide them off when you're ready to take it down.
    Talmadge
    "GroundHog"

  8. #8
    New Member VanillaPoltergeist's Avatar
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    Dec 2013
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    Quote Originally Posted by GroundHog View Post
    I carry some of these:
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/ClosetMa...-100095946-_-N

    Once the bars are in place I put the small size on first, then the larger size over that. Haven't damaged my tarp yet. Just slide them off when you're ready to take it down.
    This is a great idea. I am going to try it this weekend, thanks.

  9. #9
    QiWiz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TrailSlug View Post
    I tried this mod two years ago when I got my RR and boy did it backfire on me quickly. I climbed into my hammock and the head end pole shot out like an arrow. This happened three times on one trip so I ordered a replacement set of spreader bars. So be forewarned. The only good part of this story was the pole glanced off my SilPoly tarp so no tarp damage but it made getting into the RR a very nerve racking activity.
    Fortunately, I had no shooting spreader poles this weekend in real backcountry conditions. I got in and out of the hammock more than a dozen times (carefully at first, then totally normally) with no issues. My bridge is the new DW Banyan, for those that are wondering. Here’s what the modified poles look like in their operating position:

    3A059A83-AC73-40FC-9E75-61F07293CC9C.jpeg
    Attached Images Attached Images
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  10. #10
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    Nov 2017
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    Quote Originally Posted by QiWiz View Post
    Fortunately, I had no shooting spreader poles this weekend in real backcountry conditions. I got in and out of the hammock more than a dozen times (carefully at first, then totally normally) with no issues. My bridge is the new DW Banyan, for those that are wondering. Here’s what the modified poles look like in their operating position:

    3A059A83-AC73-40FC-9E75-61F07293CC9C.jpeg
    Looks good. I was wondering how it worked out although I suspected it would be fine.
    Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
    “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton

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