I was able to get my Turtle Dog Stand done yesterday. Really impressed with its simplicity and its versatility. I am not a small man 210lbs or so. My 8 foot tripods and my 14 foot, 3 piece Ridgepole, barely move, when I exit or enter, the hammock. Completely surprised me with how much weight/stress, the setup absorbs. I make sure that the suspension is all lined up vertical, so that the legs carry the weight, centered.
I was going to place a sleeve over each joint ( two in total, for my 3 piece, 14 foot Ridgepole ), but as mentioned above, nothing moved laterally or vertically, when the system is loaded/unloaded. To keep it simple, as an added measure, I think I may just duct tape each joint, when I use it. Ill bend over a side of the tape as I apply it, so that I can easily strip the tape off, when I break the stand down.
To protect my suspension straps, I took an old bike inner tube and cut a slit in the center. I then slip this over the eye bolt and down onto the base. I then slip my strap onto the protected base.
I also will make two " Storm Mode " straps. Ill make a webbing loop about 1. 5 feet in diameter. I will but a carabiner onto it. If I have to deploy in "Storm Mode ", Ill put the strap onto the existing system, below the hinge. This will lower my Ridgepole from its current height, of about 7 feet, down to about 5 - 6 feet. That is the perfect height to deploy my tarp, so that the sides, hug the ground.
I wanted to thank everyone here who answered my questions. I also enjoyed reading and learning, from each of the almost 3000 threads. Thank you all.
Sorry, I am a computer illiterate so no pics.
Be safe.
Bob
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