So I've been lurking in these forums for a few years, since I first discovered hammock camping. But I haven't really felt a need to post since just about everything I ever think to ask has already been answered a dozen times in as many threads. And the question I have now has probably already been answered, but I'm struggling to find exactly what I'm looking for. It's a two-parter. I'll try to be organized
So here it goes:
Scenario:
It's time to retire the mattress my wife and I have been sleeping in for the past 18 years (I know, it's been time for a new mattress for a long time, don't judge!). She and I both sleep in hammocks when camping (Me: WB Eldorado; Her: DW Chameleon), and I've talked her into becoming full-time hangers at home. I've rigged up wall-mount hardware (ENO Deluxe Hammock Hanging Kit), which is relatively cheap and good for getting the 'bed' out of the way if we want/need extra room for activities.
Part I: Technical Question
I did a test-hang yesterday to check the hardware, and I swear I heard one of the 2x4 studs make a sound like it moved or shifted under my weight. It was disconcerting.
A number of posts in the forums suggest that there is no concern if you hit the center of the 2x4 (which I'm positive I did... I have lots of pilot holes to prove where the edges of the stud are ), as you're pulling not on just the stud, but the entire frame that the stud is a part of. This makes sense, as long as you don't have any sudden shock that might dislodge the 2x4 from the frame. I did read somewhere, that it's better to attach near the top-plate. Currently that particular connection is at ~5' (determined by the UH calculator). I could reposition the hardware near the ceiling, but then the strap angle will be closer to 70º than 30. I know that will take a lot of shearing force off the 2x4, but what will it do to the load on the hardware? Is it safer/better to leave it where it is and trust the house-frame? or raise it up and trust the hardware?
Part II: Functional Question
I don't want to use my WB as my daily sleeper, but I've never been able to get comfy in my ENO DN, so it's out of the question. I'm 6' and the DN was my first hammock before I knew anything about anything (and was still trying to talk my wife into letting me spend oodles of money on stuff we didn't know if we'd even like). I'm leaning heavily towards getting us a pair of Brazilian hammocks, but I have no experience with them. I know a lot of folks here in the forums use them daily so I'm hoping I can get some good feedback on how they compare to camping hammocks as far as they lay goes.
Additionally, there seems to be a general consensus that there is no consensus about adding a ridgeline to a Brazilian. Argument 1: If the hammock never moves, and is mounted with the correct angle from the start, no need for a ridge-line. Argument 2: If it's a hammock, it should have a ridge-line.
Because of my concerns regarding the wall-mount system, I'm considering getting a stand for the Brazilians. I've been looking at a particular design that is about 9.5 feet long. The cordage/clews wrap over the end brace and hook about half-way down the brace. Does this affect the lay? In my mind, what makes shorter hammocks uncomfortable is the fact that the 'gather' begins before my legs or shoulders end. with the Brazilian style hammocks, I feel like the gather doesn't really begin till you get to the clews, so the stand may be okay. But having no experience with them, I really don't know.
In case my description was insufficient, here's an example of the stand I'm talking about: https://www.hammockuniverseusa.com/c...g?v=1685374408
HammockUniverseStand.jpg
--- EDIT ---
The more I think about it, the more I think that the 'gather' begins wherever physics requires it to in order to go over that fork in the brace... So I'm thinking that stand, at only 9.5 feet, is going to dramatically reduce the useful bed of the hammock. I'd probably want a full-length stand (15') or just go with the wall-mounts. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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