Ridge Runner PLUQ

[cpverne]

I'll be taking my ridge runner out on it's maiden hang this weekend, and wanted to have an UQ of some kind even though the temps overnight will be in the 60's. I'm a warm sleeper, but if there's enough breeze, it might get chilly and besides, having options when car camping is never a bad idea.

Looking around, I liked the idea of using a poncho liner, and with an Army Surplus store just down the road, it was a cheap way to break into the DIY underquilt scene. When fall get's here I'll probably try my hand at a IX UQ or even do a PL IX UQ..

Anyway, dejoha's awesome tutorial on making a DIY no-sew PLUQ had all the information I needed, however with the shape of the Ridge Runner, I didn't think the way he did it would work for my application.

Not finding any other information on the forum, I decided to venture off into uncharted territory and make a PL Lynx Clone. Based off the picture of the Lynx on the Warbonnet website, I realized that folding the poncho liner the other way, would give me just enough width to cover the bottom of the hammock from edge to edge, and all I needed to do was to sew on 4 triangles of fabric to each side to allow the quilt to attach just like the Lynx does in Brandon's video.

Here's the final product:


As you can see, the poncho was simply folded lengthwise, and the ends cut to be symmetrical, but still curved. Cutting the ends flat would match the hammock, but I didn't see the need to waste material.

Each end has two triangular pieces of ripstop nylon added to it. This is made by cutting two pieces, and sewing them right side down to the side of the poncho liner.



The triangles, and loops are sized so that when the quilt is hanging slack, there is about a 1-2" air gap between the quilt and the bottom of the hammock.

The perimeter then had 1.5" grosgrain ribbon sewn between each loop, creating channels that I ran paracord through. I'm going to replace this with 1/16" shock cord once it comes in, but for now this lets me take in the slack and bring the quilt up against the hammock.

Here are some shots of it attached to the hammock:



The curved ends of the quilt allow it to come up on the head and foot end of the hammock and prevent any air from blowing between the quilt and the hammock when the top and bottom are synched.

[Acer]

Very nice work and I know its going to be a great summer UQ..very nice!

[Flounder]

Nice job!!!

[aclawrence]

Cool project. Nice job.

[cpverne]

Just spent two nights on the east coast of NC for my first try of the quilt.

Min temp was 73 both nights, and that's the temp I set my AC on at home where a fleece sheet is enough of a cover for me to be comfortable. The first night I started off without the quilt, and only a doubled over fleece sheet. At 3 am I had to get up and add the quilt because I was too cold, but the rest of the night I was cool and comfortable. It was humid this weekend, so being cool was a plus.

[priller]

Great job @CPverne, I will most likely build a similar PLUQ for the RR....

[SquirrelGirl]

Wow! Impressive. Great DIY. If I can make it to Yates Place in Nov, I definitely want to see this!

[cpverne]

Looking at the temps, I think it may be a little chilly for that quilt.. I've been toying with the idea of making my own down quilt, or perhaps a 4 layer PLUQ..

One thing I did find is that I cut it too close to the actual dimensions of the RR.. Even with the shock cord let out, it's still pretty tight to the hammock when I'm laying it..

[Grapenut]

S-L-I-C-K

G-Nut

[DemostiX]

Wow, nice work.

I wonder if the problem you've is from the weight of the PLUQ. I've had it easy with UQs that aren't so attracted to the earth and hammocks that are pretty stiff. Together, they make it easier to assure that insulation value is maximized with a close fit but minimal compression. Maybe midway support on short stretches of light shock cord attached with clips to the side of the hmmk will help you with the heavier PLUQ.

On temps you are trying to have enough warmth for: I've had mostly good luck with rounded tear-drop $7 Accutemp digital thermometers that display the high and low temps since the last reset. Lightweight, and long battery life. Also somewhat slow-reading, with a damped response, because the sensor is within a plastic a case. Walmart isn't the only source. http://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00315-...al+thermometer ,
but there are also surely be more reliable ones. Looking at reliable hourly temp readings from weather stations, I'm surprised to see dips sometimes late at night.