So my first time setting up. What do ya think.

[thepapasmurf]

Well this is my intro setup cost me 50$ I would say not bad for the cost as when I used a tent it weighed 3lb more and double the cost and less comfortable. I did not include my 0 Degree sleeping bag as I had that from camping previously.

- Grand Trunk Ultralight 18$ (amazon)
- 10x12 tarp 10$
-Yoga mat 10$ (walmart)
- Fleece Blanket 5$ (Walmart)
- 300lb straps x2 2$ (walmart)
- 25ft Rope 95lb 1$ (dollar store)
- Tent stakes from old tent (free) can use wood stakes.
- 150ft nylon twine 1$ (dollar store)
- 2 bungee cords 1$ (dollar store)

Setup in backyard to test everything before my mountain trip and possibly Frozen Butt Hang in Columbia, SC.





So feel free to tell me your thoughts.

[SilvrSurfr]

You might want to find an alternative to those grommets - that's going to be the first thing to fail on your tarp.

[OutandBack]

That is way nicer than my first hammock kit.
Nice budget setup IMO

[dkurfiss]

I have to agree on the grommets failing but it's easy enough to put a rock in the tent, wrap line around it, and use it to tie off to the ground with. I did that for a long time with my go to ground tarp.

Will you have a chance to sleep in it outside before you go? You might want to give a try especially in the temps you are expecting to encounter. The yoga mat may or may not be enough under you but that is easy to fix with a closed cell foam pad from the camping section of Wal Mart. They run about 15.00 or so.

[fishbait]

I'd find something to replace the Yoga Mat. The Outdoor Products Blue CCF Pad at Walmart is under $20 and offers better insulation. If you have a Harbor Freight near by, they have 2" x 20' Ratcheting Tie Downs with a breaking strength of 2800 Lbs for $7.00. the 300 Lbs load weight of your straps would make me a bit nervous.

[thepapasmurf]

Yeah sleeping in it for the next week.

I am getting some reflectix to go with the mat just have yet to pick it up. For now just gonna try with fleece and the mat to see how much I may need to improve on it.

I did not think about the grommet issue will think about that next time I setup.

[MDSH]

That's fantastic! What a great set-up!

.

[OldRagFreeze]

I'd say 300 lbs is a bit light for the suspension. Depending on the angles, hammock suspensions can be under greater load than the actual load applied to them... So even if you're not 300 lbs, the suspension may be holding 300 lbs, effectively.

I think you'll find the yoga mat, even with reflectix, insufficient. Wal Mart sells CCF pads (blue foam) for $7. While not ideal, they work fine; I've been using them exclusively for two years now. You may want two, one to keep full length and one to cut into sit pads and to supplement the other in the hammock.

Lastly I'd get familiar with the GTUL before taking it out; it's short and I found it near impossible to get a good diagonal lay. Others have no issue, but I never slept well in that hammock.

All in all, that's a great start!

[overthinker]

Are the grommets just holes punched through, or are they actual metal grommets? You can add metal grommets for real cheap that would help extend the life of the tarp:

http://www.joann.com/search?q=grommet

[UrsaMajor1887]

Great start. Enjoy the learning curve. My biggest concern is also the 300 lbs break strength. Google "hammock hang calculator", punch in your numbers and see how close you may be to a pop and bump in the night.

+1 on a thicker CCF pad, depending on the weather.

Great to see you setting up for such low dollars!