DIY Camping Hammock

This instructable features how to make a "Do It Yourself" Camping Hammock- (This is my first instructable, so bear with me...)

Step 1: Materials Needed

Materials Needed:
1.) Large peice of ripstop nylon - 3 & 2/3 yards - You can get this at most sewing stores: JoAnns, Michaels, even Walmart (if they have a sewing section).
2.) Sewing machine
3.) Paracord( any type of rope will do, as long as it will hold your weight. I prefer paracord for it's size and weight capacity). The length of the cord will depend on how far apart the trees you hang the hammock from are.
4.) 2 carabeeners or other type of clip, which must be able to hold your weight as well.

A.)  I have also seen people make hammocks out of bed sheets( perferrabley large ones)

Comments

[jamob]

Is this a comfortable hammock for sleeping without padding or sleeping bag? What caribeners did you use and where can I get them? Great instructable!

[HAL 9000]

Any climbing-rated carabiners will work fine. I just got some little carabiners yesterday that are rated at 22kN, which is more than enough to support a hammock.

[larslovespeace]

I think it is very comfortable bra. I used some standard caribeaners no the cheapo ones but the screw tight ones. Id say for night sleeping you should use a pad just because the bottom of the hammock gets really cold. I guess it also depends where you live too

[jamob]

Alright thanks! Me and some of my friends are making this hammock to go roughing it in Vermont for a weekend in April cause its simple and portable! Thanks for the help

[hammockguy]

I've heard about wrapping the sleeping bag around the hammock instead of using a pad. That way your not crushing the insulation in the sleeping bag. Has anyone tried this?

[aviator_60]

I recently went on a trip with my daughter and was caught by much colder than expected nights. I got up in the middle of the night and zipped my bag around my hammock and it was passable. I was still cold but that had more to do with being cramped into only the space the bag covered. I would go with a purpose built solution.

[larslovespeace]

I believe thast is a called an underquilt. you can make them yourself and it is a very efficient way to stay warm.

[milamber]

does anyone know if an old fly sheet would be strong enough??

[50-50]

fly screen works great for this.
it has a special weave that stops ripps.

[sokamiwohali]

possibly but not likely. rain flies are not made for weight bearing, BUT its worth a try. why dont you make an IBLE trying this out?

[matmore74]

Okey all, great things were said, But Nylon webbing works the best and paracord 550 type. Go to www.hammockforums.net or go to www.tothewoods.com you will see what I am talking about..

[hiddenartist]

briarwalker: I used much of your design to make a hammock for camping. It was great! so simple and so cheep compared to "store bought".
Bought the ripstop nylon at Joanne's on sales and with a coupon! I already had a pile of para cord. Then I recycled a set of webbed boat straps, (The straps no longer worked with my kayak or car.) Wha La.. a very comfortable and secure hammock. I will likely make a couple and give them to brothers and sisters for Christmas. Thank you!

Does any one have any ideas about other synthetics that are available that would serve the same purpose? I think it would be fun to do some stripes!
Again, thank you!

[larslovespeace]

Also when I had hung the hammock from these trees they were over 20 ft apart so it really strched it out like you see but if you find trees fifteen feet apart then it will be much easier to lay in at angles.

[Myklknife]

I built a hammock like this a few years ago and just decided to try using paracord (for pack size and weight considerations) instead of the nylon webbing I normally use. Never knew paracord was that stretchy. I tied the thing 7ft off the ground and it still stretched to the ground... If I preshrink the paracord do you think it will stretch less?

[larslovespeace]

I dont really know. Paracord is built to be strechy and to make it non strechy would probley hinder the strength somehow.

[Myklknife]

Alright I just tried my washed paracord and it still held my weight (180lbs) just find and stretched far less.

[larslovespeace]

thats awesome that worked ill have to try it sometime

[Myklknife]

Perhaps... I don't know how much damage washing it would do though. I gave it a try anyway, I'll string it up later in the week to see how it works

[KravenTheHunter]

sun damage is really the only thing you need to worry about with 550 cord. washing it shouldn't harm it at all, provided you dry it thoroughly enough to keep it from mildewing.

[rentman]

Perhaps you could add a cross-bar to keep the hammock open. otherwise good design!

[Myklknife]

personally, I'm not a fan of stays to keep the hammock open when I sleep in one. the cocoon effect keeps you from rolling out if you toss and turn a lot.

[brickman93]

yea, just get a thin aluminun rod and do a cobra stitch with paracord to pad it. thats my plan!

[larslovespeace]

I was origanly thinking getting some rope and attaching to hammock and steaking into ground but thats a realy good idea.

[larslovespeace]

Great Idea! When I ended up camping in it the trees were much closer together and it was much more open ( specially if I laid in it at an angle)

[walloon]

What type of ripstop nylon did you use? I just want to make sure the fabric is strong enough to hold an adult. Would any style of ripstop work?
I'm just having a *really* hard time finding the fabric that can work. I've tried all the usual fabric stores but they aren't sure if the fabric can hold the weight.
Any advice anyone?
Great instructable! keep it up!

[larslovespeace]

The nylon I used was a regular ripstop nylon I got at Joannes. I was very skeptical about a very thin piece of fabric holding my weight, but it seems to work. I have had mulitple people sit on it at once and it didnt break.

[walloon]

I was skeptical as well. But, if all else fails, try try again. I bought some fabric at joannes as well, gonna give it a try myself. Cheers!

[Pointy Cactus24]

i really like it but the funny thing is, the way he's laying in the hammock make is look like some sort bizarre coffin. but i guess that adds to some sort of effect, but idk what kind, however.

[larslovespeace]

Back then I really had never slept in a hammock before... You would ussually sleep in a hammock this style where you body is at a 45 degree angle to the treee- allowing for maximum flatness.

[LuminousObject]

Hey, how wide is the fabric that you're using? Great Instuctable too!

[larslovespeace]

it is 5ft wide which is 58 in. wide by 9ft long. the width is the width of the role of fabvric at the store.

[eddems]

I learned about hammocks from soldiers in the Viet Nam War. They copied them from green Berets. My first one was a failure. I think this one might be too. The hammock needs to be 7 plus feet long. But the really important thing is to arch the ends where the rope goes. Abut 3 inches is nice. This keeps the sides of the hammock up so that you are cradled by it. Otherwise, there will be a tendency to fall out of it.

[lancealotx21]

I dont know dude the way I did it seems fine so me I have camped in it multiple times and I have never fallen out even in my sleep.

[mikesnyd]

Arch goes in what direction? Does it go into the rectangle or out of the rectangle? I was thinking about it and maybe adding a couple of twists in the rope might stop it from flipping. Both leads to the tree are twisted maybe four or five times. More depending on how long they are.

[eddems]

the ends of the hammock where the rope goes should have some arch to it. The hammock will cradle you then.

[misteravocado5]

DId you mean to put 7 of the same picture on this step? Great instructable by the way.

[larslovespeace]

no I'll have to change that- woops

[trupeteater]

Great instructable, instead of paracord you can use Amsteel-Blue, its extremely light weight and strong, not to mention cheap. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_38088_-1?cid=chanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=38088 You can also make a Whoopie Sling to make easy adjusting of the rope length http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=9349&highlight=whoopie+sling

[Fredock]

i don't quite understand the last step... what do you mean by: You don't have to do it this way you can whip the ends of the hammock and the benefit from this is that based upon the way you whip the ends it will change the way the hammock lays when you are in it. (what is a whip?)

[TheCaptain]

To whip a fraying rope means to tie a smaller piece of string around the end, sealing in all the fraying fibers. Sort of like how that little piece of plastic holds the end of a shoe-lace together.

[larslovespeace]

Do you know when rope frays and if it is synthetic you can melt it to stop the fraying? Well if it is not synthetic rope then you have tto whip the ends of the rope. There are many other resources that can show you how to whip the hammock- here is one http://www.imrisk.com/hammockwhipping/hammockwhipping.htm this will show you how to do it

[madmonky13]

doesnt it roll and you end up upside down???

[larslovespeace]

No it doesnt your wieght keeps it balanced

[dumnonni]

to make certain that water doesnt run down the rope into the hammock, i normally use a carrabiner to connect the rope to the hammock. nide and dry :D

[larslovespeace]

Yes , Right know instead on using the rope you see I made some tree straps and have o ring on them this keeps the rain from running onto the hammock

[k24tea]

(removed by author or community request)

[glorybe]

Hot weather will be a serious issue. In my area mosquitos would easily bite right through that nylon and a tee shirt as well. I have strung jungle hammocks rather high up in trees and that helped with the heat and bugs as well. In summer the soil holds a lot of heat at the surface so getting well away from the surface is important.

[larslovespeace]

yeah- I am working on getting some bug netting to attach to the hammock, but dont know where to buy it in such a large quantity?

[rlnbkseeberger]

You can go here: http://shop.vtarmynavy.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=armynavy&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=230556666&Count2=147697091 Under one of those they have the netting by the yard. I was also thinking of doing the same thing, but I need the monetary funds first!

[larslovespeace]

Right now I am working on some diy slapstraps for trees and a carrybage it as turned out well so when I'm done take a look.

[Mr. E Meat]

Nice Instructable! Don't know if you've seen these before: http://www.imrisk.com/hammock/hammocktube.htm Better than a bag IMHO.

[tim_n]

Good stuff - I'm thinking of 'ibling a rope hammock I saw used on a scout site last year. Bear this in mind though!

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1672&page=2

1. Thou shall practice and understand your hammock BEFORE going forth to the woods.
-Lest thy spend the first night in a hammock planted firmly upon the ground.

2. Thou shall require Bottom Insulation.
- Hammocks get cold on the bottom in all but the warmest weather.
Using a pad, pod, or underquilt will keep you warm in diverse weather
conditions. Each system has its own unique pros and cons and temp ratings.

3. Thy Hammock shall be protected from the storm.
- You need a tarp to stay dry. Smaller tarps save weight and are good for
light rain with little wind. Larger tarps are required for wind blown rain and
to protect underquilts or pods from getting wet. Under and over covers
provide additional protection and some warmth

4. Thy Hammock shall not fall to certain doom.
- You need to think about your suspension system. There are plenty of options. Knots, ropes, webbing, rings, buckles and other gadgets to provide you with many ways to secure your hammock quickly and safely every time.

5. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's hammock.
- With so many different types of hammocks on the market, its hard to
know what to get. Comfort is very subjective. Your setup is very personal.
Try many different types if possible before making a purchase. Learn about
the different makes and models and decide what features you need or want.
Don't rule out making your own. It can be done easily and with little required skills.

6. Thou shalt not sabotage thine own hammock.
-Empty your pockets and belt of all sharp objects before entering the hammock.

7. Thou shalt take advantage of the versatility of hanging options a hammock provides.
-Don't settle for a plain flat camping spot when more unique opportunities are available. Make the most of your options by hanging across streams, between boulders, by scenic vistas, etc.

8. Thou shalt practice "leave no Trace" hanging.
-Do not cause damage to any tree or any wilderness area, Thou shalt not spoil it for everyone else.

9. Thou shalt make thy Hammock and Hammock System thy own.
-It's your hammock and hammock system. Don't be afraid to make whatever modifications are necessary to make it more comfortable, easier to set up or take down, etc.

10.Thou shalt choose thy hang with a care for your safety.
-No dead trees, or under "widowmakers" or between speeding trucks, or anywhere you may be harmed.