Hammock set ups

So I've been looking at ways to set up a hammock with my truck. The idea I had was to get a roof rack and some kind of pole to attach to the hitch. Then use them as tie points. Only issue I have is I'm not sure if the Tacoma roof rack rails will support that much tension being pulled on them. Do you guys think this is a feasible plan?

 

I think the biggest problem with what you are describing is that it has to be:
1. light enough to be portable
2. able to be broken down for portability, and
3. strong enough when assembled to support your camping setup.

I have seen aluminum hammock supports that break down for storage.

I recommend buying some hammock straps and using two trees, where possible.

 

Hammaka 10314-KP Hammock Hitch Stand (Chairs & Hammock Not Included)

$243 Hammaka 10314-KP Hammock Hitch Stand (Chairs & Hammock Not Included)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CTXNVHN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QjQtBbPT00FHH

 

Build a turtledog stand.

 

I was thinking about just getting one of those portable hammock stands like this one

Pure Garden Portable Hammock with Stand-Folds and Fits into Included Carry Bag for Easy Travel-Perfect for Backyard, Pool, Beach, Hiking and More

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Sta...qid=1531881392&sr=8-27&keywords=hammock+frame

 

If you ever actually build your roof-tow hitch hammock please take pictures of you on it. That would have to be the funniest thing I've ever seen

 

Someone on here welded a stand the goes underneath your tires to support the weight of a hammock on the side of your truck. I have no clue where that thread is but it was a nice stand, I'm pretty sure it was collapsible for traveling.

 

Similar to an ENO Roadie sounds like.

 

That ^ is pretty clever. I'm wondering if the tie-down cleats on the vaunted Diamondback covers could serve as one anchor point for a hammock? Then you need only find one nearby tree for the other anchor.

 

There is a guy that actually makes a tow hitch plugin you can set up hammock in let me find it. Little pricey but cool idea for trips
https://www.mcleanmetalworksmfg.com/shop

 

We have been looking for a setup, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Here are some stuff we found:

• ENO - Eagles Nest Outfitters Roadie Car Stand, Charcoal
  ENO Roadie Hammock Stand
• Hitch Hammock
• McLean Metalworks Hammock Mount
• TrailNest Roof Top Hammock Stand Mark II
• The Hitchhiker Hammock System

Also seen custom setups...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hammock-addiction.373462/page-9

 

I would suggest you do some Hammock camping first like tree to tree first to see what it's like.

 

^ what he said.

 

So a couple things. I live in San Diego...There are no trees! Just shrubs and rocks! Lol. Its sad, I grew up in WA where there were trees everywhere...not so here. So thats why I'm trying to do a tree-free set up.

I agree with those three things. Ideally it could be collapsable, but I'm afraid multiple pieces would mean a weaker beam and just exacerbate #3. I'm not too worried about weight though. The beam would live bungeed under my tonneau cover in the truck bed. I'm in an apartment, so no garage or anywhere else to store it. Which is one of the reasons a lot of the other tree less set ups don't appeal to me.

Too much equipment. I'm in an apartment so storage is limited. Looks like a lot of poles you know?

This looks pretty nice and collapsable. I might be able to do this and just replace the hammock it comes with with a nicer one that I like, with a bug net and all.

You damn right I will! That thing will be glorious if I do!

I'll have to take a closer look at all these when I have more time. I know the ENO is a bit too bulky for my taste. Esp. since I'd ideally be going for a dual hammock set up.

 

I haven't used a tent in years. Still take one as back up, but I'm a hammock or cot guy now.

What I usually do is trees. 2 if I'm with my primary camping buddy - I tie off with 2 trees and then the bed rack. Works great.

We recently discussed getting (1) tow hitch McClean rack. That way we can park the trucks at at "T" with my truck being the top with the rack and his being the leg - backed in with the tow hitch kit. We would then use each end of the tow hitch mount to hang the hammocks to two ends of my bed rack if that makes sense.

 

As an avid (and exclusive) hammock camper, the things I noticed about the hitch set ups:

1. expensive
2. do NOT support hammocks with a permanent ridgeline/integrated bugnet

The Eno stands are good for Eno hammocks, but AFAIC, if you are using an ENO hammock to sleep in overnight in the woods, you need to douse yourself with deet.

I've made a couple of different stands using the Ultimate Hammock guide, including the big ass 3 hammock stand:



Simple turtle dog:



Simple A Frame:


The simple A is the best one I have done so far. Sturdy AF, provides great coverage with the rainfly, and is perfect with a ridgeline hammock.

Trees are my favorite way to hang though, by far.



My kit right now is:

Dutchware Chameleon Hammock
Arrowhead Equipment New River 3 season Underquilt
Arrowhead Equipment White Cloud 3 season Topquilt (I use a snugpack quilt when it's hot though)
UGQ Penny Pincher Tarp with Continuous Ridgeline and snakeskin with Alien clips

My brother in law uses one of the Amazon hammock stands, but he doesn't use a ridgeline hammock. It won't work with my hammock....

 

Also, circling back to what the OP is looking for: Light, portable, freestanding. The only thing I can reccomend for serious camping style freestand is the Tato hammock stand:

https://dutchwaregear.com/product/tato-gear-hammock-stand/

But they are not available right now.

I always read the following on hammock forums: Pick 2 from the following 3 choices:

1. Light
2. Inexpensive
3. Quality

wait, he wasn't looking for that. LMAO.

 

Lol no not quite. But thanks. I'm trying to minimize the amount of equipment I need to bring/store. I figured the best way to do that was use the truck itself as tie points rather than get a bunch of poles etc. for a free standing one. The roof rack is a bit high up, but since I can climb on my tonneau cover I think my idea will work. Getting a piece of metal fabricated will probably be the cheapest way (- cost of the roof rack.) I just hope the rack will support the tension.

 

I thought maybe attaching to a bed rack would do the trick, but most bedracks sit on the bed rail, and are fastened to the truck by the rail tracks. The problem with this is the force or weight is not pressing down on the rack like a RTT would, rather it is pulling. I would think that you would probably end up doing harm to the bed of your truck because the force of gravity is pulling away rather than pushing straight down. Same with fastening your hammock to a roof rack. I'd be very weary of that.

http://theultimatehang.com/hammock-hang-calculator/

https://www.ropebook.com/information/vector-forces/

 

Do you keep the stand in the PVC pipe on the roof rack? Because that sir, is a GREAT idea!!!