Grand Trunk Hammocks

[weathermansam]

Good? Bad?  ENO's just out of my range, and I'm looking at this one http://www.amazon.com/Ult...qid=1298341786&sr=8-3

I really can't afford much more than this, but I want something that's anti-bug.  I've never camped without trees around, and the weight drop/space added from losing the tent, poles and sleeping pad is pretty appealing.  Is this hammock worth buying? 

[squidbilly]

Grand Trunk makes decent hammocks.  This particular model is 2.75 $ less direct from Grand Trunk  I E-mailed them inquiring about the Nano 7 a while back, and they offered me a 20 percent discount.

Some considerations if you are going to use it for camping:  You will also need a tarp for weather protection. You will still need a pad or underquilt.  Underquilts are much more comfortable, but expensive. Pads are cheap, but not as comfortable. They need to be modified-not wide enough. Sometimes too hot or clammy. Sleeping bags are hard to squirm in and out of in a hammock, unless you just unzip it, flip it over and use it like an overquilt with a footbox. All things considered though, hammocks are much better than sleeping on the ground. You dont need a campsite anymore, just two trees suitably spaced. Everything you could want to know about hammocks

[wirerat123]

Hammocking is actually rarely going to be lighter than tenting, the difference is the quality of sleep.  In a tent, I get maybe 2 to 3 hours of semi decent sleep no matter what kind of pad is under me, it's just not that comfy.  in a hammock I get 6+ hours of quality sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and raring to go.  I can carry the extra pound with ease because I actually got rest.

Other big pluses, no need for level ground, if you can secure the thing on a cliff, you can sleep well there, no need for ground clearing, rocks?  not a problem, snakes?  Not a problem.  No more waking up at 2am to try and shuffle that pine cone core you didn't notice out from under your pad, no more waking up in a puddle after rain, no more sore hips, shoulders, or neck.

You can get your hammocks down to equal or lesser weights than tenting, but it takes money and ingenuity, and sometimes both.  A GT Nano7, minimalist cuben tarp, with whoopies, straps, mosquito net, and pad can run you about a pound.

I actually gain about 1/2 pound with a winter hammock setup, but it's well worth it.  My summer weights are pretty much equal at about 3lbs.

[squidbilly]

I hear ya- on the quality of sleep. I was in such a deep sleep Saturday night, when I awoke I didn't know where I was for a few seconds!    
 My Blackbird adds about 9 ounces to my kit- well worth the added comfort.  I did gain a bugnet too.

Sam, have you seen The Clark Ultralight hammock? I know it costs way more than you want to spend, but check it out. Also, look at the Hennessey Hammocks.

[Firedog]

The Hennessy comes with no see-um bug netting also and you can get a bottom or side entrance. You can't go wrong with a hammock whatever the brand that fits you and your budget.
You can go to: http://www.hammockforums....rum/forumdisplay.php?f=85
Sam, there are some very good instructions on DIY. You can buy the Ripstop cheap.
I am working on an underquilt now. I have some extra 1.9 ripstop if you need some.

[wirerat123]

The Hennessy comes with no see-um bug netting also and you can get a bottom or side entrance. You can't go wrong with a hammock whatever the brand that fits you and your budget.
You can go to: http://www.hammockforums....rum/forumdisplay.php?f=85
Sam, there are some very good instructions on DIY. You can buy the Ripstop cheap.
I am working on an underquilt now. I have some extra 1.9 ripstop if you need some.

I can also float you a few yards of ripstop as well, I've likely got about 50 yards of 1.1 ripstop.  I've even got 20 yards of silnylon for making tarps.  Making a simple camping hammock is easy mode, and can be done by someone new to sewing, there are also instructions that can be found for making a Hennessy Clone, a Blackbird clone, etc.  If you are the handy type, you could make a blackbird clone for the price of the GT hammocks.

[weathermansam]

Sorry I haven't responded [I'm bogged down with midterms at the moment], thanks all for the info.  I think I'll probably look into the DIY thing, as I really am strapped for cash.  I only camp about 4 or 5 times a year, and never in the rain or severe hot and cold.  I'll day hike in any conditions, but I'm picky about what I have to put up with when I'm trying to sleep. I think a hammock system would save me on pack space, if nothing else. 

[wirerat123]

If you aren't looking for a bugnet, I have a hammock ready made.  With a ling zipper, and some grosgrain you can add a zippered bugnet with relative ease and be in business.

[wirerat123]

I just whipped up a fleece lined double layer with zippered bug netting for a friend of mine in about 3 hours today.  The inner layer being fleece was by request, I was tasked with making one for him and his wife, and since they will only ever car camp, or kayak/canoe camp, bulk and slight extra weight are no issue to them.  But I really like the results for the time invested.  It was too dark to get pictures, but I'll getcha some up tomorrow if the weather holds out good enough.  I cheated on how I made it so the bug netting isn't tight, but that's no issue to them.

Fully enclosed double layer hammock with zippers and whoopie slings in about 3 hours, and a total cost of around $45 invested (fleece costs about twice as much as rip stop nylon).  I hated working with the fleece as part of it, I coulda got it done in 2 hours, but the fleece made things very difficult on my sewing machine.  I'm glad I only have to make one more of those lol.

8 yards of Wally World ripstop - $12
4 yards of better quality than tulle netting - $8
long zipper - $10
30' of Amsteel - $15
random sewing needs - $10 (grosgrain, thread, needles, shock cord)
3 hours of personal time.

Since I don't count personal time, $55 for a very nice home made hammock.  Of course that doesn't include a tarp.  If you know a framer, ask if they can get you enough Tyvek to make a tarp with for free, and be in business on the cheap, and still be very light.

[wirerat123]

I've made more than these, but these are two that I've made over the last couple days.  One is the fleece lined hammock for a friends wife, and I still have to get his made.  But these ended up being very cheap to make.  The fleece lined one ended up being about $55 and the digi camo ended up being about $30, but with no bug net (Yet).  I've still got some mods to do as the grommets didn't work out, so I have to sew on grosgrain tabs for tie outs.  The grommets just pull through over time.

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks

Grand Trunk Hammocks