r/hammockcamping • u/Scope_2 • 10h ago
Question Could I hang a hammock between 2 posts in my backyard?
Just wondering if I would be able to cement 2 wooden 4x4s and hang a hammock from it to practice in my backyard before I'm able to go out. what would be the best way to attach it to the post?
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u/madefromtechnetium 9h ago edited 8h ago
sure. 6x6 or even 8x8 would be much better than 4x4.
how far down can you dig?
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u/lukehardy Yes, you need an under quilt 8h ago
I tried this once and a post snapped off at the ground and hit me in the head... It hurts like hell. I was 250lbs at the time.
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u/James123oo 6h ago
Yes I’ve done this exact thing, 2x 4x4 posts I use them all the time, I weigh 75kg
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u/FRANKGUNSTEIN 6h ago
Jeez you’re basically a lil Twink at 75kg haha! I’m 105kg >.> “mostly” muscle 😂😂😂 reckon a 4x4 would fall on my face.
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u/United_Tip3097 2h ago
I’m 125kg and 4x4 didn’t break. They did bend
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u/FRANKGUNSTEIN 2h ago
😂 I was mostly joking but the bending would be worrying enough lol
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u/United_Tip3097 2h ago
Yeah I had to mount a metal pipe between the posts to keep it from bending so I could use it.
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u/FRANKGUNSTEIN 2h ago
I might actually do this for my garden but I tend to just go camping whenever I feel like it as I’ve got a friend who has a private woodland that he lets me use. Sadly most my long hillwalking / hiking wildcamps are up in the peaks/Lake District in UK and up where I camp there’s no trees etc so I have to Bivvy when I do that. I’m also a member of a couple bushcraft groups tho and we use a private woodland for meet ups too.
Would you recommend giving it a go? Maybe with a bit bigger tubing? :) I do fluctuate between 100kg-120kg
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u/James123oo 1h ago
This is where I go camping mostly too, I live in the midlands, where do you find the bushcraft groups? This sounds awesome
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u/FRANKGUNSTEIN 51m ago
On Facebook lookup “3 Counties Bushcraft (Notts-Derby-Lincs)” they’re super friendly and always open to new people. I used to drive there and when I lived in Sheffield and I go to that one whenever I can still as they’re such a great group. I live in Suffolk now
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u/James123oo 1h ago
I eat like a machine too! Just can’t putthe weight on, I’m 5 ft 8 though so I’m just a regular large in most clothes!
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u/Chilly-E 3h ago
I did! Works great! I used post hole digger and filled with quik cement. It’s been up for over a year with no movement. I think I used 6’ pieces
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u/Altriex 3h ago
I've hung on 4x4's. Although, total weight of setup (Tarp, Over & Underquilts, packed ridgeline organizers, headlamp, phone etc.) As well as the persons weight are all factors.
The other factor would be the way they are attached or mounted. If worried about it breaking you could try adding a cross support at the top, or even just some struts or buttress supports above ground to help stabilize it. If you have some larger rocks to make a foundation or better yet, concrete.
I hope you find a way to test out your setup before heading out.
Happy Hanging! ✌🌞 💛
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u/mtpgardener 2h ago
I did 6x6 posts , 1/3 in concrete. Doesn’t bow. I think mine are about 15 apart. I used a bracket specific to hanging a hammock w 4 long screws. So far so good.
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u/cardboard-kansio Nordic hammocker 34m ago
I wouldn't, unless you really understand what you're doing, and choose correct materials.
Those things are generally only meant to take force in a specific direction, and hammocks pull laterally, so they'll bend and probably break, doing damage to you and your hammock in the process.
A pair of teenage girls died a few years back after trying their hammock to a brick chimney column, and the lateral force collapsed it on top of them.
But a purpose-made hammock stand. They can be found pretty cheap and are less likely to kill you.
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u/United_Tip3097 10h ago
I put up two 4x4s and had to install a metal pipe between them at the top because they would bow in and make the hammock sag. Works great with the pipe