Hanging a hammock in a van

[Guest]

I've decided to sleep in a hammock but I don't know how to hang it without damaging anything. I'm vverry unsure about installing anything, like hooks because I'm sure I would botch it up and ruin everything.<div>But, I do want to hang it using the doors as support, just shutting the doors on the rope with something on the end to keep it in place. I wonder, though, if that will bend the metal.</div><div>Is there some way I can avoid that?</div>

 

[akrvbob]

I've never done this, so these are just thoughts that come to me. First, what kind of van do you have? If you have a cargo van it will be easy becuase you can see the ribs. If possible find two ribs the right distance apart and use an "I" bolt. An I bolt has a circle on one end and bolt threads on the other. You will want a big one like 3/8 inch thick. Drill a 3/8 inch hole to get the bolt trough and tighten the bolt from inside. Of course I am assuming you can get to the inside to thread and tighten the bolt. If you can't get inside then I would probably get a long piece of angle iron (if you don't know what that is, just ask at Home Depot) the length of the van. I'd use self-tapping sheet metal screws to run a screw into each of the ribs. At each end of the angle iron drill a hole and bolt on the "I" bolts. This is probably overkill, but I promise it will never come off!! Bob<br>

 

[Guest]

I have a chevy van, nice and stealth. It seems like I could use a seat belt to hang one side from, it certainly must be secure,&nbsp;considering&nbsp;it's meant to save lives. I think I'll hang the other side in the door or on another seat belt...&nbsp;

 

[Sunny1]

If you are going to sleep in a hammock in cold weather, you will definitely need a thick piece of insulating foam under you.&nbsp; I used a Ridgerest sleeping mat and cut it and patched it so it also had "wings" for underneath my shoulders.<br><br>With no insulation under you, your backside will freeze.<br><br>Been there.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

 

[CnCTravels]

<P>Thats a good idea for saving space. I would think the seatbelts would be strong enough.</P>

 

[Guest]

I hope so, I'll be gradually fixing up my van, but for now, winter is enough to keep my on my mattress.

 

[VanTramp]

A few things to remember when looking for strong anchor points. Flat sheet metal is far weaker than sheet metal that has been formed, so consider areas near the door sills, roof corners etc to be more sturdy. When you secure something like an eye bolt in sheet metal and expect it to hold weight, you really need to also use at least very large flat washers, fender washers or sandwiched sheet metal to help spread the pulling force over a wider area, otherwise the bolt can often pull through the hole and just mess up the panel.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>On that note, the seatbelt anchor points are probably the best to utilize with the door hinges(sill side) being next. If I was doing myself, I would weld up brackets to accomplish the same goal (spreading the stress), but you should be able to get it done adequately without welding if you are careful and think it through. Good luck <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;</div>

 

[Guest]

If you can get to metal, I would recommend welding an anchor/plate in.<div><br></div><div>Properly too, not of the JB variety. It'll give you a solid base to work from.</div><div><br></div><div>You could use a third hook (just screwed in) in the roof to hang the middle of the hammock up so that it's out of the way during the day.</div>

 

[SoulRaven]

There is a reason why hammocks are used on the tropics and on sunny warm sundays in back yards... The reason is when it gets cold at night you be like a piece of hanging beef in a meat locker... You have no insulation under you and believe me you first night in the cold will make you really wish you had a bed...<br><br>Do what ya like but i honestly believe, no matter how sexy it looks on paper, you will regret this decision...<br><br>

 

[adamnyk]

<font class="Apple-style-span" face="Courier" size="2">Definitely agree that winter hammocks are usually not a good idea. &nbsp;If you are interested in summer use, take a look at this video I came across.&nbsp;</font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Courier" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Courier" size="2">Seems very simple and won't damage the car at all, just need some good old nrs straps.</font></div><div><br></div><div><a href="" target="_blank"></a></div>

 

[angeli]

Thanks for the vid!&nbsp; Simple and really brilliant.<br><br>I hear the comments about not doing winter in a hammock, but I can't help thinking about all those sailers for all those hundreds of years that used hammocks.&nbsp; I know they didn't do beds in winter, so how did they keep warm?<br><br>Probably another simple and really brilliant idea.&nbsp; I wish my mind worked that way!&nbsp; LOL!!<br><br>

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the vid!&nbsp; Simple and really brilliant.<br><br>I hear the comments about not doing winter in a hammock, but I can't help thinking about all those sailers for all those hundreds of years that used hammocks.&nbsp; I know they didn't do beds in winter, so how did they keep warm?<br><br>Probably another simple and really brilliant idea.&nbsp; I wish my mind worked that way!&nbsp; LOL!!<br><br>

They used lots of blankets, top and bottom, for winter.

 

[angeli]

You'd think that, wouldn't you?&nbsp; But, I've seen pics of the British Navy sailors sleeping in their hammocks during a WW1 mission, and they didn't seem to have a lot of blankets on them.&nbsp; But they did have what looked like fabric hammocks as opposed to woven ones.&nbsp; I don't know if this was widespread, or if it depended on their mission and route.<br><br>And, of course, they had good wool blankets at that time, I'm sure.&nbsp; Any historians know for sure?<br><br>I do know that in places like Nicaragua and other traditional South American countries, hammocks are used as beds year round.&nbsp; Lots of those countries are hot and humid, but many of them have high mountains and freezing cold and hammocks are used there as well.<br><br>We Americans think of hammocks as loosely woven webs with stretcher bars, but more traditional bed hammocks have no stretcher bars and are very closely woven, fabric-like pieces that breathe but insulate too.<br><br>Anyone else out there using a hammock in van or mobile living space?<br><br>As a matter of fact, after reading up on them last night, I'm so turned on to the idea of a hammock in my van, that it is now part of the plan.&nbsp; One end can be hooked permanently, and the other can be hooked or unhooked as need to sleep hits.&nbsp; You'd have to have a good bedroll, and maybe even a sheepskin on the bottom?&nbsp; Sounds comfey...<br><br>Woo Hoo!&nbsp; I can't wait!<br><br>

 

[SoulRaven]

Sailor's, since powered ships complained of heat below decks because they were on or above the huge engine(s) compartment...&nbsp; The decking of the ships held in the heat, being warm in the extreme cold, and stifling hot in warmer climates...<br><br>In the sailing age there were stoves on the birthing deck for warmth... They were bolted to the deck to prevent them falling over...<br><br>Hammocks were not used after a certain time period when the ships got bigger and storage was not at a premium... Bunks were built in when ships did not have to stow gear/food/water in the birthing compartments...<br><br>So go for it but remember it is too late when you are caught in a cold spell... This is why vandwellers use a warm, insulated and comfy beds...<br><br>Enjoy sailor...<br>

 

[angeli]

AVAST, ye hearties!<br><br>History according to Wikepedia:&nbsp; The British navy adopted hammocks in the 1590's.&nbsp; They were considered superior to bunks or berths because they were much safer and more comfortable.&nbsp; Sailors were no longer being thrown out of their bunks by rough seas.&nbsp; Also, folks with back injuries and sore muscles found relief from sleeping in them.&nbsp; Naval hammocks were made of heavy canvas, and FOR WARMTH, sailors were issued a thin mattress that fitted into the hammock.&nbsp; Folks loved their hammocks and most took them with them ashore on leave.&nbsp; The ditty bag or canvas rucksack that folks use today used to be the hammock bag.<br><br>I found mention in naval historical archives of naval issue hammocks in use as late as the 1980's although they are still used in jungle deployment.&nbsp; I could not tell you if they are still in use on naval ships, tho, because I could find no date that they stopped being used.&nbsp; They are still used also in civilian shipping, and by astronauts on the Apollo missions, and of course by regular folk all over South America and the Carribean as their daily bed, in both hot and humid and cold climates.<br><br>So, the cold weather hammock is canvas with a thin mattress.&nbsp; I'm thinking two or three inch foam zipped into a sleeping bag would substitute.<br><br>I'm also game for the bolted down woodstove, but the smoke emitting chimney might limit stealth!&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br>Ok, I admit it, I'm a naval brat.&nbsp; Maybe the yearning for a hammock is in my blood.&nbsp; I refuse to consider if I was conceived in one... (shudder)<br><br><br><br>

 

[robear]

My first thought was to use a <span id="post_message_1273072237">hammock in my cargo van, but the more I thought about it I realized that I sleep mostly on my side so I will opt for a sleeping bag and mat.<br></span>

 

[Uncle Tim]

I never tried sleeping in a hammock until a few years ago. I had just started working with the Scouts after a 30-year break. I tried hammock camping to get my old assets off the cold hard ground. Using tips like those at http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingWarm.html Islept comfortable even in 40-degree weather with minimal prep. I imagine in a van would be more comfortable as you would not have to worry about wind-chill.

My camping setup is a rip-stop nylon hammock. I slip a $5 sleep pad from Wally World in the bottom for 3/4" closed-cell foam insulation and add a bit of rigidity and that's pretty much it. I normally use a wool blanket unless it really gets cold. In that case I add a sleeping bag.

It shouldn't be difficult to adapt this for vandwelling for your primary bed or stow it away for a guest bed. The trick would to figure out how to hang two in a van. "I'll take the top bunk in case you're a bed wetter!"

 

[thehappymailman]

look up underquilt. Made for winter camping in hammock. Keep u toasty warm. I made one from old sleeping bag. Strung shock cord through each side &amp; hangs under hammock. Check out hammock forums.net or youtube.<br />on youtube look for Shugs channel, tells all need to know about hammocks &amp; a hoot to boot

 

[simply lesa]

There is Nothing like a good nights sleep in a hammock...the larger the hammock the better. &nbsp;I have been a hammock camper for years, even during my &nbsp;AT hike I slept in my hammock and ya some nites were cold, geez it was like 30 degrees or something. Anyway closed cell pads or a yoga mat or even a silver dollar store windshield shade under your backside...put on your long undies okay your sweats and with a blanket or sleeping bag (kinda hard to manuver sometimes) and snore away. &nbsp;<br /><br />Even ppl with back issues like I have had, 2 herniated disks...ouch, can sleep without pain! &nbsp;I love a good nite in a hammock.... and listen to those guys who mention hammockforums.net!