Hanging hammock from factory roof rack

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lumbee1

lumbee1

Native American
10 Year
Joined
Sep 21, 2011
Threads
80
Messages
4,837
Location
Holly Springs, NC
Is the factory roof rack strong enough to hang a hammock from it? We have an upcoming beach fishing trip and I would love to hammock camp. I know the factory roof rack isn't very strong. I'm concerned that a lateral load could rip off one of the supports.

If the roof rack isn't a good idea, what about the striker pins inside the door jam or one of the interior hand grips?
 
Since there is a lot of plastic up there and zero engineering into the lateral load pull; I would say that is a really bad idea. Run a rope through the b-pillar and then close the doors. The b-pillar should have no issue holding you up. If you don't mind being low to the ground, hook the hammock to the front tow hook. Your sig says your lifted, so you should be able to keep you butt off the sand. Assuming you aren't built like a squishy tank.
 
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Concur with above.

And What were you planing on using for the other side? Another vehicle?
 
You might be able to get a little more height than the factory tow hook if you have a drop down hitch that you install upside down in your receiver hitch. Just don't drop the tailgate.
 
I was planning on building a A-frame to support the other side of the hammock. The tow hooks are way too low. The door striker is about a low as I could go. I was hoping to take advantage of the Landcruiser's height.
 
Try it out and let us know how it works out.

I still don't know why people sleep in hammocks for something longer then a nap.

Just pitch a tent or buy a tent cot.
 
I have used the third row grab bar for hammocks and tarps. Never had a problem. Just open the sliding window, tie on, and have a nap!
 
Once, and only once, I ran my hammock from the A-Pillar oh s*** handle to the 3rd seat belt bolt and ran it diagonally with all the seats down. Now we just hook it from the ARB to a tree and call it a night :D

DSC_0145.webp
 
Just a thought, but how about tieing off to a spoke of the rear wheel (passenger side) then loop the rope over the roof for hammock use on the Driver's side)?

That's how we did it in high school for tennis matches ( other end tied off to fence).

Wc
 
Awesome ideas guys! Wc, I've got to check my tree straps length to see if I can go up and over but that's not a bad idea.

I love using the hammocks for naps when camping. This will be my first time overnight sleeping in a hammock. IMO, sleeping in a hammock is so much more comfortable than a sleeping bag especially on the beach. Space is at a premium so buying a cot is out of the question. There will be 5 guys in the cruiser along with gear for three days of drinking... I mean fishing.
 
I use the Thule towers on my truck for hammocks all the time, they are strong enough to anchor 2 hammocks to. I'd expect using the factory rack would result in unexpected ground fall in the wee hours of the morning + ugly hole in roof.
 
I used to do this very frequently, but never using a stock cross bar (they are not very study). If you want max height, I would run a loop around the pillar on the OPPOSITE side of the truck and over the top. Then attach your hammock from the top there. That will give plenty of meat for everything to hang onto, and keeps your doors and windows closed up if you want. Thule/Yakima systems that use the rain gutter are a little more forgiving with lateral force.


Word of caution, use sturdy rope. I had my line snap once and took a carabiner to the top of the head. Hit me hard and enough and deep enough they had to pick some bone chips from my skull before putting it back together with 15 staples. Pretty sh#%&y way to end your day.
 
NLXTACY said:
Now we just hook it from the ARB to a tree and call it a night :D
Click to expand...

This was what we usually did, however since moving to Utah and having trees has become more rare; we have had to be more creative. I am in the process of fabricating a pull-pal with a couple loops on the top and bottom when its dug in. Then welding a D-ring to the back of a shovel (which will slide down through the pull-pal loops). Adding a couple more D-rings welded to the top/front bar of the ARB should yield a pretty awesome hammock setup anywhere. Couple that with a Kelty Noah's Tarp, and you can be made in the shade where ever you want.
 
Guess I better jump in here...
Trees? We don't need no stinking trees!
I spent 8 of the 10 nights in my hammock in Baja, it was kick a$$!

On the 80 I had them built into the custom bumpers.
On my 60 I took a small piece of 1.75" DOM and sliced it into my bumpers at roughly a 45* angle then made some poles out of 1.5" DOM that slide in perfectly, works like a charm. I store the poles on the roof rack with some Quick Fist Clamps, Takes about 3 minutes to set up. I also put a 3" foam pad in the bottom of he Hammock on those cooler nights.













 
Krazytoy said:
On my 60 I took a small piece of 1.75" DOM and sliced it into my bumpers
Click to expand...

Love it. I wonder if it would be possible to do something similar using stuff already in your trail gear, like a shovel and/or hi-lift jack. The only issue I would have is I usually have my wife with me, and she would be less impressed sleeping on the other side of the truck. I am all about this 80 Series hammock thread, and that setup is killer. Just need a cupholder on your sliders for a beer.
 
FranceJohnson said:
Love it. I wonder if it would be possible to do something similar using stuff already in your trail gear, like a shovel and/or hi-lift jack. The only issue I would have is I usually have my wife with me, and she would be less impressed sleeping on the other side of the truck. I am all about this 80 Series hammock thread, and that setup is killer. Just need a cupholder on your sliders for a beer.
Click to expand...
That's why they make double hammocks :idea:

(I actually just bought one, so somewhat interested in this thread ideas. Was planning on just winching to a tree, we seem to have a lot of those around here.... or my friends truck :doh: )
 
Krazytoy said:
Guess I better jump in here...
Trees? We don't need no stinking trees!
I spent 8 of the 10 nights in my hammock in Baja, it was kick a$$!

On the 80 I had them built into the custom bumpers.
On my 60 I took a small piece of 1.75" DOM and sliced it into my bumpers at roughly a 45* angle then made some poles out of 1.5" DOM that slide in perfectly, works like a charm. I store the poles on the roof rack with some Quick Fist Clamps, Takes about 3 minutes to set up. I also put a 3" foam pad in the bottom of he Hammock on those cooler nights. ]
Click to expand...

That is awesome. Is that an original idea?
 
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