About the Size of Your
Twin Oaks Hammock
Your new hammock may initially be shorter than
its full 13 – 13.5 ft (396 – 411 cm) length. It will
stretch to its proper length after a short time in use.
Safety First
For your safety and comfort, please read and
carefully follow all the precautions listed within.
Location
Hammocks are versatile! Although they are tradition-
ally swung between two big trees, you can also hang
them between posts set in the ground, on a porch, or
on a hammock stand.
Height and Distance
Between Hanging Points
It’s easiest to hang your hammock in a space that
is one or two feet (30 – 60 cm) longer than the
13 – 13.5 ft (396 – 411 cm) overall length of the
hammock. In such a space, the hardware to hang
your hammock should ordinarily be mounted five
to six feet (1.5 m to 1.8 m) off the ground. If the
distance between the hanging points is shorter try
mounting the screw-hooks higher; the hammock
will bow more than usual. If the distance between the
hanging points is longer, you can mount the hard-
ware higher and use extra chain and S-hooks, and
the hammock will hang as normal.
Hammock Hooks
A
Twin Oaks Hammock Hanging Kit
includes
welded steel chain and 3/8” (1 cm) steel hammock
hooks designed with enough curve to keep the
hammock ring form slipping off as the hammock
moves. Please use this or hardware with equivalent
strength and design. Make certain the wooden
supports you are using are strong enough. We
recommend trees or posts be a minimum of
6” (15 cm) in diameter or posts a minimum of
4” x 6” (10 cm x 15 cm) in size. Do not use wood
supports that are cracked, split or rotten or too soft
to properly hold the screw hooks. Drill a pilot hole
where you want your hooks. This pilot hole should
be approximately 1/2 the diameter of the screw of
the hammock hook. For example, if the hammock
hook screw is 3/8” (1 cm) in diameter, then the pilot
hole should be approximately 3/16” (0.5 cm). Screw
the hammock hooks into the pilot holes. Be sure to
set the screw deep enough that the eye is against the
wood but
do not over tighten the screw or allow
the hook assembly or eye screw to be twisted or
bent.
Install screw hooks only on the side of the tree
or post facing the hammock. Your hammock should
not pull sideways on the hook.
Using Posts to Hang
Your Hammock
Setting posts in the ground allows you to install
your hammock wherever you like, even if you
don’t have trees. See previous instructions (“Using
Hammock Hooks”) for dimensions and other
information regarding wooden posts. Post holes
should be at least three feet (0.9 m) deep and care-
fully back-filled with concrete. Remove air pockets.
While concrete is fresh, posts may be tilted slightly
away from the direction of the hammock. Wait at
least 24 hours before hanging your hammock.
SAFE
Hammock Installation
Use one or two lengths chain and S-hooks as
necessary to reach between the hammock and the
hooks.
See Figure 1.
It is normal for your new hammock to stretch con-
siderably; the first time you hang a new hammock,
stretch it very tight.
Be especially careful when getting into the ham-
mock for the first time! As it stretches under
your weight be careful not to hit the ground, or if
using a hammock stand not
to hit the center pipe.
Be careful not to let the hammock tip as you get in.
As it stretches, keep shortening the chain. If you
store it for months, you may have to stretch it like
this again. After it stretches you can get into it
much more easily.
Once the hammock is stretched out, it should be
hung loosely enough that when the hammock is
in use (when there is weight in it) the angle of the
chain as illustrated in
Figure 1
is at least 25 degrees
from horizontal. Hanging your hammock more
tightly than this greatly increases the load to the
hardware and supports.
Hammock Stand
Another way to hang you hammock is to buy a
hammock stand. This allows you to place your
hammock almost anywhere, and even to move your
hammock to different locations (warning: check the
stand after each move to assure that the parts are
fully inserted into each other. If the stand is loosely
connected it could collapse under use and cause
serious injury. Our newest stands now have lock
pins to keep the stand parts inserted.) If you
would like to buy a stand, you can call Twin Oaks
Hammocks at
(800) 688-8946
, or contact your
local hammocks retailer.
Safe Use of Your Hammock
Follow installation directions carefully. Prior to each
use, inspect your hammock, hardware, installation
points and objects supporting your hammock for
wear or weakness. Proceed carefully and take your
time getting into and out of your hammock. Any
hammock may tip if your weight isn’t centered.
Swing gently. A hammock is not a playground
swing or a trampoline. Excessive swinging and
other rough play may result in falls and may wear
out your hammock and hardware prematurely.
Small children should not play unsupervised in
your hammock.
Maximum safe weight limit
is 450 pounds (205 kg).
Hammock Care
Under normal use, your hammock will last for
years. You can increase its useful life by storing it,
dry, during seasons when it’s not in use, hanging
it where it will be shaded most of the day, and
protecting it from dogs, rodents and other animals
that might chew or nest in the rope.
Cleaning Your Hammock
The synthetic bed of your hammock is washable
with warm water and a mild detergent or soap.
Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners or bleach.
Rinse well and let it dry thoroughly before storing.
Wood Finish
Your hammock’s wood spreader boards are solid
oak protected with linseed oil. Left alone they will
weather to a natural barn grey. If you prefer to
keep the look of finished wood, we recommend
you varnish or oil them frequently (every six
months of use).
25 degrees
Figure 1
