Owner Manual

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 traditionlly
swung between two big trees, you can also hang them
etween posts set in the ground, on a porch, or on a
hammock stand.
Height and Distance
Between Hanging Points
Height and Distance
Between Hanging Points
Height and Distance
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 hardware 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
Twin Oaks Hammock Hanging Kit includes welded Twin Oaks Hammock Hanging Kit
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
Using Posts to Hang
Your Hammock
Using Posts to Hang
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
[phone]
, 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).
High Wind Warning
Under windy conditions, the extreme forces against
your fabric hammock can potentially rip out or
weaken your hanging hardware. Take down your
fabric hammock if high winds are expected.
25 degrees
Figure 1
Figure 1