Modding tricams

[mick]

I made a minor modification to my tricams. Since the nylon stems/slings are so floppy, I cut two long, narrow rectangles of plastic from the side of a 2L pop bottle and taped them to the tricam sling on either side, thus giving it a bit more rigidity. I've found this gives me more control when making placements, and I was careful to leave enough of the sling exposed up by the head so that the tricam doesn't touch the plastic when it's folded back on itself or interfere with the action at all.

Is there any reason this is a bad idea or even unsafe somehow?

cheers
mick
ps. I can post a photo if my description is unclear

[Murph]

Something like this...Viagra for tricams...lol, Seems like it should be safe unless there is some strange solvent in the glue of the tape

[mick]

I think scotch tape would have a pretty low solvent content

Is that some kind of shrink wrapping sleeve on your tricam there?
Any reason to leave the closer clipping point open in the sling between the 1st and 2nd bartacks? I've never seen a reason to clip there rather than at the back of the sling but I don't have that much experience.

[Burley]

Uuuhhggrr... Tricams.

[Adam]

Any reason to leave the closer clipping point open in the sling between the 1st and 2nd bartacks? I've never seen a reason to clip there rather than at the back of the sling but I don't have that much experience.

never clip in above a bartack... if the biner comes under load it will slice right through the stiching.

only clip into the ends of dogbones for the same reason.

[Fred]

I think the stem is supposed to be soft to minimize potential for walking. A rigid stem might push the cam head around easily walking it around and falling out of position. Unlike CAMS the Tricams are not as forgiving if they move out of place since they are not spring loaded.

Note that this is a mute point if you plan to use long runners.

[chossmonkey]

never clip in above a bartack... if the biner comes under load it will slice right through the stiching.

only clip into the ends of dogbones for the same reason.

I think the stem is supposed to be soft to minimize potential for walking. A rigid stem might push the cam head around easily walking it around and falling out of position. Unlike CAMS the Tricams are not as forgiving if they move out of place since they are not spring loaded.

Note that this is a mute point if you plan to use long runners.

Correct and correct.

[*Chris*]

I think the stem is supposed to be soft to minimize potential for walking. A rigid stem might push the cam head around easily walking it around and falling out of position. Unlike CAMS the Tricams are not as forgiving if they move out of place since they are not spring loaded

Clearly, you don't set those little buggers like I do!

Something like this...Viagra for tricams...

Can we have this post 'content moderated'? The imagery is just too much for me!

[Murph]

Any reason to leave the closer clipping point open in the sling between the 1st and 2nd bartacks? I've never seen a reason to clip there rather than at the back of the sling but I don't have that much experience.

never clip in above a bartack... if the biner comes under load it will slice right through the stiching.

only clip into the ends of dogbones for the same reason.

I've heard on other forums that an aid climber short clipped a tricam,to gain a higher reach and the bar tacks failed under body weight.

[Adam]

I've heard on other forums that an aid climber short clipped a tricam,to gain a higher reach and the bar tacks failed under body weight.

i would have thought it would support body weight, but perhaps he bounce tested it or something. in either case they're not designed for that.

i was in RRG last year and some guy extended a quick draw by clipping a second one ABOVE the bar tack. i think i posted about it on here actually. he ended up taking a fall on it, and the quickdraw blew apart and he came another 15' down, flipped upside down, and hit his back on the rock. we were all in shock as to what happened and questioned the gear until we found out later how he had the draws set up...

good lesson!