What happens if we don’t make our goal?
Short answer: we won’t be funded and our backers won’t be charged. We believe the product has a future - something the feedback from Overland Expo this last weekend confirmed for us. We received fantastic feedback from the Camel Trophy team, 7P International, members of I4WDTA, Expedition Overland, and many more! However, if we don’t get funded through Kickstarter, we’ll have to find another way to raise funding as it’s not cheap to get something like this started.
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
Does it work in the snow?
Being from SoCal, we haven’t had a chance to test it in the snow. We are aware of techniques climbers and others use to create snow anchors (Daniel was a high angle rescue technician in another life), so we expect it should work, but don’t want to claim that until we test it ourselves. For more info on why we think so, see the FAQs about ground density and hole depth below.
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
Ground density...
We’ve been asked about using the Deadman in frozen ground which raises the question of ground density. What makes the Deadman work isn’t really the weight of the soil loaded into the Deadman (it’s not a standard parachute-type anchor), it’s the fact that we’re creating a dirt ball and dragging it through the soil around it. When we first began testing prototypes we were pulling all four lines together like a typical sand anchor - it didn’t really work. However, when we altered the design to daisy chain the rear leads behind the front, the Deadman began to work reliably! What we learned was that we had to create a shear force across the ground (basically try to drag it through the soil) instead of simply rely on gravity to hold the Deadman in the ground. This was the turning point in our testing and is part of what we’re patenting. Without the offset between front and back lines, it doesn’t hold well or reliably. Using the double-loop splice also allowed us to keep both lines the same length, giving us versatility for rocks and trees since both straps could be engaged simultaneously in these situations.
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
Why don't we trench the lines when using it as a ground anchor?
Unlike a tire or Hi-Lift, we’re not trying to pull against the bottom of the Deadman. In fact, when we DID trench in our testing, the Deadman didn’t work. The Deadman design works because we essentially create a means of dragging a pile of earth through the earth around it. This is why it works well at shallow depths in harder soil (see the FAQ about hole depth).
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
How deep do I need to bury the Deadman?
It depends on ground density and the recovery situation. In hardpack (e.g. frozen ground or hardback atop a steep sandy hill climb) a shallow hole of 16-18” has been enough for us to recover. In very soft sand (e.g. Baja desert) it must be deeper because the sand is so soft; we recommend 24” as a minimum for a midsize vehicle such as a Jeep or Tacoma. As we point out on the Kickstarter campaign page, in a side-by-side comparison of the Deadman and a stock spare tire, the Deadman did two things: it held almost 2x the weight and it provided about 75% of that capacity even after the ground around it began to shift. What it comes down to is not the weight of the soil inside the Deadman, it’s the density of the soil around it that matters most. We’ll be providing recommendations and instructions with the Deadman when it’s released, in order to guide people in its proper use, but for now our answer is “it depends on the soil and the recovery situation.”
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
What materials are being used?
A few people have asked us about the materials, so I wanted to take the opportunity to clarify that we’re using industrial grade polyester sling material that’s made in the US. The poly material is what you’ll find all tree straps are made from because it doesn’t stretch. Our lines are 15’ long and are rated with a minimum breaking strength of 19,600lb each. All of the materials are US made and the Deadman itself is (and always will be) made in the US. It’ll cost more, but it’s worth it to us to ensure people’s safety. Besides, we want to support our countrymen.
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
Do I have to use a soft shackle to connect the leads?
The Deadman does require the use of shackles (the green things you see us using in the video to connect the leads together), just like any other tree strap or tow line. We chose to use soft shackles because we believe they’re safer - if something breaks, we don’t want shrapnel flying around! The soft shackles we use are standard size Bubba Gator Jaws. A standard metal shackle does work since we taper all of the loops, however, it’s a tight fit. We do plan to offer a package with soft shackles at some point, but we’re not really in the business of creating/selling shackles, so we opted to let customers bring their own.
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
Is it required to have a winch line extension and snatch block to anchor to rocks?
No, but that’s the best way we’ve found to use it thus far. The snatch block (i.e. pulley) serves two purposes: self-balancing and creating a proper bend radius on the extension, both of which are optional, though recommended. Some rocks might be small enough to bring all 4 loops together without another strap, but unless it’s a knob or the arm of some larger boulder, it’s not likely to be big enough to safely winch from. Instead of a winch line extension, we’ve also used another tree strap to finish wrapping around a rock. Rocks have always been an awkward thing to anchor to given their size and shape, but the Deadman does make it easier.
Last updated: May 16, 2017 14:25
Does the Deadman work in the snow? Being from SoCal, we haven’t had a chance to test it in the snow. We are aware of techniques climbers and others use to create snow anchors (Daniel was a high angle rescue technician in another life), so we expect it should work, but don’t want to claim that until we test it ourselves. For more info on why we think so, see the FAQs about ground density and hole depth below. Last updated: Tue, May 16 2017 5:25 pm EDT
How does ground density affect the Deadman? We’ve been asked about using the Deadman in frozen ground which raises the question of ground density. What makes the Deadman work isn’t really the weight of the soil loaded into the Deadman (it’s not a standard parachute-type anchor), it’s the fact that we’re creating a dirt ball and dragging it through the soil around it. When we first began testing prototypes we were pulling all four lines together like a typical sand anchor - it didn’t really work. However, when we altered the design to daisy chain the rear leads behind the front, the Deadman began to work reliably! What we learned was that we had to create a shear force across the ground (basically try to drag it through the soil) instead of simply rely on gravity to hold the Deadman in the ground. This was the turning point in our testing and is part of what we’re patenting. Without the offset between front and back lines, it doesn’t hold well or reliably. Using the double-loop splice also allowed us to keep both lines the same length, giving us versatility for rocks and trees since both straps could be engaged simultaneously in these situations. Last updated: Tue, May 16 2017 5:25 pm EDT
Why don’t you trench the lines? Unlike a tire or Hi-Lift, we’re not trying to pull against the bottom of the Deadman. In fact, when we DID trench in our testing, the Deadman didn’t work. The Deadman design works because we essentially create a means of dragging a pile of earth through the earth around it. This is why it works well at shallow depths in harder soil (see the FAQ about hole depth). Last updated: Tue, May 16 2017 5:25 pm EDT
How deep should I bury the Deadman? (For the most complete answer, please see our Kickstarter update from June 8, 2017.) It depends on ground density and the recovery situation. In hardpack (e.g. frozen ground or hardback atop a steep sandy hill climb) a shallow hole of 16-18” has been enough for us to recover. In very soft sand (e.g. Baja desert) it must be deeper because the sand is so soft; we recommend 24” as a minimum for a midsize vehicle such as a Jeep or Tacoma. As we point out on the Kickstarter campaign page, in a side-by-side comparison of the Deadman and a stock spare tire, the Deadman did two things: it held almost 2x the weight and it provided about 75% of that capacity even after the ground around it began to shift. What it comes down to is not the weight of the soil inside the Deadman, it’s the density of the soil around it that matters most. We’ll be providing recommendations and instructions with the Deadman when it’s released, in order to guide people in its proper use, but for now our answer is “it depends on the soil and the recovery situation.” Last updated: Tue, May 16 2017 5:25 pm EDT
What materials are used? A few people have asked us about the materials, so I wanted to take the opportunity to clarify that we’re using industrial grade polyester sling material that’s made in the US. The poly material is what you’ll find all tree straps are made from because it doesn’t stretch. Our lines are 15’ long and are rated with a minimum breaking strength of 19,600lb each. All of the materials are US made and the Deadman itself is (and always will be) made in the US. It’ll cost more, but it’s worth it to us to ensure people’s safety. Besides, we want to support our countrymen. Last updated: Tue, May 16 2017 5:25 pm EDT
Do I need a soft shackle to connect the leads? The Deadman does require the use of shackles (the green things you see us using in the video to connect the leads together), just like any other tree strap or tow line. We chose to use soft shackles because we believe they’re safer - if something breaks, we don’t want shrapnel flying around! The soft shackles we use are standard size Bubba Gator Jaws. A standard metal shackle does work since we taper all of the loops, however, it’s a tight fit. We do plan to offer a package with soft shackles at some point, but we’re not really in the business of creating/selling shackles, so we opted to let customers bring their own. Last updated: Tue, May 16 2017 5:25 pm EDT
Is it required to have a winch line extension and snatch block? No, but that’s the best way we’ve found to use it thus far. The snatch block (i.e. pulley) serves two purposes: self-balancing and creating a proper bend radius on the extension, both of which are optional, though recommended. Some rocks might be small enough to bring all 4 loops together without another strap, but unless it’s a knob or the arm of some larger boulder, it’s not likely to be big enough to safely winch from. Instead of a winch line extension, we’ve also used another tree strap to finish wrapping around a rock. Rocks have always been an awkward thing to anchor to given their size and shape, but the Deadman does make it easier. Last updated: Tue, May 16 2017 5:25 pm EDT
Current Estimated Shipping Date: August 2017
We plan to begin shipping rewards, in the order pledges were placed, beginning in August 2017.
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