ratchet straps and treestands

[Terry Lightle]

More than 1 and always look it over before I climb up.Squirrels will chew a ratchet strap

[awbowman]

Originally posted by okla bearclaw:
.....Squirrels will chew a ratchet strap

That's why my permanent sets have a chain also.

[awbowman]

Originally posted by okla bearclaw:
.....Squirrels will chew a ratchet strap

That's why my permanent sets have a chain and turnbuckle also.

[gvdocholiday]

I'm looking at getting a couple of the bloodsport treestands from Muddy.  They use two climbing ropes for the attachment.  My buddy has one and it took only a few seconds to have that stand bound locked tight to that tree.  Besides, they'd match my muddy steps nicely.  

Only thing is I think I may be on the verge of selling my tree saddle in order to fund it.

[NoCams]

My personal humble opinion here fellows.... I do not like a ratchet strap at all. Too loud and cumbersome to me, but again JMHO.

 As Fletcher said above... the straps that come on most hang on stands are the 2" wide non ratchet type that have the flat metal buckle you pull SNUG, not so D**N tight that you are at the breaking limit of the strap when you install the stand in the first place. Then the strap is further stressed from tree growth, wind storms, temperature swings,etc, etc. The longer the stand is on the tree the more these factors come into play. No wonder so many ratchet straps break each year !!!

If you are going to continue to use a ratchet strap then yes, please by all means use TWO, go with the wider ones and try not to ratchet them down to the breaking point fellows ! Remember, when you add your weight to the stand you are pulling tension straight down which acts to tighten the strap too.....  

[dnovo]

If a stand has the small 1" ratchet straps. I end up removing them and putting a chain on instead.
The 2" straps I use for quite a while until I feel they have been damaged or weakened.

[BBWV]

I use 900 lb rated rachet staps (two of them per stand) and had never had any trouble.

[gvdocholiday]

Also remember that nylon breaks down just like rubber boots due to ozone.  I believe all treestand manufacturers recommend replacement of straps every three years...regardless of how much they've been used.  

I believe Muddy actually offers free strap replacements to the original owner.

[Gator1]

Fantastic idea for the double strap or chain combo.  I saw first hand on a buddy's stand, what leaving them out all year in the UV's do to Nylon, luckily, we were moving a monster ladder stand, and realized what happened.

[KyStickbow]

Ive got 3 ratchets on each stand i have.....2 towards the top and one on bottom. Replace all of them every year...you can never be too safe.