Gorilla Stands?

[awbowman]

Noticed on another thread that a few people had Gorilla's fail on them.  I was wondering if any others have had that kind of experience.  What's wrong with Gorilla stands?  I have a Silverback Scout that I love for it's light weight and have never felt in the least bit unsafe.

What gives?

[tracker1]

The Gorilla stands and many other stands that use the coated cables to support the stand have had issues with moisture getting under the coating and rusting the cables.  The cables can fail with out any warning.  I used to replace all my cables every 3 years and i take my stands down after the hunting season.  This year i replaced all my cables with chain and i feel much safer now.

[Charlie Lamb]

I had one drop me about 12 feet last year. The problem was the cables that connect the back to the platform.

Apparently moisture gets inside the plastic coating and causes the cable to rust. Eventually it weakens the cable leading to breakage.

As I see it it is a maintenance problem/user error. No way to stop it that I know of but the stand should be checked yearly for this problem and cables replaced at the first sign of rusting. Every stand should have all their connecting points checked.

[nineworlds9]

Not only that but many of their models have cable coating that's not CLEAR and you can't see through to spot rust.  I had a steel Gorilla briefly a couple years ago and promptly sold it.  Never again!  Just MHO but what a heavy poorly designed piece of JUNK.  Like with anything the more expensive models might be better.  Anyway, often in life you get what you pay for!  How much is your life or limb worth???  I hunt on the ground now, but if I get another stand I will spend the money on something of better quality.

[Tajue17]

Hmm I have one up now and never checked it,, have to change out those cables this spring.

[DaveT1963]

I hunt in a modified tree saddle and sometimes a lone wolf stand these days.  I love the saddle as I am connected with heavy strap from the ground until I return to the ground - no way to fall unless I do something stupid.

When I do sit in a pernament stand it is a Lonewolf.  I don't leave them out for long periods and I have never had a problem with the cable rusting and they are plastic coated.

[awbowman]

Thanks guys, I'll check them tonight.

[DanielB89]

I have owned one of the cheaper Gorilla stands for 3 years now, killed several deer out of it with gun and a couple with a bow.  I think it is a great stand, it is just heavy, which actually helps with it being "rock solid" in my opinion.  

As someone who can't go drop $400 on a stand, i have to shop cheap.  I never let someone else tell me about equipment that i haven't tried yet.  My advice would be to keep using it.  Change out the cables if you feel worried, and keep hunting it.

[dragonheart]

I checked their website.  Gorilla does not sell treestands anymore.  Think there is a reason?     :confused:

Check your gear guys and stay safe.

[cjohnsjf]

I had both cables break at the same time. I had just stepped onto stand . And was clipping on my safety strap . Still had my hand on clip when both cables broke. Next think I knew I was hanging 18ft in the air .
I checked all my stands and found two other stands with bad cables. I am in process in replacing cables with chains.
Biggest lesson I learned: ALWAYS TIE OFF BEFORE YOU STEP ONTO ANY STAND.

[hitman]

I have hunted with Gorilla stands for years without any problems but will sure check all stands with cables from now on. Thanks for the warnings.

[Michael Arnette]

I have hunted out of L cheapo Ameristep stands since high school, I'm glad this is come up because I need to change the cables on all of my stands!

[meathead]

Cheap stands, expensive stands. Everyone should be checking all cables, straps, chains and hooks. Those parts can go bad on all of them.

[KentuckyTJ]

Yeah wouldn't want to pin this on one maker. It could happen to any stand. Cable or the ratchet strap holding them as my friend can attest. I've had two gorilla stands for years with no issues.

[hickstick]

how do you guys go about changing the cables for chains?

[durp]

what size chain???

[Dick Langer]

I've changed my stands that had cables to chains because one broke, you might have to get longer bolts than the ones that hold cables and some big around washers it's quite simple once you look at it.

[hickstick]

I sometimes carry my fixed stands in and out with my leverage climbing steps....chains would seem to be awfully noisy, no?

[awbowman]

I love my Gorilla stand and don't see me getting rid of it.  It cams down TIGHT!  But, should I just take off the rubber coating?  I guess I could get some more cable crimped to replace them.

[jkm97]

I had both cables break at the same time, at 24'. I had just stepped onto the platform and was about to tie off when it snapped, sending me straight down. Landed on my feet, and the force drove upward, breaking my pelvis in three places and messing up the connective tissues in my midsection, from abs to quads. That was the last week of May. The bones have long healed, but it still feels like I have a mild groin pull.

Now all of my stands with cables have chains.