So, last year was my first year using hang-ons. In reality, I simply converted two of my cheaper/louder climbers into hangons, so I secured them as they normally would with the chain straps, but also added traditional ratchet straps for added security, although I was never too worried since the stand was secured with its original straps. I added two traditional hang-ons this year, and they came with 800lb break strength ratchet straps, but I don't know if I trust them for being the only attachment point between me and the tree (aside from the safety strap). I could only find one place selling treestand chains (coated of course). Do you guys use anything in particular strap wise/chain wise? I know most stands come with them, but I just don't trust the one's this came with. I'm about to just go buy a 2-3" HD strap from Lowe's and just use that.
i add an additional strap to all my chain set-ups (2) just for some added peace of mind. me with all my gear on adds up to about 320lbs and it never shifts...you should be fine
I use these. I figure if they hold my tractor on a trailer they will hold me in a tree. They can be picked up at Tractor Supply, Harbor Frieght, etc. They generally are 20' long and I just cut them down to about 6'.
Yeah, I think that's the route I'm going to go. The ones included with the stand are 1" webbing, but with no s-hook at the tag end. I just don't like the idea of these being the main supports holding my but 20ft up:D
I always use the ones supplied with the stand atleast for the first year or two. They are tested for weight, and are adequate for the weight loads given by a treestand. I actually LOVE the straps without the s hooks they supply now! Ingenious. It wraps fully around the stand with no open hooks to slip loose, tighten down the same, and no metal to metal contact for noise on stand. Silent, more sturdy IMO, and easier to use. I always just use two ratchets, usually the one supplied and another 1" basic webbed ratchet strap. Works fine for me.
I wouldn't say more sturdy, but I prefer having hooks. Polymer coated hooks don't make much noise, and if tightened down properly they certainly aren't going to slip or make noise. Not to say they're necessary, I just prefer them. They may test these straps, but I don't see how these smaller (non-poly) 1" straps can have a break strength equal to 2-3" equivalent HD poly straps. Maybe I'm having trust issues since it was a box store stand :d
Matt, I run with two 500 pound break strenght straps in a few of my sets and don't think about it. We all know I am fat, so you should reall be fine with the 1" wide ones, I do like the "hook" ended ones better though.
The open ended hooks have two ways of failing, the ratchet can fail...or the hooks (which are OPEN ended) can come off. The new ratchets without hooks have only one way of failing, the ratchet can fail. It eliminates any other possibilities besides the webbing getting cut...which if the webbing is cut, ANY of the webs will fail. Of the two types, I'd prefer no open ends. I'd never say a 1" standard ratchet is as strong as a 3" tractor type ratchet....I just say that either would more than suffice for human weights. The break strength may be 10,000 lbs vs 350 lbs, but if you only weigh 200 lbs, that doesn't really matter. They test any and every stand and accessory on the market before it can be sold to the public. It certainly won't hurt anything to go with bigger straps, just overkill IMO. Stash away all your unused ratchets for the next few years and one of these days I'll pay to ship em my way.
I use the standard 2" ratchet strap that comes with my stands and an additional ratchet strap... combine that with my safety harness and I feel pretty secure. Not a big fan of chains... JMO
Oh I can find all sorts of places to use them. :D There aren't any "unused" ratchet straps in my possession. I have like a ton stashed in my truck as well. Anything that would get retired from hunting use, goes there for smaller loads. Oh, I agree, there's more failure points with a hook setup, but the double webbing at the attachment point is most likely going to be the last place it will break. These open loop straps are also double webbed at the loop end, so it's a moot point I suppose. Anyways, it's not that I don't necessarily trust these straps because they're a loop-end, it's because they look like the measly 200-300lb straps that are sold at Surplus City, but have an advertised break strength of 800lbs. I know manufacturers would be digging themselves into a legal world of you know what if the straps REALLY couldn't sufficiently hold their rating, but I just can't get over how weak the straps are. My plan all along (and still is) to use the straps PLUS something else for added security, hence the reason for this post.
Just as an added note, I spray fox urine on all my webbing straps now after having a fluffy tail tree rat chew through one 3 seasons ago. I ALWAYS check the straps before I put my weight on the stand.
Good point, which is why I was thinking of a chain (rubber coated of course) as a backup. IF something had chewed on the webbing, or one of the straps did indeed decide to give for whatever reason, they chain MAY slip a little, but it isn't going to break if it's of sufficient size.
Lol! Ben, good to know. You have the same stand I'm talking about. How are the straps holding up? BTW, this is the F&S Hunter hang-ons.
Used them for 3 seasons and just switched them out for whatever was laying in the bed of the truck. (usually 1 inch wide stuff with the 800-1000 lb range) I was more worried about the rusting hardware that I replaced.
I hate chain-on stands. 95% of my stands are Lone Wolf, and I use one strap on them. The only time I'll use a second strap is if the tree is really crooked and I'm worried about the platform kicking out when I step on/off. I'm not a fan of ratchet straps as they're noisey, and typically you end up with what seems like 200 extra feet of strap hanging off when you're done. The straps that come with our stands are rated to far more weight than we'll ever put on them so I feel 100% safe. Mike used a LW strap to pull someone's truck out of snow ditch once. That's enough proof for me that they'll hold.
