I purchased an Ameristep hang on tree stand from Wal-Mart it is the Bone Collector series. The reason for my inquiry is because it has a "canopy" type seat and when I go to sit in the seat there is nothing stopping the seat from folding down underneath me, therefore I am unable to sit in the seat. I have tried everything, I have made the seat strap tighter, tightened the screws, so as to prevent it from folding, made sure the bungee cord for the top of the seat is extremely tight etc. but nothing seems to work. When I sit down the entire top just folds as if I were to take it off and carry it away. Any help would be greatly appreciated on this matter. I have attached a pic of what it looks like from Wally world and a second more clearer pic of a similar stand without the shooting rail.
I own one of these, if it is the one I think it is. Does it have arms? On mine the seat is strapped to the arm frames. However I did notice that my stand had several pieces and bolts missing. The design was sub standard also. I had to make some remods to make it better. If yours is folding up then there are probably some parts missing as with mine. These are cheap stands, here is a word of warning. Do not place this stand just hanging off a tree. I put mine in a forked tree with the platform resting on a large limb. After assembling this stand, I felt that is not the best made stand. For the price and some mods I really enjoy it though.
Doesn't sound safe. I'd return it and get another or another brand. I wouldn't sit in a stand I couldn't trust. Both of you guys.
Flywalker it is probably one of the ones you are thinking of. I have it hanging on a tree but I did put quite a few ratchet straps on it to make sure it was held in place securely. I don't know if it is missing any pieces but to be honest with you, I think there is something missing as why else would the seat keep folding down on me when I try to sit in it?!? Afflicted I would return it but that is no longer an option, it took me forever to get it up and now that it is, I just want to make sure I can use it. I can stand on it and feel pretty secure, it's just the arms keep folding down along with the seat portion.
After hearing about that close call on the other post it I'm just rethinking how much trust I put into my own stands. Just be safe.
