courtgreene
Member
Curious what y’all think. It just dawned on me that my climbing stand is 12 years old. I haven’t had any problems with it but am thinking of replacing it. In your opinion, what’s the lifespan for safe use?
Tree stand lifespan
- Thread starter courtgreene
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- hunting safety tree stand
troy fairweather
Member
I've seen them last a few years and know there are ones out there that have been used for 3-4 generations of hunters. Up to you to properly inspect if it's safe to use.
If it is steel and the paint is intact, it should be fine. Check the feet for rust, and inspect it carefully. I replace my ratchet straps every couple of years. Quality of construction, height, bracing, and how much stress you put on it all come in to play.
Play it safe! hc18flyer
Play it safe! hc18flyer
Patocazador
Member
Every year I hunt out of two lightweight climbing stands. I bought them on sale at Cabela's in the 1980s. I inspect them every year and have changed the seats out 2 or 3 times. They are made of aluminum but the hardware is steel. When it gets too rusty looking, I change the wingnuts, bolts and locking nuts out.
I see no reason to replace the stands.
I see no reason to replace the stands.
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Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
No commercial tree stands are constructed and maintained in the manner of the Eiffel Tower, LOL.
The Eiffel tower wasn't made from thin sheet metal tubing welded and tack welded by foreign Chinese labor. The Eiffel Tower is maintained by a crew of people, inspected regularly, and professionally and constantly maintained.
https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/works/major-work-maintain-tower-future
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chickasaw_hunter
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I have often wondered about this. Most ot the treestands I've used were aluminum, so I had no concern there. But all of those were attached to the tree with nylon strapping. That's what worries me, exposure to the sun can certainly deteriorate those straps. So I think some sort of regular replacement might be prudent. Sort like the 10,000 hourly overhaul on an airplane engine.
OP
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courtgreene
Member
Thanks. I do inspect, but as it is not built to the level of quality the Eiffel Tower was, I’ll probably replace.
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
Courtgreene, I'm sure others have said already. First if you got the funds do it. IF it's been a while since you took it down and inspected the welds and overall cond. for metal fatigue and other, do it. If its sound and safe. and you want a new one get one. and sell or GIVE the good used one to a friend. You win all the way. By giving it to a shooting buddy you renforce those cherished friendships. strengthen relations and get BIG KARMA points. Plus, say it with me: "I'm a good person and I deserve this". Their U go, easy peesie
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
In all seriousness, the $150-$400 you might spend on a tree stand that is new, in good shape, will be a step in the right direction, safety-wise. Tree stand injuries are often quite severe, depending on the height, what you hit when it collapses (or you fall) and where your gear/rifle falls as well.
Whether going new or staying with the old one, a harness system would be a good investment as well.
Visits to the hospital will likely cost you more out of pocket (in cash, if not just in inconvenience) than a few hundred bucks for a safer place to hunt.
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
That last one is important. As insurance coverage dwindles with less and less situations / injuries being covered these days.
jmorris
Member
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- Sep 30, 2005
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Nope but age isn’t the deciding factor in OK vs. dangerous.
Some of the stuff I see probably isn’t safe new for some people. If the thing doesn’t look/act like something is wrong with it and doesn’t feel different than the day you put it up, I wouldn’t chunk it just because it’s 12 years old.
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courtgreene
Member
new stand ordered. Thanks, folks.
Oh, and I do always use a harness. I didn't used to, and the first time my wife told me I was going to wear one or stay home, I wore it with an attitude. That day, the stand I was in (not this climber, a hang on) broke. I was hanging from the tree in the harness, and before climbing down I thought, "well, I hate it, but she was right." I've worn one ever since. I also require guests to wear them. Good advice, all.
Oh, and I do always use a harness. I didn't used to, and the first time my wife told me I was going to wear one or stay home, I wore it with an attitude. That day, the stand I was in (not this climber, a hang on) broke. I was hanging from the tree in the harness, and before climbing down I thought, "well, I hate it, but she was right." I've worn one ever since. I also require guests to wear them. Good advice, all.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
LOL, no age isn't a deciding or determining factor, but the Eiffel Tower has no relevance as it is nothing like a tree stand - not constructed in the same manner from the same materials of the same thicknesses, not maintained the same, not inspected by metallurgists, etc.
Modern day tree stands aren't apt to last the 133 years of use and traffic that the Eiffel Tower endures, either.
The comparison was hardly relevant.
When I hunted I would ALWAYS replace critical hardware with Grade 8 even on brand new stands.
I never used wing nuts as most are pacific rim garbage.Just carried a small adjustable wrench.
Also a decent safety strap system is just as important as the stand.
I never used wing nuts as most are pacific rim garbage.Just carried a small adjustable wrench.
Also a decent safety strap system is just as important as the stand.
slicksleeve
Member
I bought my Summit climbing stand in 2001. The shrink tubing is long worn off of the tree cables, which makes it hard to be quiet while putting it up. The foam is starting to fall apart. But some of the wear is from hanging on a tree all summer as I’ve been known let it to do. Structurally it is fine and I still kill at least one deer a season out of it.
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courtgreene
Member
That’s what I replaced it with.
giggitygiggity
Member
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My family also uses Summit climbing stands. They’re still going strong after many, many climbs. The rubber/plastic coating on the cables will wear, but the cables themselves are sound. The paint will chip. However, all you have to do is make sure the cables and rest of the metals parts are fine and you’re good to go.
As others noted, a harness is a must, especially with climbers and especially if you don’t have/remove the rifle rail. Fortunately, many stands come with harnesses.
As others noted, a harness is a must, especially with climbers and especially if you don’t have/remove the rifle rail. Fortunately, many stands come with harnesses.
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courtgreene
Member
I’m pretty sure they’re all required to come with harnesses. Even if not enough do that I have like ten of them.
I built 3 Lean too hunting stands about 20 years ago. 25x 1.5mm square tube and then galvanised. I've just taken them to a new hunting ground and they were still in great condition with not a spot of rust. They may need new seats in a few years.
Bwana John
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Leave it set up around here on public land and the life span of a tree stand is incredibly short.
FL-NC
Member
Check the hardware and make sure there is no cancerous rust eating through it. Climb a short distance up a tree (like, a couple of feet) tie in with your harness, and jump up and down on it like a kid having a temper tantrum. If you don't find yourself hanging a foot over the ground in your harness, I would say use it.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
As mentioned earlier check the hardware and look for signs of metal fatigue.
I would also look at replacing your safety harness. If your harness is twelve years old? I would cut it up and throw it away.
I would also look at replacing your safety harness. If your harness is twelve years old? I would cut it up and throw it away.
