I don’t trust ratchet straps.

[Iglow]

Here's my answer to trusting ratchet straps. I've known 3 people personally that have fell solely because of strap failure, I do not trust them, maybe just to get the stand up but not long term.
First off don't start in on me about the pink chain, I got a whole bucket full for free. A long carriage bolt works good, I dropped the washer that goes under the nut but you get the idea. Use a long bolt and get it all the way out so it takes up all the bolt when you get the other end of the chain on it so you just can get the washer and bolt on the tighten it down. That stand ain't going anywhere unless the tree falls. Can do the same with sticks and lock on stands.

 

[swampbadger]

Great reminder. Materials are being made cheaper and cheaper every year. A chain on a permanent stand is always a safer bet.

 

[DoubleRidge]

I also know someone who fell from a ratchet strap failing....back up section of chain is a good idea.
Cant be to safe.

 

[tn24]

I always chain and padlock mine.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

Good idea. I replace straps every year and don't over tighten. Costly, but better than getting hurt.

 

[Ski]

Straps are fine if they're heavy and fresh. Using cheap lightweight straps or leaving them on too long is why they can't be trusted. If you use 2" straps and swap them out regularly then there's nothing to worry about. Using cheap junk 1" straps and leaving them out all year long is begging for a fall.

That all said I don't see any problem at all using chain, even if it is pink. No such thing as overkill when it comes to safety.

 

[scn]

I always add a chain and turnbuckle to my ladderstands. Just a ratchet strap is asking for an accident.

 

[TheLBLman]

Nothing is fool proof.
Chains can also fail, albeit they can be safer than straps, and chains last longer than straps.

I've personally seen much "user error" regarding ratchet straps, and that user error has contributed greatly to those straps not doing what was expected of them. Scares the heck out of me to get behind a car with something ratchet strapped on the roof rack, often with a single ratchet strap.

 

[Mr.Bro]

I always add a chain and turnbuckle to my ladderstands. Just a ratchet strap is asking for an accident.

Bingo! A swing set chain with a turn buckle and I put this around on the foot platform, a cable lock and ratchet strap. Ain't going nowhere.
I never replace old straps. I leave it and just add a new one.

 

[swampbadger]

Another thought about this topic I had…

I've also heard stories of straps being cut almost all the way through by others maliciously trying to set it up as a booby trap.

I've also heard a story about cables being cut or the bolts removed to create a trap door effect on the platform of a lock on. That's just evil to do to anyone.

Those kind of stories alone would make me want to secure anything permanent with a chain and lock.

I'm always very leery about deciding to climb into another permanent stand found on public for that same reason. Sometimes I will take a look at the view of them and mark them on my gps so I can move around them in the dark.

It's always a better bet for me to bring my mobile stand in and out with me every time.

 

[TheLBLman]

It's always a better bet for me to bring my mobile stand in and out with me every time.

Just one of the reasons a climbing stand is the most frequent choice for my deer hunting.

 

[deerhunter10]

I've seen rachet straps fail but not 2 or 3 at a time. We over strap our stands. 1000 pound straps new ever single year. Costly yes worth it yes

 

[Wrangler95]

I always use ratchet strap and chain,never use just ratchet strap!

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

I always add a chain and turnbuckle to my ladderstands. Just a ratchet strap is asking for an accident.

Yep, made in USA ratchet straps are getting harder to find so the Chinese crap definitely if iffy at best. Better to chain them and not worry about UV weakening the straps.

 

[scn]

Yep, made in USA ratchet straps are getting harder to find so the Chinese crap definitely if iffy at best. Better to chain them and not worry about UV weakening the straps.

I still use the straps because I can normally get it tighter to the tree than just with the chain/turnbuckle. But, I don't trust a strap. I know of too many serious injuries that have happened when they broke. They are instantly degrading when you put them out and leave them from UV exposure. And, from dealing with squirrels here around the house, I know how those little varmints will chew on anything.

 

[Wrangler95]

A little tip,after deer season ends release the rachet strap so the tree growth each year will not break your strap in a couple years and also loosen the chain a little,by time next season roles around the strap and chain will have tighten back up.I used to didnt do this and had a couple ladder stands where the straps had brokened and tree grew over the chain!

 

[PossumSlayer]

I don't trust blondes in Alabama

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I've seen rachet straps fail but not 2 or 3 at a time. We over strap our stands. 1000 pound straps new ever single year. Costly yes worth it yes

Same. Ours have a minimum of 2 and sometimes 3. All are used 2-3 seasons and are loosened each year at the end of each season. If in doubt come spring when checked, they are replaced and the old ones are used for random odd jobs (trailer straps, logs on disks, very bottoms of ladder rungs of stands.

But always strap myself to the tree before stepping onto stands

 

[knightrider]

After having two stolen and 2 straps on another cut , i dont leave stand anymore! Sold all ladders and lock ons and only use mobile stand now

 

[Rackseeker]

Most of my ladder stands have been in place so long they don't need anything. The trees have grown around the part of the stand that contacts the tree. But I have a couple that I change out straps every year. When I hunted out of loc-ons I always used chain with a binder.