ladder tree stands

[Groo]

I was looking at some ladder tree stands today. The local Durhams has 3 brands and a few styles of each brand. I thought it very odd that all the 1 man ones were rated for 300lbs and all the 2 man ones were rated for 500 lbs.
first because some seamed much flimsier than others, and second because the structures on the 2 man versions didn't look any heavier. If anything, taking the same structure and spreading out wider should make it weaker.

If you are wondering why I am so interested in weight capacity, I am well over 300 lbs, and I don't want to take a 20' tumble.

[rayikeo2]

It is a simple answer and one I would do for myself because I don't like heights. Buy a 2 man stand and use it as a 1 man. Get one with arm rests and a rifle rest in front which prevents you from falling out or off the stand. The extra cost is worth the security you get.

[USAF452]

Personally I'm of the opinion that when it comes to safety, I don't press my luck. If the stand says it's rated to 300 and you weigh more than that I wouldn't risk it.

1. You admittedly weigh more than the limit. You wouldn't shoot .38+P if the revolver isn't rated for it would you?
2. I've been in hang-on stands and ladder stands. At my heaviest I weighed 190 and both kinds of stand felt too restricted for any movement that wasn't necessary. Your circumference is going to be even larger on a 1 person stand than mine is, so that needs to be taken into account. The 2 person stand is rated to a higher weight and you won't feel as restricted in your movements.
3. Both kinds of stand are tested to their rated capacity. The company is staking their reputation on those stands and the treestand association sets standards that all reputable companies adhere to.

One other thing to keep in mind is your saftey harness. Because of your size, you need to make sure that the harness is properly fitted and rated to handle your weight.

Good luck in the woods this year!

[Groo]

They all have "gun rests"
the harness is not an issue. I can tell you without even looking at them that they wont fit. `
I am intending to get a 2 man version, but I would go for a 1 man if it was actually stronger (and I think they might be)

I'd put +p in a gun if I thought could handle regardless of what is stamped on the barrel, and if I thought it couldn't handle it of whatever reason, I wouldn't shoot it even if it was rated for it.
That is my basic point, these ratings don't have anything to do with their actual strength or they wouldn't all be 300 and 500. As for their reputations, I am not aware of any reputation any tree stand maker has. Are you? Its all Chinese garbage that some either has made for them or re-badges.

the other option would be to put that $200 toward steel and weld up my own.

[Groo]

the two contenders are;
Twoplex™ Comfort Ladder - Rivers Edge Treestands
and
Gander Mountain® > Big Game Treestands Sky-Rise 20' Two-Person Ladderstand - Hunting > Treestands & Blinds > Treestands > Ladder Stands :

the first is new, the second has been out there for a few years, and I haven't found a negative review of it. I'm leaning toward the second.

[rayikeo2]

I see problems in both ot those. the first one has no cushions and you will be sitting aginst metal bars. The second one has 2 seat and 2 back cushions and you will be sitting and leaning on the center gap in the middle.

[Groo]

I got the second for $180. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet.

I also picked up a Redfield Revolution 4-12x for $175 and a box of the Federal steel match 223 for $10.

A pretty good day of shopping all in all.