Experience climbing will get you the ability to judge how high to angle the platform when you start. I always angle it slightly at the least and more and more depending on the tree. One thing to remember is that you can' t adjust the platform when your 20 feet up so if it' s leaning forward you are screwed and have to climb down and start over. Better to angle a little too much because you can always climb another 5 feet up rather then 20 feet down. I own a Summit and the video that comes with the stands shows you how to adjust the platform when up a tree so all you have to be is close and you can make it level by tinkering a little. Takes some practice but works very well.

I don' t know your stand or what it looks like but I would say that if you are slipping while up in your tree that is a very scarey and dangerous thing. You need to strap yourself and the stand in (I HOPE YOU WEAR A HARNESS) and make absolutely sure that you have the stand placed correctly against the tree.

Call the manufacturer or go back to the store with your concerns because they are serious ones that could get you hurt or killed. Be careful.

My stand grips a tree like a pitbull and I still use an extra strap just to be sure.

Good Luck