LKN, here's what I just found out. I have been testing this on a telephone pole outside my house. The instructions and the video for installation of the stablaizer straps show that the stabilizer strap for the seat should be on the angled bar (which holds the traction belt) and that's where I was using it. But if you watch the video when they are actually climbing the seat strap in on the teeth bar. Which makes more sense so that the seat and platform would be parallel. So when I made that adjustment the seat was locked in tight and the platform was more sturdy. But I still had an issue when I put all my weight on one side of the platform. So I loosened the straps tightened the tractions belt on that side and retightened the straps. Well that did it. Thanks for your help. Now I will let LW know the discrepancy in the instructions.