Do yourself a favor - spend $20 on a set of ratchet straps. I have chain on and strap on stands and only use what comes with the stand as a place holder until I can get a ratchet strap on the top and bottom of the stand. This cranks the stand tight to the tree and eliminates any squeak or movement at all, plus it' s an extra safety measure. If you are taking the stand down after each hunt, it makes it tougher but is well worth the extra couple of minutes to put them on.