I don't think the ladders are chinzy if you put the stands together properly and follow the directions. For those not familiar with these stands, they should notice the section on the far right in that picture where there is a U shaped bracket in the middle of the one rung. That is where a 4' steel bar is attached to that section, which is the middle of the three sections. The opposite end has a halfmoon shaped piece that goes against the tree and it is held in place with a length of parachute cord such that when you get up into that section, which is out about 4' from the tree, the steel bar keeps the ladder straight and rigid. If that bar was not on there, I'm sure the ladder would bend inward and be unsafe, exactly as you mentioned. It sounds like from what you're saying that your brother is pretty heavy and may not climb up as close to the ladder with his body as they are designed for and that's why he ended up putting a second bar on. I only weigh 165# and, therefore, go up and down them very easily with no bend at all in that section with just the one bar holding it straight so it doesn't bend in towards the tree like you described. I'd much rather have both hands free to go up and down those ladders than to use the old screw-in steps or even the strap on ones where it's a lot easier for your foot to slip off a step.

super hunt54---Those ladders are made of fairly heavy steel, not aluminum! I'm also familiar with both the individual and lengthier strap on steps and mentioned them in my first post. I certainly won't argue about their weight and that's why I put each one up to stay and have only moved one or two of them over the years. I chain them to the tree with a lock at the top just loose enough so a tree doesn't grow around them and that also makes it an extra safeguard than just having a rachet strap holding the top seat area against the tree.