I emailed Tree Lounge about the slippage of their new and improved climbing stands. Ruger I think you will find this reply this interesting...... James

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 09:02:57 -0500
Subject: Tree-Lounge

James, thanks for your communication...Like most climbing stand
manufacturers
each year we get inquiries and notifications of our stand
slipping...This year
we fielded about the same number as in years past. It seems the trend
this year
was mostly from owners of the old model Tree-Lounge. As you know, the
Tree-lounge works on the principal of leverage. The new Tree-Lounge is
much
lighter than the old version, therefore when the user is not in the
sitting
position applying leverage to the stand it will be putting less
leverage on the
tree than the old stand. I think previous owners are used to the
dynamics of
the old stand. It is important that the stand be leveraged at all
times.
Always be be aware of this important fact when using any climber. I
regret that
there are some unhappy with our product and if you are indeed
uncomfortable with
the stand please return it for a refund. If you keep the stand follow
all the
instructions closely and practice with the stand at low levels until
you are
versed in its use. Never climb with-out your safety harness. Again,
thanks for
contacting us and good hunting.

my dad has a tree-lounge and its the safest stand i'v ever seen.

Thanks Bozman,I guess they have gotten allot of complaints.I understand what they are saying about the difference in the weight and the leverage. I think I will try climbing without it in the climbing position telescoped all the way out.Other then it slipping I do like the stand.I wonder if small studs in the "Vee" section would help?.I really don't want to alter this stand.I was thinking of getting flat angle aluminum and rivet it to the semi curved pieces or weld it on.I might end up sending it back and use my Old version instead.I'll have to think about it. Once in the sitting position I feel safe but knowing I have to climb or come down gives me a uncomfortable feeling. Thanks James for passing this on to me. Ruger Redhawk

Hey Deer Slayer which version does your dad have?Is it the new version?.I never had trouble with my old version it's just the new model. Ruger Redhawk

I can understand the reply from TreeLounge and it makes sense. The older model's weight worked to the stands advantage when climbing and descending. It (the stand) would nearly seat itself due to its weight. I would imagine the newer model being so light that one would have to pay attention to be SURE the stand is actually seated when ascending or descending. I'll say it again, the new video shows the new model gripping a metal pile while cock-eyed. It even shows them sitting and bouncing on the side that is skewed in the direction that would lend itself to the stand slipping and it did not. If the stand was going to slip or if it was prone to slipping due to the gripping ability of the redesigned cleats then it would have deffinately done so then.