Treestand Longevity

[mtholton]

I leave my hanger stands out all year. About a 12-15 at any given time.

I loosen the straps at end of season and inspect late summer while prepping them (aka see if anything chewed on or obviously rotted).

I take down lifelines (have them on every stand) after the season, so they are out about six months a year.

How often do you all replace straps?

How often do you replace the cables?

How long do you trust a life line assuming its in good shape, 5 years, 10 years etc?

Any other best practices out there?

 

[356]

This Big Game (Cabela's) ladder stand is 13 years old and is still in good shape. I "Scotch-gard" the seat and rail fabric every year, and check the straps and clips. So far I have replaced one strap. My lifelines are replaced every 5 years if they need it or not.

I have a friend with ten year old blinds that are scary bad...it may depend on care & maintenance, environmental issues and stand quality. I have a Guide Gear 18' bow stand that that I am retiring after eight seasons--and I refused to use it last year.

 

[KY wild]

This Big Game (Cabela's) ladder stand is 13 years old and is still in good shape. I "Scotch-gard" the seat and rail fabric every year, and check the straps and clips. So far I have replaced one strap. My lifelines are replaced every 5 years if they need it or not.

I have a friend with ten year old blinds that are scary bad...it may depend on care & maintenance, environmental issues and stand quality. I have a Guide Gear 18' bow stand that that I am retiring after eight seasons--and I refused to use it last year.
View attachment 79987

I have never heard or thought of spraying scotch Gard. More specifics would be appreciated, is there different kinds, when spray, how much? What does it exactly do? How bad is odor? Thanks in advance

 

[fingers]

My lifelines also stay out about half of the year. I don't expect Ill ever need to replace them unless a critter chews on one. They are 8 years old and look brand new. Fortunately have never fully load tested one

 

[356]

I have never heard or thought of spraying scotch Gard. More specifics would be appreciated, is there different kinds, when spray, how much? What does it exactly do? How bad is odor? Thanks in advance

I buy regular Scotch Gard from WalMart of Dollar General (usually Dollar General, as I remember I need to get it on the way to the property). I spray it on any fabric until moist—much like spaying Premethrin on clothing—when doing annual blind maintenance (such as cutting branches). It does not smell much, and deer are in the plots the same day as I spray and don’t seem to care.

Scotch Gard provides a protective coating on fabrics that keeps moisture beading up and rolling off rather than penetrating fabric. The fluorochemicals (large molecules) increase the surface tension of the fabric, making it more difficult for liquids to spread and penetrate the fibers. The bottom line—it has keep this blind going for 13 years. I would estimate another two years or more before I have to replace the seat, which is not bad for a stand that sits year round in the elements of rain, snow, hail, heat (to 100+), cold (to -20) and a seat covered with leaves, twigs and pollen for months at a time.