Noticed on another thread that a few people had Gorilla's fail on them. I was wondering if any others have had that kind of experience. What's wrong with Gorilla stands? I have a Silverback Scout that I love for it's light weight and have never felt in the least bit unsafe.
What gives?
The Gorilla stands and many other stands that use the coated cables to support the stand have had issues with moisture getting under the coating and rusting the cables. The cables can fail with out any warning. I used to replace all my cables every 3 years and i take my stands down after the hunting season. This year i replaced all my cables with chain and i feel much safer now.
I had one drop me about 12 feet last year. The problem was the cables that connect the back to the platform.
Apparently moisture gets inside the plastic coating and causes the cable to rust. Eventually it weakens the cable leading to breakage.
As I see it it is a maintenance problem/user error. No way to stop it that I know of but the stand should be checked yearly for this problem and cables replaced at the first sign of rusting. Every stand should have all their connecting points checked.
Not only that but many of their models have cable coating that's not CLEAR and you can't see through to spot rust. I had a steel Gorilla briefly a couple years ago and promptly sold it. Never again! Just MHO but what a heavy poorly designed piece of JUNK. Like with anything the more expensive models might be better. Anyway, often in life you get what you pay for! How much is your life or limb worth??? I hunt on the ground now, but if I get another stand I will spend the money on something of better quality.
Hmm I have one up now and never checked it,, have to change out those cables this spring.
I hunt in a modified tree saddle and sometimes a lone wolf stand these days. I love the saddle as I am connected with heavy strap from the ground until I return to the ground - no way to fall unless I do something stupid.
When I do sit in a pernament stand it is a Lonewolf. I don't leave them out for long periods and I have never had a problem with the cable rusting and they are plastic coated.
Thanks guys, I'll check them tonight.
I have owned one of the cheaper Gorilla stands for 3 years now, killed several deer out of it with gun and a couple with a bow. I think it is a great stand, it is just heavy, which actually helps with it being "rock solid" in my opinion.
As someone who can't go drop $400 on a stand, i have to shop cheap. I never let someone else tell me about equipment that i haven't tried yet. My advice would be to keep using it. Change out the cables if you feel worried, and keep hunting it.
I checked their website. Gorilla does not sell treestands anymore. Think there is a reason? :confused:
Check your gear guys and stay safe.
I had both cables break at the same time. I had just stepped onto stand . And was clipping on my safety strap . Still had my hand on clip when both cables broke. Next think I knew I was hanging 18ft in the air .
I checked all my stands and found two other stands with bad cables. I am in process in replacing cables with chains.
Biggest lesson I learned: ALWAYS TIE OFF BEFORE YOU STEP ONTO ANY STAND.
I have hunted with Gorilla stands for years without any problems but will sure check all stands with cables from now on. Thanks for the warnings.
I have hunted out of L cheapo Ameristep stands since high school, I'm glad this is come up because I need to change the cables on all of my stands!
Cheap stands, expensive stands. Everyone should be checking all cables, straps, chains and hooks. Those parts can go bad on all of them.
Yeah wouldn't want to pin this on one maker. It could happen to any stand. Cable or the ratchet strap holding them as my friend can attest. I've had two gorilla stands for years with no issues.
how do you guys go about changing the cables for chains?
what size chain???
I've changed my stands that had cables to chains because one broke, you might have to get longer bolts than the ones that hold cables and some big around washers it's quite simple once you look at it.
I sometimes carry my fixed stands in and out with my leverage climbing steps....chains would seem to be awfully noisy, no?
I love my Gorilla stand and don't see me getting rid of it. It cams down TIGHT! But, should I just take off the rubber coating? I guess I could get some more cable crimped to replace them.
I had both cables break at the same time, at 24'. I had just stepped onto the platform and was about to tie off when it snapped, sending me straight down. Landed on my feet, and the force drove upward, breaking my pelvis in three places and messing up the connective tissues in my midsection, from abs to quads. That was the last week of May. The bones have long healed, but it still feels like I have a mild groin pull.
Now all of my stands with cables have chains.
I have a Gorilla hang on I bought several years ago. Seems made ok but heavy and not an easy hang.
Its a decent stand to hang permanent with chains.
I would not buy another stand that secures by a single strap regardless of make.
I have 2 gorilla silverbacks I have been using for years now without any problems but will be checking cables from now on and am considering putting on chains after reading this tread.
Hick you can tape around the chains and they should be quiet I do this to the chains I lock my stands with, also I will try to bolt cut the end rings once I know the lengths then bending them apart and connecting them,,, bend back to closed position and welding the cut.
What cables are you referring to that rust on the gorilla tree stands?
The cable that attaches from base to back or the ratchet strap that the stand hangs on? I'm pretty sure the rust would be easy to spot. I think there may be a clear coating on the cables, but I'll have to check.
I've never seen a stand that has chain instead of cable there.
I've seen the ratchet straps replaced with chain but the ratchet straps are easy to replace.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f101/dunleav1/84537.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/dunleav1/media/84537.jpg.html)
I read that Hawk Treestands bought out Gorilla.They have changed the stands.One thing they changed was that thier using larger cables.
I think thats a good idea for any stand!My Gorilla scout treestand is very well made.I will probably change the cables out for thicker ones.
I have always preffered chain on stands vs the ratchet type.They dont make many stands with chain on style these days.Screaming Eagle and Loc On still have the chain on stands
You can use plastic dip to silence cables and chains.You can buy it at the hardware store.It works great!You can use the dipping variety or the spray on version.
How do you guys attach the chains to your stands. I want to replace my cables with chains
Wow, first I've heard of this. I hunted out of those stands (aluminum, not steel) for years and never had the slightest problem with one. Always thought they had one of the most comfortable seats out there.
Interesting thread. I've owned and used Gorilla stands. Never thought they were that great, but certainly a good stand at that price point. I've never had a cable fail me but...
I think if most guys could really understand the psi stress placed on cables, they might be a bit more concerned. Jumping up and down on a stand really puts a shock-load into cables and can set them up for later failure. I've never really felt that great about cables, knowing they were (my opinion) always the weakest component in most stands.
Thinking about this makes me wonder whether a guy could create a sort of temporary 'cable backup' by using either rated paracord (good stuff), strong 3/4" webbing or other load-rated material. Could a couple backups be attached roughly along the same lines as the cables? Tie or attach to vertical frame and then down to outer platform frame. Just idly thinking...
A couple years ago I started using an American-made treestand which is equipped with strong chains instead of cables. The whole stand is built to be super-strong and very quiet. Until I used it I never realized what I was giving up when perched in an Asia-built unit. The only negative factor is additional weight.
Used a Silver Back Magnum for years. Take all my stands down and do pm on them before they go back up. Using Leverage ladder stand and Millennium now.
I had one up for over 10 years. I did replace the cable with a chain.
What kind of chain are you guys using on your stands? I have some stands that could use new cables.
The only problem I ever did have out of one (and I am one of those guys who stomps down on the platform to seat it securely, though I only go a buck-sixty) was that squirrels loved to take away pieces of the cushiony seat in order to line their nests. This was a real problem, actually, if I left them up for any period of time. Never had another seat on a stand that squirrels favored as much as those for some reason.
I put a picture of a stock gorilla stand above.
Can someone put a picture up a stand they replaced cable with chain? I've never seen such a stand.
Kevin
I would think that would work. I have an old gorilla up now that i may just to that very thing on.
Where are you guys getting the replacement cables anyway?
I made my own replacement cables earlier this year for 4 hang on stands. I used 1/8" galvanized aircraft cable and crimp fittings.
I was going to make my own cables until I realized I needed cable, cable cutter, crimp tool, swage fittings and whatever sort of inner bushing or collar the cable fits around. It became fairly pricey and I gave it up. Far easier to get replacements from a mfr or have a shop make them.
I never cared much for coated cables which can hold moisture. I always preferred stands with fully exposed cables I could visualize for abrasions or developing problems. I really think a stand should be on a plan to change cables every 3-4 years...even though I'd be the first to violate my own recommendation.
I found this site for comfort zone (Field & Strem) replacement cables:
http://www.primal-store.com/#!store/productsstackergallery4g0=13
and Big Game sells them through their Customer Service line.
I posted about this before.I had been meaning to replace the cables on my Gorilla hang ons.I often wondered if the plastic coating would make the cable sweat.I cut the coating off all four cables and they were not only badly corroded but were actually wet and it hadn't rained in weeks.
I didn't have an accident bit it's probably a miracle that I didn't.I like the Gorilla stands a lot but will never have plastic coated cables on a stand again.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jbrandenburg/BearSeason2014023.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/jbrandenburg/media/BearSeason2014023.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Butchie:
I made my own replacement cables earlier this year for 4 hang on stands. I used 1/8" galvanized aircraft cable and crimp fittings.
Aircraft cables have been stainless for at least 40 years. If it's galvanized, it isn't aircraft. I've recabled some stands using retired 5/32 aircraft cable. I don't worry about them breaking. I need to find some more for my Gorilla stands.
I replaced the cables on all of my gorilla stands last year, two years ago cables gave way on a three year old stand while I was in it. I had been in the stand for an hour or so, I had been sitting, I went to stand and the ne t thing I knew I was hanging from my harness.
Even though I replaced cables on all of my stands, (4 of them), I think about that day every time I step onto one of them.
I Am much more comfortable when hunting out of my Lone Wolf Sit and Climb.
David
Damn guess I better get to work on my cables. I currently use about 12 gorilla stands and another dozen Rivers Edge. Some of my Gorillas are 10-12 years old.
So far myself, I have had pretty good service over the years with Gorilla stands, with no problems. But sometime ago Ryan Rothhar came on Tradgang about some safety measures he took with his hang on stands. What he did was added chains to his hang on stands. I followed his advice, and went about installing galvanize chains on just about all of my hang on stands. I then painted them green with Hunters green Rustoleum paint. For me it certainly brings an added measure of safety and peace of mind, especially since I had a fall from a treestand some years ago, thank God with no injuries. Believe me, you can not be too carefull.Here are a few pics of one of my hang on stands with the chains installed.
Tony
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn230/SNUFFER8/IMG_0344_zps6cef43e4.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/SNUFFER8/media/IMG_0344_zps6cef43e4.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn230/SNUFFER8/IMG_0345_zps9abd6bca.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/SNUFFER8/media/IMG_0345_zps9abd6bca.jpg.html)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn230/SNUFFER8/IMG_0346_zps4adbcf19.jpg) (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/SNUFFER8/media/IMG_0346_zps4adbcf19.jpg.html)
Thank you Tony.
Tony, I see in those pictures you left the cables on, and did not use those holes to mount the chains too.......did you drill new holes in the platforms and supporting brackets? Any reason you left the cables attached?
David
Yes David I did drill new holes. Since the cables was not rusted out, I left them in place as sort of added support vice or versa.
Tony
Thanks for the pictures, Tony. I noticed your strap was loose. Do you just use ratchet straps to hold the stand up?
Hi Rick. Yes I have 3 ratchet straps attached to the stand, which do not show in the pics. The lose strap is the one that came with the stand, and I don't think it do a good enough job of securely attaching the stand to the tree. Thanks for noticing.
Tony
Tony,
Thanks for the pictures, they help a lot.
You said you used galvanized chain.
What was the rating on the chain you used?
What was the rating on the hardware you used?
I would prefer to replace the old cables with new cables. I would also prefer to replace the cables with fixed length cables. I don't want to trust my crimps.
If I can't get replacement cables made up (the links above timeout) I will use chain.
Joe, if memory serves me correctly I think the rating on that particular chain I used is over a 1000LB. Also I don't know the exact rating on a 5/16 grade8 bolt, but it is fairly high and I think it is quite adequate for my purpose.
Tony
With a little searching you should be able to find plasti-dip or heat shrink tubing that will quiet those chains down.