ladder stands

I just picked up 3 gorilla ladder stands at wally. clearance at $40 a pop. I don't have any ladder stands but thought it would be a good idea to have a couple around. anyone use these stands? What do you think of them?

[Hunting Man]

ronn they're good for a short sit for me, but not very comfortable for long sits. I'm looking at Dick's sporting goods after X-mass for a nice comfy 17' er. Couldn't remember the brand sorry. I need something with more room and a comfy seat.

sorry not gorilla. its ameri-step

[on_the_fly]

I have two of the ameri-steps both buddy stands one is older and one was x-mas last year. the new one is in the woods now and I have been doing mods to the older one (making it more like the new one) quike pins for the ladders, anti dig bar for the ground (helps prevent lader from just pushing on in the ground and becoming loose or disconect from the stand.)adding new straps and strings. Just renewing in general. but I do like them both. I do intend to make a back rest for more support on the back for those long sets though. will probably make one that will move from one stand to the other.

[Rozman62]

$40 is a great buy for these. I have 2 of these and they are pretty good stands. I added 5 ft ladder extensions on each and added another stabelizer bar.

[Rozman62]

Forgot to add that I do not use the pins that come with it as I find they creek when it gets cold. I put the ladders together and opened up the holes to accept 1.5" long 7/16 galvinized bolts with lock washers/nuts. I also drilled 1 extra hole in each ladder section and bought trailer hitch locks. Send the hitch lock pin through the hole and hack saw off about 1" of the pin and place lock on the pin. This locks each ladder section together. I do this to deter thieves. If someone wants to steal my stand then there really going to have to work at it.

i'm looking for the extensions but have yet to find them. may have to wait till next year for wally to get them in again. couldn't even find them on the ameri-step web site.

[on_the_fly]

if you bought 3 just use one as parts for two and split the ladder up between the other two.

there's a thought but deer season is closed here as of last weekend so i got time to find them. i contacted ameristep. they say 16' ladder stands but thats to the very top. its more like 14 to the foot plateform.

[on_the_fly]

I would mabey look into buying the metal and making myself if you dont weld take the metal up to a welding shop and they will make it for you. ( you might have to get another tube that will fit over the ladder one though and sleeve it to fit over than inside if you or they cant crimp the ends of the tubing.) no big deal and realy easier to make.( take one of your ladder sections and the new tubing then they can build off the one you have. with all tube inhand I could make it in 15 mins or so. most welding shops have a 40 dollar minumum charge but could be less or have a buddy take it to work and weld it up for free.