Hang on/platform

[Benb]

I plan on doing the hybrid thing with my vanish this season. I need advice. I've never owned a hang on and can't for the life of me get it tight to trees that have a minute lean.
My question is.. When you come to a tree and it barely leans.. Do you(most of the time) hang the stand/platform on the side of the tree that isn't closest to the ground? Or perhaps the "sides" of the leaning tree but never the side closest to the ground?
I am going rage monster on my scouting trips. It aint rocket science but it was waay easier with my platform versus this small hangon.any advice on how you decide to hang your stuff on a mildly leaning tree would be greatly appreciated. So would some stories from veterans who can reassure me there's a learning curve and not everyone gets it perfect all the time. I'm about to ground hunt

 

[ketch22]

With a stand I always hung on the “high” side so I never felt like I was going to fall out, I would also cam the stand in.

 

[Benb]

With a stand I always hung on the “high” side so I never felt like I was going to fall out, I would also cam the stand in.

So start out only allowing myself the high side correct?

 

[Weldabeast]

When I hunted with a hang on I added a 2nd strap. An adjustable whoopie sling would work perfect but I didn't know about them at the time. I snugged the second strap low on the post before cam over

 

[BuffaloBill]

I have a Vanish XT and I’ve noticed one issue is that the V on the platform is too narrow for some trees. My Helo seems to bite better on bigger trees because of the wider V. As far as crooked trees I would hang on the high side so you’re kind of leaning back into the tree.

 

[Westdesign03]

I feel like setting a hang on stand is somewhat a “feel” thing. I would always hang it so that when you get in it, you’re not fighting gravity. That usually means the top side of the lean. If it’s on one of the sides of the lean, your mileage may vary depending on the model/features of the stand.

When I put the stand on initially (while still on the climbing sticks), I get the top strap on first loose but taught enough to hang the stand on the tree. Then will put the lower strap on slightly more loose than the first. Check that the platform cables are at the best setting to keep the platform as level as possible for the tree you’re putting it on. If needed and if possible, adjust them to level out the platform.

Then pull the stand post up slightly to make the top strap perpendicular to the post. While you do this, also tilt the platform up about 45 degrees. With the platform angled up, pull the top cam strap tight, but not quite as tight as you can. Also tighten the lower strap tight but not quite as tight as the top one.

Then push down on the top end of the post to set the stand to the tree more (platform still angled up). Lastly, with the stand mostly tight to the tree, push the platform down until the cables are taught. This will set the stand the rest of the way. If you cannot get the platform to go all the way down, you have your top strap slightly too tight. Usually a small push on the cam buckle button is enough to very slightly loosen it enough to let the stand set correctly but still keep the tightness needed to hold the stand solid. During this you may also need to slightly loosen the bottom strap. But in my experience the top strap is usually priority. Setting the stand like described here, I’ve never found the need to do the toe hook thing a lot of guys do with hang ons.

Try practicing this a few times at ground level so you’re safe. Then when you feel more confident with the setup, try setting up again from a climbing stick, just 1 stick high so you can feel how to do it on the real deal.

 

[Shapeshifter]

Always on the high side of the tree! Don't want to be fighting gravity. Gravity Always wins!