My initial rookie thoughts on the Ridge Runner

[trainhardlivefree]

Unboxing to 1st time hanging it on a tree, I'm totally new to the saddle world, so my views are unbiased and coming from zero background knowledge.
Wait time was 3 weeks from order to shipping notice
Packaging is lackluster, I could easily see damage occurring in shipping
Coating has a great "grippy" feel to it
Welds and overall build quality seem great
Weight with strap 67oz, platform alone 60oz ( advertised as "around" 56oz)
I can envision the loops on the strap being a PIA to keep on the standoff
Hanging on a tree took me at least half a dozen attempts to get it solid, seems very finicky to get just the right amount of tension
Size- Feels spacious even in Size 12 Alpha-burlys, I have plenty of room to move around and even stand up on it
All and all seems like a great platform, but it will defiantly take some practice to get a feel for the setting the strap just right

 

[raisins]

Can you cam these down by standing on the post with one foot, holding onto tree, lifting platform with other foot, sliding down, and then pushing the platform back down? When I do this with a regular tree stand it takes away my concerns regarding strap tension.

 

[trainhardlivefree]

Can you cam these down by standing on the post with one foot, holding onto tree, lifting platform with other foot, sliding down, and then pushing the platform back down? When I do this with a regular tree stand it takes away my concerns regarding strap tension.

Negative, the actual platform part never touches the tree. So hanging this is nothing like camming a tree stand.

 

[Westdesign03]

Before I got my RR platform, I got the WE steps. I put in a lot of practice getting the steps to work. Finally after a few weeks I got the system down to where I hardly make any mistakes with them. Although using them for the first time in a long time, I still find that I mess a few things up here and there.

Anyway, I feel like if you have some experience camming over the WE style steps, it helps with setting up the RR on the tree too. I had no trouble with mine right out of the box and I think that’s why.

Also, you might be surprised how well the loops of the strap hang on the posts. They can fall off but in my experience it takes more effort than you would think.


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[Oldskool]

After watching videos and reading tips and tricks about the ridge runner, I unboxed mine Friday and took it straight to a tree and had absolutely no problems with it. Nice and solid. Not saying that certain trees might change things a little.
All in all, I think that it will work great with my size 13 boots.

 

[ricky racer]

If I recall, the correct method of installing the Ridge Runner or Podium is to wrap the strap around the tree with the toothed bracket perpendicular to the tree and tighten the strap. Then lift up on the bracket so that any slack in the strap is taken out (it will probably be slightly higher than the strap at that point) then cam it down. Try that and see if it works better....

 

[Westdesign03]

If I recall, the correct method of installing the Ridge Runner or Podium is to wrap the strap around the tree with the toothed bracket perpendicular to the tree and tighten the strap. Then lift up on the bracket so that any slack in the strap is taken out (it will probably be slightly higher than the strap at that point) then cam it down. Try that and see if it works better....

That’s pretty much how I do it. Works good for me pretty much every time.


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