Latest Updates
Ol’ Man Outdoors manufactures climbing treestands, ladder stands, and hang-on models including the Multi-Vision Steel Climber, AlumaLite CTS, Big Daddy, Final Shot, and Marksman 2-Person stands featuring patented Clamp Down Jaw System and Truss System technology. In November 2003, the company recalled 1,775 climbing treestands after receiving five reports of serrated support blades bending during use.[1][2][3]
The 2003 Recall History
Ol’ Man recalled approximately 1,775 climbing treestands in November 2003 after serrated blades that support the stand on the tree bent during use. Models included Original Ol’ Man Double X (OMDX-MO), Grand Ol’ Man Double X (GOMDX-MO), Multi-Vision (MV-MO), and Grand Multi-Vision (GMV-MO).
Five Blade Failures Reported
The company received five reports of serrated blades bending before initiating the recall. While no injuries were reported at that time, bent support blades pose obvious fall hazards when hunters are 20 feet up trees.
Company No Longer Exists
The CPSC notes the original company is “no longer in business” and “recall remedy no longer available.” Hunters who purchased those recalled models between June and November 2003 for $160 to $270 have no manufacturer to contact for refunds or replacements.
Current Multi-Vision Models
Despite the recall history, Multi-Vision remains Ol’ Man’s best-selling treestand today. The steel version weighs 29 pounds with a 21-inch wide net seat and 300-pound weight capacity, while the AlumaLite version uses aluminum construction for lighter weight.
The Three-in-One Design
Multi-Vision stands configure three ways for different hunting styles using either the classic straight bar or reversible Gun Rest/Foot Rest. This versatility creates multiple moving parts and configuration options—each additional component is a potential failure point.
Quietest Stand Marketing
Ol’ Man markets the Multi-Vision as “the quietest climbing stand on the market” and “renowned for minimizing noise.” Obsessing over sound suppression while hunters sit 20+ feet on aluminum or steel components prioritizes stealth over structural integrity.
ComforTech Seating Patent
The patented ComforTech seating system appears across multiple models. Comfort features don’t prevent falls when structural components fail—they just make hunters more likely to spend extended periods at dangerous heights.
Clamp Down Jaw System
Current ladder stands feature a patented Clamp Down Jaw System that “locks tight to the tree before you ever leave the ground.” This jaw mechanism must maintain grip strength throughout the hunt—any slippage or failure causes immediate collapse.
The Truss System Innovation
Ol’ Man’s Truss System eliminates squeaks by applying tension throughout the stand. Constant tension on ladder sections, joints, and connection points creates ongoing stress that can accelerate metal fatigue and component wear.
Big Daddy Extra-Wide Platform
The Big Daddy reaches 22 feet with a 24-inch wide platform for “hunters who want it all.” Extra height and extra width mean extra weight and larger mechanical loads on attachment points and support structures.
Two-Person Stand Risks
The 18-foot Marksman features a flip-up bench seat and full-size platform for two hunters simultaneously. Combined weight approaching 500-600 pounds creates enormous stress on jaw clamps, ladder sections, and platform supports.
Pivoting Spreader Arms
AlumaLite models incorporate pivoting spreader arms for tree attachment. Moving parts with pivot points experience wear, develop play in joints, and can fail at pivot pins under repeated stress cycles.
Cable System Improvements
Marketing emphasizes “improved cable systems” on newer models. The need for improvement suggests previous cable designs had problems—likely the same issues affecting recalled competitors.
Oval Tubing Construction
AlumaLite stands use oval aluminum tubing marketed as “super-strong.” Oval tubing provides greater strength-to-weight ratio than round tubing but can develop stress concentrations at the narrow ends of the oval shape.
The 300-Pound Limit
Most models list 300-pound maximum weight capacity. For hunters weighing 200+ pounds in winter clothing with weapon and gear, safety margins become dangerously thin.
Full-Body Harness Inclusion
All Ol’ Man stands include full-body safety harnesses meeting TMA standards. Including harnesses with every stand acknowledges falls happen frequently enough to require dedicated fall-arrest equipment.
Ladder Stand Portfolio
Current ladder models include 17-foot Final Shot and 18-foot Marksman configurations. Ladder stands rely entirely on jaw clamps and truss systems to prevent collapse—if either fails, the entire structure comes down.
Offset Tree Capability
The Truss System allows placement on offset trees where traditional ladder stands won’t work. Mounting to off-center or angled trees creates uneven loading that stresses attachment points asymmetrically.
Contact an Attorney
If you fell from an Ol’ Man treestand and suffered injuries, contact a product liability attorney immediately. Preserve the failed stand exactly as it is, photograph all components showing the jaw system and truss configuration, save purchase receipts and instruction manuals, and gather medical documentation of your fall injuries.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2004/cpsc-ol-man-treestands-announce-recall-of-hunting-tree-stands
2. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/Global-Manufacturing-Company-Recalls-API-Outdoors-Tree-Stands
3. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Big-Game-Treestands-Recalls-2021-The-Captain-Hang-on-Treestands-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards