Modular Treehouse Attachment Struts: revolutionizing the way we build treetop sanctuaries.

Treehouses have a timeless charm that captivates the young and the young at heart. Whether you're a parent looking to create magical memories for your children or an adventurer seeking a unique escape, a treehouse offers an enchanting experience. However, building a treehouse can be a complex endeavour, especially when it comes to ensuring your hardware can withstand the load of your platform. That's where modular treehouse attachment struts come into play, revolutionizing the way we build and repair these treetop sanctuaries. 

Let's delve into what modular treehouse attachment struts are, why and how to use them, and how they're changing the treehouse-building game.

WHAT ARE MODULAR TREEHOUSE ATTACHMENT STRUTS?

Modular treehouse attachment struts are innovative structural components designed to increase the load-bearing capacities of our TABs or Lag Bolts. While our tabs boast exceptional strength, capable of supporting loads in the thousands of pounds, certain applications may necessitate additional reinforcement. The MTAS strut provides an effective solution for enhancing strength in such cases. These struts are engineered to securely reinforce your load-bearing bolts, ensuring stability, and safety. By installing a strut, you transfer some of the sheer load into compression. This configuration shifts the weight from single shear to double shear, a significantly stronger arrangement. By attaching the strut to this end, the structure leverages double shear, allowing the tab to harness more of the tree's strength to support the treehouse's weight.

These struts typically consist of several components:

1. Strut Body:

This is the primary component that supports the load TAB. The included rod ends allow you to adjust the height of the strut body. This steel pipe ensures the load is transferred from the TAB attachment and back down to the base of the tree.

2. Top and Bottom Brackets

These are the components that secure the strut to the TAB or Lag Bolt. When installing into a new TAB, 2 pipe brackets are sufficient. When you have a preexisting TAB you would like to reinforce, we offer retrofit brackets that allow you to install the strut without having to remove the TAB or TAB nut. 

3. Lag Bolt

The lower attachment point for a strut consists of a 1.25" x 8" lag bolt. This lag bolt is installed lower onto the tree, transferring the load into compression, back into the tree trunk. 

4. Small Hardware

Our struts come with all the small bits and bobs you need for installation, including built-in adjustment mechanisms with the left-handed and right-handed rod ends, to fine-tune the level and orientation of the strut position. 

Why Use Modular Treehouse Attachment Struts?

1. Safety: 

Ensuring the safety of occupants is paramount when building a treehouse. Modular struts are engineered to meet safety standards and provide a secure foundation for your treehouse.

2. Ease of Installation:

Compared to traditional methods, modular struts simplify the installation process. They come with clear instructions and are designed for easy assembly, making them accessible for DIY builders.

How to Use Modular Treehouse Attachment Struts

Now that you understand the benefits of modular treehouse attachment struts, let's explore how to use them effectively: 

ASSEMBLE THE STRUT:

1. Installing your Rod Ends:

Match your jam nuts to your rod end bolts. Keep in mind that one of these nuts is left hand threaded so be sure you have the correct nut of the corresponding rod end. Thread these nuts all the way up to the collar of their corresponding rod end.There should be no thread showing between the jam nut and the end of the rod end. Once you have the jam nuts on, you're going to thread your rod ends into your strut body, making sure to make the left-hand threaded side and the right-hand threaded side. Make sure to thread these all the way down until the jam nut is touching the the nut at the end of the strut body

2. Assembling your bracket:

Once you've installed the rod ends on the strut body, it's time to put the brackets on. Start by threading one of the grade 8 high strength bolts through the hole of the bracket, dropping in your nylon washers as you go. The bolt goes through the one tab of the bracket, then through the washer, then through the entire top of the rod end, then through the second washer and out the other tab of the bracket. Hand thread one of these lock nuts on. Once that nylon in your lock nut makes contact with the threads use an adjustable wrench to tighten them down until the nut and bolt are in contact with the ear tabs and you see the threads start to protrude through the nylon. The bracket should still be able to pivot freely on the bolt. Repeat this step for the second bracket, making sure to install the eat tabs pointing in opposite directions.

For Retrofit Brackets:

If you are using our Standard Brackets for the Top and Bottom Attachment you can skip this step. If you are using a Retrofit Bracket for the top attachment, Remove the top plate using my 3/16th Allen wrench, being careful to keep track of the little lock washers and screws. Repeat step two to install the bottom plate onto the strut body. Hold onto the lock washers, screws, and Top plate for attachment.

INSTALLING THE STRUT:

1. Installing the Top Bracket:

Once you have your strut put together, visually inspect the angle of the ear tabs on the brackets to determine which way it needs to be installed. The top bracket, should have the ear tabs angled slightly in towards the tree.The bottom bracket should have the ear tabs angled slightly away from the tree. Once you have determined the orientation of the bracket, slide the top bracket onto the perch of the TAB. Make sure to do this step prior to installing the TAB as the TAB NUT will be challenging, if not impossible to remove after installation. Install your TAB then slide the MTAS standard bracket up on the perch until it is making positive contact with the TAB NUT

For Retrofit Brackets: Take your open-ended retrofit bracket and hold it as far out on the TABS perch as possible Now, take the top plate with the screws and install it back into place so to  fully enclose the bracket on the the perch of the TAB. SLide the bracket on the perch until you make positive contact with either the TAB nut or the main supporting bracket. Do not tighten down all the way until you have finished installing the rest of the strut. 

2. Installing the Bottom Bracket:

Now that the top bracket is installed, you can let the strut sing freely on the top bracket and align the bottom bracket with the tree making sure you are relatively centered. Make sure the back face of the bracket is flush with the surface of the tree. Next, take your 1-⅛” ship auger bit and drill roughy 6” into the tree through the bottom bracket. If you have a very hard or soft species of wood, you may want to adjust the size of auger used.Once you have finished drilling, take your 1-⅛” lag and install it into the tree with a ratchet and socket. Make sure to pass the Lag through the bottom bracket before installing as you will not be able to get the bracket on the perch afterwards. Once the Lag is mostly installed, it will start to squeeze the body of the bracket up against the bark of the tree.You don't need to squeeze it too tight, but be sure that it is embedded in at least in the outer layer of bark. Once you are done installing the Lag, ensure that your Lag is in full contact with the bracket and the bracket is in contact with the tree and that the ear tab on the bottom is angled out slightly away from the tree.

3. Tightening your Strut Body:

Now that everything is installed, all you have to do is rotate the strut body in your hands and you'll feel the tension start to build up. You want to load tension between the the upper and lower ends of the strut but ensure that you do not expose more than a couple of threads on your rod ends. While tightening, slide the bracket until that bracket makes contact with the TAB nut or supporting backet. Once you hand tightened it as much as possible, rotate your jam nuts until they make contact with the end of the strut body using an adjustable wrench.This will lock the strut in place and make sure it stays tensioned after its been installed. Now your strut is installed,  you can tighten the screws on your retrofit bracket to lock them in place. 

Congratulations! You have now increased the strength of this TAB! Make sure to regularly inspect your strut and TAB for damage or loss of tension.

Elevate Your Treehouse Dreams with Modular Treehouse Attachment Struts

Modular treehouse attachment struts act in unison with our Treehouse Attachment Bolts - this system of fastening has revolutionized the way we build treehouses and make them safer.

By following the steps outlined above and choosing the right fasteners for your project, you can embark on a treehouse-building adventure that promises a lasting connection with the natural world.

So, dream big! Build high! Create a treetop haven like no other with the help of our TABs and Modular Treehouse Attachment Struts.