The strut is a six foot long piece of extra strong, lightweight channel steel. It's flexing a little. That's why I tied a rope from the top of the strut to the front of the car (under the bumper). Perhaps I'll install a "spreader" and stay on the strut to stiffen it. Then I wouldn't have to tie it under the car and would save about 2 minutes of rigging time on each end and keep me from getting dirty.