UPDATE!!!!
Set up was a cinch... Looks really nice. Feels a little wobbly but my sons are teenagers and they love it for the loft factor. Happy that an 8” mattress works just perfectly.

After being set up for 4 months
After several months of tightening bolts, I wish that I had spent more money on a heavy duty loft. 
This is definitely meant for younger and smaller people than a growing 13 year old boy. We will likely be purchasing a new bed unfortunately... ☹️