I've used chains & binders and ratchet straps of various configurations over the years and think I've found the best set up for me. When I'm winching a vehicle onto my trailer, I use a pear ring on the end of my winch cable with two chains with J-hooks and frame hooks on the ends. Depending on the vehicle, I use either the J-hooks or frame hooks to connect to the vehicle to pull it on.
Once it's up, I level the trailer bed and secure the rear with axle straps to which I connect ratchet straps and tighten it down. For anyone unfamiliar with axle straps, they are short straps with triangular metal connectors on either end. They are used to go around the axle (or whatever else you're going around) and then each end is connected to the hook on the end of your ratchet strap. I then do the same on the front end and leave the winch and chains on. I like the ratchet straps because they're lighter, easier to use and generally cleaner than chains & binders. I used axle straps because they're way cheaper to replace than my ratchet straps and they make contact with the vehicle instead of my straps.
Subsequently, I have made up some shorter lengths of grade 70 transportation chain (strong, relatively light weight and rust free) with hooks on either end that I can use similarly when the point on the load to which I'm connecting would be rough/sharp and could damage/cut an axle strap.
I'm not claiming I've found some perfect way of doing this. I'm only passing on what I've come up with that works best for me considering the balance between safety and ease of use.
There is a long thread on here about that incident. They were almost new straps and they were not in contact with anything; they just snapped when the trailer flexed due to a dip in the road.
