Ratchet Strap Tie Downs

oldpilgrim · Jun 4, 2015

I use those $4 ones to keep stuff from blowing out of my pickup. I won't actually tie anything down with them.

ultrarunner · Jun 4, 2015

oldpilgrim said:
I've towed trailers with cars on/in them all over the East Coast using straps. Never had an issue loosening or stretching. These are not the straps you'd buy in TSC, which are very thin and almost plastic looking. These are a very fine weave, approx 1/4 inch thick, 3-4 inches wide strap, made for trailering. Not cheap either.

If straps are no good, why is it that truckers use them to secure their open loads ? Their trailers are even made with places to mount the strap hooks.

Towed a lot of Blue Ribbon show cars and we all use ratchet straps in all manor or configuration.

Chains are something used by wreckers and heavy equipment haulers...

I buy all my tie down equipment from

Mac's Package Deals: Tie downs, ratchet straps and axle straps

Made in USA... damage free towing... and great service...

FredH · Jun 4, 2015

Someone earlier here said they never seen any commercial hauler carrying wheeled equipment using straps ?? Hmm , Guess they need to look at the rolling parking lots a little closer . Just this past week I seen 3 different haulers with 3 different technique's for holding cargo . 1 had all 4 wheels strapped , 2nd had only the front wheels strapped , third had right front and left rear strapped . All were using the over the wheel type straps , which Yes , are different than ratchet straps , but are still straps .

Fred H.

Will_C · Jun 4, 2015

I use both chains and straps. My straps come from Mac's. The heaviest load I haul is my B2620-with all attachments probably no more than 3500 lbs total. I use a chain and binder on the back, and 2 ratchet straps on the front.

My brother is an excavator. He uses a 3/8" chain and binder at each corner, and a 5/16" chain over the blade, bucket, or hoe.

Will

jix · Jun 4, 2015

We all agree, straps for light loads, chains for heavy loads... and check straps often, particularly if it is raing. Don't trust lightweight ratchets, frayed stap or use straps on sharp material...or big pipes.

jix · Jun 4, 2015

ultrarunner said:
Towed a lot of Blue Ribbon show cars and we all use ratchet straps in all manor or configuration.

Chains are something used by wreckers and heavy equipment haulers...

I buy all my tie down equipment from

Mac's Package Deals: Tie downs, ratchet straps and axle straps

Made in USA... damage free towing... and great service...

Good onya pal..but you ain't gonna haul my frieght

s219 · Jun 4, 2015

Don't know if you guys have ever noticed, but 18-wheeler flat bed trailers generally have strap ratchets built into the trailer frame. Straps are standard practice for most of their freight loads.

oldpilgrim · Jun 4, 2015

s219 said:
Don't know if you guys have ever noticed, but 18-wheeler flat bed trailers generally have strap ratchets built into the trailer frame. Straps are standard practice for most of their freight loads.

As I mentioned in post #10. It apparently doesn't make any difference to some posters.

aczlan · Jun 4, 2015

s219 said:
Don't know if you guys have ever noticed, but 18-wheeler flat bed trailers generally have strap ratchets built into the trailer frame. Straps are standard practice for most of their freight loads.

Saw a couple loads of steel today, a set of rolls of steel wire and a bunch of 2" solid bars.
All tied down with straps on 48' flatbed trailers.

Aaron Z

ultrarunner · Jun 5, 2015

jix said:
Good onya pal..but you ain't gonna haul my frieght

What do you use to haul 100k plus collector vehicles?

One scratch and you're working for nothing.

I know I would have been shot chaining down a Ford GT...

FedEx transports a lot of high end cars the the drivers are experts with straps.

The moral is use the appropriate method for the load.