I suck at using rachet chain binders...help

[v8only]

got some good pointers here thanks guys, i will be loading up the trailer Thursday or Friday and im gonna try it out again.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I vote for the ratchet binders. Never had a load come loose with them, and never got smacked in the face with a cheater pipe. I watched a pipe sail over the trailer when I was younger and that was enough to convince me I didn't want to mess with them. Its incredible the amount of tension you can safely put in a chain with a ratchet without risking your skin. If something shifts a little bit when you check your chains like your supposed to, it takes a second to put another turn on the buckle. I like hooking the chain down around the outside of the pocket and then coming up inside it. If I'm cheating, I'll use a single chain attached to two solid points and take a binder off of each side to a pocket. Never had an issue doing it that way. I really don't like dragging chain over a piece of equipment to tie it down. Looping the chain around a hard point and hooking it ensures there is no hidden slack.

Anything with tracks, a ratchet binder is hard to beat, grab a grouser and a stake pocket and tighten it down. In all reality, if your using the correct number of and rated tie downs, you shouldn't have an issue.

 

[dstig1]

I have both ratchets and lever binders. I prefer to use lever binders on the front and ratchets in the back.

One way you can save a lot of trouble and effort is to chain up the front end as snug as you can without binders and then back up 'till nice and tight and apply the parking brakes.(like squish the front tires)
You then only need to manually tighten the rear end.
That way you have only one binder to bother with.

I put mine on the front similar to Sterff, but I hook to a shackle I put in the draw bar last hole on the rear. But I do it like Piloon suggested and hook chains on the front to the stake pockets, then back up to tension, and only use 2 load binders on the rear from draw bar to D rings at back corners. Ratchet type. Never had a problem, and I like the control and ability to tighten a bit more if you are going a long way and stop to check. Never tried a lever style, as they scare the bejeesus out of me... Someone could argue the use of one rear tie down point is a weakness, but again, this is not a 40 ton crawler here...

 

[mikehaugen]

Just use ratchet straps, then you won't have these problems.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Just use ratchet straps, then you won't have these problems.

Couple 1 incher's right? :stirthepot:

 

[k0ua]

Couple 1 incher's right? :stirthepot:

Are we ratchet strapping down a bicycle or what?

 

[v8only]

well i used the solid point on the trailer and i was finally able to get the chain tight, so tight infact i was squatting the tire and sliding the tractor over to the side.

Thanks all.

 

[orezok]

I'm not understanding why people are having trouble tightening up loads with the ratchet binders. I use both and measured the "closure" on both. On my 19,000 lb binders I have a total of 3 1/2" of closure. On my ratchet binders with similar load capability I have 6"

Makes no sense to me.

 

[BWSwede]

I'm with your orezok. I don't get it either.

BWSwede

 

[juddspaintballs]

Serious question though...why not ratchet straps? I know the 3" ones are rated for the load, but I know very little about securing loads so please fill me in.

I'm not saying I don't like the idea of chains and binders, but really, why not ratchet straps?