Ratchet Strap Tie Downs

[Cord]

Any suggestions on which ratchet straps to buy, length, strength etc. for hauling tractors on an aluminum trailer? I always used chains and binders in the past but with DOT checking anything for a ticket I thought I would just buy 2" tie down ratchet straps and be done. I know that the minimum is 4 tie down anchor points plus additional for implements so this makes me wonder if I should buy 27 footers off Fleabay , so what do you all use?

3/8" chains and a binder will get you past any inspection, unless you are commercial and then you'll need G70 chains. For straps, i really like the Home Depot 2" HDX straps. I think these are 27's. I'll use chains for heavy pieces or sharp corners that might cut. After that I use straps. The straps are nice because they will stretch and adjust slightly should the load settle. Gotta watch the corners because they cut easily and can wear out from fluttering.

 

[aczlan]

3/8" chains and a binder will get you past any inspection, unless you are commercial and then you'll need G70 chains. For straps, i really like the Home Depot 2" HDX straps. I think these are 27's. I'll use chains for heavy pieces or sharp corners that might cut. After that I use straps. The straps are nice because they will stretch and adjust slightly should the load settle. Gotta watch the corners because they cut easily and can wear out from fluttering.

I would use 5/16 GR70 chain rather than a 3/8 GR30. Much lighter, easier to handle and you can get a 20' length of US made chain with ends for fairly cheap ($36: Shop Campbell Commercial 20-ft Welded Yellow Chromate Steel Chain at Lowes.com ) at Lowes (then cut in half, add 2 more ends and you have half a tractors worth for most of our tractors).

Aaron Z

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Here in the PNW I do not remember ever seeing a "commercial" hauler use other than chains and binders (usually ratchet tightening) for a wheeled or tracked piece of equipment, even the little stuff. Heavy duty straps are used for cubed out cargo or miscellaneous apparatus. any place where metal rides on metal wood dunnage is placed between the metal pieces. You never see a tracked item on a metal deck w/o dunnage on the deck. I believe this all goes back to US DOT standards which most states adopted to qualify for Federal highway funds.

Ron

 

[aczlan]

I believe this all goes back to US DOT standards which most states adopted to qualify for Federal highway funds.

Not that I have found, I can find weight rating specifications, but unless you are hauling crushed cars (which require cable or chain), there is no prohibition in any DOT handbook I have found on using a properly rated strap to tie anything down. In fact, it doesn't specify what type of tiedown you need to use, just that it needs to be rated for X.

Aaron Z

 

[tcartwri]

Straps are fine. Chains are better. Pro's use chains because they are more durable. If you are only hauling occasionally, straps are more than adequate. All binder straps will stretch 5% the first time they are used. They will be fine after that.

 

[JerryK]

Be careful with straps. Under the right wind conditions they can flap [ violent flap ] and actually loosen themselves as you cheerfully zoom down the highway. Been there, done that....

 

[GLyford]

I know DOT doesn't like twists on heavy straps, but for occasional hauling of lighter stuff, a friend showed me that at least one half twist completely kills the flapping. Not sure if it sheds the wind that way or what, but it works for me.

 

[aczlan]

Be careful with straps. Under the right wind conditions they can flap [ violent flap ] and actually loosen themselves as you cheerfully zoom down the highway. Been there, done that....

Never seen this with ratchet straps. Unless the strap stretches, what you describe is physically impossible if there are 2or 3 turns around the "winch" and the load doesn't shift.

Aaron Z

 

[JerryK]

Didn't say ratchet straps. Most folks by the cheap ' pinch ' straps, good for X pounds, tighten it down and think everything is hunky-dory. Darn things can work loose.

 

[aczlan]

Didn't say ratchet straps. Most folks by the cheap ' pinch ' straps, good for X pounds, tighten it down and think everything is hunky-dory. Darn things can work loose.

Ah. We are in full agreement then. I helped someone move and they used those on a motorcycle that was on an open trailer. Within a few miles the straps were loose and the bike almost fell off the trailer.
I added a real strap and it arrived in one piece and without moving.

Aaron Z