Ratchet straps, known to many as tie down straps, help to secure your cargo in or onto your enclosed trailer or flatbed.
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To understand how this equipment works, you first have to look at what ratchet straps are made of. The most commonly-offered material is polyester, although other fabrics like nylon are available. Polyester has the strength and low stretchiness necessary to ensure the safety of your haul for your whole trip. Other benefits of polyester include resistance to UV rays, mildew, mold, and many common chemicals.
Because there are so many possible applications, ratchet straps are available in a diverse selection of styles. When choosing the right one for you, there are several factors to consider.
The first is the strap width. This has a huge impact on the working load limit (WLL) of a ratchet strap. This rating is incredibly important – it lets you know exactly how much weight that piece of rigging is capable of securing. Using a ratchet tie down strap with an inadequate WLL can lead to damaged cargo, increased risk of personnel injury, and other safety hazards.
You calculate WLL by dividing the break strength (BS) – the point at which the strap will fail – by three, and is dependent on the lowest-rated strap component. For example, if the strap is rated for 3,000 lbs. but the end fitting is only rated to 2,500 lbs., the WLL will be 2,500 lbs.
You’ll find information like WLL and break strength included on a tag that comes attached to the ratchet strap.
Strap widths are generally available between 1” and 4”:
Another factor involves the end hardware. As mentioned above, some end fittings work with E-track and L-track. Other options include wire hooks, chain ends, and more – all with slightly different application suitability.
The end hardware you choose will generally be informed by the type of attachment points you have (or plan to have) in your trailer, as well as your available space. For example, you might choose a wire hook if your attachment point is in a narrow, harder-to-reach space.
If you have E-track or L-track already installed on your flatbed, choosing hardware specifically designed for those systems will streamline your securement process.
The last factor we will cover is assembly type - choose from full or endless. The full assembly consists of two sections, one with an end fitting and a ratchet, and the other with an end fitting and a fixture-less end. These two straps thread together to create your tie down. A full assembly is the standard pick for most applications, as it allows for more versatility in your setup.
The endless assembly is frequently used to bundle items together, as it consists of just one strap with a ratchet and a fixture-less end. You simply feed the fixture-less end through the mandrel to create a solid loop, then ratchet it to secure.
US Cargo Control Ratchet StrapFirst, you should ask yourself “How many ratchet straps do I need?” This is actually fairly simple to answer - just consult the cargo securement rules put together by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They address both the minimum working load limit and the minimum number of tie downs you will need.
As of 2021, the minimum number of tie downs required by the FMCSA correlates to the length and weight of your cargo:
Now that you know how many ratchet straps you need, make sure they also meet the FMCSA’s WLL rules:
“The aggregate working load limit of any securement system used to secure an article or group of articles against movement must be at least one-half the weight of the article or group of articles.”
To calculate the aggregate WLL, use the following criteria to identify what WLL value to use for each tie down, then add them all together:
US Cargo Control recommends reading through the entire set of cargo securement rules so that you know exactly how they apply to you.
It’s time to secure your cargo. How ratchet straps work when it comes to safely fastening your load can be broken down into several methods:
The method you use will depend on your setup and your cargo – you need to ensure that it is sufficient to hold your load in place.
The steps are similar regardless of whether you are threading an endless ratchet strap or a full ratchet strap assembly. The main difference is in the pre-threading process: you may find it more difficult to set up a full assembly before you start, while you would want the endless ratchet strap to be in position before you begin.
Loosening a ratchet strap should be the same for both assembly types.
Want to watch instead of read more about it? Check out our video on threading and releasing ratchet straps!
Make sure you are getting the most out of your tie downs by doing your due diligence when it comes to ratchet strap protection, inspection, and storage.
Reduce the amount of damage your straps suffer during each trip by adding some protective accessories to your setup. These will not only help prevent abrasions, UV damage, general wear and tear, and more, but they can also protect your cargo!
Corner protectors are made from plastic, rubber, felt, etc. As the name implies, they protect the corners of your load by redistributing the pressure of the straps across a wider area – you simply place them between the cargo and the ratchet strap before tightening!
This also protects the tie down, acting as a shield against any sharp or coarse material.
The type of corner protector you would need depends on your cargo and equipment. Plastic vee boards are great for a number of materials, including brick, drywall, plywood, and more. For larger, heavy cargo, steel corner protectors are usually the best choice. Felt protectors have the extra padding needed to protect more fragile materials.
Wear pads are one of the best investments you can make for your strap. Compatible with all sizes of webbing, these pads offer abrasion- and cut-resistance to keep your ratchet strap in good condition. The design of the straps allow to move along the strap, so it’s easy to make sure they offer support where it’s needed most.
Taking the time to properly inspect, clean, and store your ratchet straps offers a number of advantages: it gives you the opportunity to avert potential safety issues by identifying damage; following the recommended storage procedures can increase the lifespan of the strap; and, when stored correctly, ratchet straps take up less space.
These inspections should take place regularly – in fact, The Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA) suggests an initial inspection before you first use the strap, then before each subsequent use.
Keeping an inspection record is a good way to keep track of how often your ratchet straps are checked. Keeping notes can provide a helpful reference for future inspections.
When inspecting your ratchet strap, make sure to look for both the obvious and the more-subtle signs of wear and tear:
You will also need to check the strap tag. WLL information must still be visible for inspections.
If you notice the listed evidence of wear and tear, chances are the strap will need to be retired. If you aren’t sure, check the WSTDA Recommended Standard Specification for Synthetic Web Tie Downs. This agency has long been considered a trusted resource for all things tie-down.
Removing debris from your strap is an easy way to maintain its condition.
First, hose your straps down. If the hose isn’t enough to get them clean, mix a mild detergent with warm water. Avoid detergents that could harm your strap, such as any that are bleach-based or that include acids.
Second, use a scrub brush to clean the straps.
Finally, let the straps air drying before storage. Although polyester is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, this step is an added precaution.
There are many ways to store ratchet straps. A general rule of thumb is to keep them in a dry place away from the sun.
Depending on the number of straps you are storing, use a strap winder and store them in a plastic bag, hang them on a wall using a cinch strap, or secure them using a bungee cord.
Tie-down application opportunities are both flexible and versatile. Below, we cover just a few of the ways ratchet straps are incorporated into load securement.
E-track is a cargo tie-down system. It uses a series of metal rails to create connection points for your ratchet straps.
Available in either a painted or galvanized finish, E-track is the perfect hauling solution for both enclosed trailers and flatbeds. The two track orientations (horizontal and vertical) provide an easily customizable setup, as you can place anchor points exactly where you need them.
E-track ratchet straps have compatible end hardware, offering a more secure attachment. Thanks to the sturdy ratchet design that allows for superior tension, these straps can hold large loads in place.
See how easy it is to attach your ratchet strap to an E-track!
Other ratchet straps work with logistic track. Similar to E-track, L-track gets used in situations with more limited space.
L-track compatible ratchet straps tend to have double stud end hardware for added strength.
Transport your motorcycle safely and stylishly using ratchet straps that are color-coded to match your vehicle, trailer, or motorcycle brand.
You can create the attachment points using E-track, L-track, D-rings, and more. Watch a video that specifically covers an L-track / ratchet strap motorcycle tie-down system.
Secure your ATV using ratchet straps with four tie-down points to prevent movement. You will need two in the front and two in the back for proper securement. Like a motorcycle tie-down, the attachment points can be created using a wide range of hardware.
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