Whether you drive a truck or a midsize car, ratchet straps are essential for securing cargo. Also known as tie-down straps, these straps are often made of extremely durable polyester webbing and secured with metal buckles and hooks.
What are the Parts of the Ratchet Straps?
Two primary pieces complete the ratchet strap mechanism.
The first piece consists of a sturdy woven fabric strap with a ratchet attached to one end and a hook on the other. The ratchet itself has an axle with a slot big enough to fit another strap of woven fabric through. This axle comes with a release lever and a ratcheting handle.
The second piece is a longer fabric strap designed to slide through the slot of the first piece. This strap comes with a singular hook on one end and possesses no axles of its own.
How to Use a Ratchet Strap
There are three primary things you must learn if you want to know how to properly use ratchet straps.
You need to know how to set them up, how to make sure they’re secure, and how to undo them once you’re done using them.
Setting Up the Ratchet Strap
When it comes to matters of security and carrying cargo, knowing the fundamentals is important. In this case, it’s important to familiarize yourself with how to set up a ratchet strap.
To get started, follow these steps:
- First things first, place the strap flat and straight over your cargo.
- Open the ratchet. This can be done with a release lever or a release catch depending on the model you buy.
- Insert the strap through the slot of the ratchet.
- Pull the strap until it is taut, leaving only a few inches.
- Close the ratchet to fully tighten the strap with a snap.
Securing the Ratchet Strap
Just like setting up the ratchet strap, there’s a process that comes with making sure the strap itself is secure. Follow these simple steps to protect your cargo:
- Connect the hooks of the ratchet straps to the appropriate attachment points of your vehicle.
- Adjust the strap to make it flat on your cargo in case it moved or shuffled while connecting the hooks.
- Crank the ratchet lever until you reach the right amount of tension. Ensure the strap is tight and secure, but not tight to the point the strap is at risk of breaking.
- Lock the ratchet.
- Tie down any loose ends of the strap to prevent them from fluttering about in transit.
Releasing the Ratchet Strap
Once you’re ready to release the ratchet straps to access your cargo, you’ll need to follow yet another process. Fortunately, undoing a ratchet strap is just as easy as setting one up. All you have to do is perform the following steps in order:
- Pull the release lever or release catch when it’s time to access your cargo.
- Open the ratchet to release the pressure on the strap.
- Pull the strap free once it’s accessible.
- Close the ratchet when you’re done.
- Coil the ratchet straps by wrapping them around the buckle and storing them someplace safe and dry.
Ratchet Strap Tips and Tricks to Maximize Security
Follow these simple steps to maximize the security and longevity of your ratchet straps.
Always Double-Check Before Driving
This might sound obvious, but double-checking the straps after securing them to guarantee the line is taut is a must before heading out. Tug your lines multiple times for good measure because straps that seem tight can come undone with some resistance.
Follow Proper Storage Methods
Other factors to consider when storing your ratchet straps include the conditions in which they’re stored. It’s important to keep ratchet straps away from damp and moist areas because mold and mildew weaken the straps. Because of this, it’s also inadvisable to use ratchet straps when it’s raining.
Ratchet straps should be kept away from direct sunlight. They should be stored in a dark, dry place where they can’t be destroyed by UV rays. Heat may also cause the fabric straps to weaken and break.
Use Multiple Straps
When it comes to securing your cargo, doing too much is better than doing too little. It’s not a bad idea to anchor down your cargo with an extra ratchet strap or two to cover every side. This way, you can minimize how much cargo shuffles about and moves in transit.
Always go for straps designed to support a higher load limit than the weight of your load.
Guard Corners and Contact Points
Another important tip to consider when securing your haul is to cover the corners and other sharp edges of your cargo with something. There are specially designed corner protectors that are often made of plastic, rubber, and felt that help redistribute the pressure of the straps across a wider area. These corners also protect the strap from rubbing against sharp edges, which can potentially damage them.
Stop and Check Straps During Road Trips
It’s good practice to stop and check the straps periodically when you’re out on the road just to make sure they’re still secure. This is especially true for drivers planning to go on a road trip. If the ratchet straps aren’t set up to secure cargo properly, they can loosen up and cause your cargo to come flying out.
Undo Knots When You See Them
If you ever see any knots forming on your ratchet straps, undo them immediately. Even if it’s difficult and time-consuming, it’s important to avoid letting them knot because this prevents the strap from fitting through the axle. At the same time, knots weaken and can potentially tear the fabric of the strap.
Shopping for New Ratchet Straps
If you’re keen on using ratchet straps to keep your cargo nice and secure but don’t know where to buy them, look no further. You can get your hands on high-quality ratchet straps that are built to last with the help of CarParts.com.
Our ratchet straps are sourced from some of the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. Each product is carefully vetted by a team of professionals to guarantee strength, reliability, and durability. This means you can get your hands on straps that are built to last at affordable prices.
The best part? You don’t even have to leave your home to get your new straps. You can check out our website or download our mobile app. Use our vehicle selector and input your ride’s details to check for the right fit.
Drive without any worries that you’ll lose your cargo while speeding down the highway. Make packing significantly easier for yourself by ordering new ratchet straps today!
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
