How To Use Ratchet Straps

How To Use Ratchet Straps

how to use ratchet straps uk

If you’re carrying things on a roof rack or loads in your pick-up truck, ratchet straps are a must. These keep your cargo securely in place so that it doesn’t move while you’re travelling. But anchoring your equipment is more than just tossing a strap around it. It is vital to learn how to use ratchet straps correctly in order for your freight to be safe from harm and prevent damage to your vehicle.

When it comes to picking which tie-down is best, most experts advocate the use of ratchet straps over bungee cords, ties or twines. For an elastic core (often covered under a mesh sheath), it’s almost impossible to gauge the load capacity of a bungee. Also, the outer sheathing of the bungees, the rope and the twine can be easily cut. Such features establish a tie-down that is unstable and dangerous.

Selecting the Right Ratchet Strap

Ratchet straps are classified based on the weight of the cargo they are capable of anchoring. Weights start at around 300 pounds for a light-duty brace, with heavy-duty straps up to 10,000 pounds. Always use a strap that is weighted higher than the weight of your load.

Start With Something Solid

Without a solid attachment point, such as a luggage rack, roof rack or hooks placed in a truck bed, you can’t protect your load. Don’t be tempted to tie a load to the top of your car if you don’t have a rack of some kind — you’ll never be able to secure enough ratchet straps for safe handling.

Tighten Up

As you attach the ends of the ratchet strap to a firm surface, test the length of the webbing to make sure it’s not twisting and is flat against your load. Slowly tighten the harness, test the alignment of the webbing as you go to ensure that it doesn’t slip or bind. Pull until the strap is taut, but be careful not to over tighten it, which might compromise the strap or whatever you’re transporting.

Watch Those Loose Ends

Some ratchet straps allow you to push your cam buckle down the length of the webbing to customise your fit. If changing the cam buckle position leaves you with extra webbing, be sure to secure the loose end so that it doesn’t flap in the wind.

More Is Always Better

It’s a lot easier to have more straps than you need rather than just having a few. When you anchor your load, don’t limit the tie-downs to the front-rear and side-to-side of your vehicle. Imagine your load from all angles to make sure the objects can’t be pushed in either direction. If you stack more than one layer, protect each layer before adding the next one.

Check and Re-Check

Give each strap a final tug to make sure the line is taut before you leave. For long journeys, test the load and straps regularly (probably approximately every 50 miles or so). It’s going to shock you how much looser your once-tight ratchet strap will become after the wind and the bumps of the road.

Ratchet Straps We Sell

We stock ratchet straps for loads weighing between 500kgs to 5 tonnes.

ratchet straps

If you want to purchase ratchet straps online you can purchase them directly from our site, our prices are competitive, very affordable and our ratchet straps are of the highest quality. For more information or to purchase ratchet straps please click here.

 

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