If you’re planning to transport anything across town or state on your trailer or utility vehicle in the foreseeable future it’s essential to have the right tools. Not only do you need a vehicle with the right towing capacity, but you also need the right tie-down straps.
Typically, ratchet tie-down straps as they’re also known, are the straps used to secure cargo to your trailer, truck, or utility vehicle. These need to be used correctly to ensure a safe and secure load.
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Safety First
Whether you’re transporting a few small garden tools down the road or large pieces of furniture across the state, ratchet tie-down straps are essential to ensuring that your cargo is secured for the journey. We’ve compiled a few pointers to keep in mind when you’re using tie-downs for the first time.
Invest in the Right Ratchet Tie Downs
When it comes to ratchet tie-downs, the golden rule is always to get the right strap for the job. Never assume that any strap can hold down anything. Ratchet straps are designed to hold different weights and they’re also available in different lengths.
Keep the following in mind when you start shopping for ratchet straps:
- Weight capacity: Check the label on the packaging for the weight that the strap will be able to hold. This means you will need an idea of the weight of your cargo. Always opt for a stronger cable, rather than a weaker one.
- Length: Straps should always be long enough to comfortably go over or around your cargo. There should be no straining as this can cause the strap to snap. Always remember that your straps should be bought in pairs.
- Hooks: Ratchet straps also require hooks to secure the strap to the trailer and each other. As with the strap itself, you’ll need hooks that can hold the weight.
Buy the Right Amount
It’s not uncommon for people to assume that one strong strap can do the job. Especially if you’re transporting a small item a few blocks away. The rule of thumb is to add two in case one snaps. That way, your load will still be secure. You may choose to add more if the load is large or very heavy, but the minimum should always be two.
This rule has also become the norm in the transportation industry, and you could be contravening local road regulations if you’re found to using one strap. It’s a good idea to have a few pairs to use and an extra pair as a spare in the event of the strap snapping or tearing. Since you can re-use straps if you take care of them, you won’t be wasting money by being cautious.
Inspection is Key
As with everything else you use on your vehicle or trailer, it’s essential to inspect any tie-down straps you’re going to use. Straps can easily become worn with excessive use or incorrect storage, so no matter how long you’ve had them, they still need to be inspected before each use.
Inspection is especially important if you’ve had the straps for a long time, you’ve borrowed them, or they haven’t been used in a long time. You’ll need to check that the material isn’t worn and that the ratchet mechanism works properly. Test the ratchet to make sure it’s working properly.
Know How to Use Them
While it’s true that ratchet-tie downs have been designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind, they can just as easily be connected incorrectly, rendering them unsafe. Remember that it only takes one instance of you stepping on the brake to cause loose materials to fly off the back of your trailer. This can result in a major accident, especially if you’re transporting goods on a busy motorway.
Always keep the following guidelines in mind when you’re using straps for the first time:
- Step 1: Place the loose end of the strap into the mandrel of the ratchet
- Step 2: Gently pull the strap through the mandrel slot
- Step 3: Tug at the strap to reduce the slack then pull the strap tight
- Step 4: Crank (move) the ratchet until the strap is as tight as you need it
- Step 5: Ensure that the strap lies straight and untangled as this can cause the ratchet to lock without being secured
- Step 6: Once the strap is in place and securely cranked you can lock the handle
- Step 7: Test the strap at various points by tugging on it to ensure it isn’t loose
- Step 8: If the strap feels too loose, undo the ratchet and redo the whole process
Final Thoughts
Moving cargo from point A to point B doesn’t have to be complicated. All it takes is ensuring that you’re using the right vehicles and that you’re securing your cargo with quality ratchet tie-down straps. Following the right safety measures will mean your cargo is secure and this will go a long way toward having a safe trip.
