Ratchet straps are sometimes called tie down straps, are used to secure all kinds of loads like atvs, utvs, side-by-sides, motorcycles, boats, lawn mowers, and other heavy loads to the bed of a trucks, a pull-behind trailer, or semi-trailer.
Here’s how to use a ratchet strap:
1) Connect the hook to your vehicle on the ratchet side.
2) Run the webbing from the long end through the opening on the spindle below the handle of the ratchet.
3) The long end of the strap webbing with the hook is then put over your load to secure it.
4) Once both hooks are in place you pull all the excess webbing through the ratchet.
5) When it is tight, you start to pull the handle of the ratchet to wrap the webbing around the spindle on the ratchet. The first 4 or so clicks of the ratchet handle wrap enough webbing around the spindle to keep it from slipping.
6) Now you just keep ratcheting the handle until your webbing is as tight as you want it to be.
7) Most ratchet strap companies recommend that you pull over and check your load after 20 miles of driving to check your webbing and tighten if needed. Then they suggest you pull over and check again every 30-50 miles.
Many long-haul companies also require their drivers to stop every 150-250 miles to check their ratchet strap tension because loads may shift while driving and all webbing can and will stretch at any time.
If you have a tension type product like ShockStraps built into the ratchet straps you just tighten your ratchet straps and drive — no need to pull over to check the tension in your ratchet straps because they start tight and stay tight!
Leave a Reply