Ratchet tie down straps are ideal tools for securing your cargo and maintaining your safety while out on the road. This special piece of equipment is often misunderstood thanks purely to the volume of different tie-down options available for sale. Today, our goal will be to illuminate how to select the best tie downs traps for your specific needs.
Best Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Now that we’ve outlined what ratchet straps are and how you should go about purchasing one, we’ll highlight a few of the top models available. We used the buying guide outline above in order to inform our selection of the top five quality ratchet straps on the market.
- Ratchet Tie Down Straps by AUGO
When it comes to getting the right ratchet strap for the job, you can’t go wrong with the products developed by AUGO. AUGO prides themselves on offering high-quality straps that can withstand the elements while properly securing your load. This 4-pack of ratchet straps includes a range of different lengths and strengths.
What makes the AUGO selection of ratchet tie down straps so effective is that they are fabricated via a specialized molding technology. This molding trick ensures that the hook ends never fall off or come loose. Additionally, this 4-pack of effective straps includes an intense focus on outdoor use so that they can withstand the elements. These straps are UV resistant and able to withstand wind, rain, and snow.
Finally, AUGO’s 4-pack of ratchet tie down straps includes 4 soft loops that are crafted out of polyester. The handles of the straps are ergonomic and topped off with rubber coated s hooks.
- Premium Ratchet Tie Down by Vault Cargo Management
When you need industrial strength load-bearing materials, Vault Management has your back. This 4-pack of ratchet tie down straps features 15-foot nylon straps that are created to withstand a beating. Graded to withstand outdoor usage, these straps are great for hauling heavy loads whether you are talking about kitchen appliances or furniture from your apartment.
These ratchet straps feature a shiny nylon material that looks as good as it is effective. Each strap is crafted with a molded handle for maximum protection. The heavy-duty hooks are coated with rubber in order to secure your load while protecting your anchor point from any wear and tear. These are simple straps but they get the job done at an affordable price.
- Cartman Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Rounding out our list of quality straps is the Cartman Ratchet Tie Down set. These straps feature a special synthetic material known as Poly Ethylene which is similar to the material that your seatbelt relies on. These vivid yellow straps may look flashy, but they are effective at what they do in a no-frills kind of approach.
The heavy-duty Cartman ratchet tie down strap set utilizes a plastic coating around the hooks in order to prevent any damage to your vehicle. These straps are flexible, lightweight and durable. You can use these as effectively to haul furniture as you can to strap down a bicycle to your roof rack.
How to Choose Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Ratchet straps come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. From the type of fabric that the strap is made out of to the type of hook that is used for securing your load to your truck or car, there are many differences to be on the lookout for. Before making your purchase, take a moment in order to familiarize yourself with the different aspects that go into the best ratchet tie down straps.
- Material
Your first focus must be on the quality of material that the ratchet strap is made out of. Typically, the best tie down straps are going to be made out of nylon or polyester. Here is a full list of the material options available to you:
- A) Polyester – Ideal for heavy loads, resistant to most adverse weather elements. Polyester is UV resistant and can withstand slight tears better than the other options on our list.
- B) Nylon – More affordable, less durable. Great for lighter loads. As nylon stretches, the weight limit that the material can handle is considerably lessened.
- C) Polypropylene – This style of material stretches more than both nylon and polyester. Many high-quality ratcheting straps are now being made of polypropylene despite the higher price tag.
- Load Capacity
As you shop for quality ratchet straps, you n eed to focus on the load limit that they possess. The load limit of your ratchet strap will determine how much weight can safely be hauled around while attached to the strap. Your load capacity should also include variables such as wind conditions, speed changes and the quality of the road that you are traveling on.
- Strap Length
The best ratchet straps for your needs will possess enough length to comfortably secure and haul your cargo. Traditionally, strap length for lighter loads will sit around 10 feet. Heavier loads will require a length of nearly 20 feet. Make sure to check your weight limit before you set your mind on a specific length of ratcheting strap.
- Break Strength
The break strength of your ratchet tie down strap will cover when your ratchet will reach its failure point. The break strength is counted by taking all components of your strap into consideration: length, material, hook and so on.
- Type Of Hook
While only a small part of the entire product, you must pay attention tot he type of hook that is used on your ratchet strap. You’ll traditionally be faced with choosing between S hooks and J hooks. Painted hooks may be fashionable but they are not as durable when used on a painted surface, such as an ATV. Rubber coated hooks are typically the way to go.
- Intended Usage
Finally, you need to make sure that you pay attention to the intended usage of your ratchet strap. How much weight do you plan on keeping atop your vehicle? Do you need a heavy duty ratcheting strap for a heavier load? Are you going to pack a small load that can be secured by a lightweight strap? This is a question that will be unique to your situation.
Ratcheting straps are most commonly used to aid in the transportation of heavy appliances and loads of larger items. These straps will secure your load of items in the back of your vehicle, be it a truck or car. If you have more intense plans for your hauling, consider heavier duty ratchet straps.