Thinking of buying tie-down and ratchet straps? Getting confused by the hundreds of products available online? Well, don’t worry. If you know what features to look for and what factors to consider while buying tie-down and ratchet straps, you will be good to go!
Working Load Limit
The first thing that you need to look for is the working load limit and the breaking strength rating of the straps. The working load limit (WLL) of the straps is usually 1/3 of its breaking strength. Generally, a ratchet strap that has a breaking strength rating of 2200 lbs. can safely hold a load of around 730 lbs.
Size of the Straps
The size of the straps depends on the strength of the strap and the size of the load. You don’t expect a 10 ft. strap to keep a 12 ft. load securely in place, now do you? It is a good thing to keep an additional 3.5 ft. of ratchet strap length for every 10 ft. of cargo that you are looking to transport to be on the safe side. You can’t risk losing your cargo or damaging yourself in the process, right?
The heavier the load you need to secure the higher the WLL you need. The strap you use for your needs will be wider as well.
Material
Gear failure is the last thing that you want when you are transporting the load. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you should take a look at the material of the tie downs before buying them. It is a good thing if the metal components of the straps are corrosion-resistant and have a protective coating to keep them safe from the natural elements.
Some straps come with wire hooks, while others come with flat hooks and D-rings. You should select the hardware based on their application.
To ensure that the loads are lifted safely or that they are secure in position, the quality and type of metal used in the ratchet straps are important. Consume grade straps will definitely not work well for heavy-duty industrial applications, of course.
Mode of Transportation
This is an important factor when you are looking for the best tie-down and ratchet straps. Whether you are transporting the goods via truck, moving van, ship, air carrier, etc. plays an important role in determining the type of ratchet straps you get.
Ease of Use
You want the straps to make things easier for you, not difficult, right? There are various tie-downs in the market with difficult release mechanisms and hard to use grips. Choose straps with well-designed, comfortable, ergonomic handles along with easy to use release tabs.
Cost
Remember to check the parameters of the product before placing an order. The higher quality product will cost extra price while providing you better control of your cargo. Therefore, keep your requirements along with your budget in mind. Compare them with the features of the straps and tie-downs you are looking at, and then make a final choice.