The Best Ratchet Straps
The absolute worst place to be questioning your luggage's security is when it's strapped to the top of your car. It's time to face it: bungee cords, while convenient, just aren't acceptable for the big jobs. That's why we recommend ratchet straps for tight, lockable strap security. Ratchet straps, or buckle straps, can handle heavy loads, feature easy adjustability, and sport supreme durability. Below we've assembled a list of our favorite ratchet straps for your review. Whether you're on a cross-country road trip or heading to the beach, these tie downs will secure your possessions quickly and successfully.
AUGO Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Stay Strapped
The AUGO Ratchet Tie Down Straps are our best overall pick in the ratchet strap category for a number of reasons. Firstly, their traditional “S” hooks are coated with rubber, ensuring no damage is done to your vehicle on your journey. The latch is spring-loaded, extremely easy to tighten, and releases with one fluid motion. In addition to this, we were impressed with the thickness of the product’s stitching, an important factor that can literally make or break a strap. This pack of four is perfect for hauling sports utility vehicles, affixing sizeable loads to your vehicle’s roof, or locking appliances in when the moving truck comes. With a 500-pound weight capacity, AUGO’s tie-downs enable you to tackle your loftiest tasks confidently.
Pros:
- 15 Feet in length
- Rubber handles are tightly molded to the release latch
- 1500 Pound break strength
- Two bungee cords included
Cons:
- The narrow strap can dig into soft items
RPS Outdoors Mossy Oak Straps
Tie Downs For The Tundra
If you’ve ever yearned for a ratchet strap that combines high-performance functionality with rustic form, RPS Outdoors has the product for you. The Mossy Oak Infinity Camo Ratchet Strap screams ‘all-terrain vehicle’ and is just begging to be taken out on a hunting trip to secure your future trophy. If, of course, fish and game isn’t your thing, RPS can certainly help you with other shipping services. Motorcycles, farm equipment, scooters, and personal watercraft can all be tied down and towed to their destination safely thanks to the super strength of RPS Outdoor Tie Downs.
Pros:
- Licensed Mossy Oak camouflage
- Straps are made of reinforced polyester for superior strength
- Perfect for blending with and securing deer hunting tree stands
- Comes in a pack of four
Cons:
- The release mechanism can be a little difficult to engage
Rhino USA Heavy Duty Tie Down Set
A Strapping Package
The last thing you want your strap manufacturer to do is cut corners on quality. When you open up Rhino USA’s Heavy Duty Tie Down Set for the first time, you understand immediately that safety is at the forefront of their business model. Every little detail, from the “S” hook’s spring-loaded latch and the double layers of stitching to the push bar’s extra padding, indicate that Rhino USA is focused on the niche details of manufacturing. With straps 50% thicker than the competition, a nifty traveling case, and 5 color schemes to choose from, this option is a tie-down set built to last.
Pros:
- Includes four soft loop tie-down straps
- The straps are made of a silk and polyester composite for added strength
- The reputable company Rhino USA offers responsive customer service and a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- May degrade if left out in the sun for too long
VULCAN Car Tie Downs
Live Long And Prosper With Vulcan
Staying true to their name, VULCAN Car Tie Downs boast specifications that may make you question whether they were actually forged by the Roman God of metalworking himself. VULCAN utilizes the flat hook design of ratchet strap, whereby a wide mouth hook is usually latched around a thick piece of metal. While this is traditionally reserved for car carriers and trailers, there is a chance that an everyday car’s roof racks would be able to interface with this tie-down system. Better yet, these industrial-strength straps are highly visible and meet federal safety specifications, so it’s no wonder why they’re the preferred choice among long-haul truckers and professionals in the automotive industry worldwide.
Pros:
- Safe working weight capacity of 3300 pounds
- Straps include wear pads to ensure durability when tightened over o-rings
- UV- and cut-resistant material
- Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance compliant
Cons:
- Kind of pricey, but worth it for those that want peace of mind when tying down a car
CARTMAN 1″ x 15′ Ratchet Tie Down
There's No Tie Like The Present
Cartman’s Tie Down package is a great middle-ground between affordability and dependability. These ratchet tie-down straps are ideal for uses up to 500 pounds and each strap can be extended to over 15 feet with the four included soft loop ties. While the breaking capacity is rated to 1500 pounds, we highly recommend staying under this limit because of other forces acting upon your vehicle. As with all ratchet straps, it is crucial to ensure that the straps are completely unfolded and taut before moving your automobile to prevent disasters on the road.
Pros:
- Carrying bag and four bungee cords included
- Soft loop straps have a 1200-pound working capacity
- Last for years when properly stored
Cons:
- The ratchet tie-down is slightly wobbly when tightened
- The ratchet may need lubrication after initial uses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the working load and breaking limit?
Most manufacturers will identify two weight capacities when describing a ratchet strap: working load and breaking load, or limit. The working load is the maximum recommended weight a strap can endure when subjected to regular circumstances. On the other hand, the breaking limit is three times the working load and the weight at which a component will fail. The strap’s various components can have varying breaking and working limits, but it is strongly advised that you stay below the working load of the frailest piece of the tie-down set. This ensures that components don’t break under the added stress of force being applied from various angles. This force is generated primarily from your vehicle turning but also considers wind and road variability.
What are the most important factors to consider when purchasing ratchet straps?
Ratchet straps are relatively simple products, but the quality of the materials used in building them is extremely consequential. The strength of ratchet straps comes from the construction of the locking mechanism, the strap’s material composition, and the hook. The strap is usually made of a polyester base supplemented by a stronger material, such as nylon or silk. Since polyester stretches up to 10% of its resting length, composites ensure enough rigidity to prevent snapping. Second, safe transit is made all the more likely with a wide-mouthed hook or a hook with a latch. While tension should be enough to hold your straps in place, the added peace of mind afforded by a sturdy hook is worth the investment. Lastly, a ratchet’s locking mechanism should be made of steel, generously lubricated, and ideally inspected by a third party for compliance.
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