Best Ratchet Tie Down ?

[427HISS]

I want to step up to better strap vs my old cheap worn our ones.

The Retractable type is what I want. Way better than having the long flying strap flying in the wind as you're driving !
I'd like four good quality over one or two expensive ones.
Either 10' or 15'. I only have a midsize truck, Dodge quad cab.

I looked on Amazon for either the small ratchet and the large hand size type. I don't load motorcycles or race cars on trailers anymore, so now just furniture, lumber, home DIY, etc,..that's not needing real heavy loads.

I don't need expensive high lb. straps.

Here's one site for reviews.

https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-ratchet-tie-downs

HD-

https://www.homedepot.com/s/Retractable%20Ratchet%20Tie%20D

own%2520Strap?NCNI-5

Amazon-

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B011BHNU5W/ezvid02-20

Erickson's I like-(video)

WESSEL INDUSTRIES QL3000 Quick Loader Retractable Tie Down, 1"/15'
Is nice, but 60 bucks for one, so no.

 

[malibu101]

I've had a few of the Reese CarryPower straps for a few years. I use them often and like them.
Label says they're 10' long, 1200 lbs maximum load, 400 lbs working load.

 

[The Cobbler]

I like Erickson straps.

 

[427HISS]

I like Erickson straps.

That's a CAT in the pic,...not a strap. lol

 

[mikeinri]

Never knew there were retractable straps. What's different about them from the regular ones (besides the obvious), how do they work differently?

Mike

 

[riceaterSLC]

I have a bunch of the Reese straps and a couple from HF that they don’t sell anymore. The Reese straps have been used to haul bikes for the past decade or so. The winding springs are getting a little weak but still perform as the should. I’d recommend them.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Check out Mac's Tie Downs. I buy all my straps from them. Made in USA excellent quality and not stupid expensive either.

 

[Kasal]

Never knew there were retractable straps. What's different about them from the regular ones (besides the obvious), how do they work differently?

Mike

+ 1 totally unknown in my country (and that I work in the transport sector).

 

[BMack37]

Quickloader is really good.

Smartstraps is pretty good too, they have them at Lowe's but here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/SmartStraps-10-Foot-Retractable-Ratchet-Strength/dp/B003QK3BJI

Keep in mind that this style is massive compared to a regular, non-retractable strap, I carry both...and some good quality bungees in my truck.

 

[thickhead]

I have bought from these guys with great luck. Able to spec exactly what Ive needed. https://www.lodimetals.com

 

[ChrisLS8]

I ordered some 16' ones from USAratchet. They look nice but aren't retractable. Haven't used them yet

 

[Bighead38]

Don’t see a need for retractable. Always just tied off the excess.

 

[finn]

Best ratchet straps I have came from the Waste management driver I got a parts truck from.

His regular route included Ohare field. Theair cargo handlers routinely discarded heavy blue straps after a few uses, and either set them aside for him or hi picked them before dumping the bin into his compactor truck.

No brand marking, though.

 

[Rattle]

Those retractable ones look neat. I have always used electrical tape for the tails.

 

[IndyGarage]

Best ratchet straps I have came from the Waste management driver I got a parts truck from.

His regular route included Ohare field. Theair cargo handlers routinely discarded heavy blue straps after a few uses, and either set them aside for him or hi picked them before dumping the bin into his compactor truck.

No brand marking, though.

Yup, aircraft grade are the best straps - by a longshot. I don't notice a whole lot of difference in the hardware, but the nylon is way better.

I bought a whole bin full of them from a guy a few years ago.

 

[Fatboy148]

Don’t see a need for retractable. Always just tied off the excess.

The retractable straps look pretty slick BUT I have trouble keeping the old school units lubed so they will release when I want them to, so I am having a hard time thinking the self retracting units will work well when used out in the weather.

Please enlighten....

With a quick search, the heaviest I saw had a 1100 pound WLL

https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Retract-NO-RATCHETING-10-Retractable-SELF-CONTAINED-Cargo-Strap-Tiedowns/dp/B077TY4L99/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[CJM8515]

I still have some no name walmart purchased brand I like. Things are over 15 years old by now and are zinc coated. I wish I had another set. Thousands of uses from hauling bikes, to cargo to whatever and no issues. Also have a set from sams club goodyear brand that are ok.



Im not a fan of the retractable ones, seen them freeze up or not hold. Too complicated really a mechanism i think.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I would say the ones you have when you need them.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

Check out Mac's Tie Downs. I buy all my straps from them. Made in USA excellent quality and not stupid expensive either.

Do you know where the ratchet assembly is made? I searched high and low for made in USA ratchet straps and found that many places say "custom made in USA" but when you email them about this, they reveal that they sew straps to length and add them to Chinese ratchets. I have yet to find a US made (or non Asian) ratchet mechanism, but I've also found the ratchet body is what gives the most trouble.

 

[kctyphoon]

I had no idea such a thing existed.. whatever slack was in the regular straps i used i would just make loose knots with to take up the slack, or tie off the ends. Problem solved..

Do those things actually work??

Edit - i just went to watch demo videos.. i have no idea what rock ive been living under.... Seems like they’d be great unless that spring breaks...

 

[Lucid Moments]

Do you know where the ratchet assembly is made? I searched high and low for made in USA ratchet straps and found that many places say "custom made in USA" but when you email them about this, they reveal that they sew straps to length and add them to Chinese ratchets. I have yet to find a US made (or non Asian) ratchet mechanism, but I've also found the ratchet body is what gives the most trouble.

I do not know. I looked on their website and all I see is that they are sewn in the US like you mention with no source for the ratcheting mechanism. I am a little disappointed at that now that I am aware of it.

 

[427HISS]

Those retractable ones look neat. I have always used electrical tape for the tails.

I've always used a zip tie after folding the strap. Worked, but I'm wanting new school, not old school.

 

[427HISS]

One reason I like the Erickson is they come with a storage case to keep them dry & clean if I store them in the bed of my truck.

Here's a video about them.

 

[Brno8x57]

I have older ones from HF that I really like. They occasionally have them in stock. Decent quality. I also got some Erickson recently, three times the price and slightly better than HF.

 

[1cargarage]

I've been using cam straps for years (no big stacks of lumber, usually just furniture, the occasional machine or toolbox). They're just as strong and take up very little space. They get as tight as you can pull on them.

If I have a bundle of something, I'll wrap the ends with ~5" shrink wrap. That stuff has crazy tensile strength after a few go-arounds.

As far as the extra length of strapping, just put it under the ratchet before you do your final tightening - corrals the mess & protects your load from the metal ratchet scratching/dinging it.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

The problem with cam clamps is that you have to get Good Ones . The only place I found that sold them was Western Canoeing.

 

[1cargarage]

The problem with cam clamps is that you have to get Good Ones.

Just like most things in life. Nothing scarier than cheap bungee cords, cheap pry bars, and power take offs

 

[427HISS]

Just like most things in life. Nothing scarier than cheap bungee cords, cheap pry bars, and power take offs

HF has some pretty nice quality tools and really crappy **** too.
But, like everything else, you get what you pay for.

 

[Rattle]

I've always used a zip tie after folding the strap. Worked, but I'm wanting new school, not old school.

totally understand you wanting new school. Would be interested in what you end up with and how you like them. Especially after a bit of use.

 

[electroman187]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S4D24PS/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07S4D24PS&pd_rd_w=oIWSF&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=H91iR&pf_rd_r=VQ2P8WX8WN0H2T2Y230N&pd_rd_r=b10ebc6a-f6aa-4982-82f1-b0d7e09b9cd0&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWTdYV0E1NkxEN0U1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTE0MjY5MjFLS0lXS0pUSUo3NyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzE3NTUxMlZFT0c5TllVUEQzTSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

These ones look like a great value. Not self-retracting but self-storing. I can live with that and appreciate the cost savings.

 

[Wamsutta]

There's another brand called KINEDYNE that the trucking companies use. I'm not yelling either; the company prefers to use all capital letters.

https://www.kinedyne.com

 

[427HISS]

I have the Erickson 04418 Pro Series ready to buy on Amazon account. I'll try them and let you guys know my thoughts.

Now, what about different tie down anchors for the bottom of truck beds ?
My 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab has hooks on each corner on the bottom bed.
Their ok, but I'd like more mounting areas. I have a roll up vinyl Tonneau bed cover, so I don't know if any mounts will fit on the top of the bed ?

What type do you have, why and links to it would be great.

 

[Dozerhand]

Ancra used to be a good name in tiedowns. I don't know if they still are.