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Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
I am not a fan of "ratchet straps". It's way too easy to over tighten stuff. And of course, if you don't wind the ratchet up enough they can easily slip loose.
I still swear by the original Ancra tie downs with a cam buckle.
And if you want a carabiner on the end, I have also used Pro Taper tie downs for years. Basically fantastic for use on a motorcycle.
But if you just must have a ratchet strap... in my opinion Mac Tie Downs are the best. ;-) These are actually MADE IN THE USA. I'll admit to owning a bunch of these for when I must use a ratchet strap.
I still swear by the original Ancra tie downs with a cam buckle.
And if you want a carabiner on the end, I have also used Pro Taper tie downs for years. Basically fantastic for use on a motorcycle.
But if you just must have a ratchet strap... in my opinion Mac Tie Downs are the best. ;-) These are actually MADE IN THE USA. I'll admit to owning a bunch of these for when I must use a ratchet strap.
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OP
I am not a cam buckle guy... And while it's unreasonable on my part, they just never feel secure to me.
Mac Tie Downs though... I haven't tried those. Thanks for the tip!
I don't think I'd trust a cam buckle to hold my Chevelle to the trailer, boxes int eh back on the truck possibly, but why have two different styles. Just don't go ape **** on the ratchet and you're golden.
Mainiac Mat
Well-known member
I learned the hard way... don't buy ratchet straps unless they are stainless steel. No paint... no zinc coated... real stainless steel.
They are a royal PITA when they rust up on you.
They are a royal PITA when they rust up on you.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I use cam buckles only for stuff I want tight but not too tight, which is mainly my canoes. Other than bow/stern lines (rope), it's ratcheting tie downs for me. My latest batch are husky (black and red) and the quality seems great. Keeping them stored out of the weather makes a huge difference
engineer2
Well-known member
If you want made in USA, check out Snappin Turtle tie downs
They were started by a company selling GM restoration parts.
They were started by a company selling GM restoration parts.
tinmanwpk
Well-known member
Maniac Mat, who makes good quality stainless steel ratchet straps?
Jmellc
Well-known member
I never saw stainless ones. Must cost a fortune. I've had pretty good luck with whatever brands I found at Home Depot. I discard 1 or 2 straps a year if and when they rust out.
southalabama
Well-known member
Matt's Straps
Be one of the first to pick up Matt's Straps and lock down your off road rig securely every time.
mattsstraps.com
jabberwoki
Well-known member
I love it , made in USA for the win.
Now if i can just find some American made tarps i`d be stoked.
Now if i can just find some American made tarps i`d be stoked.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Lots come up in a quick Google search. This is just one
Products
Tarp Nation makes the BEST heavy duty canvas, heavy duty vinyl, heavy duty mesh, super strong poly, and custom tarpaulins. All Tarp Nation tarps are Proudly Made in the USA! Find your perfect tarp, cover, debris carriers and more here!
tarpnation.net
OP
Lots come up in a quick Google search. This is just one
Products
Tarp Nation makes the BEST heavy duty canvas, heavy duty vinyl, heavy duty mesh, super strong poly, and custom tarpaulins. All Tarp Nation tarps are Proudly Made in the USA! Find your perfect tarp, cover, debris carriers and more here!
These tarps are actually dope. I have one that’s been holding up great outside over the past 5 years or so.
Likely fine for holding your cooler down or a hundred pound lawnmower, but not working on heavier stuff.
We use a version of those for securing 55 gallon drums together on pallets at work. They are a pain to get snug vs a ratchet.
tinmanwpk
Well-known member
I agree. I've had cam locks loosen up over a long drive. That happened to me once. Never again, it's ratchet straps only.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Interesting how different experiences on stuff like this is. I've driven thousands of miles, including multi day trips with cam locks securing cargo and never had a problem. I trust them, but always run enough tie downs that a failure of one wouldn't matter at all
ZRX61
Well-known member
Good timing, been needing some new straps as I broke a couple. Went with the lime green version 
Augus7us
Well-known member
Interesting conversation. I've used cam style my whole life for dirt bikes, so has everyone I know.
The rhino straps look nice, priced reasonably and come in orange and black. I may have to pick me up a set on my next amazon order.
The rhino straps look nice, priced reasonably and come in orange and black. I may have to pick me up a set on my next amazon order.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Those are just a more expensive branded version of theseMatt's Straps
Be one of the first to pick up Matt's Straps and lock down your off road rig securely every time.
Been using em for two years to strap down motorcycles, everything from 270 lb dual sports to 900 lb gold wings. Super stout. The Tank Strap version is $65 per pair, so $130 for a set of four vs $200 for Matt's Straps.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Actually, you can buy the Tank Strap directly from SRK for $48 per pair or $76 for a set of four
The best tie down straps for motorcycles
tank strap. this is the best way to secure your motorcycle. how to transport your harley davidson, dyna , ultra classic , street glide, flhx,flhxs, road king , road glide, honda, suzuki, kawasaki, yamaha, super glide, srkcycles, bikes and beards, sean kerr, harley owe rider, harley sportster.
thetankstrap.com
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Never really had any problems with ratchet straps, I by whatever and just use them. Always like to buy usa made stuff, still have a bunch of keeper usa ratchet straps, just keep clean and lubed and they just work, even the HD husky work ok. To me they are a consumable, replace as needed.
Yooper920
Member
If the ratchet and cam lock straps from Mac's Tie-Downs are anything like their UTV tie down systems, they are a winner.
Bought a set to trailer our Polaris UTV and they are extremely well made.....In the USA
Bought a set to trailer our Polaris UTV and they are extremely well made.....In the USA
OP
Literally every motorcycle guy I know uses cam style as well... And they do it without batting an eye which is why I say my concerns are probably unfounded.
I think a lot of this stuff really comes down to how different people experience the world. I've always used ratchet straps, never had a problem, and so... I just still use ratchet straps.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
I have used cam locks on motorcycles and yep they work great there. But a motorcycle is an anomaly in cargo, softly sprung and light weight (as cargo goes). The cams work fine when you can "load" them [eg: fork spring pressure]. I have used them with ratchet straps so you can load them with the ratchets placed opposite the cams on sub #1000 loads, over that, big ratchets or chains with ratchet/screw binders, toggle binders just aren't adjustable enough for proper load tension [supplemental only]. As for rust, in regular use if the manufacturers load ratings aren't visible on the strap they aren't legal, and in the sun that is ~2 years [Cadmium?] plated steel is fine in that time span. Kept protected from the sun/weather the junk ones last for many years, though the more they are used the faster they deteriorate as one would/should expect. Harry
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I'm sold on Mac's tie downs. Actually made in the USA, and not terribly expensive. When posed the idea that I was going to tie down my $50k toy on my $6k trailer getting towed with my $80k truck to spend God knows what on fuel and then balk at spending $200-ish dollars on legit tie downs? Seems like cheap insurance to me. What really sold me was watching the beefy hardware on their straps fail in a tensile test before the actually webbing failed. The imported competitor failed looooong before theirs. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That's interesting. When I had my bike, I always used ratchets to compress the front forks and would probably do the same now. Are the folks you are talking about pushing down on the forks as they pull the cam tight, or doing something else?
1st time I used Macs was a couple years ago, trailered my Lightning 3000 miles round trip from Texas to Maryland and back. Still using them, they are good stuff.
Attachments
I bought an 8-pack of 1" ratchet straps from Northern Tool about 6-ish years ago on sale. I really wish I remembered the brand, because they have been amazing. I still use them all the time, and they are still in great shape. 4-5 of them live in my truck full time.
Cam buckles are trash. I used them when I was a teenager too young and dumb to know the difference. They work OK on motorcycles, only because the loaded suspension on the bike keeps them taught.
Seems like anything I haul anymore requires a 2" strap at minimum, or chains and binders.
Cam buckles are trash. I used them when I was a teenager too young and dumb to know the difference. They work OK on motorcycles, only because the loaded suspension on the bike keeps them taught.
Seems like anything I haul anymore requires a 2" strap at minimum, or chains and binders.
Smaller straps, like 1" for cargo, I have some Jegs brand that have held up well. The other brand I have used that I have had good luck with is Erickson.
Get some of the thinner straps and the UV light really seems to wreak havoc on them.
Big 2" straps for vehicles, I have some yellow ones from TSC. Generally for the JD but used them to bring a new donor car home from Tn, 7-8 hours and no issues. I have some nicest blue straps in the enclosed trailer, not sure what brand.
Get some of the thinner straps and the UV light really seems to wreak havoc on them.
Big 2" straps for vehicles, I have some yellow ones from TSC. Generally for the JD but used them to bring a new donor car home from Tn, 7-8 hours and no issues. I have some nicest blue straps in the enclosed trailer, not sure what brand.
Augus7us
Well-known member
I agree and I also think it depends on what you typically transport.
I have a pair of cam style tie downs that I leave in the bed of the truck. I use them all the time to hold down a few 2x4s, propane tank, corner bead. Stuff that I think a ratchet strap would be overkill on. And I don't think I'd leave a nice set of ratchet straps in the bed of the truck to get ruined or stolen out of a parking lot.
That said I do have a nice assortment of various ratchet straps, chain binders, etc. But I only use those for large tool purchases
JeepinMike
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2007
- Messages
- 67
For anyone looking for more variety, I've had good luck with ratchets and straps from here - https://www.lodimetals.com/. Ratchet and Strap purchased separately. My equipment trailer doesn't have rings, I have rails. Chain ends on the ratchet work well on that end.
Then I went with swiveling hooks on the Jeep side.
Different colors are available (I picked orange, because I haven't seen many orange straps in case they get picked up accidentally by someone else...).
-mike
Then I went with swiveling hooks on the Jeep side.
Different colors are available (I picked orange, because I haven't seen many orange straps in case they get picked up accidentally by someone else...).
-mike
Right you are Jmellc, here is the link for some stainless ones I found, they look really good but pricey:
Has anybody used these retractable ones? Seem they should be easier to take care of (and use, I always loop the strap in the wrong direction):
I used to use the cam buckle type all the time... until the rainy day an entire load of lumber slipped off the back of the truck right in the middle of an intersection. Since then I use ratchet straps, haven't lost a load since. Just can't get enough down pressure with cam buckles to increase the friction and keep the load from sliding.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Received the Rhino's two days ago, I think they would have been maybe 5% cheaper if they didn't include enough Rhino stickers to cover a toolchest.. One is enough FFS, the other 5 went in the trash.
For anyone looking for more variety, I've had good luck with ratchets and straps from here - https://www.lodimetals.com/. Ratchet and Strap purchased separately. My equipment trailer doesn't have rings, I have rails. Chain ends on the ratchet work well on that end.
You can make any 2" strap into these without buying the whole setup. I just bought the ends for some of mine:
2 Pack G70 12" Ratchet Extension Chain for Car Hauler Trailer Tow Truck Wrecker | eBay
CHAIN & BINDER & HOOK. Transport Chain Grade 70. Unique Uses Transportation; towing, logging, oil rigs, and safety chain applications. Transportation Chains make your job easier and give you peace of mind when you know your cargo, load is secured by Grade 70 chain links and grab hooks with the...
www.ebay.com
Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
I once bought some off-brand cam buckle straps and had them loosen in the rain. But I've never had trouble with Ancra or Pro-Taper or other quality name brand cam buckle straps. But I agree strapping a motorcycle down on it's suspension is different from a non-compressible load like lumber!
That said, I have had even quality ratchet straps slip loosen on me. Ratchet straps hold by the wraps of the strap compressing and holding. I've read you need more than 2 full revolutions of wrapping around the mandrel of a ratchet strap to be secure. My failures happened because I didn't understand that and the strap slipped loose.
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mwalsh9152
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 14, 2016
- Messages
- 349
I use 1" straps all the time for my side business. Always ratchets, because I want them tight holding things down on my trailer so they dont become projectiles on the highway. In a pinch I recently bought some Stanley straps a few months ago, and they are garbage. The old school orange Home Depot ones just keep on chugging though.
I was looking at the Rhino's a little while ago to replace all of mine, but managed to give myself analysis paralysis. I should just pick them up and be done with it.
I was looking at the Rhino's a little while ago to replace all of mine, but managed to give myself analysis paralysis. I should just pick them up and be done with it.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
If you are the "HAPPY" recipient of a "Road Side Rectal Exam" by the authorities, the handle must be in the locked position or the "Authorities" will see the straps as though they are loose in the bottom of the trailer. I see loads driving around with the handles up in the air all the time, that's just begging for the exam mentioned above. The same applies with less than regulated number of wraps as VV spoke to. Some one* above asked about the "self storing/spring loaded recoil" the only problem I see with the few I've looked at is "Price" [go figure] and they seem to have a reduced capacity, IIRC 2" at #2000 WLL instead of the typical #3350 WLL for only Double (+) the price. Plastic spring clamps [Zip Ties are even safer choice but a single use weapon] from the Dollar store work and are cheaper, allowing me to stretch my hold down budget, 4 Straps for the price of 2 Self Storing ones. As an added FYI tip, if the Mfg. markings are illegible they don't count as in they aren't even there in their eyes. Harry
*[Post #38 AlterEgo] Spring Clamps: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-H...amps-Vises-Clamps/Spring/N-5yc1vZc266Z1z0r0cf Dollarama used to stock these for $1
*[Post #38 AlterEgo] Spring Clamps: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-H...amps-Vises-Clamps/Spring/N-5yc1vZc266Z1z0r0cf Dollarama used to stock these for $1
For another made in USA option I didn't catch being mentioned, I recently got some PowerTye straps (these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CJ1ZD38/?tag=atomicindus08-20). So far they've just been used to hold down a dog crate in the back of my SUV so I can't claim to have really tested them though. Looks like they do make stainless versions too.
Thanks for sharing! They seem to be reasonably priced for being made in the USA, the retractable set is on my list!