Car Tie Down Straps: Know Your Options Before You Buy One

Do you need to move a large cargo—your car perhaps? If you do, then you will need some way to secure it to ensure safe transport. Although there are many options available so you can do this, the best option nonetheless is car tie down straps.

Bungee cords, ropes, and chains may seem like good options. However, nothing beats the versatility and usefulness of car tie down straps. The next question is finding out which is the best one to purchase.

Here are a few ideas that might be helpful to you.

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Amount of Weight the Straps Can Handle

The amount of weight that tie-down straps can handle is called its working load limit (WLL). This limit is one of the important factors that you should consider. If the total weight of the vehicle or cargo you will tie down goes beyond the WLL of all the straps you are going to use, then chances are the straps will snap.

The WLL is not the total load limit of the car tie down straps that you will be using. The WLL indicated on the packaging indicates the safe amount of weight that the straps can hold—not the maximum capacity.

But you don’t want to push the straps to their max, to be safe. Here’s a pro tip: if you are moving a load of 1,000 lbs then get more than one strap and wheel chock kit that will have a total combined WLL of more than 1,000 lbs.

Tightening Methods

Tie down straps will have different tightening methods. This will depend on the type and design of the kit. Get the tie down kit that uses your preferred tightening method.

  1. Ratchet Straps: Features a ratcheting assembly which allows you to close both ends of the strap. You will then use a lever to fasten the straps, which provides a mechanical advantage for tightening and securing your cargo.
  2. Retractable Ratchet Straps: Works like ratchet straps. The big difference is that it has a kind of housing at the end so you can easily retract and contain the excess length of the straps.
  3. Cum Buckle Straps: These tie down straps work like belts and they are outfitted with a buckle and thumb release. You pull the strap to tighten and secure the load. To release,  you press the thumb release and feed the strap into it, which makes things a lot easier.
  4. Tie Down Winch Straps: These are the car tie down straps that are designed for heavy-duty applications. If you are moving a vehicle using a huge truck or if you are moving larger and heavier cargo, then its hook and anchor system will work well.

Type of Hooks Being Used

The type of cargo or transport vehicle will also play a big role in your choice of tie down straps. Remember that different cargo vehicles will have different tie down points. A tie down point is part of the vehicle (i.e. the anchor) where one of the ends of the straps will be attached to.

There are two types of hooks that you will have to choose from:

  • Flat Hooks
  • S and J Hooks

Flat Hooks: Flat hooks are your best option if your cargo vehicle or transport has the bumper, square stocks, angled irons, and flat anchor point options.

S and J Hooks: These hooks are shaped like the letters S and J, respectively. They work best for anchors that are thin metal plates as well as flat-bed anchor points.

Conclusion

When you are in the market for tie down straps, you need to select the right type of strap for the setup you are using. Pick the right one by WLL, hook type, and tightening method.

Ester Adams is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry.  She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.

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