Things that Work - Cheaply

I've been frustrated finding cargo straps that fit into the Toyota supplied bed cleats on the Tacoma. Most straps don't fit as the cleats are too wide. Finally though, I came across these and for $ 6 apiece you can't beat 'em. They fit in the cleats like Toyota themselves made 'em.

I picked up one of these at Wal-Mart for a test a few weeks ago (40" size) and am using them now instead of my ratchet and camlock web straps to secure cargo. Soft edges protect delicate cargo such as fine furniture. They're cheap, too - and easy to find all over town.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/super-fat-...T2&zmam=15972153&zmas=21&zmac=129&zmap=17466G

 

Good to know, I'll have to pick some of these up

 

I like my ratchet straps... I don't do delicate furniture lol... I just crank on it until it doesn't move.

 

I use my truck to haul fragile and durable stuff all the time. I have 4 different sets of tie downs that all find their way into action at some point. I have NEVER had a problem fitting the hook into the bed cleat...not once. And when hauling 2 dirt bikes, I sometimes have two hooks in one cleat.

2 sets of tie downs were purchased at Lowes. Just a basic ratchet.
1 set is a cam buckle type and gets lighter duty (I don't trust the cam)

And my work horses are a set of 15' x 1-1/2" x 3000# ratchet tie downs that I got at Sams Club. They are GoodYear brand and generally sell for $20 for the set of 4. You cannot beat this deal and the quality of the strap. They have DOUBLE HOOKS and I have never had a problem fitting them in the cleats either.

 

Regular old ratchet straps work fine for me in any/all situations. Never had a problem getting them to hook up.

 

I hate ratchet straps... they always get tangled up when I try to use them.. Maybe it's just me. I have tons of bungee cables everywhere.

 

I use normal ratchet straps too, I put it through the cleat and connect the hook to the strap it self, this way the strap circles the cleat (if this makes sense). never had any issues

 

And my work horses are a set of 15' x 1-1/2" x 3000# ratchet tie downs that I got at Sams Club. They are GoodYear brand and generally sell for $20 for the set of 4. You cannot beat this deal and the quality of the strap. They have DOUBLE HOOKS and I have never had a problem fitting them in the cleats either.

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i have a set of these straps and they work great!

 

I've got these as well...how do you store them? I've got mine stuffed in an ammo can at the moment.

 

I've got mine nicely rolled up & tied sitting behind the rear seats, along with some recovery straps, etc. Never have a problem with ratchet straps, once I figure out which way they have to thread through the damned mechanism.

 

I think I see now what the OP was asking about...he threads the whole hook through the cleat. I just hook it on and have never had a problem.

Yeah, storing ratchet straps is a pain in the arse. I just wrap it around the ratchet and tuck it under the rear seats of my double cab. I have asked this question on several sites but never got a usable answer.

For the users of this particular model though...the 15' is usually too much. Wrap up the excess and tuck it under the big rubber handle on the ratchet. If closed all the way, there is usually enough force to hold the wrapped up excess under it (between the handle and the ratchet. Hard to explain but easy to figure out. Keeps it real clean back there.

I also keep 2 smaller ratchets and several bungees in the left lock box in the bed. And always one bungee stretched across my rear cleats (which I added) for stuff I haul regularly (case of beer, gas can, etc).

 

Ya, 15' is normally way too much. It's nice to have the extra length though.

My set fits pretty good in an old .50 cal ammo can. Compact, and easy to access

 

I don't understand the problem with the "don't fit in the cleats" I just use a 4 pack I picked up from walmart. Work fine.

Anywhoo.. what's the story with "storing them" The straps will fit 4-6 in the larger bed storage compartment.. I put a rag or 2 in there to stop rattling.