Tie Down Straps

If you're towing then there is a pretty good chance that you are also strapping down cargo. I have been hauling motorcycles for a couple of decades now and thought I would share what works for me.

First of all, I like the cam-buckle type of strap. I know that there are guys who prefer the ratchet type but those have failed me in the past. So for years I used a no-name generic cam-buckle strap without issue but I always check them whenever I stop for gas.

My old straps were getting a little ratty and I was in the market for some new straps and came across and bought 1.5 inch Powertye straps. I love these straps!

I recently hauled my Harley full dresser 1600 miles without incident. The Powertyes are made in the USA and I am not at all affiliated with the company, I'm just a happy customer.

 

Those may be ok for holding cargo that probably won't go anywhere anyway, but they won't do any good for tying down cargo that needs TENSION.

I think if you had ratchet straps fail, it is probably because you had too small of ratchet straps. I've seen some ratchet straps that I sure wouldn't trust, and others that just don't hold up well (snap-on straps are CRAP, the side plate is much too thin as a lever, and they bend).

Something like this, for instance; http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/2-in-x-20-ft-10-000-lb-ratchet-tie-down/A-p8540742e

 

It looks like you could strap down an elephant with those!

One of my concerns with ratchet straps in motorcycle applications is the tendency to over-tighten and the possibility of blowing out the fork seals. I knew there would be guys like you that prefer the ratchet straps and that's fine, I just wanted to show what works for me.

 

I prefer Ratchets way over anything else. I had a cam fail on me once. Kept the strap (it works with my ratchets). The cam went in the garbage can. I give my ratchets a shot of WD-40 once a year, no problems with them engaging or releasing

 

You handled that very eliquently.

 

I use both, depending on what i'm hauling is the kind of strap i use. I used a ratchet strap on a deep freezer and put a crease the size of the strap width on the front corner.

 

Cam buckle straps are illegal for exposed cargo use on road and highway in Ontario, Canada. There is a $175 fine (and maybe more) for an unsecured cargo.

I had a cop tailgate me once (no lights on) just to see if I had appropriate weight-rated ratchet straps holding down my zero turn mower. He even pulled up along side my trailer to see if it was hooked up properly to the truck (crossed safety chains with spring lock hooks pointing up, clevis pin lock on receiver, etc.). He passed, gave me a thumbs up out the window, and took off.

 

LOL.... a quality cam buckle will hold anything you need to secure. They were originally made to tie down small aircraft to the tarmac. I've got a set of Ancra's that over 30 years old and will hold down anything your truck should be hauling. As far as ratchet types (and cam buckles) "blowing out fork seals" just use a brace.

 

I have a variety of ratchet straps in the truck all the time. I have a few that have a relatively low weight rating for the kayaks, furniture, snowblower, lawn tractor, etc. I also have some 10,000 lb breaking point ones.

Ratchet straps are so easy to use and they're inexpensive so I have never bothered with anything else.

 

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I have a bag full of misc straps and a lot of rubber bungee cords.

FWIW... On lighter loads, I put a zillion bungee cords on it, like a spider web to ALL bed connectors to balance loads on connectors.

I also keep "solid foam swimming pool noodles" to load things with bumpers.

OP.. I like your aluminum flat bed trailer. Needed that before now.. Just curious what brand is it?? Thanks

 

Thanks, it's a great trailer just a bit wider than I'd like. It is an Aluma MC210 and I recently upgraded from a single to a tandem one.

 

I have both cams and ratchets. I use the cams for quick securing of things from sliding such as a cooler in the bed. Anything that CAN NOT MOVE, however will only ever see a ratchet. I have never had a cam fully fail, but have had them loosen quite a bit. Yes if you are a idiot you can severely over tighten a ratchet, so I just don't over tighten them....

 

canyon dancers ftw

 

???WTF???

 

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/910...e=&network=g&gclid=CKToi-bch84CFQiQaQodlZoGMw

???

 

They are a very popular method for securing a motorcycle for transport. Allows you to attach straps to the handgrips of a bike.

 

Best way to secure a mc imo

 

I agree, on motorcycles I always use cam style with canyon dancer. Everything else is ratchet