That’s Not Goin’ Anywhere.
SECURING YOUR LOAD, AND YOUR STRAPS.
If you’re reading this, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re no stranger to hauling stuff. From greenfeed bales to bundles of fence posts, if you’ve got to get something done, chances are you end up hauling something somewhere. No matter what you haul, there are three things that always ring true: your load needs to be tied down, you end up with more ratchet strap as a tail than you used to strap the load down, and everyone has their own way to deal with the extra strap. Here are a few tips for taking care of the tail of your ratchet strap you can try next time you’re hauling.
To start though, you need the right straps for the job. We’ve all been on the road behind a heavy load strapped down with straps that looked like they could go at any second, don’t be that guy or gal. Make sure that the working load, often 1/3 of the breaking strength, is enough to cover the weight of your load.
Now that you’re loaded up and strapped down, let’s deal with those long strap ends.
Method 1: Handle Pinch.
- Take the end of the strap and fold it back to the ratchet so that it half the length, continue folding in half until the tail is only about a foot long.
- Open the ratchet so the handle is 90° to the strap securing the load. Thread the folded tail back through the ratchet mechanism halfway and then close the ratchet.
Method 2: Spool and Knot.
- Take the end of the strap and roll it, keeping about a 6” empty space in the middle of the spool, until there is about 1 ½’ left from the ratchet.
- Reach through the Pull the center of the spool and pull the remaining 1 ½’ of the strap through.
- Take the loop that is coming through the center of the spool and pull it back completely over the spool and pull it snug. You can lay the secured spool on your trailer deck or wedge it between the tensioned strap and your load.
Method 3: Roll and twist.
- Take the end of the strap and roll it back flat on itself so that you have a section about 12-14” long. Continue rolling it back over itself, until most of the strap is rolled up flat.
- When you reach the ratchet, take the roll around the backside of the strap that has tension on it and feed the roll halfway through the loop that is formed next to the ratchet.
- With the roll on the front side of the strap and halfway through the loop, simply twist the roll towards you until it is as snug as you can get it.
There, you’re set. No more yellow streamers dangling off the side of your trailer or getting caught up in your wheels. If you’ve got another way to secure the end of the strap, that’s great. If you’re going to try one of these tips, then we’re happy we could help.
