One of the indispensable elements of equipment used for securing and lifting cargos are the ratchet tie down straps. It makes heavy cargo lifting easier to control and manage. Don’t ever try to lift heavy cargo without them because you will be forced to spend more time and effort in doing the work.
Types of ratchet tie down straps
The work of securing and lifting heavy objects varies widely since the weights of heavy objects are not the same. To take care of these differences, manufacturers of tie down straps have made different types of straps.
Some straps are made for light-duty work such as securing or lifting kayaks and other lighter objects. Other straps are designed for heavy-duty work such as those used in securing and lifting cars, big equipment and so forth.
The trucking industry uses the strongest ratchet tie down straps since their trucks haul heavy cargos and there is a need to secure them while they are being loaded or unloaded and even while they are in transit.
These ratchet tie down straps are also supplied with a wide variety of hooks which ensure that for every kind of lifting there is a right type of anchor point. The straps need to be tightened to the object that is being secured or lifted. If not, accidents could occur. This work is done by the ratchet or a cam buckle.
Choosing the Right Strap
When selecting the right strap for a certain object, consider the following:
* The weight of the object
* The type hook you are going to use
* The type of tightening you will use such as winches, ratchets, cam buckles
* The type of hooks you are going to use
* If the object requires extra protection
Uses of Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Tie down straps can be used for many things. They can tie down lightweight items such as cargo bags, surfboards or kayaks on roof racks of SUVs. You can also secure heavier objects such as large equipment, heavy furniture, RVs, motorcycles or even cars to trailers. But the strap that you need to use must depend on the type of object that you are going to secure, and its weight.
