Harbor Freight E-Track and Tie Down Ring Review Item 66726 and 66728

[@audiotechlabs4650]

As always, your experience gives a guy like me a heads up on how to make things work! Thank you for sharing! Thankz

[@ghostses]

Thanks man! Glad to share anything that might help folks out. Good to hear from you, G.

[@MrJonjonoo7]

I ran into the same issue. I ended up cutting some 3/8 ply into .75" x 2.75" spacers. Placed 6 throughout the track and that solved the problem with the accessories not clicking in. For what it's worth. Hope it helps someone. Thanks for the video.

[@ghostses]

Good tip Jean! Thanks for the comment. Take care, G.

[@Mach141]

June 2020. Just bought some Harbor Freight e track. It is of questionable quality, the hole spacing is off, but its available locally and relatively reasonably priced. My accessories do fit without grinding down, but a bit on the snug side and might have to push them a bit to get installed. Hole spacing being off isn't a big deal to me, your using self tapping screws anyway, just drill right through the track at the correct location

[@ghostses]

Good info Chis! Glad the accessories are working for you- albeit snug. Take care, G.

[@otway00]

I found the silver tie down rings a PITA to get into the trac while the gold color tie down rings easy to get in. I have etracs from Harbor Freight and another source

[@ghostses]

That's cool Greg. Try filing or sanding the ones that don't fit. That's what I had to do. Good luck, G.

[@AztecWarrior69_69]

I'm curious as to why you didn't just add a washer in between the track and wall. that way you never have to grind/sand anything. Plus in a pinch when you happen to need other accessories you can just use them with no problems. Thanx for the info.

[@ghostses]

I simply didn't think of it George...lol. That's a great solution! Take care, G.

[@Joshua79C]

Add a washer, think about it, what about the gaps you create between each securement point to mount it, you are going to run into a few issues, one namely the spacing which will decrease the tracks working load and overall strength. Best to use a thin piece of wood or plastic stripping which since your going to need to drill holes anyway, those two would work best compared to foam or rubber which will not dampen noise when you bang metal on metal or offer added strength on top of the rails own strength. Another method would be to mark the wall where the mounting holes will be and take out a router and remove that 1/16 or 3/32 of an inch for that extra space keeping the wood mainly in tact, you are already going to have to repanel with new wood when the original panels get worn out to the point after some years anyway. Just make sure with strips you use wide enough for the mounting screw or bolt to grab but not so it stick out unsightly or gets in the way where the securement cutouts are or impede the securements clearance requirements when putting them in for use.

[@Joshua79C]

US Cargo Control sells 5 foot for a dollar less but does not have discount coupons, but at least they take the time to make sure their products are good quality and you will not have any issue like with HF buyers experience. Yeah a simple washer may do, but that would create space between the screw in points and allow the track to bend if you overload it, so it would be best to use a thin strip of wood or plastic to fill in the gap points since you do not have to screw into every hole, all you need is two or three spacing, since your going to predrill anyway to make it easier for the screws to go in, the wood or plastic spacer would not give you any issues but add to the cost of what you already paid for the track. Of course nothing is created perfectly the spacing issue between the track and wall is likely due to unevenness of the particle or ply sheet wall. Still does not hurt to also router out that space along the wall where the securement clips go for that extra space as well.

[@ghostses]

Good tips and options Joshua! Thanks for the info. Good luck, G.

[@Joshua79C]

No Problem, although I do not shop HF but at least it gives me another place for price and quality comparison and customer opinions/reviews but seeing how ify most the stuff they offer is and their CS control is, I rather shop in Store and have it shipped there instead of going through the web so the management person at the store personally knows me and would better understand my own opinion. I am not one to write my own review seeing how many others write their own, but I do from time to time get a new product sales and quality review going. I have had no issues with e-track in the trucking industry since the manufacturer personnel if they install it for you (much like Featherlight and Kentucky do for many customers with their special orders and specs) take the time to assure it up to working order before its handed over to us. Even if it was an aftermarket instal and ran into a noticeable issue that could get worse, then I took the time to let management or the shop guy know so they can check it out themself and fix it if it needs be. Anyway thought I would let others know who also suggested this for future readers to realize you DO NOT want spacing in the track when attacking to an already finished trailer since though in some truck and trailer I have used with the bare interior with simple wood slats were of higher gauge and so already inherently strong themselves, but were bolted instead of screwed to the uprights. Since consumer grade is a lower gauge/quality and less strong but still strong enough for its intended use, but also helps to use the strongest screws (machine type) for added strength when securing along with the 1/16th or 1/8th strips for spacer instead of washers on such a nice finish interior.

[@ghostses]

Joshua, I've done tons or reviews of their products- and for the most part have been satisfied with my purchases. I do have to modify or correct some issue(s) here and there but for the price I'm OK with it. You're thoughts are greatly appreciated! It does help others know what to look for and their options. Take care, G.

[@johnpower8356]

I installed 4 10' sections e trac (not HF) in my 24' haulmark enclosed trailer at 24" up the walls, i did run into some frames not at 16" for some reason but the ends lined up with frame and most holes had frame, just a few were off, had to drill so idk also i welded the e trac pieces where they butt together for extra strength so theres 20' of e trac each side, imagine the strength of the these screwed every 16" when i put a strap across from 1 side to the other it pulls the walls in, what an incredible system

[@ghostses]

Super cool! Sounds like you've made up a great setup for your needs. Good luck and take care, G.

[@ttfweb1]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about how I might use this in my shop.

[@ghostses]

No Problem! I'm sure you can dream something up! G.

[@davidhazen8251]

One thing to note is that the "E-Track" components sold by Harbor Freight are made by Haulmaster, they are not true Erickson made E-track parts. That said, one would think that since both parts are made by the same company (Haulmaster) that they would actually fit together. Just one of the quirks you have to deal with when buying discount from Harbor Freight.

[@ghostses]

That's true David! One would think the HF track and accessories would be compatible. I just deal with the problem to save some money. I bet they will take care of it in due time. Good luck, G.

[@Joshua79C]

I looked up all I can and Haulmaster is not its own brand, it seems to he a HF brand name. Also it could be possible that all track of this style is made by a mystery China manufacturer and is labeled like many other items sold by many outfits according to the company as to their own private label. Much like Champion Hoists is just the same as Ironton and Dragon something, even Norther Tool which sells many of the same as HF as I said each use their own Private labels for commonly sold items that many retailers offer. The only difference is what you pay to buy from whom you purchase from and their customer service rating.

[@MRrwmac]

Like how you told everyone how they could easily make the clips work on that track. Funny how HF numbered the track and the clips and item 66727 is the strap. So they covered the hole gambit of securing things in those 3 consecutive numbers. Haha.

[@ghostses]

Thanks Mac! I didn't notice the numbering, but you're correct. Take care, G.

[@daveknowshow]

very helpful i had no idea hf sold that track and tie down rings. i have track in my van but no tie down rings. guess i will be heading to HF.

[@ghostses]

Thanks Dave! With a coupon, the rings are a really good deal. If you get any, let me know if they fit your track well. Good luck, G.

[@daveknowshow]

thanks i sure will

[@ghostses]

Good deal Dave! G.

[@jimanddiana4103]

Very helpful and well made video. Complete. Thanks very much.

[@ghostses]

Thanks Jim and Diana! Glad you found it helpful. Take care, G.

[@samhane11]

thank you for making the video. it was educational

[@ghostses]

No problem! G.

[@jza61nick]

Here in 2020. In the market for some e-tracks. Ill post here if I end up going with HF

[@ghostses]

Please do Nick! Good luck, G.

[@xGR1MxREAPERx]

Do not use harbor freight.. why grind stuff to make it work. Go to Us cargo control. 8’ sections of galvanized are the same price and are way thicker 12 gauge and are spaced correctly I cannot for the life of me understand why people go to harbor freight for these. Every review says they don’t allow things to attach properly. Do not grind or cut things to make it work.. buy the right product to start with, especially when it’s the same price of cheaper and way better quality

[@jza61nick]

I ended up not needing these for the intended build, but I do agree that a superior product for the same price is obviously a better choice. The thing is that when I was shopping for them that simply was not the case. Local to me the HF price was literally half of other off the shelf options. It then becomes a question of how much time it take to make the HF product work correctly for your application. For what I intended to do it seemed like I wouldn't have to do anything to it.

[@jza61nick]

@@xGR1MxREAPERx ..

[@FactsMattersUSA]

Not true. I used HF and never had any issues. Maybe you guys are referring to the old style tracks but now in 2022. The E Tracks at Hf works perfect

[@hardnox6655]

Thanks for the informative review.

[@ghostses]

No problem! Hope it helps, G.

[@sergiogarcia7171]

Would this work on a uhaul truck? Like to haul furniture? Or is the wall of the uhaul truck not too thick.

[@ghostses]

Sorry Sergio- I wouldn't know. Good luck, G.

[@michaelking42]

Good video, thank you!

[@ghostses]

Thanks again Michael! Take care, G.

[@danielperez-wu6qq]

Great job.

[@ghostses]

Thanks Daniel. Take care, G.

[@Pawsforreal]

glad i watched this

[@ghostses]

Thanks James! Good luck, G.

[@buddywalstad7658]

Good video, I'm not hating on you when I say this but too long of an intro man.

[@ghostses]

Thanks Buddy! It's just my style. Take care, G.