How To Use And Store A Ratchet Strap - A Complete Step By Step Guide

Ratchet Straps are a simple device. They help us secure precious cargo that we don't want flying around in transit. For a lot of people ratchet straps can be a source of frustration and angst and they shouldn't be. While the device itself is simple in form and function, Information on how to use them is not readily available. I've purchased a lot of ratchet straps over the years, I don't remember any of them coming with instructions. Unless someone has sat down and taught you how to use a ratchet strap, it's a good bet you may not know how to use one properly. Unless you use them on a consistent basis, it's also a good bet that you may have forgotten how to use one properly. This is a step by step instructional video going through how I use and store my ratchet straps.
I hope this video helps alleviate some of the confusion and frustration next time you need to use a ratchet strap.
Thanks for watching!
If you learned something from this video please consider subscribing, sharing the video, or maybe giving me a like. It all helps, and I sure would appreciate it!

[@raysmyth8596]

Nice video, calm and well measured, very instructional.. If I may add a little. Always use the proper anchor points for the hooks, never the little metal hooks tack welded to the trailer. Those are intended for rope lashings to hold down tarpaulins, they are not rated for any loading (they are rather inviting though). If there are no designated anchor points, use an edge on the chassis. Always check the condition of the ratchets straps (before use), (a) ensure there are not cuts or significant abrasions on the edges, (b) knots in ratchet straps seriously degrade their rated strength, (c) any paint or chemical spills on the straps may adversely affect their performance. Finally if you have to throw one end of a strap over a load, send the tail end and fix the hook on your anchor point (especially if one is tossing it to a colleague on the far side). 🙂

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thank you. Thanks for additional information, very useful. Your advice on throwing the free end of the strap over a load instead of the hooked end, it sounds like you may have been on the receiving end of the hook a time or two. Thanks again, all the best!

[@Werewolf_Six]

I'm not proud about it, but I don't use ratchet straps often enough to remember how to go about it and, recently, I had occasion to use them again and could not remember what to do. There were no instructions available and I lost my temper horribly. So I have been watching all kinds of KZbin videos trying to avoid that mistake ever again. Yours is by far the most helpful I have found today, although others I have seen are good ones as well. Thank you for taking the time to help people like me for whom this kind of thing is not routine.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. If I didn't use ratchet straps as often as I do, I'd be right there with you. I'm glad you were able to get things sorted on your end. All the best!

[@ronaldurquhart870]

That is what I call Ratchet straps for dummies. Very well explained. Thank you

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Ha Ha, great comment! You're welcome, glad it helped you.

[@jrs10344]

Thank you for the video. I used to use them at the start of 2000, but about 3-4. I had a concussion, and I couldn't remember any of it to store the slack. But this video helped me remember thank you.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

You bet! I hope you're doing well, glad it helped you.

[@lazydave2]

Good video, just one thing... if you set the slot in the windlass 90 degrees from the position you have it, (so you can see through the slot) then feed the strap up through the back of the windlass and feed it through the front you don't have to poke around to grab the strap

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thanks, I appreciate it! Good tip for sure!

[@yabigman3]

#1 video on ratchet straps on youtube. Ive known how tonuse a ratchet strap for years. Thanks to my dad. But alot of people dont know how to use them. Thats why i find alot of straps on the road lol. And yes i do pick them up. Anyone wanting to learn the process needs to watch this video. Thanks for putting it out there.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Great comment, thanks! What you said is very true, a lot of straps fall off during transit as they weren't secured correctly. I sincerely appreciate your kind words and you taking the time to leave a comment. All the best!

[@bradfrancis9473]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

You're welcome, glad it helped you.

[@johngalley4048]

Excellent démo far exceeds the manufacturières short comings that confuse.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Well thank you, I appreciate that! Thanks for stopping by.

[@joanneyoung1081]

Very nicely done. We appreciate concise and noteworthy and safetywise working and storing ratchet tie downs. Great. Just discovered them.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thank you very much!

[@steveO6331]

Great video! Clear and simple. Thank you. I am going to have my 17 yo son watch it.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thanks for the positive feedback! I'm glad you found the video helpful. I hope your son does as well. All the best!

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

For storage of the 2" straps I was taught to roll the strap around the hook so that you have a tight rolled strap with the hook in the center. Stores well. Also makes it easy to unroll - hold the tail and throw the rest of the strap. It will unroll nicely and you now have the tail in your hand to fish through your tie down.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

If I was doing mostly flatbed trailer hauling, I would store my straps separately, just like you mention.

[@PaulCTownsend]

Well done thank you.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Absolutely and thank you. All the best!

[@kmac556]

Great Vid Brother! Always just threw them in a box without knowing how to consolidate them!! Thanks!!

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Appreciate it! I hope it makes life a little simpler for you.

[@edfowles5096]

Great video, very helpful for beginners, explanation was excellent, thank you.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thank you so much, I appreciate that! I'm glad it helped!

[@MauiS58]

Thanks for this video. I do not use straps too often but it takes me a few minutes to remember 😂. This makes total sense and so easy to remember

[@EightWheelsRollin]

You bet. I little refresh and you're back in business. All the best!

[@jpcoincrafts]

Thank you for this very informative video. I now realize how unsafe I’ve been using ratchet straps over the years. This is, by far, one of the best videos I’ve watched on how to use ratchet straps properly!!!

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Wow, thank you! I'm glad you found it informative, and I really appreciate the kind words.

[@ForeGeorgeman]

Great, straightforward video. Thank you!

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thanks, I appreciate that. I hope it was of some help to you!

[@georgeworkshop]

Thank you ❤️

[@EightWheelsRollin]

You bet!

[@daveh7137]

Thanks for this! Best explanation I’ve seen!

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thanks for that, I really appreciate it!

[@franklawrence8845]

Explained very Well

[@EightWheelsRollin]

I appreciate the kind words, thanks! I hope it made things easier for you.

[@trentmozingo7176]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@37mobby]

Awesome video buddy...love yer work... slow and easy to follow... much appreciated 👌🏻😎

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thank you! I really appreciate that and I'm glad it helped you. All the best!

[@KenCurtisPocatello]

Great instructional video!!🎉

[@EightWheelsRollin]

I appreciate it. Glad it helped you. All the best!

[@billbaber6653]

Good class

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimthode]

In your demo you're a little short of the recommended 2 wraps around the mandrel. The Maryland-based Web Sling & Tie Down Association, the largest nonprofit technical organization dedicated to the safe operation of all synthetic web slings and tie downs, advises users that when using ratchet web tie-downs, a minimum of two and a maximum of four wraps of webbing shall be wound on the mandrel or center core of the ratchet. The Association found that less than two wraps of webbing around the mandrel may result in webbing slippage under load. If more than four wraps are used, it can place unnecessary strain on the ratchet device and actually reduce the working load limit (WLL) of the unit.

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thanks for informing me on the Maryland Web Sling & Tie Down Association recommendation. I had no idea that such an association existed, and would advise on the proper operation of ratchet straps. You learn something new every day.

[@guadalupegarcia9165]

Thank you You were a good help

[@EightWheelsRollin]

You bet, glad I could help. Thanks for watching, all the best!

[@TTY2Europedriver_kather]

👍

[@EightWheelsRollin]

Thanks!

[@stacymilligan5761]

Ok everybody this is the ones.😊

[@EightWheelsRollin]

I appreciate that.

[@gonsumir]

Everytime he says "strap in" or "strap out" replace it with " strap-on". 😅