Life Changing Ratchet Strap Tie Down Hack!

Using Larks Head loops to secure the hooks on your ratchet tie down straps.

[@Wilbarrow]

Or you could have used the loop already built into your strap line.

[@bensbackwoods]

The 3 sets I have of light duty straps do not have loops...I still feel like this stays put better...thanks!

[@dylanbrown5066]

​@bensbackwoods there's a loop in the strap you're using lol

[@drewnicest4319]

​@@dylanbrown5066make a video on it and show me the link of what you're talking about

[@davidsafronuk9802]

On your running end, approx 20" from the hook, there is a loop already stitched in the strap. You are supposed to go around the pipe and then hook into that loop so it doesn't keep falling off. In your instance, you could go around the center pipe and then hook onto the one next to it so the hook cannot fall down. For all of us that have straps without that loop, this is a great tip to make life easier. Especially if you are strapping down an ATV etc. Any movement of it could allow the hook to come loose. That is why you can now spend a little more $$ and buy straps with the safety catch on them so they cannot come off. Spending a few extra $$ is better than watching your ATV pass you in the ditch going end-over-end.... lol.

[@hartshut]

Someone drank all your beer while you were messing with the ratchet straps.

[@pullinfastduckettzz3213]

😂😂😂

[@Woojo01]

🤣🤣

[@digitalperson108]

I want the 2 minutes of my life back, that I spent watching this.

[@OneWildTurkey]

Why not use the ratchet strap under the cooler to tie it down with the handles? That way you don't have to loosen any straps to get inside the cooler.

[@mot503]

Bungie attached to the handles across the top to keep the lid down. Easy access.

[@HanginInSF]

He can't even figure out how to use a ratchet strap. Baby steps.

[@Letsroll000]

Thought I knew all the helpful tips with ratchet straps, have used them for years and years personally and commercial. First time seeing this thank you. Thought this was going to be a vid about how to secure the excess strap leftover which Ive known for years and also helpful. Great video, thank you.

[@samuraicowboy9605]

Excellent and Nifty little tip. I use these straps several times daily. Thanks for sharing.

[@donnkloepfer1316]

Best way to make a simple job difficult.

[@princemacon7523]

Ben! man your technique didn chang my life but it sure got me out of the tie down nightmare i have been FOR YEARS! i tried rubberbands, little bungy cords, tape...NOTHIN WORKED! But your technique worked grrrreat! thank you for sharing. Wish i found this method a long time ago.

[@scottmathes423]

Omg lmao! Spot on!

[@stew1tx]

Ya those little sewn in pieces on each end are to run the hooks in

[@acidreign0911]

This dramatically reduces the working load of the strap, but is probably safe for light loads like a cooler.

[@michaelsupple6081]

Brilliant my man! Just what I was looking for. I had an S hook come loose while transporting a dirt bike on a a hitch rack. Luckily I had a back up strap or I would have lost the bike. This technique will pretty much assure that will never happen. Thank you so much!

[@tylerrsmith443]

Only comment I would make is be careful for heavier loads as the constant road vibrations will cut through the strap quickly where metal and strap rub

[@bensbackwoods]

Exactly...keeping the strap away from sharp edges is critical.

[@troywilliams8659]

100% correct

[@donaldnelson5647]

Also might compromise the load rating. S hook is made to take stress inline with strap and hook. This changes the load to perpendicular sideways on the hook and gives some leverage. With a cooler worse case it bends the hook. With a heavy load it could exponentially reduce the break rating.

[@mikeizzano172]

Now your a man who has done this before ! It’s ok for what he’s doing but it will not work for heavy duty work not to mention the strength of the tie down is only on a straight pull you reduce the load capacity with every wrap . But for a case or two of beer he should be good to go …..

[@peterbarlow8912]

Probably not as strong or as durable as directly hooking the strap but if your sick of loosing the first hook before you get to the other side of your load it’s a good hack. Most of the time my strap tying is overkill anyway. Should work fine on my smooth boat trailer eyes.

[@TexasScout]

I use the exact same straps you use there’s a loop sewn into that strap right next to the hook. All you gotta do is make a loop around and put that hook in that loop and solve the same problem. It works on both sides.

[@SteelerLos]

Man. U know how frustrating it was to ratchet down cargo boxes to the roof rack by myself. Damn hooks. Thank u!!! Next camping trip using this idea💡 Don’t know how the heck i didn’t think of it.

[@darewood21yahoocom]

THANK YOU thats awesome my roofrack sucks for use with the straps cant wait to try this

[@jeffschwab1820]

this is a GREAT idea!! Thanks for the video

[@brent1387]

It changed my life!!!!!…But, no beer in the cooler 😢

[@RS-ss6go]

Outstanding! Thanks!

[@jhors7777]

Thank you for posting this helpful video

[@zman92630]

If you don't yet have a tie down or ratchet strap, they sell them with clips that work like carabiners. That prevents them from falling off. Otherwise, good Plan B.

[@Bud755]

I like it! Adds some flexibility to using the straps.

[@robertlee6949]

Just redoing a canoe trailer. I think I can use this on the cross beams. Thanks!

[@mrcryptozoic817]

I have a couple of ratchet straps that I cut the 2 hooks off and put on large locking carabiners in their place. Never even thought of the loop method. The loops are certainly easier than mine

[@jackmarage8138]

I thought you were going to show us a hack. Wait a minute . How old were you when you figured this out.

[@guyfisher2050]

using strap directly on sharp edges will cause it to fray and shorten it's longevity.

[@bensbackwoods]

Absolutely! Stay away from anything sharp with these straps

[@newgunguy4176]

A rag will protect it.

[@thersten]

Nice tip. Thank you 👍

[@erikpallhansen]

Great tip, thanks for sharing

[@bertorr7211]

Bloody awesome! One of those you mean to tell me all these years moments. Thankyou mate.

[@bensbackwoods]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@HorsemanX72]

Yep, That will change my life lol. Awesome!

[@nailswood167]

Some people have problems that others don’t consider problems…

[@melrosehawkins8294]

Exactly.

[@42lookc]

I'd never use that method for tying down anything heavy but it looks like a great idea for securing light loads.

[@nickwest1476]

I agree because all the tension is on the strap and not the hook!

[@pfflyer1963]

I’m not an engineer but it should be the same load limit this way verses conventional way . Load limit is based on the weakest link. Load limit I think, should not be effected if there was no hook and you used a knot that could handle the load.

[@damonr2233]

This method basically creates a choker type of rigging, while helpful it also reduces the load limit of straps. For simple hold down like a cooler it is fine, but for something like that I’d just get the ratchet straps that have the latch on them and call it a day.

[@brandonrivera3224]

I've been doing this with cabinets on flat beds for years. It holds.

[@damonr2233]

@@brandonrivera3224never said it wouldn’t hold. I said it creates a choker.

[@drewnicest4319]

Never thought about that thanks

[@stevefrederick9748]

You sir are Genius!!!!

[@Andrew-vz3qk]

Presenting the king of over thinking. Pretty sure it would be faster every time to just use the hook as designed and hold a little tension in the strap with your free hand. Idk, its just the way i do it. Alternatively they sell these with carabiners instead of hooks which is the easiest to use

[@perpetualjon]

Fantastic tip!!

[@timmcquerry6068]

My life is forever changed 😮

[@krisley5178]

Simply genius.

[@ringerson4x4]

You should have 2 full layers of strap around the windlass to prevent the strap from slipping loose.

[@paulshirley3054]

This is an absolute in using ratchet straps

[@rlcarbo]

Great idea!

[@thudang3039]

Definitely useful! Thanks for sharing! =)

[@MyGreggory]

Thank you very much sir

[@bossk7192]

im new to your channel, when are you restocking the fire pistons in your store?

[@richardradcliffe6047]

Despite his comment, don’t ever use a ratchet strap to tie down your canoe unless you want a deformed canoe.

[@briang4583]

Just get a short piece of bicycle inner tube and make a hole on each end. Put the hook through one hole and slide it onto the shank. Attach your hook and stretch the other end of the tube over the end of the hook to capture what you're attaching to.

[@user-du4id1tv1p]

But now the tension of the load contact point is strap against the metal bar of the cargo basket, instead of the metal hook and under heavy loads that strap will tear from the sharp edge of the metal

[@bensbackwoods]

The loop created goes around the hook...so direct tension is on the same hook, I agree do not do this on anything with sharp edges...the cargo basket does not have sharp edges. thanks!

[@davebuchanan9761]

this is beautiful!!!!

[@TrashyLobster]

Why does everything have to be a life changing hack? 😆 How about calling it thinking?

[@stephensgate1]

Thank you Ben. -Stephen, Ohio

[@chrisleighton8749]

Thanks Ben!!!!!!!!!!

[@jwm6314]

LOL the cut where you unhooked it. Still a fantastic tip for light loads though!

[@johnc262]

What your doing is reducing to load capacity of your strap . I know it’s only a cooler but for bigger loads I wouldn’t use it . 🇦🇺

[@drummerman1206]

Definitely didn’t change my life. Can literally just pull it taut and it’ll be much quicker.

[@hillbillyhogdogger4533]

Very handy also when your hooks are not big enough to hook onto the tie down point as well.

[@zzvannie]

Brilliant!!!

[@klayvonisme]

Drop the hook down and around your anchor point. Loop the strap through the hole of the hook. Put the hook through the loop and snug it tight. Been doing this for 40 years. Will not come off until removed, yet comes apart easily.

[@bensbackwoods]

This is very similar to what im doing...thanks! 🤙🍻

[@86GT11]

Good stuff! 👍

[@swnorcraft7971]

Good stuff! Thanks!

[@bensbackwoods]

You bet!

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Genius!

[@StonemanRocks]

I dont know about life changing but ok you figured a different way to use a ratchet strap! Now get the twists out of it before I call the teamsters!

[@colinkeane6634]

Brilliant! 👍😃

[@063317Art]

I did not see any beer when you opened the cooler. You said it was full 😮

[@bensbackwoods]

Heading to beer store NOW!! 🍻

[@hooliganandroguefilms]

And you effectively reduced the working load limit of the strap by half. Don't use that trick on anything heavier than your beer cooler.

[@bensbackwoods]

I doubt it....The original configuration has all the tension on the metal hook it is sewn too. The configuration I am using has the webbing wrapped around the same hook creating tension. As long as the bar it is wrapped around has no sharp edges I cant see the difference or down side...thanks

[@mikem9229]

Brilliant.

[@bensbackwoods]

🤙🍻

[@forrestjohnson7622]

I've seen coolers full of beer... and that sir is not😂

[@usnrecon82]

your strap will rub over time and get cut that is why they gave you metal ends to hook onto it is very easy to keep tension on the strap to secure it

[@bensbackwoods]

I should have mentioned I don't use this on any sharp metal edges...as those will cut the strap. Thanks!

[@usnrecon82]

@@bensbackwoods any rubbing over time will wear through the strap once it has a small tear it can snap that much easier why they make rubber pads and even cloth pads to go on your strap or under when the strap rubs so it sliding back and forth as you turn left and right will make it wear through but ya the 100lbs cooler should not push on it to much

[@hubster4477]

Or you could buy the straps with carabiner type snaps on them.

[@doug995.]

That changed my life forever. 😂

[@AndyDuboskySaysFuckThePolice]

Don't pull so much slack out of strap before beginning to ratchet. You want the strap to overlap strap. If it's just on metal barrel, there is potential for it to slip. One complete wrap of strap, at least if load is important to you. Nice trick!

[@StonemanRocks]

Ocmon! Why you gettin all scientific an shit!

[@lukeblackford1677]

Dad taught me how to tie knots when I was ten.

[@tomhite6628]

Seriously, this is a great tip but does anyone else think Ben sounds like "Red Green"?

[@bensbackwoods]

I'm a man...I can change...if I have to...I guess 🤣🤙

[@tomhite6628]

@@bensbackwoods YES, YOU ARE MY BROTHER!

[@RaglansElectricBaboon]

Isn't that a truck your rack's attached to? How can there possibly not be enough space in it for your cool box?

[@terrygrant4897]

I think I can die happy now!

[@TheMakersMarkTSF]

Absolutely changed my life,,, I lost 6 whole minutes on this!!!!

[@bensbackwoods]

🤣🍻

[@Mechman0925]

FYI there is a loop sewn into the strap for that reason.

[@bensbackwoods]

Yes..I understand. Using the larks head loop as shown does a better job of staying in one place while adjusting.

[@Mechman0925]

Got ya. I figured you were aware of that but couldn't stop my self, helpful video thanks.

[@jerrypadgett7826]

Easier solution is to wrap the strap around the aluminum bar and run back through the hole in the hook.

[@chriscarnes87]

Did you ever wonder what that little tab sewn on the strap is for?

[@bensbackwoods]

I have seen the tabs on some ratchet straps, but on the 3 sets of light duty straps I have none of them have a tab...thanks!

[@loosenut1969]

Good luck getting those straps undone after a rain storm and then they dry in a super tight knot.

[@bensbackwoods]

They come off easy as there are no knots...just looped around the hook...thanks!

[@loosenut1969]

@@bensbackwoods oh wow. Ok. Thanks

[@walterdixon2837]

Just go under the bar and drop the hook over the top

[@theSkavenger84]

You can just put the strap through the hook and do the same thing

[@kennylaw559]

Or you could just throw the cooler in the bed of your truck like a real man.....ohh wait 😂

[@saltyhamtoasted8045]

Or you could just use a rope like they are made for. The point of a ratchet strap is to hook onto things and pull them down. What's the point in the hook if you just decide not to use it. Ropes are definitely cheaper anyway so what's the point in the ratchet strap.

[@frankperry1543]

The point of the ratchet strap is that most people can't consistently tie good knots.

[@scottmathes423]

You have latches on the cooler. Could have literally ran the strap through the handles and placed the hooks towards the front and had access to the contents of the cooler without ever even needing to touch the strap at all.

[@ScroatBagGarage]

Run your strap through your cooler handles.

[@brandonh5180]

Should have made the first part black and white with increased frustration

[@colt2110]

Just keep tension on it...

[@calmlikeabomb1340]

My life was changed

[@ruggedrickrude1946]

don’t be scared it’s not a pillow….you won’t get in trouble cutting the white tag of it

[@jjcjr009]

HEY!!! Where's the beer!!?

[@bensbackwoods]

Heading to beer store NOW! 🍻🤙

[@monadking2761]

Good tip but was disappointing beecause I did not see any beer in the cooler.

[@melrosehawkins8294]

If we need instructional videos to show people how to successfully latch down ratchet straps, we have more serious issues than we want to admit.

[@mikeharris50]

Hey, where is the beer?

[@ryanvess6162]

How not to use ratchet straps 101

[@nicolec7290]

You have a loop on it all ready

[@j33pfyn4tik6]

This hack changed my life soooo much. Everytime my straps would come loose, I'd get pissed, cuss & slap the wife and kids, kick the dog, and use the Lords name in vane. Now, if I could find hacks for all the other reasons I assault my loved ones. Thanks!

[@dbc105]

Nice hack, not quite life changing but still good hack.

[@curbdog808]

“That ain’t going anywhere”

[@FloatingCroc]

Unfortunately, this will definitely not change my life

[@ThomasDuffyRE]

You didn’t slap it when you said “that ain’t goin’ anywhere”. So in fact it will go somewhere. Everyone knows this.

[@winkleberrygang]

I have these same straps! How do you choose to store them? Do you use that little extra loop to fasten it with the velcro?