Ratchet Strap - How to Stow the Excess Strap

The job of securing a load with a ratchet strap isn’t done until the excess strap (“tail”) is secured as well. Here is the best method we’ve found so far, and we really like it. We think you will too.
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#tiedowns #ratchetstrap #securingloads
It’s easy to focus on the “business end” of a tie-down strap when the load has been secured by the ratcheting action of the handle and hub. However, the job isn’t done until the surplus end is gathered and secured.
Flapping loose ends not only fray and wear the strap, but it’s dangerous. One of my family members failed to secure the end of the strap that was securing a load in his pickup truck. On the freeway, going about 75 mph, there was a sudden explosion of glass from the back window. He thought they had been shot at - no joke. The tail had flapped its way under the truck and got wound up on the drive shaft. The strap wound up and snapped while pulling the metal hook loose off its connection to the truck bed and turning it into a projectile that went through the cab’s back window. The load was now loose as well.
One of our viewer family members also related observing a large flatbed trailer with the tail end flapping off the side. It wound up under the trailer’s tires at high speed, snapping the strap in two and displacing the load. Again, it could have been really bad.
Lesson learned? Securing the end is part of securing the load. In fact, it’s usually the law. Load securement includes tail end safety. In the U.S., the DOT (Department of Transportation) takes this very seriously.
DirtFarmerJay shows you his favorite method to stow the tail end securely, but easily undone when it comes time to release the load and stow the ratchet strap set.
Here’s DirtFarmerJay’s favorite method for stowing a ratchet strap set: COMING SOON!
Don’t be embarrassed if every time you use a ratchet strap, you have trouble threading it property ,
Don’t you just love being able to do stuff? JUST DO IT YOURSELF!
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[@fattysgarage1754]

Another great tip! Thanks DFJ!

[@jeytex3161]

Great tip, thanks!

[@slimwantedman6694]

Good morning from Southeast South Dakota

[@Egalitarian-bt7kz]

Thanks for a really USEFUL tip…

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SanDiego2015]

Nice tip to repost👍

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad you like it, Kevin. Repost away! Best, DFJ

[@williambiondi9703]

Awesome tip thank

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You bet!

[@anyahnacolman8636]

Thank you for sharing. 😀

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for watching!

[@rongollonik7754]

Don't tighten the ratchet until after you have secured the tail. After you have rolled up the tail and secured it with the loops like you showed, slide it under the strap securing the load and then tighten the ratchet. You want to put the coil so the flat side of the coil are being held by the strap. The tightened strap will then hold the tail securely.

[@jill552]

Great tip

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad it was helpful!

[@40beretta1]

everyday we have heavy flatbed rigs arrive at are yard. unloading and loading. One of the operators told me, even with the 4" heavy duty ratchet straps... and decades of securing cargo... "I never trust tie downs 100%" .. He's lost count of how many time after a rest stop or saw in his mirrors a strap is coming loose. hence the securing of the strap tail is so vitally important... He also said each time he see's weekend worriers with their quads or Side-by-sides rolling down the interstate the owners have the Bright Orange Home dumbell ratchet straps...."I hope they have good insurance" his point...don't go cheap on your straps... and buy American

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Jeff, thanks for your insights. I see some scary things on the road as well... Best, DFJ

[@oldmangravely6554]

Great tip!! Are you looking for a subject for other video?? Make a garden hod they are simple and useful in the garden

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Old man Gravely - thanks for writing. We always welcome suggestions like this and put a lot of stock in these types of insights. Indeed, a garden hod is VERY useful around the garden and yard. We'll see about scheduling a future build and episode. Thanks for the nudge! Best Regards, DFJ

[@ChadwyckDIY]

Have a suggestion for a video. Replacement of a storm door or screen door closer. If you have done this already, sorry, could not this video.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks, James! We don't have storm doors on our house, but it could be a great addition. I've installed and serviced the doors and closers before, and I suspect you are correct, there are many people that could make use of a step by step approach to either the installation or servicing. Thanks for the tip and for being a part of our viewer family. Best Regards, DFJ

[@alidjillali7450]

Bonjour 🇩🇿🌹🇩🇿

[@thomassachariason212]

No need to manually compress the strut. If your lift gate is braced, you can take off both struts and then you’ll have more play to install the new ones (at least it worked in my Range Rover).

[@gregthompson8062]

That’s called overhand knot

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks, Greg!

[@heyyou4023]

Instructions start at 1:45

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Hey You - thanks for watching. Best, DFJ

[@LR-jk2jk]

first half of the video can be skipped :(

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for weighing in.

[@alidjillali7450]

Bonjour 🇩🇿🌹🇩🇿