How to Use a Ratchet Strap - Tips and Tricks!

Ratchet straps are incredibly handy devices, and they are even harder workers when you team them up with some helpers and clever techniques.

#ratchetstrap #ratchet #loadsecurement

In this episode, DirtFarmer Jay will quickly demystify setting up and using ratchet straps and then share several tips we’ve received from viewers as well as some techniques we’ve developed to get more out of our ratchet straps.

Come along on this rapid-paced string of how-to’s ranging from better attachment gear, securing plywood loads flat on the bed of your short-bed truck, combining threaded links and carabiners for convenience, cool accessories, securing excess straps, and protecting your straps in use.

Finally, you’ll learn how to loosen a ratchet strap properly, how to untangle a ratchet strap and a couple of methods of neatly stowing your straps so they are ready to go to work the next time they respond to the call of duty.

With the skills you’ll learn in this episode, you’ll be even MORE self-reliant. Don’t you just love it when you can JUST DO IT YOURSELF?

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[Chuck_Carolina]

Jay, a couple of points from a truck driver: 1) You want a minimum of two revolutions of strap wrapped around the drum - if the strap gets wet it can slip if the load shifts without two revolutions on the drum. 2) That loose flapping tail of the strap is called a dog ear and it is against the law. Very dangerous and is considered an unsecure load. What you showed is going to be left up to interpretation by law enforcement. If I was to use that method, I would still take a zip tie and secure it back onto the strap - zip ties are cheap. 3) The C-clamp - Negative! That would be considered an attachment point and is regulated bylaw - also the carabiner, get it gone. DOT regulates the equipment to be used to secure a load, and climbing equipment is not in the book for securing loads regardless of it weight rating. You take an authorized strap and attach it straight to an authorized attachment point. The biggest take away I want you and your viewers to take away from this is - don't get creative when securing a load. Even those two cleaver chaps at the home improvement store - those straps must be rated. If they are doing this job for hire - they are held to the same laws as a truck driver is with the securement of that load. They are required to have clearly marked load ratings on the straps they use. If you are doing business in commerce you are held to all the laws when it comes to load securement. Even private Joe hauling his motor cycle or race car needs to step up their game and use rated straps with proper attachment points that are also rated for their needs. Good straps are not that much more in price, and it lets you and everyone else know the load is secure. 4) Check your load in the first 100 miles after you secured it down and start on a trip - it is not only smart to do, but is required by law. Check the load every time you stop after that.

I hauled flat beds for a number of years and loading and unloading was my Zen time. I worked where I even got to load and unload most of what I hauled. Even tarping an un-tarping a load became an art form for me. Most drivers want to drop and hook - not me. I want to control every aspect of a load I can - and get paid for it too.

[RobCalhounPGH]

6:55 I drove commercially and trained flatbed drivers on load securement. Whoever told you that was full of it. That is exactly what that pawl is for, and why some have a slight notch for your finger to stay centered. Normally you don't need to manually pull it, but there are occasions you will.

Everything else was good advice for the beginner. And I like the tip you showed how to deal with extra strap. I'd normally roll it up and tuck it under the strap on those little ones. In the 2in and 3in straps, you can roll it and tuck it back through the ratchet handle as you close it.

One more tip: When feeding the strap through the ratchet, wind the empty ratchet until the reel openings are up and down. Close the ratchet and you can feed the strap from the bottom to the top in one motion. Then start ratcheting.

And one thing you forgot, your securements (straps or chains) will normally loosen up as your load settles. If you're going more than a mile or two, stop about five or ten minutes after loading and check your securements to make sure they're still tight.

[edvaioli]

Excellent! All YT videos should be produced this well: good audio, good video, good content. No cheesy graphics, obnoxious music. Straight and to the point. Liked and subscribed.

[anonghjgd]

What an excellent, useful, straightforward video. I needed to explain to my brother (from thousands of miles away) how to use ratchet straps, but first I did a search, found this vid pretty quickly, and it's like a crash course ("Ratchet Straps 101"). Thank you!

[blueticecho]

I use them all the time for setting beads on tires wheel barrels, lawn tractors ect.

[fuyu]

Kudos! Finally found practical n informative tutorial on HOW TO properly use the ratchet straps !!! For YEARS tried unsuccessfully using these rachet systems ! Either straps were still to LOOSE or ended up in a WAD!!! Kudos ur step by step instructions was easy to follow. Now I'm able to SUCCESSFULLY n SAFELY tie down my front reel mower n yard shredder to transport to maintenance shop. New subscriber because of this vid. Anticipating more helpful n informative uploads. Peace

[richardmourdock]

I've used a 3/4 inch garden hose, cut it about eight inches then slice a groove in it, slap it over the end of the Angle iron on my trailer to avoid any abrasive edge on the strap. Works great. Stays in place while I'm adjusting the straps with minimal, sometimes zero pressure from the overlying strap.

[sw-nksf]

As an adult daughter, thank you for teaching me the things my dad never did. God bless you sir

[russellhansen]

Thanks Jay! We're the guys from the Lowes. Love your videos. Always learn alot. Glad we could help!

[RVstreet]

I'm another one that has always struggled with these darns crank straps. I especially like the trick on how to secure all the excess strap once the load is secure. That was very kewl. Great job and clear instructions 👍

[paulcarter]

Cut a slit in a piece of garden hose. Great edge protector.

[earlbaker]

I have been hauling pallets on a flatbed for a sawmill using much bigger straps. I don't do everything that you do. But I really like your tricks. You gave me a education today and I really appreciate your advice.I found it very helpful and entertaining.

[iceroadtrucker]

Thank you Chuck Howard and DFJ! DFJ thank you for the detail in setting up the strap! I use one at work and have no problem operating it but when I have to put it back together I am usually screwed. Your camera work shows how to do it in detail. Thank you for that!

[troyalger]

I've used these for years and never knew about the way to easily loosen the strap. I've always used did it the hard way. I'm glad I checked you out.

[martinmaddox]

1. When you hook the two hooks to each other, put the hook of one side inside the hole that is behind the s part of the other hook. This is less likely to pull apart. 2. When I haul one or 2 boards or pieces of plywood, I wrap a strap all the way around the board crossing it under and when I tighten up it cinches the strap tight around the board. I leave the tailgate even with UP with boards longer than the truck bed, when I’m not hauling a lot of boards. I liked your video. I put a shop towel around the touch points of the straps on my ebike to protect the bike. Never never trust bungee cords. They are the number one cause of blindness in young people!

[NancyMiller-tc]

Thank you for your video, Jay! My Husband is a Disabled Vet, and I am his main caregiver. We recently bought a wheelchair carrier which attaches to the back of our van. Your video was very clear and informative in helping me understand how to use ratchet straps to secure his chair. Thank ya kindly!

[raysdronevideos]

Jay: great video. Good pace and you present in a manner that is easy to follow, yet not condescending to any newbie (like myself) when it comes to securing loads. Appreciate it.

[JParkerAdair]

This was a major help! I’ve seen other videos demonstrating quickly how to thread it, but you took a little more time to show it, and it let me know what I was doing was correct even though it looked off.

[darkdelta]

I keep my straps in old socks in a 3 gallon bucket in the pick ups tool box. Thanks for posting this, especially the loose end management👍

[matthewwilliam]

thank you for making this video help me set it with in seconds. Wish I found your video before the first three. I recommend they watch your video to learn the quick and proper way. Thank you