Ratchet tie down straps are an essential piece of equipment for hauling large loads and heavy equipment. They can greatly reduce the chance of cargo failure and injuries.One of the most important factors in choosing a ratchet tie down strap is its working load limit (WLL). This rating indicates how much weight the strap can secure without failing.Whether you're hauling equipment in a trailer or fastening your kayaks to your car for a weekend lake trip, ratchet straps make it easy to secure and transport your cargo safely. Choosing the right ratchet straps for your needs can help you avoid damage to your cargo and your vehicle.You'll find a variety of lengths in ratchet straps, with 12 and 16 feet being the most common. Each strap can also be customized with different hardware hooks and end fittings. 

Most ratchet straps have a working load limit rating that lets you know how much weight the tie down can hold. Look for the highest rated working load limit when selecting your ratchet straps to ensure they meet or exceed guidelines for cargo securement. You can also get extra abrasion-resistant webbing and rust-proof hardware to extend the life of your ratchet straps.The breaking strength of a ratchet tie down strap determines how much weight it can carry before it starts to break. It's determined by the weakest point in the webbing or end fittings, and each ratchet strap must come tagged with a Working Load Limit Rating.The WLL indicates how much weight each strap is rated for, and it's important to know what the maximum load capacity is before you secure cargo. If you don't, your cargo could fall off the truck or trailer and cause damage or injury.

You can increase the strength of your ratchet straps by using corner protectors. These help reduce damage by redistributing the pressure of the cargo over a larger area. They also protect the straps from UV damage and other common wear and tear. They're also useful in preventing the straps from being pulled off of a vehicle or trailer and can save you a lot of time and money.If you are in the trucking industry or just looking for a quality ratchet strap to help secure your cargo, the working load limit is important. The working load limit is the amount of weight a strap can handle before it will fail and is usually 3 times the break strength. The working load limit is stamped on the webbing and also tagged along with the breaking strength.

It is common to see cars towed by trucks across the country on highways being secured with ratchet tie downs. These industrial ratchet straps are used by flatbed trucks and trailers to keep their cargo safe on the road while being transported. They are also commonly seen at home for diy applications, securing a motorcycle or ATV to a trailer or just for moving or keeping luggage secure in a pick up truck. These straps come in a variety of lengths and end fittings such as flat hooks, snap hooks, wire hooks and s hooks.

A Ratchet Tie Down Strap is essentially webbing outfitted with tie down hardware and can be used to restrain cargo for transport. They are a vital cargo securement tool for professional truck drivers, flatbed trucks and moving vans.

Before using, inspect the webbing and ratchet handle assembly for damage or other signs of wear. Signs of wear include frayed webbing, mildew and holes in the strap or ratchet mandril. A ratchet strap that isn't in good working condition should be replaced.After a ratchet strap is properly inspected, begin the securing process by feeding the free end of the webbing through the open slot in the ratchet axle assembly. Next, feed the other end of the webbing through the hook attached to the ratchet mandril and then out the opposite way that it came in. Pull the webbing to remove any slack and then crank the ratchet handle up and down to tighten the strap.