The Differences Between E Track Ratchet Straps And E Track Cam Buckle Straps
Published on 04/03/25
What Are E Track Tie Down Straps?
E-track straps are designed to latch into e-track rail systems installed along the walls or flooring of enclosed trailers, moving vans, box trucks, or dry van trailers. This allows you to use the heavy-duty strength of the moving van or trailer to help keep your cargo secured. After E-Track Rails are installed, you can attach the end of the e-track strap to any securement location and, within seconds, secure your cargo.
E track straps help prevent unwanted wasted trips by utilizing the available space inside the vehicle or trailer. E-track rails also offer the flexibility of finding the perfect securement location or angle along the rails, which can be run the entire length of the trailer or installed in rows for taller-sized cargo or cargo at risk of tipping over.
E track straps use the webbing color to indicate the length as an industry standard. Yellow is 12 feet long, Gray is 16 feet long, and Blue is 20 feet long. This can also help professionals eliminate wasted time measuring whether the strap will be long enough to wrap around their cargo or if they will need a different size.
E track fittings can snap into the e-track rail slots within seconds to give you the perfect angle or to optimize the available trailer space to prevent extra trips. Trucking Depot’s e-track fittings are compatible with A-track, E-track, and F-track rail systems to be compatible with how your enclosed trailer or moving van is set up.
If you have any questions, call us at 800-444-0956 or use our Contact Us page at the top of the website. We look forward to helping you find exactly what you need for your next securement application.
What Are E Track Ratchet Straps?
E track ratchet straps are designed to work with e track rails to secure cargo along walls or flooring. These straps are tightened using ratchet hardware, which uses a ratchet mechanism that flows in one direction and tightens with every click of the handle.
E track ratchet straps work best for securing cargo such as furniture, appliances, machinery, pallets, and cargo of different sizes and weights. E track ratchet straps from Trucking Depot can also be custom-made to order with custom lengths and colors, or stencil company branding onto the webbing to prevent theft or raise brand awareness.
Our e track ratchet straps are made from our 2-inch heavy-duty 6,000 lb breaking strength polyester tie-down webbing. Polyester is the webbing used for cargo control applications as it provides minimal stretching to ensure the cargo you secure does not move out of place once secured.
The ratchet mechanism keeps constant tension, which helps reduce the risk of cargo shifting during transit. On the other hand, Cam buckle straps rely on manual tightening and may loosen over time under heavy vibration. This is often why professionals will opt into using e track ratchet straps over e track cam buckle straps for long-distance hauls.
Once our ratchet hardware, e fittings, and 2-inch webbing are assembled, they have a 1,466 lbs safe working load limit rating per e track ratchet strap. These values help ensure they meet the standards set by the Web Sling & Tie Down Association (WSTDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
Before using or storing e track straps you should inspect them for damage. Look for any cuts, fraying, or general damage to the webbing or hardware from wear and tear. If you find any discoloration or mold/mildew on the webbing, you should immediately stop using the e track straps as they are unsafe and may have become damaged. You will want to purchase a replacement to prevent costly cargo damage or potential safety hazards.
To help extend the life of your ratchet straps, you should always store them in a dry and shaded area away from direct sunlight when not in use to prevent UV damage or corrosion to the metal hardware. We also sell a Trucking Depot Carrying Bag that makes for quick and safe storage inside the vehicle.
If you have any questions, need a quote, or are interested in our large quantity discount pricing, call our experts today at 800-444-0956 or use our Contact Us page at the top of the website.
What Are E Track Cam Buckle Straps
E track cam buckle straps use buckle hardware with small metal teeth that grip the tie-down webbing to secure cargo until it reaches its destination. Cam buckle straps are tightened using hand strength to remove the excess slack until the desired strength is achieved.
E track cam buckle straps are made with 2-inch polyester tie-down webbing with a 6,000 lb breaking strength. This is the same webbing blend used on e-track ratchet straps due to excellent strength, durability, and minimal stretching to ensure your cargo does not move out of place while on the road.
E track straps help professionals maximize the space inside enclosed trailers to prevent wasted trips. E track cam buckle straps can also speed up the securement process for faster and easier loading. Since cam buckle straps are tightened by hand strength, they lower the risk of overtightening damage to sensitive or fragile cargo.
This combination can be ideal for professional movers transporting extremely sensitive and often not always replaceable cargo such as antiques or heirlooms. Items damaged or destroyed during a move lead to negative reviews, upset customers, costly insurance claims, and loss of repeat business for professionals.
For fragile cargo, consider pairing your cam buckle straps with protective padding such as moving blankets or corner protectors that can distribute pressure evenly and avoid dents or scratches. Pull the strap until it is snug, but avoid excessive force as overtightening can still happen even with hand tension.
Keep your cargo safely secured using our heavy-duty e-track straps during your next move across town or cross country. If you have any questions or need a quote call us today at 800-444-0956 or use our Contact Us page at the top of the website.
Are E Track Ratchet Straps or E Track Cam Buckle Straps Better?
Choosing between e track ratchet straps and e track cam buckle straps depends on the type of cargo you need to secure. When determining which strap works best, consider the weight of your cargo and the safe working load limit rating. This can help you decide whether you need a heavier-duty e-track strap or if you need to add additional straps to keep your cargo safely secured.
If you are planning on securing lighter or fragile cargo we strongly recommend using e track cam buckle straps. Cam buckle straps use hand strength to pull the excess webbing to tighten and then the buckle hardware holds the webbing in place until you reach the next destination. As the strap is tightened using hand strength the chance for overtightening damage to your cargo is greatly reduced. Cam buckle straps also generally work better for shorter moves as they are quicker to install and to release.
If you are planning to secure heavier cargo or intending to transport the cargo on long-distance trips we recommend using e track ratchet straps due to the extra strength and the added safety from the ratchet hardware’s locking mechanism. E track ratchet straps work great for securing vehicles, side by sides, ATVs, utvs, stacked pallets, or industrial equipment.
If you are unsure which of the two types of e track strap works better for your cargo control application, it is never a bad idea to equip your setup with both types to add flexibility. If you have any questions, need help deciding, or are interested in our large quantity fleet pricing call us at 800-444-0956 for further information.
