The Differences Between Ratchet Straps and Retractable Ratchet Straps
Published on 11/22/24
What Are Ratchet Straps?
Ratchet Straps are the most commonly used type of tie-down strap for cargo control applications. Ratchet tie-down straps use a ratcheting mechanism that flows in one direction to tighten the strap around the cargo you are securing to hold it in place until it reaches the next destination safely.
There are four different widths of ratchet straps 1 inch, 2 inches, 3 inches, and 4 inches. The wider the webbing that is used to manufacture the ratchet strap the greater the strength of the ratchet strap.
We’ve created this table below to help you visualize which size ratchet strap works best for your securement application. Unless you are securing cargo on flatbed trailers, it is unlikely that you will use this size of ratchet strap as the ratchet hardware alone weighs over 8 lbs and is nearly 12 inches long.
| The Different Sizes of Ratchet Straps | Common Securement Applications | Working Load Limit Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Inch Ratchet Straps | Pickup truck beds, utility trailers, dirt bikes, and hunting applications. | 500 lbs to 1,100 lbs Working Load Limit Rating |
| 2 Inch Ratchet Straps | Heavier cargo, professionals, dry vans, moving vans, auto haulers, SxS, motorcycles | 1,466 lbs to 3,335 lbs Working Load Limit Rating |
| 3 Inch Ratchet Straps | Primarily used for flatbed trailers outside of the USA | 5,400 lbs Working Load Limit Rating |
| 4 Inch Ratchet Straps | Securing heavy cargo on flatbed trailers | 5,400 lbs to 6,000 lbs Working Load Limit Rating |
At Trucking Depot, all our ratchet straps are made from a polyester webbing blend that provides heavy-duty strength and durability with minimal stretching. Webbing blends with excess stretching such as those found in nylon webbing can cause the cargo to come unsecured and damaged, which is why polyester has become our go-to webbing blend. Polyester also protects against moisture, mold, mildew, and direct sunlight.
One of the biggest advantages of traditional ratchet straps is the wide selection of end fittings and hooks hardware such as S Hooks, J Hooks (Wire Hooks), D Rings, Flat Hooks, Endless Loop, Loops, Snap Hooks, E Track Fittings, and more. Depending on your load securement needs the custom ratchet strap options are nearly endless.
If you have any questions about which ratchet strap would work best for your application or if you need a custom-made ratchet strap tailored to your cargo control needs you can reach our experts best by calling us at 800-444-0956 or by using our Contact Us page at the top of the website if you prefer communications via email. We look forward to helping you find exactly what you need to keep your cargo secured and safely in place.
What Are Auto Retractable Ratchet Straps?
Retractable ratchet straps can be called auto retractables, retractables, or self-retracting ratchet straps. Despite having several names this product has become popular due to the ratchet handle which stores the excess webbing neatly inside. This can be extremely beneficial when securing cargo or when you are finished and placing the retractable back into storage.
To secure cargo using a retractable ratchet strap attach the short end of the retractable to your preferred anchor location. Once you have the shorter end of the retractable attached push the release button and pull out the amount of webbing you need to reach the other side to hold your cargo in place. Once the long end is attached hit the red button to retract the excess webbing into the ratchet mandril and begin tightening to the desired strength.
Retractable ratchet straps work great for securing lighter-duty cargo, boats, motorcycles, dirt bikes, kayaks, and more. Despite our 1-inch retractable ratchet straps in width, they have a 1,500 lbs breaking strength and a safe assembly working load limit rating of 500 lbs per ratchet strap.
The Differences Between Ratchet Straps and Retractables
There are several key differences between traditional ratchet straps and retractables. One of the main differences is where the webbing is stored on conventional ratchet straps as the excess webbing can flap around in the wind and requires you to manually wind the webbing up around the ratchet hardware when not in use. On the other hand, retractable ratchet straps store all excess webbing neatly inside the retractable ratchet hardware.
Another key difference between the two types of ratchet straps is the length of the webbing. Securing lighter-duty items in a pickup truck bed, utility trailer, or general around-the-house cargo retractables works great. However, if you need a strap beyond 12 feet retractables can be limited by how much webbing can fit into the retractable hardware spool.
We’ve created this table to help break down the key differences between the two types of ratchet straps.
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Ratchet Straps |
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| Retractable Ratchet Straps |
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How To Choose The Right Ratchet Strap For Your Application
When deciding which type of ratchet strap works best for your securement application you will first want to know the weight of your cargo. If you are securing lighter cargo retractable ratchet straps are most likely the ideal option as they are extremely user-friendly and can make first-time cargo control securements stress-free.
If you plan on securing heavier-duty cargo you will want to use conventional ratchet straps as they offer higher working load limit ratings than retractables. When selecting either type of ratchet strap you should always refer to the working load limit rating designed to keep you and your cargo safe while going down the road.
If you are unfamiliar with a working load limit rating please refer to our blog post on What is a working load limit?. This can help you learn the basics and teach you when to use a heavier-duty ratchet strap or when you need to add more ratchet straps to keep your load secured. Ratchet straps must have a working load limit rating tag sewn onto the straps to comply with the rules and regulations for cargo control.
The second thing to consider when selecting a ratchet strap is the length of webbing needed to reach the other side of the cargo you are securing. Retractable ratchet straps have limited space for webbing storage due to their design. If you need a ratchet strap longer than 15 feet, consider using traditional ratchet straps instead.
If you are having trouble finding a ratchet strap with the options you are looking for we can make a custom-made ratchet strap for you in-house at our location in Bellville, Ohio. Trucking Depot is one of the leading manufacturers of custom ratchet straps in the United States. We would be happy to help you make a ratchet strap with the options you need to keep your custom or oversized cargo secured safely in place.
If you have any questions or need a recommendation on what ratchet strap would work better for your securement application we are here to help. Reach us at 800-444-0956 or by using our Contact Us page at the top of the website if you prefer communications via email.
