The Best Ratchet Straps

Whether you’re hauling heavy appliances cross-country for a big move or taking your dirt bikes out for a spin, having ratchet straps will make sure your stuff gets to the destination in the same condition that it started in. Ratchet straps, also called tie-down straps, are webbing straps that are outfitted with buckles and loops on the ends. They’re essential tools for hauling cargo; the straps are used to secure vehicles and equipment to a flatbed truck or open trailer.

For fairly self-explanatory reasons, it’s especially important to use ratchet straps when hauling anything with wheels. You don’t want your ATV deciding to drive itself off the back of your trailer. When choosing ratchet straps, you’ll want to know what kind of stuff you’ll be moving. This will help determine the strength of the straps that are needed.

There are a couple of numbers that factor into calculating the strength of ratchet straps: the breaking strength and working load limit. They mean different things, which is why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the terminology. The breaking strength is the maximum amount of force that can be exerted on the straps, and the working load limit is 1/3 of the breaking strength. For the sake of safety, the number that you should reference should be the working load limit.

We’ve rounded up some of the best ratchet straps for hauling gear, including kits with varying amounts of straps.