Tie Down Straps
When it comes to safely securing and transporting your valuable gear, trust the transportation experts at Discount Ramps. Protect your expensive motorcycle, ATV, wheelchair, cargo, or commercial equipment during transport with our vast selection of heavy-duty tie downs, ratchet straps, cam buckle straps, and more!
If you are new to using ratchet straps, please read How to Use Ratchet Straps Like a Pro, which has step-by-step instructions as well as an instructional video.
Types of Tie-Down Straps
Here are the key differences between the main designs of tie-down straps:
- Bungee Cords are very light duty and should not be used for securing a load. Use them to keep gates closed, or hang light items in your garage.
- Lashing Straps are light duty, with a break strength of around 220 lbs. Use with small loads.
- Cam Buckle Straps are medium duty, with a break strength of up to 1,500 lbs. Use with loads like dirt bikes or ATVs. Easier to tighten and release than a ratchet strap.
- Ratchet Straps are heavy duty, with a break strength of up to 15,000 lbs. Ideal for solid, heavy loads.
Why Bungees Are a Bad Idea
Most bungee cords are not weight rated. If they are used as tie downs for hauling a load, which we never recommend, a sharp bump in the road could pop them out of place and dump your load. They are also one of the leading cause of severe eye injuries1 because if they slip under tension they can snap back and cause traumatic ocular damage.
Types of Hook Ends
There are multiple hook ends that are designed with specific purposes:
- S-Hooks fit most holes and are the most standard type of hook end.
- Snap Hooks have a latch that snaps closed to provide a more secure grip than an S-Hook.
- J-Hooks, or wire hooks, are used on one end of a ratchet strap to tightly grip the anchor point.
- Flat Hooks are low profile and anchor to the rub rail of a trailer or other tie down straps.
For more detailed information, please read The Basics of Tie Down Straps.