Thread: One for the Truckies - rolling-up Ratchet Tie-down Straps

The you tube clip looks like a lot of effort. There are easier ways. The tails of the straps in use can be rolled up and the centre pulled through and over the roll. Ratchets should self lock when in use. Definitely easier to show you

Interesting method for consumer type straps. May do this with my two in my D1 just for neatness, but I'll see how it goes for long term.
Those straps are short consumer type straps tho .. maybe 3-4m straps.

For use in 'truckie' terms, that method would be annoying.
You need to 'throw' straps over a 3m high load, and have it land over the other side, and having to do so many .. using this method would be tedious and time consuming.

In term of trucking load binders, you roll up the strap, lay it down in a tool box and the ratchet is stored separately but in the same compartment.
The 'accepted' way to roll straps is you start with the loose end(no hook) and start rolling and you end up with the hook on the outside of the roll.
To unroll it: you hold the hook end and lob the roll over the load.

Many sites demand you do it this way, and you can get banned from site if you do it the easier way, of catapulting the strap over by it's hook tho.
My preference has been to start rolling the strap from the hook end to hide it inside the roll, unroll it all. Check to be sure the strap is in usable condition, no nicks cuts and so forth.

I'm so use to catapulting the hook end over the load, can't do it any other way. So much easier and much more control over where the strap goes, especially for a tautliner load.
Problem is, you're not allowed to do this on most sites(especially the stricter OHS observant ones).
Catapulting the hook: use the hook end of the strap, give yourself a meter or so of length to the hook, and wind it up and flick it over the load.
Very little effort, and I find more accuracy as to where the strap is aimed.


Various methods for the loose ends, I've seen very neat jobs where they roll up the loose end, and it's tied into the ratchet and remains tight.
I roll it all up, and place the roll sideways in the pallet between the boards if there's a lot of loose end.
If it's short loose end, just wrap it around the ratchet and tie it back through a slightly loose part of that wrap and tighten it .. kind'a like a tie(if that makes sense).

Actually speaking of straps/binders .. I have a zillion high quality straps and binders for trucks(on brothers behalf).
Been thinking of putting some up for sale here if folks want some.

I have rolled the strap so that the hook gets pitched over the load but then I had to walk around to hook it on and then walk back around to do the ratchet end. I got lazy and start pelting the non-hook end over first to save me a walk.

Originally Posted by pop058

The you tube clip looks like a lot of effort. There are easier ways. The tails of the straps in use can be rolled up and the centre pulled through and over the roll. Ratchets should self lock when in use. Definitely easier to show you

G'day Paul,

Yes - you are one of the blokes using ratchet straps and securing the end of them that I have watched. You have been too quick for me to be able to work out the slight of hand technique. I have also seen other people use different techniques too.

Anyway, while it wastes the cable-tie the roll-up the loose end method made it really quick and easy to check and if necessary re-tighten the straps each time I stopped and checked the load. It was much quicker and less of a hassle than my old technique of clove hitches and running half hitches.

Kind regards
Lionel

Pop058 your way of dealing with the loose end is the way I do it . For storage i rolled the strap up with the hook on the out side then as described by Pop058 you can then attach the hook to the rail & throw the roll over the load , do ing it that way there is no chance of hitting some one with the hook.
As Pop058 said it is easer to show some one how to do it than explain.

Originally Posted by pop058

The you tube clip looks like a lot of effort. There are easier ways. The tails of the straps in use can be rolled up and the centre pulled through and over the roll. Ratchets should self lock when in use. Definitely easier to show you

Always how I did it. These days there are self retracting straps, but AFAIK only for light loads.

Self locking occurs when the ratchet handle is closed completely. I know that YOU know that, but maybe Lionel doesn't.

Hello All,

I heard someone say recently that it is now illegal to use ropes to tie down loads onto a truck or trailer - is this correct?

I used to work on tree gangs with local councils performing such tasks from tree surgery work to just tying down loads of branches to take to the chipper.

So during the 80s through to the late 90s I used ropes every work day. I have since lost touch with the legalities of using ropes to secure loads. Fitness wise climbing a tree would be a damn challenge too now. Anyway ... sometimes you hear stuff and wonder if it is correct, or not?

Kind regards
Lionel

I use this method for my loose ends when the ratchet straps are in use:
YouTube