The Use Of Ratchet Strap Belts And The Number Of Them

The use of Ratchet Strap belts and the number of them

When securing cargo you should always use at least four tie-down straps at a minimum for most normal cargo securement applications. This is especially true for cargo that is larger in physical size or heavier in weight. When securing cargo you will want to plan for the worst when it comes to cargo securement as you never know what could happen along the way to the next destination.

It only takes a sharp corner, a sudden stop, fast acceleration, sudden lane change, or another motorist cutting you off to cause the cargo to shift out of place. You can help play your part in keeping the cargo and others on the roadway safe by using straps at every edge of the cargo.

For example, a vehicle should be secured from each of the four tires to prevent the vehicle from moving during transit. This also helps if a strap were to fail on the way to the next destination from any of those things you can never plan for during a drive. It only takes a strap coming loose or a strap to break during transit from excess stretching to jeopardize your entire cargo load.

That’s why using extra straps and securing from numerous securement angles to help play a part against load shifts is crucial for any cargo securement. The general rule of thumb in the trucking industry and professional cargo securement industry is to always use more straps than required when you are transporting valuable, oddly shaped, or heavy in weight cargo. It is never a bad thing to use too many straps but there is a real issue with using too few ratchet straps.

If you ever feel unsure or unsafe about transporting cargo it’s always a good idea to add heavier duty working load limit straps or increase the number of straps you are using to secure the cargo when possible. It’s always critical for anyone transporting cargo to know the weight of the cargo itself and the working load limitations of your straps as well. You should never put yourself in a situation where you are exceeding the working load limit of the strap as it is unsafe to do so and working load limits were created to keep you safe.