RATCHET STRAPS, TIE DOWNS & BUNGEES
Ratchet straps keep loads pinned down in vans, trailers and pickups, while tie downs and bungees stop gear shifting, rubbing or tipping in transit.
If you're hauling tools, boards, plant or materials, this is the kit that stops the load moving when you brake, corner or hit rough roads. Proper ratchet straps give you controlled tension and solid load restraint, while tie downs and bungee cords are handy for lighter kit, covers and quick bundling. Pair them with Tool Storage and Automotive Tools to keep the van sorted and the load where you left it.
What Are Ratchet Straps Used For?
- Securing plasterboard, timber packs, ladders and site boxes in the back of a van stops the load shifting into doors, racking or other kit on the way to site.
- Holding down mowers, compact plant, generators and materials on trailers gives you proper load restraint over rough roads, speed bumps and roundabouts.
- Bundling pipe, conduit, trunking and long lengths together makes loading cleaner and stops loose pieces sliding about in transit or storage.
- Fastening tarps, dust sheets and lightweight covers with tie downs and bungees helps keep weather off gear when the job cannot wait for dry conditions.
- Strapping awkward loads to roof racks or pickup beds keeps everything tight and controlled, especially when standard van tie downs are not enough on their own.
Choosing the Right Ratchet Straps
Sorting the right one is simple: match the strap to the load, the vehicle and how much movement you can afford.
1. Weight of Load
If you are restraining plant, palletised materials or heavy site boxes, go for heavy duty ratchet straps with a suitable lashing capacity. If it is just lightweight gear or bundled materials, a lighter load strap may do the job without overcomplicating it.
2. Ratchet Straps vs Bungee Cords
Use ratchet straps when the load must stay put under braking and cornering. Use bungee cords for covers, light bundles and quick hold-down jobs, but do not treat them as proper load restraint for heavy or valuable kit.
3. Strap Length and Hook Type
Do not buy too short and hope for the best. Measure the load path properly, then check the end fittings suit your anchor points in the van, trailer or roof rack, otherwise the strap is no use to you on the day.
4. Van Work or Trailer Work
For van tie downs, shorter cargo straps are usually easier to manage and quicker to tension in tight spaces. For trailer straps, longer lengths and tougher webbing make more sense when you are going over larger loads or machinery.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Chippies use ratchet straps for keeping sheet materials, doors and lengths of timber from sliding about in the van between first fix jobs.
- Groundworkers and landscapers rely on trailer straps to hold down compact kit, fuel cans and muddy plant when moving between sites.
- Sparks, plumbers and HVAC fitters use van tie downs to stop packout boxes, coils, conduit and longer materials tipping over and getting damaged in transit.
- Delivery drivers, site managers and maintenance teams keep tie downs and bungees handy for quick restraint jobs, temporary cover fixing and last-minute load changes.
Load Restraint Extras That Save Hassle
A few add-ons make load restraint quicker, safer and far less of a mess in the back of the van.
1. Corner Protectors
These stop straps biting into plasterboard edges, finished joinery or packed materials. You will also save the webbing from rubbing through on sharp corners and wondering why the strap failed halfway through the week.
2. Anchor Points
If your van or trailer does not give you solid fixing points where you need them, proper anchors solve that straight away. They stop you hooking onto whatever is nearby and hoping it holds.
3. Tarp Covers
A tarp used with tie downs and bungees keeps rain, road filth and dust off tools, bags of material and awkward loads on open trailers. Handy when you are moving kit between site, yard and home.
4. Storage Bags or Strap Winders
Loose straps become a tangled pile fast. Keeping load straps rolled and stored properly saves time in the morning and stops dirty, twisted webbing getting dragged through puddles and grit.
Choose the Right Ratchet Straps for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right restraint for the load you are carrying.
| Your Job | Ratchet Strap or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Holding site boxes and loose kit in a van | Short van tie downs | Compact length, quick ratchet action, easy to tension between internal anchor points |
| Securing timber, boards and long materials | Medium load straps | Longer reach, decent webbing width, good control without damaging the load |
| Transporting machinery or heavy materials on a trailer | Heavy duty ratchet straps | High lashing capacity, robust hooks, tougher webbing for real load restraint |
| Holding tarps or lightweight covers in place | Tie downs and bungees | Fast fitting, flexible tension, handy for covers and lighter awkward items |
| Bundling pipe, conduit or trim in storage or transit | Light cargo straps | Quick wrap round use, easy release, neater storage in van racks or shelves |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Using bungee cords to secure heavy loads is a classic mistake. They are fine for covers and light kit, but for proper load restraint you need ratchet straps with the right rating.
- Buying straps without checking length wastes time fast. Too short and they will not reach, too long and you end up with loose tails flapping about unless you tie them off properly.
- Ignoring lashing capacity can leave you under-specced for the job. Match the strap to the actual weight and movement risk of the load, not just what happens to be in the van.
- Hooking onto weak points in a van or trailer is asking for trouble. Always use proper anchor points, otherwise the strap may hold while the fixing point gives up first.
- Leaving straps wet, twisted or dragged through grit shortens their life. Dry them out, roll them up and inspect the webbing before the next job rather than finding damage when you are already loading up.
Ratchet Straps vs Tie Downs vs Bungee Cords
Ratchet Straps
These are the right choice for serious load restraint. They let you tension heavy or awkward loads properly in vans, trailers and pickups, and they stay put far better under braking and cornering.
Tie Downs
General tie downs suit lighter securing jobs, bundling materials and keeping gear organised in transit. They are useful, but they are not always the one to trust for heavier loads unless the rating and fixing method stack up.
Bungee Cords
Bungees are handy for speed and flexibility, especially with tarps, dust sheets and light awkward items. They are not a replacement for cargo straps when the load has real weight behind it.
Which One to Buy
If the load would cause damage, injury or a failed journey if it moved, buy ratchet straps first. Keep tie downs and bungees alongside them for lighter jobs, covers and quick fixes around the van or trailer.
Maintenance and Care
Check the Webbing
Look for frayed edges, cuts, melted spots and abrasion before each use. If the webbing is damaged, retire the strap rather than trusting it with a fresh load.
Keep the Ratchet Clean
Mud, grit and rust make the mechanism harder to tension and release. Brush it out and keep the moving parts clean so the ratchet does not jam when you need it most.
Dry Before Storage
If straps have been left out in the rain or thrown on wet trailer beds, dry them before putting them away. That helps prevent mildew, corrosion on fittings and stiff, dirty webbing.
Roll and Store Properly
Coil each strap neatly and keep pairs together in a bag, drawer or box. It saves you digging through knots at six in the morning and helps the straps last longer.
Replace Worn Hooks and Elastic
Bent hooks, stretched bungees and tired fittings are signs the restraint is past its best. Replace worn pieces early rather than risking a load shift on the road.
Why Shop for Ratchet Straps at ITS?
Whether you need heavy duty ratchet straps for trailers, van tie downs for daily tool runs, or bungee cords for lighter cover jobs, we stock the full range. You will find Site and Vehicle Security, Vehicle Security Storage Boxes and Ratchet Straps, Tie Downs & Bungees all in one place, all in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Ratchet Straps FAQs
What are ratchet straps used for?
Ratchet straps are used for proper load restraint in vans, trailers, pickups and roof rack setups. They let you tension down tools, materials, plant and bulky items so the load stays put when braking, cornering or travelling over rough roads.
Are bungees suitable for securing loads?
For light jobs, yes. For heavy loads, no. Bungees are useful for holding tarps, covers and lightweight awkward items, but they are not a substitute for ratchet straps when you need proper restraint and controlled tension.
How do I choose the right tie down strap?
Start with the load weight, then check the strap length, lashing capacity and hook type suit your anchor points. If the load is expensive, heavy or likely to move, step up to a proper ratchet strap rather than relying on a basic tie down.
Can ratchet straps be used in vans and trailers?
Yes, that is exactly where most of them earn their keep. Shorter straps are handy for van tie downs between internal fixing points, while longer trailer straps are better for larger loads, machinery and palletised materials.
Will ratchet straps mark or damage the load?
They can if you overtighten them or run them over sharp or finished edges. Use corner protectors on delicate boards, painted parts or finished joinery, and tighten only as much as the load needs to stay secure.
How often should I replace load straps?
Replace them as soon as you see cuts, fraying, damaged stitching, bent hooks or ratchets that no longer run cleanly. They are not the bit of kit to run into the ground, especially if they are used daily on heavy loads.
