Let’s Learn How to Use Ratchet Straps
Ratchet straps are a popular tool for tying down bounce houses, inflatable water slides, inflatable obstacle courses, party tents, and more. You can also use them to secure cargo inside your trucks, and to latch cargo onto hand trucks and dollies as well. But not everyone knows how to use ratchet straps out of the gate, so we thought we’d take some time to explain their operation.
Ratchet tie down straps aren't all that difficult to use. They use a fairly simple mechanical design consisting of a strap fed through a ratchet, which is cranked along a mandrel. Toothed cogs sit against a small metal catch, holding everything in place each time you crank. You’ll master their use pretty quickly with a little practice.
How to Thread a Ratchet Strap
Your first step in knowing how to use a ratchet strap is to learn how to set up and thread your ratchet strap. To do this, simply open the ratchet by pulling up the release lever. This is the metal plate that looks sort of like an old buckle. When you set the ratchet down, the release lever and the teeth of the cogs should be facing up.
Next, feed the strap into the mandrel via the slot found at the bottom of the ratchet. When it comes out the other end, it should align with the strap already connected to the other side of the ratchet. Continue pushing it through the mandrel until your ratchet tie down strap feels taught.
Tightening Things Up: How do Ratchet Straps Work?
Now that your ratchet tie down straps are threaded, we can begin tightening them up. This part is pretty easy: simply pump the ratchet lever up and down, over and over again. Each time you pump, the ratchet’s mandrel rotates and the strap gets tighter.
Pump away at the ratchet lever, cranking the mandrel and pushing more strap through the mechanism. Keep doing this until you’re confident your load is fully secure. You don’t want to make the ratchet strap too tight though. Tie down straps can be tightened to the point they’re damaging equipment and cargo, and nobody wants to do that.
How to Release a Ratchet Strap
Once your event or party is all done, you’ll want to release your ratchet straps safely and start loading up your truck. Figuring out how to loosen a ratchet strap can be a little tricky, but once you understand how to do it, it’s easy as pie.
On the ratchet near the tightening lever, you’ll find a little tab (or maybe two little tabs, depending on the model of ratchet strap you’re using). If you take a moment to examine the mechanics of the ratchet, you’ll see a spring that keeps these tabs down, pushing them into the teeth of the cog where the ratchet locks up.
To loosen or release the ratchet strap, simply flip the ratchet lever completely open, so it’s entirely flat. Give the ratchet release tabs a tug upward, holding them up and away from the cog, and the ratchet will instantly loosen up. It’s as easy as that!
Your Gear Is More Secure Now That You Know How to Use Ratchet Straps
From locking down precious cargo in a truck to securing a party tent or commercial inflatable against the elements, knowing how to use ratchet straps correctly can make them immensely useful for all sorts of applications. But it’s important you take your time and operate your ratchet tie down straps correctly. Failure to do so can result in damage to equipment or property, or can cause injury.
Tent and Table sells high quality, heavy duty ratchet straps designed for strenuous commercial use. Our sales team is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding ratchet straps … and how to get your hands on some of the best ratchet tie down straps in our industry, too. Give us a call today at 1-716-832-8368 and find out how to save big on ratchet straps!