In the process of moving, it can be difficult to decide what is worth your time and money. With all of the costs of deposits, renters or homeowners insurance, pet fees, and the like, the last thing anyone wants to do is waste their money on something that isn’t 100% necessary. This is especially true of those who wish to complete the move with their own truck without the help of a mover. Keep in mind, however, that securing items in the bed of the truck can be difficult; make sure you have the right tools to do it. Ratchet straps go a long way in easing the drive.
Basic Ratchet Straps Vocabulary
When purchasing your ratchet straps, go in knowing exactly what you are looking for. There will often be two ratings: break strength and working load limit. The break strength, or BS, is the amount of weight a component can stand without breaking or failing. Working load limit refers to the limit of weight that should be respected in using the strap. This is calculated by taking one-third of the break strength. For example, if the break strength is 5,000 pounds, the working load limit is 1667 pounds. When loading your truck, never exceed the working load limit or you risk breaking the strap and losing valuable items. So when you purchase your ratchet straps, keep in mind the amount of weight you will be loading at a time.
Ratchet Straps Vs. Rope
There are many people who would make the case that using rope to secure your belongings is just as effective and less expensive than ratchet straps. While it is tempting to save a few dollars by using rope, many items involved in a move are too heavy for ropes to be secure. For example, heavy wood tables and dressers can easily weigh hundreds of pounds. Ropes might appear to keep these items in place while the truck is sitting still, but the natural movement of driving causes them to shift. Ratchet straps are much better at holding things in place, but according to Wikipedia, backlash from driving in reverse should still be closely observed. Even so, tope will wear and break much faster than a ratchet strap that can hold up to 3,000 pounds. Additionally, ratchet straps are not outrageously expensive; they can be found at most home improvement stores for around $20 for a pack of 4. Rope may be cheaper, but it’s that cheap quality that will cause you problems in the end. You may end up even paying more for hundreds of yards of rope that continually breaks.
Types of Ratchet Straps
According to shipperssupplies.com, to determine the type of ratchet strap that is right for your move, consider what kind of vehicle you will be using. For a trailer, E-Track straps come highly recommended. These straps can lock into the side of the trailer for easy locking. Most straps are made with durable polywebbing that has very little stretch for extreme security; but if you need something with a little more give, nylon straps are available. You can also purchase straps with stainless steel ratchets for your own peace of mind. The straps themselves are available in 1, 2, 3, and 4-inch varieties. Before setting out to purchase your ratchet straps, stop to think about everything that will need to be loaded. Let this be your guide to what type of strap is right for you.
Ratchet straps are a truly imperative asset to your truck. In fact, the New York Times mentions that purchasing ratchet straps is one of the first things you should do upon buying your own truck. They will pay off at the end of your move by delivering all of your important items safe and secure to your new home.
