Testing the limits of standard 2" tie down ratchet straps

[seafish]

Worth watching--

Jason at Fireball Tools sets up a hydraulic rig to test the breaking strength of the standard 10,000 pound tie down ratchet strap in order to dispel some internet myths about putting a twist in the strap while using it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Truckers Twist" been using that for 40 years.

 

[bcbender]

Purely done to reduce wind noise and vibration.. been doing mine like that for 30yrs...

 

[JR]

Interesting that they all broke by the ratchet.

I tried watching to see if the strap was slipping through the ratchet causing friction (heat) before they broke. Looking at them after the fact you can see the bare ratchet in each close up. There should be a minimum of 2 wraps around the drum to prevent slippage which can sometimes be difficult to accomplish when you cinch them up tight by hand before ratcheting, depending on how much the load compresses before the strap gets tight.

 

[seafish]

Interesting that they all broke by the ratchet.

I tried watching to see if the strap was slipping through the ratchet causing friction (heat) before they broke. Looking at them after the fact you can see the bare ratchet in each close up. There should be a minimum of 2 wraps around the drum to prevent slippage which can sometimes be difficult to accomplish when you cinch them up tight by hand before ratcheting, depending on how much the load compresses before the strap gets tight.

Thats a valid observation...the fact that the straps were warm/hot to touch after they broke WOULD indicate friction, though I assumed it was from stretching and tightening and not necesarily from slipping on the barrel.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I'm surprised none of the stitching let go first. I would have thought that to be the weak link on a strap.

 

[seafish]

Interesting that they all broke by the ratchet.

I tried watching to see if the strap was slipping through the ratchet causing friction (heat) before they broke. Looking at them after the fact you can see the bare ratchet in each close up. There should be a minimum of 2 wraps around the drum to prevent slippage which can sometimes be difficult to accomplish when you cinch them up tight by hand before ratcheting, depending on how much the load compresses before the strap gets tight.

That said, except for the knotted one, they all clearly and cleanly broke extremely close to the rated load limit, which is also likely based upon strap strength, so I am going to guess that Jason's testing procedure was also fairly accurate,

 

[bcbender]

There should be a minimum of 2 wraps around the drum to prevent slippage

Good eye! Yeah I skimmed the video to be honest and looked at the data table towards the end. I usually get at least 2 wraps on mine... a quick tensile test for strap strength would have been a good base, (or check) since they were rated for 10k breaking but were slightly under (3k working load was mentioned).

 

[petersonj]

they all clearly and cleanly broke extremely close to the rated load limit,

since they were rated for 10k but were slightly under.

Just for clarification, the rated working load limit is 3,333 lbs. The safety factor is 3:1, hence the rating of 10,000 lbs breaking force limit. None of them quite reached the 3:1 safety factor, but came very close. They were all well within the rated working load limit with over a 2:1 safety factor except for the one with the knot.

I found it interesting that only about 1500 lb of force could be attained using the ratchet mechanism. That is good information.

As usual, a great video by Fireball Tools!

- John

 

[bcbender]

Sorry, I should've made it more clear that the tensile rating was stated to be 10k and they failed just shy of that.. But it was not a tru test of the tensile strength of the strap material so who knows.

 

[seafish]

Just for clarification, the rated working load limit is 3,333 lbs. The safety factor is 3:1, hence the rating of 10,000 lbs breaking force limit. None of them quite reached the 3:1 safety factor, but came very close.

Thank you ... this is absolutely correct...I meant to say that all the straps (except the knotted one and the wet one) failed close to their breaking load limit not their rated load limit.

 

[petersonj]

@seafish, thank you for bringing that video to the forum - it was very informational.

- John

 

[slowmover]

Twist is to prevent wind chafing.

 

[bighammer]

Mid-span, the fibers are free to stretch either way and it's kept balanced. It makes sense they would break at an an end where you have fibers stretching one direction, but not the other. The hook end is reinforced. I would've guessed they would break at the ratchet drum. Pretty impressive testing.

Even if a twist did reduce the breaking strength, the reduction of chaffing wear is well worth it.

It would've been pretty cool to see a 5/16" transport chain tested on his rig for comparison. I got a deal on a set of 4 chains with binders and have mostly quit using my old straps. I bought some extra hooks and cut 3 of them, so I have six 10' and one 20' length. Yea, they're heavier and less convenient, but they don't get all frayed and faded in a short time.

 

[JR]

Chains definitely have their advantages. It Depends on the load. All my straps have 5/16 chain on the ends, they are so much more versatile than standard hooks. Especially when you aren't tying down perpendicular to the pockets.

 

[endoscott]

Can you post a picture of those straps? Where do you get them?

 

[seafish]

Chains definitely have their advantages. It Depends on the load.

This.
I mill and haul finished lumber patters and cannot use chain which would mar the load.
That said, when hauling equipment obviously I use chains with ratcheting binders to pull the slack out.

 

[JR]

Can you post a picture of those straps? Where do you get them?

I have gotten some locally and some from this website, they are pretty good quality. Especially at the price point.

https://www.ratchetstraps.com/2-inc...tchet-with-3-8-chain-extension-with-grab-hook

https://www.ratchetstraps.com/2-inch-winch-strap-with-chain-and-hook


For anyone that looks at these, I would recommend buying the ratchet with the chain directly attached to the ratchet like in the link above. I accidentally ordered a set once with a short 18" long section of webbing AND chain and they are too long for my liking. Not bad if your hauling taller loads but anything close to the deck they are a PIA.
Something like this is what I mean...

https://www.ratchetstraps.com/automotive-tie-down-strap-with-cluster-hook-and-chain-and-hook

 

[endoscott]

Thanks, those look great. Price is reasonable too.

 

[slowmover]

They age-out even if never used.
UV + improper use does the rest.

The box store stuff not worth having.
But it’s all most of us ever buy.
Convenience, over learning some knots.

Consider them disposable, mainly.

.