There are several items that should be a staple in just about every garage. One of them is without a doubt a sturdy set of tie down straps. Not only are they excellent for securing items that need to be transported, but they’re also key gadgets to have in case of a breakdown. But do they carry value apart from these scenarios?

If you bought your ratchet tie down straps for a specific reason, you may be wondering what else you can do with them. Our experts have compiled a list of some of the more common uses for tie down straps. 

Convenient Uses of Ratchet Tie Down Straps

Many people may not think that the cost of tie down straps is worth it if they’re only going to use them for a single purpose. Fortunately, there are a bunch of uses that will make the expense worth it. 

1. Securing Cargo

The most significant use of tie down straps involves moving cargo. This can involve cargo on a commercial level for your business, or even simply to move furniture when you’re relocating. 

With the wide variety of lengths and sizes available, there is no job too big or small for a set of quality ratchet straps. Whether you’re using a utility vehicle or a trailer, ratchet tie down straps are the perfect way to secure cargo, boxes or even furniture. 

Note: it is best to use straps that are appropriate in size and weight capacity for each task. So, having a range of different straps is actually a bonus. 

1. Car Towing

Many car owners will agree, every vehicle should have a set of durable and strong tie down straps as part of their breakdown kits. After all, you never know when you’re going to break down, get stuck in the mud or come across someone else who may be stuck. 

When you’re getting ready to buy the perfect straps for your breakdown kit, it’s essential to consider the weight of your vehicle. Choosing straps that are strong enough to pull the weight of your vehicle without snapping is essential to avoid a potential accident. 

1. Transporting Bikes, ATVs and Bicycles

For Australians, weekends are the perfect time to unwind and spend time doing some of their favourite pastimes. Racing bikes and ATVs are among the top weekend activities for many households. 

However, if you’re thinking about taking up one of these hobbies, you will need a way to get your ATVs or bikes to the track. The solution lies in a car trailer, several sturdy tie down straps and some load binders to provide additional support to the load. 

1. DIY Hobbies and Projects

If your hobby involves working in your garage, such as metal or woodworking, the good news is that you can also use your tie down straps in those instances.

Depending on the hobby you have, there may be times when you could use a second set of hands. Then you can use your ratchet straps to secure an item that you’re glueing together. These nifty straps work well as substitute clamps to hold two items together while you work on them. 

1. Assorted Camping Uses

Planning a camping trip? It’s an excellent idea to include your tie down straps in your gear. Here are some of the more common uses for ratchet tie downs around the camping site:

• Tying your kayak or canoe to your vehicle roof: While you can tie your kayak or canoe to your vehicle roof or trailer using a rope, our experts recommend using tie down straps instead as they’re more secure. 
• Use as a lantern line: If you’re camping with children or elderly people, it’s a good and safe idea to string a few ratchet straps between trees at your camping site. Simply hang a few lanterns across the strap to light up the whole area. This will make it easy for everyone to see where they’re walking and there’s no risk of knocking over a floor lantern. 
• Tying canoe or kayak up: If you’re going to leave your kayak or canoe on the water’s edge, it’s a good idea to secure it to the nearest strong tree. This will give you peace of mind that it won’t accidentally get pulled into the water if the water levels rise unexpectedly. 
• Make rope swings: A fun way to keep children entertained during weekend camping trips is to create a few rope swings. The easiest way to do it is to attach a flat plank to a couple of ratchet straps and then secure it to a tree. Essentially, the straps will replace the more traditional ropes. 

1. Garage Storage

Another top reason DIY-ers love ratchet tie downs is that they are easy to use almost anywhere. Using your garage space for storage? People who need extra storage space often tie items to the roof using a set of tie straps, helping to free up floor space. 

Using strong and weight-appropriate straps will make it possible to store boxes and bags without the risk of them falling. 

Click here – A Full Guide to Successful Pet Transportation

Final Thoughts

There’s no denying the many uses of a set of quality tie-down straps. Whether you’re going to use them to move cargo, secure storage items or even add them to your emergency kit, it’s the purchase you need to consider this year.