Complete Guide about The Uses and Types of Car Tie Down Straps
For every hauler on the road who is transporting the car to the destination, safe delivery is very important, a sudden stop or a lane change may cause damage to the cargo you are hauling. So, having car tie down straps is very necessary to keep your safe delivery along the road.
Tire straps can be designed for any size, straps to fit over the tires and other cargo. Different car tire straps have different working load limits, for example, if you are going to transport some light cargo, you can use light duty strap, but if you are going to transport a vehicle, you have to use heavy duty strap, the light duty strap can not hold the cars in place anymore.
In this article, we will provide a complete guide about auto tie down straps, including how many car tie down straps on the market? How many tie down straps do I need? Which is the best tire strap for me? Today, Webslingness will answer all of your questions.
What’s the material of your tire straps and why?
Definitely, the material must be polyester webbing, due to the features of polyester webbing, durable, strong, wear-resisting, and water resistant. Also, the polyester webbing stretches a little also fit for tying down the vehicle or cargo on the road, in this way, even if you face a sudden issue on the way, the webbing still can hold the loads in place firmly.
The straps for car hauler can stretch up to 3%, but this is not a fixed feature, the percentage will increase after every use. So, before every use, you need to check the quality of your tie down straps. We encourage customers to have good quality tire straps since the best car hauler straps help a lot with the webbing features.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, if your use the car tire straps at both ends of the trailer, you need to make sure the working load limit must be half of your cargo total weight, this is what we always mention as indirect tie downs. But, if you tie down your cargo directly to the trailer, the working load limit must be equal to the weight of the cargo, this is what we called direct die downs.
Also, when tying down your cargo, you must ensure to keep the webbing straight and tighten, with no knots, no twists, or loosen parts.
If you are hauling vehicles, you need at least 4 tire tie down straps, one for per tire to ensure stability. If you are going to haul other cargo, you only need one tie down strap if the load’s length is less than 5 feet, and the weight less than 1,100lbs. If your loads are larger, you will need more tie down straps. One thing you have to keep in mind is that whatever you load, never exceed the working load limit of car trailer straps.
How to secure car tie down straps?
A qualified auto hauler must have to know how to secure cars with car tire straps, if the vehicle or cargo doesn’t secure properly, the cargo may have risk of damage or affect the safety of other drivers on the road. So, let us take a look at how to safely secure the vehicle step by step:
- Choose Right Straps and Secure at Right Spot
There are different types of car transport straps on the market and each of them has specific use. For example, axle straps are used to secure the front and rear end of the car suspension. Pay attention to not connecting the tire strap to the steering component or fuel/brake line, also do not mess the car hauling straps to the wires or brake lines. The ratchet together with the straps is used to tighten the webbing.
- Tighten The Tire Straps
The most common trailer tie down straps are provided with a ratchet mechanism and this is used to tighten the webbing.
First, you need to thread the end of the webbing into the slot in the center of the ratchet spool, then pull the webbing by your hand to remove the slack, last move the ratchet handle up and down to tension the strap.
- Check Strap Tightness
If you are using the new tire straps or you are a beginner of car hauler, after you secure the vehicle and start to drive on the road, we suggest you stop your trailer and check the tightness of the car hauling straps every 10-20 miles. If you make a sudden brake or a sharp turn, you also need to stop your trailer and check if your tire straps have broken, damaged, or loose.
- Loosening Ratchet Auto Tie Down Straps
When reaching the destination, you are going to release the trailer tie down straps, you need to pull the release tab at the handle of the ratchet and remove the webbing back through the spool, then you can unload your loads.
Various Types of Car Trailer Straps
Here not list all the car tie down straps on the market, but these are the main types on the market or ordered by most of our customers. If you can not find the one you are looking for, feel free to write your detailed request to: info@webslingness.com, we will be happy to assist you with any questions you have.
Over The Wheel Straps
Over the wheel straps are used in the trailer or the car bed that installed the anchor points, these trailer straps are designed with two anchor points and if there is no tie down points at the floor, you need to install the E Track.
Tow Dolly Straps
basket straps is another name for tow dolly straps, this strap is designed to cover around the wheel, so these tow dolly wheel straps can fit on different wheel sizes. This strap can hold the tire more firmly than the single straps.
Side Mount Wheel Straps
Side mount wheel straps are adjustable and fit any wheel size. These tire straps are tightened by a ratcheting system and can create 4 or 6 securement points.
Axle Straps
Axle straps are used to secure the vehicle by attaching to the strongest axles at the front or rear of the vehicle. The commonly used end fitting of the axle strap is the snap hook.
Professional Suggestions About Car Tire Straps
- The manufacturer of auto tie down equipment should remind the working load limit of tire straps for car trailer and other tools, including the securement points and specifications.
- Don’t use other straps, chains, and ropes to instead of the polyester webbing tire tie down straps. Since the car tie down straps are designed specifically for the vehicle and other types of tie downs are designed for other purposes.
- When loading your vehicle to the trailer, make sure it is centered and you need to use at least four tie down straps at 4 different securement points, in order to balance the weight of the vehicle.
- Using the rags or wool sleeve protectors can effectively prevent the wheel rim or vehicle from scratching. Protecting the vehicle all the way will make your clients happy with your job.
- Check the car hauler straps and other tie down equipment regularly to make sure there is no cut, mildew on the webbing, no defects or broken on the ratchets and hooks. If you found any, replace them immediately. The cost of tire straps is low, but the cost of damaging vehicles or cargo is much higher.
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Tire Straps
If you are a beginner in the auto hauling business, you may have a lot of questions. Here are the most commonly asked question about car tire straps, they must be helpful for you.
How many tie down straps do I need to secure a vehicle?
We recommend at least 4 tie down straps at 4 different securement points to evenly distribute the weight of the vehicle. You can check more regulations here.
What’s the difference between car tie down straps and car tie down chains?
Car tie down chains is designed for the trailer with their specific securement tie down points. But, the strap is versatile for the vehicle axle and wheel. From the point of working efficiency, cost, and versatility, the car tie down strap is a better choice.
What size tire tie down straps do I need?
The car trailer straps you can find on the market are versatile, they can fit for most vehicles. If you find your car hauler strap is not work, you may consider the factor of tire tie down style or trailer type.
What to pay attention when checking the car tire strap?
First, you should check the strap if there’s a tag with safety and inspection information, then check if there’s any cut, tears, or wears on the webbing. If any, don’t use it anymore. Do remember, to check the quality before every use.
Can you prolong the service life of car tire straps?
If you use, secure and inspect the strap properly, the car tire straps can last years. Don’t wrap, or twist the webbing, proper and regular inspection is very necessary, also don’t exceed the tire strap working load limit, and keep the strap in a cool and dry place, your car tire strap will last long and work perfectly every time.
