Collection: Tips & Guides
How to Secure an ATV on a Trailer: The Right...
To secure an ATV on a trailer, use ratchet straps attached to the axles, wheels, or frame so the ATV can't move forward, backward, or tip. Choose a strap setup with a Safe Work Load equal to or greater than the ATV's weight, use soft loops or axle straps where there's no tie-down point, and recheck the load early in the drive.
You're a few miles into the trip, the trailer is rolling along nicely, and you glance in the mirror to see your ATV rocking against its straps. That's the moment you wish you'd spent five more minutes in the driveway.
Ratchet Straps vs. Tie-Down Straps: Which One Do You Actually...
"Tie-down strap" is a broad category term for any gear made of webbing and hardware used to secure cargo and includes ratchet straps, cam buckle straps, and retractable ratchet straps. A ratchet strap is one specific type within that category: it uses a mechanical ratcheting system to generate more tension with less physical effort than a hand-tightened strap can.
SmartStraps has spent more than two decades focused on cargo securing, and one lesson comes up again and again: the right tie down for the job matters more than the strongest looking one.
Is There Anything Better Than Ratchet Straps? The Honest Answer.
Is there anything better than ratchet straps? A properly rated ratchet strap is a great option for several types of loads, but the best tie down option for your load is always the safest one. Professionals do not reach for the same tie down every time. They match the securing method to the load. Ratchet straps are often the answer, but cam buckle straps, bungee cords, rope, or chains can make more sense for specific jobs.
The smartest haulers do not simply grab the strongest-looking strap. They match the securing method to the cargo, rating, anchor points, and trip.
What Are the Strongest Ratchet Straps? How to Read the...
The strongest ratchet strap is not simply the one with the largest number on the package. The rating that matters for choosing a strap is its Safe Work Load (which is also known as Working Load Limit), along with the strap’s webbing and construction.
Most people shopping for ratchet straps do the same thing: scan the packaging, spot the biggest number, and assume that is the strap’s real capacity. Often, that number is the breaking strength, and that is where the confusion starts. Breaking strength describes a different limit and should not be treated as the strap’s usable working capacity.
Safe Work Load (SWL) in the US and Canada, is defined as 1/3 of the breaking strength and is the primary consideration when hauling dynamic loads.
How to Use Ratchet Straps Correctly: The Complete Guide
To use a ratchet strap correctly, choose a strap and securing setup appropriate for the load, attach it only to suitable anchor and cargo points, thread the webbing through the ratchet correctly, remove slack, and tension it without overtightening. Before driving, secure loose webbing, inspect the full setup, and recheck the load during transport as appropriate.
SmartStraps has spent more than 22 years focused on cargo securing, and one lesson comes up again and again: small setup mistakes can create big hauling problems. A twisted strap, the wrong attachment point, damaged webbing, or an incorrectly threaded ratchet can undermine an otherwise solid setup. Once you understand the basic sequence, using a ratchet strap becomes much more straightforward.