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How Cargo Securement on Flatbed Trailers Can Be Challenging
Securing cargo on a flatbed trailer can be a real hassle. For starters, the flatbed itself is open, meaning there’s no protection for your cargo from the elements, like wind, rain, and more. It’s also exposed to all sorts of road hazards, like debris, that can cause damage if it’s not properly secured.
The nature of the cargo you’re transporting can also present challenges. Large and bulky items, for instance, can be tough to tie down securely and can shift or move during transport. Similarly, loose materials, like gravel or sand, can be difficult to contain and may spill out of the trailer while on the road.
And let’s not forget the regulations and laws surrounding the transportation of cargo. You need to take into account weight and size limitations and secure the cargo according to specific guidelines to ensure it’s considered safe for transport. All in all, securing cargo on a flatbed trailer requires careful planning and attention to detail to make sure your cargo is protected and compliant with the regulations.
Want to make sure you’re DOT compliant and your cargo is secure during transport? One of the best ways to do that is by using the right flatbed straps. But with so many options out there, how do you know which ones are the best? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Check out this blog for a rundown of some of the top flatbed straps on the market. Let’s begin.
The Different Types of Flatbed Straps for Flatbed Cargo Securement
Flatbed Ratchet Straps – When it comes to hauling cargo on a flatbed trailer, you need to make sure it’s secure. And one of the best ways to do that is by using flatbed ratchet straps. These bad boys consist of a durable webbing strap made from polyester webbing and a ratchet mechanism that lets you tighten and lock it in place. The result? Your cargo stays put, no matter what kind of elements or road hazards you encounter.
Flatbed ratchet straps come in all sorts of sizes and strengths, to accommodate different types of cargo and tie-down points. And, they’re not just for flatbed trailers. You can use them to secure cargo in a truck bed, on a roof rack, or even on a boat.
Using flatbed ratchet straps is a simple process: you determine the weight and size of your cargo and the tie-down points on your trailer. Next, you place the straps around your cargo, attach them to the tie-down points and use the ratchet to tighten and secure everything in place.
Flatbed Winch Straps – Want to make sure your cargo is extra secure when hauling it on a flatbed trailer? You might want to consider using a flatbed winch strap. These tie-downs consist of a durable webbing strap (polyester or nylon, for example) with a hook or loop on one end and a winch on the other end. You use the winch to wind the strap tight, locking your cargo in place and making sure it doesn’t shift or move around during transport.
Flatbed winch straps come in all sorts of sizes and strengths to suit different types of cargo and tie-down points. And, you can use them for more than just flatbed trailers. They’re great for securing cargo in a truck bed or on a roof rack.
Using a flatbed winch strap is a bit more complex than ratchet straps, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not too bad. It involves winding the strap around the winch drum and tightening it with the winch handle.
In short, flatbed winch straps are a great option for anyone in the transportation and logistics industry, especially when you’re dealing with heavy or bulky loads. They’re a more robust solution than ratchet straps and come in a range of sizes, strengths, and styles to suit all your cargo needs.
Flatbed Rubber Tarp Straps – When you’re hauling cargo on a flatbed trailer, you gotta make sure it’s protected from the elements, right? That’s where flatbed rubber tarp straps come in. These tie-downs consist of a rubber strap with hooks or loops on both ends, which you use to attach a tarp or cover over your cargo. The rubber strap is flexible and durable, able to withstand all kinds of weather and road hazards.
The purpose of the tarp is pretty obvious: to protect your cargo from rain, snow, dust, and sun. And the rubber tarp strap is what keeps the tarp in place, so it doesn’t move or fly away while you’re on the road.
Flatbed rubber tarp straps come in all sorts of sizes and strengths, to accommodate different types of cargo and tie-down points. And using them is a simple process: you put the tarp on top of your cargo, attach the rubber straps to the tarp, then attach the other end of the strap to the tie-down points on your trailer. Finally, you tighten the strap to secure the tarp in place.
In short, flatbed rubber tarp straps are a must-have for anyone in the transportation and logistics industry. They’re simple, effective, and come in a range of sizes, strengths, and styles to suit all your cargo needs.
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How to Tighten Winch Straps on Flatbed Trailers
When it comes to hauling cargo on a flatbed trailer, you gotta make sure it’s secured tight and won’t move around. So, how do you do that with winch straps? It’s pretty simple, just follow these steps:
1). Position your cargo on the trailer and make sure it’s blocked and is held in place.
2). Unwind your winch strap from the winch drum, and thread it through the tie-down points on your cargo and the trailer.
3). Attach the hook or loop on your winch strap to the winch drum.
4). Use the winch handle or power drive to wind the strap around the winch drum. This will pull the strap tight and secure the cargo in place.
5). Check the tension of the strap and adjust as needed. Your cargo should be secure and not move around the trailer. Be careful to not overtighten your cargo as this can cause damage to your strap and the cargo itself.
6). Repeat with the additional winch straps as needed and distribute the load evenly across the trailer.
7). Before you hit the road, double-check all of the straps for adequate tension and make sure the cargo is properly secured.
And that’s it! With these steps, you’ll be hauling your cargo safely and securely in no time.
Frequently Asked Flatbed Strap Questions
How Long Do Flatbed Straps Last? – So, how long do flatbed straps last? Well, it all comes down to how often you’re using ‘em and how well you take care of ‘em. If you’re using corner protectors to keep your straps in tip-top shape, you can expect them to last longer than if you’re not. But if you’re using them on a daily basis, you can probably expect to replace them every 2-3 months or so. But if you’re shipping less often and you’re using those corner protectors, you could easily get several years out of the flatbed straps.
Are Corner Protectors a Must-Have? – Alright, so corner protectors may not be a total must-have when it comes to hauling cargo on a flatbed trailer, but they’re pretty darn important. Here’s why: they help protect both your cargo and your straps from friction burns. Friction burns or tears in the tie-down webbing can cause damage and make your straps in need of replacement.
Now, if you’re using ratchet straps, you’re in luck. If they get a bit damaged, you can often replace just one end of the strap, instead of the whole thing. But when it comes to winch straps, once they’re damaged, you’re gonna need a whole new one. That’s because winch straps are tightened into place using a winch that’s installed along the rub rails of the flatbed trailer, and they only have a long end of the strap.
How Strong are the Heaviest Flatbed Straps? – When it comes to heavy-duty tie-down straps for flatbed trucking, 4-inch wide flatbed straps are the king of the road. These bad boys are extremely strong, heavy-duty, and built to last. And depending on the hardware used, the 4-inch ratchet straps for flatbed trailers can handle a working load limit of 5,400 lbs or more. The same goes for the 4-inch winch straps. Both of them are made from 24,000 lbs breaking strength tie-down webbing, which means they’re built to keep you safe when you’re hauling oversized or super heavy cargo on open trailers.
Are Winch Straps or Ratchet Straps More Cost Effective? – When it comes to purchasing winch straps or ratchet straps for your flatbed it ultimately comes down to personal preference and how the trailer is equipped. If the trailer already has a rub rail and winch system installed it’s likely going to be the ideal strap for you as they are more affordable to replace and provide similar strength for the cargo securement.
If the trailer is not equipped with rub rails the ideal strap is likely going to ratchet straps or installing rub rails and a winch track in order to be able to use winch straps. The cost over time ultimately depends on how many straps you are going through and how often you are going to be securing cargo. Those who are shipping often or those who are transporting cargo with sharp edges are going to be at higher risk of the straps becoming damaged during transit. If you are purchasing 4-inch ratchet straps that have bulky 8 lbs ratchet hardware the replacement costs over time could be potentially quite costly.
The Best Flatbed Straps for Flatbed Trailer Cargo Securement
Published on 01/25/23
1115402
$289.00
A42468-Box
$109.99
