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The Best Ratchet Straps 2021

Best Ratchet Straps

Ratchet straps are designed to secure equipment and other cargo in place during transportation. Depending upon your budget, they are available in a range of lengths, widths and thicknesses to suit your requirements.

The best ratchet straps are the RHINO USA Tie Downs, which have a break strength of 5,208 LBS and available in black, blue, orange or green.

Not to be confused with a regular tow strap, ratchet straps are designed to securely wrap around cargo. Although they are constructed of similar materials, you shouldn’t use a ratchet strap for towing or lifting purposes.

Table of Contents

Best Ratchet Straps

Ratchet StrapsLoad CapacityBreak Strength
RHINO USA1,700 LBS5,208 LBS
Vulcan ProSeries3,330 LBS10,000 LBS
AUGO Set500 LBS1,500 LBS
Lockdown Pro-Grade1,686 LBS3,372 LBS
Fortem Strap Set500 LBS1,500 LBS

The build quality of a ratchet tie down strap can be seen by its load capacity and break strength. High quality examples will have higher values for both ratings but will often be more expensive to purchase.

Whether you need to secure your roof cargo box or motorcycle, ratchet straps are the best option. To ensure that you get the most value for the money, lookout for complete packages with additional straps or bungee cords.

Below is a list of the best ratchet straps that are heavy duty and designed to secure equipment, vehicles and other cargo with very little effort.

Rhino USA Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps


Rhino USA are a reputable American brand that are known for their superior build quality. These heavy duty ratchet straps come with a premium price but feature everything that you would want when searching for your ideal straps.

In terms of the performance, these ratchet straps have an impressive break strength of 5,208 LBS.

Other features of the Rhino USA Tie Down Set include:

  • Coated steel ratchet
  • Chromoly S-hooks
  • Durable polyblend webbing
  • Soft loops to prevent damage
  • Available in black, blue, green or orange
  • Made in the USA

The brand offer various different ratchet straps but these are the best option for all-round performance. They even guarantee that these straps will fulfill your requirements, which should provide you with peace of mind.

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Vulcan Ratchet Tie Down Straps

For those that use ratchet straps on a daily basis for hauling vehicles on a trailer, the Vulcan ratchets are the best option. They can be used to loop through the wheels, axle, frame and other areas of the car without causing any damage.

The brand claim that these are used by millions of professionals each year and they are the most qualified manufacturers in the world.

Other features of the Vulcan Ratchet Tie Down Straps include:

  • 3,300 LBS break strength
  • Exceeds DOT specification
  • Heavy duty 2 inch wide 1 ply webbing
  • Soft webbing to avoid damage to wheels
  • 12 feet of length for additional reach
  • Includes 4 tie downs

If you intend to haul vehicles on the back of a trailer, these are the best ratchet straps for you. They are designed primarily for this exact purpose and include unique features to avoid damage to the wheels or bodywork.

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AUGO Ratchet Tie Down Straps


By far the cheapest and most popular ratchet tie down straps is by the AUGO brand. The complete package comes with a selection of 4 ratchets along with 2 bungee cords for extra value for the money.

In terms of the performance, it has a load capacity of 500 LBS and a break strength of 1,500 LBS.

Other features of the AUGO Ratchet Tie Down Straps include:

  • Rubber coated S-hooks
  • Ergonomic handles
  • 15 feet of polyester webbing
  • Includes a 90 day warranty
  • Suitable for all applications

Overall, they are cheap ratchet straps that are designed to last and use a unique molding technology to ensure the handles never fall off. Considering the low cost, they are ideal for storing in the car for emergency use and will not disappoint.

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Lockdown Pro-Grade Ratchet Tie Downs


Another set of heavy duty ratchet straps are the Lockdown Pro-Grade, which includes 4 ratchet straps and 4 loop anchoring straps. They are designed to withstand a working load limit of 1,686 LBS and have a break strength of 3,372 LBS.

Other features of the Lockdown Pro-Grade Set include:

  • Ergonomic ratchet handle and release lever
  • Double J-hook design
  • Heavy duty thick webbing
  • Coated hooks for protection
  • Anchoring versatility
  • Includes a carry bag
  • CE and EN12195-2 Certified

Overall, the Lockdown Pro Grade are excellent all-round ratchet tie down straps that are affordable and offer great performance. The brand even claim that the webbing is twice as thick as other straps of a similar price tag.

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Fortem Securing Ratchet Straps


The Fortem ratchet tie down straps are an affordable option that comes with 4 securing straps, 4 hook straps and 4 ratchet buckles. In terms of the webbing, it is made from a durable polyester that is finished a highly visible neon.

In terms of the performance of these ratchet straps, they have a loading capacity of 500 LBS and break strength of 1,500 LBS.

Other features of the Fortem Ratchet Straps include:

  • Steel handles coated in rubber for protection
  • Smooth release latch mechanism
  • Weather-resistant stainless steel hooks
  • 15 feet long straps
  • Includes a carrying case for storage

Whether you are securing a hitch cargo carrier or transporting timber on top of your car, these ratchet straps are perfect. They are easy to use, built to last and can be used for several applications.

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Ratchet Straps Buying Guide

Ratchet straps are often referred to as tie down straps are designed to secure cargo to the vehicle or trailer. It is always worth having spare straps available because they are very versatile and can be very useful when required.

There is a wide variety of different designs available that vary in length, width and thickness. Depending upon how frequently you use them will determine the budget that you have available to spend on a quality set.

To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding ratchet straps.

best ratchet tie down straps

Construction of the Strap

Due to the heavy duty usage of a ratchet strap, they will need to be made from a durable material. The webbing is often made from a strong nylon or polyester, which are weather resistant and have abrasion resistant features.

Polyester is often more expensive than they nylon alternatives but they are more long lasting. They also better at withstanding UV and heat exposure but they do lack the ability to stretch.

When not in use, the best way to store the straps is to roll them up and then keep them in a storage bag. Failing to do this can cause damage to the straps (polyester and nylon) and prevents them tangling up.

Length, Width and Height

The width and thickness of the straps will make the strap far more heavy duty but will come with a premium price tag. The length is the metric you will want to ensure is suitable for your requirements. If it is too short, you will not be able to loop it round your cargo to tie it down and too long can result in more hassle. The majority of straps range from 20 to 50 feet in length.

Load Capacity

The working load limit is one of the most important factors to consider before purchasing a ratchet strap. You will want to ensure that the straps you choose exceed the weight capacity of your cargo. The load capacity is often a third of the break strength and you should not risk using weak ratchet straps.

Break Strength

The break strength is the maximum load to which a strap can withstand before breaking. This would have been independently tested via strict standards such as the EN12195-2 regulations.

Although the strap may be able to withstand a certain amount of strength, the break strength relies on other components too. These include the webbing, ratchet and end fittings, which will then make up the overall break strength.

How To Secure Load Using Ratchet Straps

There are many different types of ratchet tie down straps that you can use, which makes usage slightly different. However, most can be used as follows:

  1. Wrap the loop around the cargo to secure.
  2. Hook the J or S-hook around the loop.
  3. Ensure the connection is secure.
  4. Ratchet down to secure the load.

You may need to setup the the straps prior but once complete, it is as easy as the four steps above.

best heavy duty ratchet straps

Other Desirable Features

As the market is full of various straps, many manufacturers include additional features to beat the competition. Some desirable examples include rubber coated hooks, stainless steel ratchets and even carrying bags for storage.

Depending upon your budget, you may also want to purchase complete kits that includes extra straps, bungee cords and much more.

Conclusion

Investing into the best ratchet straps you can get your hands on is highly recommended. You never know when you may need them and they can be incredibly useful. If you are a professional that use them on a daily basis, there are many premium options available to suit your requirements.

All of the recommendations above are suited for a range of budgets and include a variety of additional features. To maximize the safety of your cargo on the road, we advise that you avoid the cheap version and stick to reputable brands.

procarreviews author

Written By Dan

About the Author

Dan is an automotive journalist and owner of over 10 cars ranging from supercars, tuned cars, classics and your good old beater cars. He always likes to get his hands dirty with nut and bolt restorations or detailing sessions using the best products on the market.

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