After more than 20 years hauling flatbed all over the country, I've learned something that's true about just about every piece of equipment on a trailer. Every tool has a purpose.
Chains have a purpose. Binders have a purpose. Tarps have a purpose. And ratchet straps definitely have a purpose.
The mistake some new drivers make is thinking straps can do everything. They can't. Knowing when to use a ratchet strap — and when not to — is part of becoming a professional flatbed driver.
The one buying tipFirst Thing: Buy Flat Hooks
Before I say anything else about straps, here's the one buying tip that saves a new driver a headache at the shipper: get flat hooks.
Flatbed ratchet straps come with different hook ends, and the flat hook is the one that catches the rub rail on your flatbed. A lot of straps sold online come with S-hooks or wire hooks — those are for moving trucks and box trailers, not flatbeds. Order the wrong kind and you'll find out the hard way when you're trying to secure a load and they won't catch the rail. For flatbed work, the flat hook is the only way to go.
What I carriedI Never Carried Hundreds of Straps
If you looked in one of my side boxes, you weren't going to find fifty ratchet straps. That just wasn't the kind of freight I hauled.
For the work I did, I usually carried five or six 2-inch ratchet straps and five or six 4-inch ratchet straps. That was enough for just about anything that came my way. There always seemed to be that one oddball load where a strap was exactly what I needed, and I'd rather have a few good straps than wish I'd packed them later.
Here's the setup I'd run today — both in flat hooks, of course.
The 2-inch straps handle lighter and odd-shaped freight — the stuff that needs restraint but not the muscle of a wide strap.
2" flatbed ratchet strap — flat hooks
2 inch27 ftFlat hooksFlat hooks so they catch the flatbed rub rail — not the S-hooks or wire hooks that come on moving-truck straps. DC Cargo is a reputable cargo-control make, not a bargain-bin strap — and 27 feet is a standard flatbed length, not an oddball.
Shop 2" flat-hook ratchet straps →The 4-inch straps are the workhorses for heavier freight that still isn't a chain job — crated machinery, heavier fabricated pieces, the loads where you want more width and more working load limit.
4" flatbed ratchet strap — flat hooks
4 inchFlat hooks5,400 lb WLLMore width and more working load limit for the heavier loads that still aren't a chain job. Flat hooks for the rub rail, 5,400 lbs WLL, from a reputable make.
Shop 4" flat-hook ratchet straps →The right jobWhere Straps Shine
Ratchet straps are perfect for freight that doesn't have sharp edges and doesn't require the strength of transport chain. Over the years, I used them on things like:
- Aluminum boats
- Plastic tanks
- Crated equipment
- Finished machinery
- Lightweight fabricated products
- Odd-shaped freight that needed a little extra restraint
Sometimes a strap was simply the easiest way to secure a part of the load that didn't have a good location for a chain. That's where straps really earn their keep.
The wrong jobWhere I Chose Chains Instead
When it came to hauling heavy raw steel, my first choice was almost always transport chain. Steel coils. Steel plate. Structural steel. Heavy machinery. Anything with sharp edges or serious weight.
Those loads can cut webbing, damage straps, and place tremendous forces on your securement system. That's why chains are generally the better choice for heavy steel hauling and are often required by the shipper or by the applicable cargo securement rules.
To me, chains and straps aren't competitors. They're different tools for different jobs.
Inspect the webbingA Good Strap Doesn't Last Forever
I've retired a lot of straps over the years. Not because they failed. Because I refused to let them fail.
Every time I rolled one up, I'd give it a quick inspection. I'm looking for:
- Frayed webbing
- Cuts
- Torn stitching
- Burn marks from friction
- Chemical damage
- UV fading
- Broken or bent hooks
- Twisted webbing
If I had any doubts, that strap came out of service. A new strap costs a lot less than a damaged load.
Don't skip itDon't Forget the Ratchet
Drivers usually inspect the webbing. Sometimes they forget about the ratchet.
The ratchet mechanism needs attention too. I've seen them get rusty, packed with dirt, full of road salt, difficult to release, and hard to tighten. A little cleaning and a little lubricant every now and then can make a ratchet last a long time. Take care of your equipment, and it'll usually return the favor.
Protect the webbingSharp Edges Are the Enemy
If there's one thing that destroys straps faster than anything else, it's sharp edges.
I've seen perfectly good straps ruined because someone threw them over unfinished steel without edge protection. That's asking for trouble. If I have to run a strap anywhere near a sharp corner, I'm using edge protection. I'd rather spend a couple of minutes protecting the strap than replacing it later.
Buy qualityDon't Buy Cheap Straps
This is another place where I don't believe in cutting corners. The bargain bin might look tempting when you're buying equipment for the first time. But good straps are worth paying for.
You're trusting them with your freight, your reputation, and everyone traveling beside you. That's not where I try to save money.
No rushBuild Your Equipment Over Time
One thing I tell new drivers is this: you don't have to buy everything in one day. Start with good-quality equipment. Add to it as you go. Replace worn pieces before they become problems. Before long you'll have everything you need for just about any load that rolls onto your trailer.
My Advice to New Drivers
Don't think of ratchet straps as a replacement for chains. Think of them as another tool in your toolbox. There will be loads where a strap is exactly what you need. There will be loads where a chain is the only thing I'd trust. The trick is knowing the difference. That's something experience teaches you.
After twenty years on the road, I never judged a driver by how many straps he carried. I judged him by whether he knew when to use them. Because the best flatbed drivers don't just own good equipment. They know which piece of equipment is right for the job in front of them.
This article shares practical experience and general product guidance; it is educational and is not legal advice. Working load limits vary by width, length, and manufacturer — always verify the tag on your own straps, use flat hooks rated for your flatbed, and confirm your securement meets 49 CFR Part 393 for your specific load. Some links are affiliate links; buying through them may support this site at no additional cost to you.