Come to think of truck accessories, you have to bear in your mind that there are totally different things, there are different kind of trucks, for example box truck, pickup truck, flatbeds, etc., they use similar or different tie downs, even for same kind of trucks, people probably will use totally different tie downs, say e track straps or plain ratchet straps for box trucks, so try to talk about generic tie downs is not a good idea, more specifically, we are going to talk about flat bed truck this time, because we can see those tie downs on the highway.
So many different loads can be put on trailers , the choice of tie downs will be really complicated, they will need quite some different tie down devices to get the job done, such as e track straps for box truck . In the mean time we’re going to look into winch straps and truck winches, lots of flat beds have winches installed or you can install winches later, then you’ll be able to use winch straps with truck winches, it has to be a straight forward choice .
New flatbeds usually will have truck winches installed, this is a big plus for hauling stuff can be secured by winch strap. When you work with truck winches and winch straps, there is one thing you can’t live without: winch bar, these steel bars are definitely needed for your job, so get one if you don’t already have one.
And we just can’t leave out the most used tie down equipment for transportation businesses, ratchet straps . Common wisdom indicates that the ratchet straps are assemblies of ratchet buckles and nylon or polyester webbing tie down strap, there are fixed end straps with ratchet buckles and loose end straps.
Ratchet tie downs are most used tie down equipment due to their adaptability , you can put them almost anywhere when it’s applicable. The ratchet straps may have flat hooks, double J hooks, chain anchors, cloth loops or just plain straps at both ends, probably some special made ratchets have some other funny ends, say, D ring? And it’s width can be 1” to 4”, length can be a few feet to more than 50 feet . On big rigs ratchet tie downs are the best tie down devices for shippers , those flat bed trucks without winches installed will look at ratchet straps seriously.
For us to get nice ratchet tie downs can be difficult or quite easy , it all depends on your preferences and point of view. Depends on different situation , sometimes acquire them locally is more appropriate , sometimes online options are much better. To help you make decision you need accurate and non altered information on the vendors, you can check out online forums, blogs and opinion sites to figure all of these out before you go all in.
FMCSA says it very clear, the load on the truck has to be secured, there is no exception. And it’s imperative that you use qualified tie downs and secure your truck load properly.
