*
I use the 2″ ratchet straps, much easier to keep untangled than the 1″ wide. When done, I separate the strap from the ratchet, roll the strap, and they all go into a milk crate. Five or six will fit in a milk crate. Never had a problem when I needed them.
etrg
Listeners write in about haunted pipes and building-science tomes, and they ask questions about roof venting and roof leaks.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
I spend more time untangling tie downs for my pickup and my flat bed trailer than I care to. I have tried putting them individually in little plastic bags, rolling them up and using twist ties on them, folding them up and putting heavy duty rubber bands around them, and, in frustration, tossing them in the back of the truck along with loose extention cords and stranded wire (definitely the least efficient method). Anyone have a super method of quickly handling these things so they don't manage to tangle around everything in the immediate neighborhood?
*Casey,No, not me.......but I hope someone does.Ed. Williams
*I bought a set of these ratcheting nylon web things if this is what you are talking about. I proudly spend ten minutes everymorning at the lumberyard strapping everything down with my fancy new toys. I finally threw them in a box in my shop where they will be discovered by my great grandchildren when I am gone.I use rubber bungie cords for everything. Much easier.
*I also use the rubber tarp straps for everything.On a well designed ladder rack they are very safe and efficient.I do know some guys who still use rope.they have about a 2 ft length permanently tied to 4 locations on their racks.Every thing is tied down with 2 half hitches.This is very quick,but it leaves the laddders rattling like crazy when you drive down the road,and a real mess to untie if you leave your truck out in a freezing rain.
*I use the 2" ratchet straps, much easier to keep untangled than the 1" wide. When done, I separate the strap from the ratchet, roll the strap, and they all go into a milk crate. Five or six will fit in a milk crate. Never had a problem when I needed them.etrg
*...My brother in Law (Jessie) used to use those rubber tarp straps, and bungee cords to tie down his ladders. They broke while going down the road, and he lost his ladder in the highway. The result is in another post, but the straps and cords had no visible signs of wear or damage. They just broke. Every since then, I have used industrial grade velcro strapping on my ladders (NOT the el cheapo Wal-Mart stuff). One strap on each end, and two on the side. You couldn't pull them loose if you had to. The straps must be undone, or the ladder ain't going anywhere.With my ratchet tie downs, I simply restrap them when I am not using them. I only use them on my trailers, and when I have unloaded all the material, I just restrap across the angle iron frame (not real tight, just tight enough to hold). When I need them again, I just loosen a little, and strap down my material.Just an opinion...James DuHamel
*Casey, I'm a rope man. Can't stand those big rubber band with metal hooks on them. When you use them be very carefull the hooked end doesn't pop out when your reefing on the loose end. That is a good way to take out an eye or a tooth. 7/16"-9/16 double braided nylon line in lengths just long enough for the job are my favorite tie downs. Use a truckers hitch to cinch loads. This produces a tighter than otherwise possible with just rope tie down. Purchase or acuire your rope from numerous sources with various colors, lengths, and diameters then store them in a small cordura duffle bag. Perhaps your favorite rope or 2 could be left loose in the back of the truck. Three strand ropes are best if an eye splice will help their everyday use. Joe
*I'm with Joe on this one.... I like knots and ropes. Get a copy of "The Klutz Guide to Knots" or some other basic knot-tying book. The trucker's hitch is a great knot for holding stuff down. You can easily get the rope taut enough to ping like a guitar string, but the whole thing comes apart elegantly when you want (and only when you want!). If you really get hooked on knots pick up a copy of "The Ashley Book of Knots". A weighty tome of practical, decorative, and historical knots (from the surgeon to the hangman).Cheers,Scott.
*Yeah, ropes are what I use. I've got two pieces of 3/8" x 8'. I also own two of those ratchet straps that I fight out of the tool box when I just have to have them.I seem to pull out a lot of those truck bed "eye" bolt things. The kind with the toggle wing on the bottom that fit into the squares in the top edge of the bed rail. Anyone know of a better product?Ed. Williams
*Hi Ed.In my last truck I mounted a few hooks to the exterior sides of the bed. I've also used boat cleats. Use stainless posi-lock nuts and bolts and add some large washers to spread the load over more sheet metal. I like the cleats better than the hooks because they let you take up a bit of rope slack by figure-8ing the rope around the cleat.Cheers,Scott.
*please stop me before i post again..............Always used braided rope,nylon or dacron. cut it clean into various lengths and melt the ends with a heat gun. I usually leave a bowline in one end and tie off with a slip knot.They tend to disappear from the back of the truck ,so I have to replenish the supply from time to time. A 250 ' hank can supply endless numbers.In the meantime I found a great product called "Rope Ratchet" black poly block with a ratchet and 3/8" braid, with a hook in each end. Can really sock it down and since its rope instead of strap its easier to work with. Got mine at Quaker Lane Tool, but that another place to stay away from (can't leave empty handed). I leave the ratchets hooked on my truck racks under tension with the bitter ends tied off with a clove hitch so they don't flap in the breeze. The ratchets are going on two years now and they're great for tie down on 24' planks & u-name it.
*I welded a bunch of single links cut from a pretty large piece of chain to the floor of my truck, the rear bumper, and all over my rack. I was always frustrated with no good place to tie to.I lost my mind one afternoon and welded about twenty of these links to anything that didn't run away.