Ratchet Strap Maintenance: Top Tips From the Pros at Taut Strap

Let’s face it: ratchet straps are something of a consumable if you use them regularly. A strap in daily use is likely to show obvious signs of wear after six months, and after a year or two, it may well be due for replacement.

With that said, nobody wants to spend more on ratchet straps than they have to. Replacing them more frequently isn’t just bad for your bottom line, it’s bad for the environment too. So, Taut Strap decided to put together a list of top tips to help you maximise the lifespan of your ratchet straps. These apply to any width or design of strap and could significantly lengthen their useful life.

Our ratchet strap maintenance tips

With over a decade of experience designing and manufacturing ratchet straps for businesses and individuals across the UK and Ireland, it’s safe to say that our team knows these products inside and out. Without further ado, here are their top recommendations to help you prolong the life of your ratchet straps…

Complete regular inspections:

There’s no substitute for regular inspections of your ratchet straps. Each time you use your straps, thoroughly check them for signs of wear. Keep an eye out for things like frayed or discoloured webbing, and make sure you check the label to avoid overloading the strap.

Keep them away from sunlight and moisture:

UV rays can break down the webbing on your straps surprisingly quickly, so it’s always important to store them away from direct sunlight. The same goes for moisture; whatever you do, make sure that you let your straps dry thoroughly before putting them away. Mould and mildew can do serious damage.

Use wear sleeves:

Friction is another enemy of all ratchet straps, so keeping it to a minimum is key. Fortunately, there’s a product that can help with this. Installing wear sleeves can significantly extend the lifespan of your straps, saving you money in the long run.

Remove the webbing from the ratchet handle before storing:

Try to get into the habit of disassembling your straps before you store them away. If the webbing is left under tension while it’s not being used, this will stretch it out and wear it unnecessarily.

Keep the ratchet handle lubricated:

To prevent the mechanism from seizing up and giving you grief, apply long-lasting silicone lubricant from time to time. Just make sure you avoid spraying the webbing, as lubricant sprays can damage it eventually.

Keep the ratchet handle cosy:

Every time you use your straps, remember to wrap any leftover webbing around the handle of the ratchet mechanism. You can secure it in place with an elastic band for longer journeys. When the ratchet handle is wrapped up, it’ll be better isolated from road vibrations and jolts, reducing wear.

Follow these steps each time you use or store your straps, and they should last a whole lot longer.

When the time inevitably comes to replace them, however, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive range of ratchet straps. 

As one of the leading manufacturers, we also offer custom ratchet straps including heavy-duty and light-duty ones.