Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Retractable Ratchet Straps
Published on 05/08/25
Retractable ratchet straps have become one of the best ways to secure lighter-duty cargo in pickup truck beds, utility trailers, roof racks, enclosed trailers, and more. They are especially effective for hauling motorcycles, ATVs, furniture, or general cargo. Unlike traditional ratchet straps, retractables have a spring-loaded retraction mechanism that helps prevent the webbing from becoming tangled and simplifies storage by keeping the excess webbing inside the retractable ratchet hardware.
Due to the user-friendly design, retractable ratchet straps are often the preferred ratchet strap option by consumers and professionals. However, not using retractable ratchet straps as intended can lead to damaged straps, broken hardware, or even cause your cargo to become unsecured and potentially damaged.
In this blog post, we will discuss five common mistakes to avoid when using retractable ratchet straps to ensure the safety of your cargo and straps. Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
1. Pulling the Webbing Too Far
Retractable ratchet straps are made using a limited amount of webbing that fits within the retractable hardware. Due to this, 1-inch retractable ratchet straps can only extend to a certain length by design. For example, our 1-inch retractable ratchet straps can only extend outwards 12 feet per strap.
Because of this, you should only pull out enough webbing to span across the load without forcing the strap to extend further. Since retractable ratchet straps automatically coil the excess webbing into the ratchet, there’s no need to overextend.
Extending the webbing too far places undue stress on the internal spring, an essential component of the strap’s retraction feature. If you feel any resistance while pulling the webbing out to the other side, you should stop and check if you’ve reached the webbing length limit to prevent overextending the retractable.
Before using the retractable ratchet strap, inspect the retracting mechanism to ensure smooth operation. If you notice that the retractable isn’t fully retracting or feels stiff avoid forcing it and consider cleaning or replacing the strap if it has become damaged.
Also, before and after using any tie-down strap we always recommend inspecting the ratchet strap for damage using our instructions from our blog on How To Inspect A Ratchet Strap for Damage.
2. Ignoring the Working Load Limit (WLL)
Retractable ratchet straps and traditional ratchet straps are rated for a specific Working Load Limit (WLL) indicated by the maximum weight they can safely secure. This number is based on taking the breaking strength or the ultimate point until failure on the assembled straps’ weakest link. Once the breaking strength has been determined, using a safety factor of one-third of the breaking strength provides you with a working load limit rating as required by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Working Load Limit (WLL) ratings are established to help ensure cargo remains secure during normal driving conditions, including sudden stops, sharp turns, or quick lane changes. The WLL provides a safety factor to reduce the risk of tie-down failure. In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that tie-downs be marked with a visible and legible WLL tag.
When pairing the weight of your cargo with a ratchet strap you should always ensure you have a strap strong enough to secure your cargo safely. If not, add additional straps or a heavier-duty strap to meet the safety threshold.
You should never meet or exceed the working load limit rating as it is unsafe and could result in your cargo becoming unsecured or damaged. For more information on how working load limit ratings work and how to use them properly, refer to our blog post on What is a Working Load Limit?.
3. Twisting the Strap
The webbing of a ratchet strap must lie flat to distribute tension evenly across its surface. Testing has shown that multiple twists (example 10 twists) can cause up to an 18% reduction in the straps working load limit rating. Knots can also provide drops in working load limit ratings when securing cargo upwards of 50% of the safe working load limit rating. You can avoid this by ensuring the webbing is flat and free of twists before securing your cargo.
4. Letting Dirt Enter the Housing
Inside the housing of retractable ratchet straps are the spring and the ratchet mechanism which are both sensitive to dirt, gravel, grease, or debris. Contamination can cause the spring or the ratchet mechanism to fail and lead to operational issues. This is why it is vital to store ratchet straps in a cool, dry, and debris-free environment to ensure they function as intended.
We recommend storing retractable ratchet straps in a storage bag, a vehicle, or a toolbox that is not in direct sunlight. If the strap becomes dirty you should spend a couple of seconds cleaning the webbing and housing with a damp cloth and allow it to fully dry before storing to avoid moisture damage from mold, mildew, or rust.
Performing preventative maintenance and inspecting your retractable ratchet straps often can lead to your tie-down straps lasting longer and performing better. If the retractable hardware feels sluggish you can use a small brush to clean it or apply a lubricating spray to the metal components to clean them of debris and prevent dust.
If you accidentally get any lubricating spray onto the webbing use a towel to wipe the excess off as it can attract dirt and debris.
5. Forgetting to Lock the Ratchet Handle
One of the most important things to do when using retractable ratchet straps is to ensure that the ratchet handle is fully closed and locked to ensure it doesn’t come undone or loosen over time. An unlocked handle can disengage due to vibrations or movement and cause the strap to lose tension and the load to become unsecured making for a particularly dangerous situation.
This can be avoided by tightening the ratchet strap by pumping the handle, pushing it down until it clicks or latches into the closed position. Before hitting the road tug on the strap to ensure it is tight and the handle is locked in place. If the handle doesn’t lock or if the strap comes undone when doing the tug test, either attempt to reinstall it or find another strap to use as it may be defective and unsafe.
As always, remember to use your best judgment when using ratchet straps, and if you ever feel your securement may be at risk of coming undone, add additional straps or replace the strap with a different retractable strap. Inspect the ratchet straps for signs of damage before and after every time you use them to help prevent any issues that arise or need to be replaced.
For help or product recommendations with your cargo securement, call 800-444-0956 to speak with an expert, or use the Contact Us page at the top of our website if you prefer email. We look forward to helping you find the best way to secure your next cargo securement application.
