We've all been there. You're securing a
load, and those ratchet straps start acting up. The mechanism jams halfway
through tightening. Your knuckles get scraped against the metal housing. Or worse
– you overtighten and damage whatever you're trying to secure.
After three decades in the lifting
equipment business, we've seen countless customers struggle with these exact
issues. No doubt, many customers
have at some point asked, "Isn't there something better than ratchet
straps?"
The answer is pretty simple. To put it bluntly, there is.
Don't get us wrong – ratchet straps have
their place. They're brilliant for heavy-duty applications where maximum
tension is crucial. But here's what we've observed from years of customer
feedback, combined with our experience.
People tend to go overboard with use of
ratchet straps. It is quite simple to place excessive strain, especially if
you’re dealing with lightweight items or fragile materials. We’ve had clients
come to us sharing their nightmares about the paintwork on cars being damaged
or furniture edges being ruined.
The mechanisms themselves can be
temperamental. Dirt, moisture, or even slight wear can cause the ratcheting
system to stick or slip at the worst possible moment. I remember one customer
who called us after a ratchet strap failed during transport, causing thousands
of pounds worth of damage to his cargo.
Time is another factor. Loading and unloading with ratchet straps takes longer than it should. Each strap requires multiple back-and-forth motions to achieve proper tension. When you're dealing with multiple securing points, this really adds up.
Cam buckle straps are different in that
they operate off a simple spring-loaded cam as opposed to the more complex
ratcheting systems. You thread the strap through, pull it tight by hand, and
the cam locks it in place. Release is instantaneous – just lift the cam and
pull.
The elegance stems from having fewer parts
to break and no complicated mechanisms that require servicing; just dependable,
powerful unlocking systems.
But here's where it gets interesting. Most people would assume that straps with cam buckles don’t have the strength to compete with ratchet straps. This is not entirely true.
Cam buckle straps typically provide working
loads between 250kg and 500kg, depending on the width and construction. Ratchet
straps often exceed 1,000kg working load.
However – and this is crucial – most
applications don't require maximum tension. We've found that proper load
distribution and multiple securing points often matter more than brute force on
individual straps.
Put this way, which option do you prefer: four reliable cam buckle straps working in harmony, or two ratchet straps where one is bound to slip because of some overtightening or another mechanical failure?
Cam buckle straps excel in situations where
you need frequent loading and unloading. Delivery drivers love them because
they can secure and release loads quickly without the physical strain of
operating ratchet mechanisms dozens of times per day.
They're work well for delicate items because the hand-operated method means the person securing the item is appropriately applying just the right amount of pressure. No risk of over-tightening and damaging boxes or scratching surfaces.
An interesting
observation is that ratchet straps do not always outlast cam buckle straps;
under specific conditions, the latter tend to outperform the former.
Simple mechanisms are
often easier to maintain, such as the cam buckle. Unlike ratchet straps, there
is no complicated system that can seize due to corrosion or debris. The cam
mechanism can also be dirty or damaged and still function because it is very forgiving.
In comparison, maintenance for cam straps is much quicker. Rinsing and drying is often sufficient. In contrast, lubricating and cleaning the mechanisms is a necessity for ratchet straps.
So, What's the Better Alternative?
Having worked in this industry for over 30
years, we believe cam buckle straps represent the better choice for most
everyday securing applications.
They're faster to use, gentler on cargo,
more reliable in varied conditions, and often more cost-effective long-term.
Unless you specifically need the maximum tension that ratchet straps provide,
cam buckle straps will likely serve you better.
Lifting Gear Direct,
we have observed how customers have shifted toward using cam buckle straps in
recent years. The feedback given to us is quite clear, ranging from reliability
and ease of use to the ease of meeting their expectations.
Cam buckle straps are
not a replacement for ratchet straps for most tasks—they are a massive improvement
overall.
