Storing and toting ratchet straps

RayCo · Mar 5, 2011

I'm curious if anyone has discovered or created a clever way of storing ratchet straps, such that you can easily grab some and easily put them back without having to worry about disturbing the other straps that you didn't use.

The picture attached shows the box that I tote my straps around in. It's less than an ideal solution, but it works. I'm thinking of slapping some wood together to make partitioned areas for each strap, but I figured I'd see if anyone else has any ideas.

groundcover · Mar 5, 2011

Looks like you are all set ! I do pretty much the same thing but on the rescue we wrap them with a couple of wraps of stretch wrap used for moving, I think you can get it at U-Haul.

CurlyDave · Mar 6, 2011

I just pull the strap through the ratchet until the hook and free ends are even, fold carefully four times and tie them in a loose knot.

I keep them in an old nylon camping bag in the back of my truck, and this prevents them from tangling.

Gary Fowler · Mar 6, 2011

I even them out like Curly Dave, but then just wrap all the stap around the ratchet handle then lay them side by side under the back seat of my truck. They ride well there and are easy to get at. If I had a small tray to lay them in would maybe be better, I did get one of the straps hung into the latch mechanism once and the seat latch would work. Finally got it free with the strong arms of my son to put some large amount of force on the strap to pull it free. I am more careful now with the loose straps. Wrapping them with the Saranwrap stuff or even putting large rubber band on them would help, but I can never find a rubber band when I need one.

GE222 · Mar 6, 2011

Like everyone else, they get stored neatly in a crate or box, but every once in a while, I get in a hurry, and they don't get put back the way I found them. What is even worse is when someone borrows them and doesn't return them, let along put them back neatly. Never happens right!!!:laughing:

Pete Judd · Mar 6, 2011

I have a diamond plate small pickup box mounted on the tongue of my trailer, and have built partitions out of plywood in layers. The bottom layer holds my 4 ratchet binders. The next layer above has the partitions for each of my 2 16 ft 3/8 chains, and my 2 8 ft 3/8 chains. Above that is another lift out layer that has 4 partitions for my 20 ft nylon tie down ratchet straps. I can lift out the top layer with the straps, to get to the chains, and I know if I need to use the chains, after each change is off that layer, I lift it out to get to the binders.

After all that I still have a lot of room for other stuff. Works great for me and I don't have a tangled mess in the back of the P/U.

Diamondpilot · Mar 6, 2011

I have a tongue mounted box on my trailer and I store mine by pulling them even and wrapping them up the securing with a ball/bungee.

Chris

jimmyj · Mar 6, 2011

Lately I've been too lazy but for ages I had a small pail and I'd roll the straps up and layer them in the pail. Then I'd put the wratchet ends loose beside the pail.

digger2 · Mar 6, 2011

Actually i do about the same as you have in your picture on my trailer.
But,what i did was mount some of those surplus ammo cans on the side rails of my trailer right ahead of the fenders with some home made brackets.I only have two mounted now,but i'd like to have two more that way i can have stuff seperated better.
Those ammo cans are neat cause i think most of them are sealed pretty good and so far mine stay dry inside regardless of the weather.I keep chains and bungee straps in the one and my ratchet straps in the other.
I thought about mounting a big one up on the topside of the tongue but it would get in the way of my winch setup that i have there now.
Digger2

JDgreen227 · Mar 6, 2011

RayCo said:
I'm curious if anyone has discovered or created a clever way of storing ratchet straps, such that you can easily grab some and easily put them back without having to worry about disturbing the other straps that you didn't use.

The picture attached shows the box that I tote my straps around in. It's less than an ideal solution, but it works. I'm thinking of slapping some wood together to make partitioned areas for each strap, but I figured I'd see if anyone else has any ideas.

View attachment 202855

I installed a narrow profile, 6 foot wide aluminum truckbox from TSC on my utility trailer, at first I used a wider one but the rear bumper of a truck came too close to that one on sharp turns. The interior depth of the box is perfect for those plastic tool totes. I carry tiedowns in one, the hitch bar, lock, quick links, etc, in another, and the jack, dolly wheel, etc, in the third. Everything is weather protected and I can lock the box for security. Just ran out and took these pics. The tool totes have dividers and they are perfect for the use they get, I can reach in and pull out the whole tote of straps should I want. The toolbox was only $106 with tax at TSC, well worth the expense.

JDgreen227 · Mar 6, 2011

RayCo said:
I'm curious if anyone has discovered or created a clever way of storing ratchet straps, such that you can easily grab some and easily put them back without having to worry about disturbing the other straps that you didn't use.

The picture attached shows the box that I tote my straps around in. It's less than an ideal solution, but it works. I'm thinking of slapping some wood together to make partitioned areas for each strap, but I figured I'd see if anyone else has any ideas.

View attachment 202855

Your straps are rolled and stored so evenly it looks like they have never been used !!! :thumbsup:

JDgreen227 · Mar 6, 2011

Pete Judd said:
I have a diamond plate small pickup box mounted on the tongue of my trailer, and have built partitions out of plywood in layers. The bottom layer holds my 4 ratchet binders. The next layer above has the partitions for each of my 2 16 ft 3/8 chains, and my 2 8 ft 3/8 chains. Above that is another lift out layer that has 4 partitions for my 20 ft nylon tie down ratchet straps. I can lift out the top layer with the straps, to get to the chains, and I know if I need to use the chains, after each change is off that layer, I lift it out to get to the binders.

After all that I still have a lot of room for other stuff. Works great for me and I don't have a tangled mess in the back of the P/U.

I bet your setup with the box is something like mine. My utility trailer is aluminum and I didn't want to drill any holes in the tongue rails, so I used square U-bolts that fit over the frame rails (3) at the bottom and drilled 6 holes in the bottom of the box, the threads on the U-bolts protruded just an inch inside the truckbox. I am too lazy to do the work you describe with the partitions, though.

sparrowhawk · Mar 6, 2011

Maxpedition LARKSPUR Messenger Bag Covert Carry Courier Sling Tactical Gear Bag - MAXPEDITION HARD-USE GEAR Tactical Nylon Gear for Military, Law Enforcement, Tactical Concealed Carry; Tailored to Perform Tactical

I use this bag. Works great and fits under the rear extended cab seat even when it's full of stuff. I got it as a spare and decided to put it to use. A little spendy but shop around as some places have deals. You won't find many tougher nylon bags out there.

JDgreen227 · Mar 6, 2011

Wow...that makes my most expensive laptop bag look cheap...I decided to use the truck toolbox on my trailer to store gear because several different people borrow the trailer and that way the tiedowns etc are always there for whoever uses it.

sparrowhawk · Mar 6, 2011

JDgreen227 said:
Wow...that makes my most expensive laptop bag look cheap...I decided to use the truck toolbox on my trailer to store gear because several different people borrow the trailer and that way the tiedowns etc are always there for whoever uses it.

Agreed on the expensive part, but I'll be damned if it ever falls apart.

I air on the side of overkill.

Another thing you could use to store stuff like that is to use a piece of aircraft cable between two points on the rear of your tractor. Make it so you could quick detach and all you'd have to do is thread them through the eye. Nice and neat...

wvpolekat · Mar 6, 2011

I will speak up for those of us that use the "random pile in the toolbox" storage method.

My straps, chains, binders and other various things are all in a jumble in the trailer mounted truck toolbox.

Soundguy · Mar 7, 2011

i do as you do.. roll them them put them in one of my dp tool boxes. seems to be pretty neat and tidy imho.

soundguy

RayCo said:
I'm curious if anyone has discovered or created a clever way of storing ratchet straps, such that you can easily grab some and easily put them back without having to worry about disturbing the other straps that you didn't use.

The picture attached shows the box that I tote my straps around in. It's less than an ideal solution, but it works. I'm thinking of slapping some wood together to make partitioned areas for each strap, but I figured I'd see if anyone else has any ideas.

View attachment 202855

QRTRHRS · Mar 7, 2011

I like to roll them up and place them in a plastic milk crate. They get air and it keeps them from direct contact with the metal tool box. They will also stay cleaner.

Soundguy · Mar 8, 2011

metal tool box giving you problems? never had one with mine.

what issues you having?

soundguy

cotter · Mar 8, 2011

Mommy sewed me up some pouches made out of old jean legs. Real simple, free and it keeps the straps from unraveling. Then the straps get thrown where ever I need them at the moment and usually stored in the garage in off days.
Chad