2-Inch Manual Ratchet Strap

Why the ratchet mechanism still matters

There are three ways to hold tension in a strap, and they behave very differently under shock. A cam buckle holds by wedging the webbing against a curved surface — smooth, comfortable to operate, but it can slip if the load shocks. A spring spool holds by friction — convenient, but the spool sets the length rather than the tension. A ratchet holds by engaging teeth: a steel pawl drops between the gear teeth, and there is nothing to slide. It is the only one of the three that reliably stays locked when a vehicle brakes hard or a load shifts suddenly. That is why ratchet straps remain the standard for vehicle recovery and machinery transport, and why this series exists alongside our retractable products.

Working with an open-loop strap

Unlike the retractable series, this strap leaves the unused webbing hanging. That is a deliberate trade: an open loop can reach around a load that no enclosed housing can, and it is the reason ratchet straps are still the tool for vehicle recovery where you are lashing to a tow bar or a tree. When you do use one, secure the loose tail — wrap it around the strap body or clip it — so it cannot reach the road. Check tension after the first few kilometres, because polyester webbing settles under initial load and the ratchet usually needs a second pull.

Length selection for recovery and trailer work

For vehicle recovery, the working length is the distance from your anchor point, around the vehicle, and back to the recovery point — which is usually the shortest of the available lengths that will do the job. Over-length is not harmless: the extra webbing left in the loop reduces the effective tension you can develop before the strap runs out of travel. For trailer work, measure the bed length and add the width of whatever is crossing the tailgate, then add a metre for the turn. If your geometry is unusual, send the dimensions and we will tell you which length to order rather than let you guess.

Hardware and corrosion

The handle and ratchet body are forged steel and the pin is alloy steel — the parts that carry the load and take the hammering. Hooks are zinc-plated as standard, with a vinyl-coated option that adds a soft sleeve over the hook body without reducing its rated load. The vinyl coating is what you want when lashing to a painted wheel, a chromed bumper or a polished trailer rail, and it is mandatory for anything stored outdoors between uses. For marine work we recommend the vinyl-coated hook together with periodic freshwater rinsing.

Private label and bulk supply

This is the series most often specified as a bulk private-label item, because the shape of the market is a standard strap sold in volume to the truck accessory trade. We can produce your webbing colour, your handle colour, vinyl-coated or plain hooks, printed polybags and your own carton markings. MOQ on this series starts at 300 pieces per length, which makes it the most accessible of the six to enter with. Send a competitor sample and a target price and we will tell you honestly whether we can hit it.