How to Thread a Ratchet Strap Step by Step
Straps Guide
A new ratchet strap can look like a puzzle. There is a metal handle, a long piece of webbing, and no clear place to put it. Many people feed the webbing in the wrong way, and then the strap slips or jams.
Do not worry. Learning how to thread a ratchet strap is easy once someone shows you the slot. This guide explains each part, gives you clear steps, and points out the small mistakes that cause most of the trouble.
In This Guide
The Two Pieces of a Ratchet Strap
Most ratchet straps come in two pieces.
The short end. This piece has the ratchet on it. One side of the ratchet has a short strap with a hook. It is also called the fixed end.
The long end. This is the long piece of webbing with a hook on one end and a plain, cut end on the other. It is also called the loose end or adjustable end.
Your job is to feed the plain end of the long piece into the ratchet. Then the ratchet pulls the two pieces together.
Find the Slot
Open the ratchet handle and look at the round bar in the middle. That bar is called the spool. Some people call it the mandrel.
The spool has a slot cut through it, like the slot in a piggy bank. The webbing goes through that slot. Everything else on the ratchet is there to turn the spool and lock it.
Can't see the slot?
Pump the handle once or twice. The spool will turn and the slot will come into view.
How to Thread a Ratchet Strap in 6 Steps
- Open the ratchet. Squeeze the small release lever inside the handle and lift the handle up. Turn the spool until the slot is facing you and you can see straight through it.
- Hook both ends. Attach the hook on the short end to an anchor point on one side. Attach the hook on the long end to an anchor point on the other side. Lay the long webbing over your cargo.
- Feed the webbing through the slot. Take the plain end of the long strap. Push it up through the slot from the bottom of the ratchet, so it comes out on the top side pointing back toward the handle. Keep the webbing flat.
- Pull out the slack by hand. Grab the plain end and pull it through until the strap is snug across the load. This step matters a lot. The more slack you pull by hand, the less webbing the spool has to roll up.
- Pump the handle. Move the handle up and down. Each pump turns the spool and wraps the webbing around it. Stop when the strap is firm and the cargo does not move.
- Lock it down. Push the handle all the way closed until it clicks flat. Tie off the loose tail so it does not flap in the wind.
A Simple Way to Remember the Direction
People often ask which way the webbing should go. Here is an easy picture.
Hold the ratchet with the handle open and the fixed strap pointing away from you. The loose webbing should come toward you from the far side, pass through the slot, and lay back over itself toward the fixed end.
When you pump the handle, the webbing should wrap around the spool and lock on top of itself. If the strap slides back out when you pull, it is going in from the wrong side. Take it out, flip the direction, and try again.
Common Threading Mistakes
Most problems come from the same few mistakes.
Not Pulling the Slack First
If you leave the strap loose and start pumping, the spool fills up fast. A packed spool is hard to tighten and even harder to open later. Always pull the strap snug by hand first.
Twisted Webbing
A twist makes the strap weaker at that spot and can jam the spool. Run your hand down the strap before you tighten it to make sure it lies flat.
Feeding It Around the Spool Instead of Through It
The webbing must pass through the slot, not just wrap around the bar. If it only wraps around, it will slip under load.
Too Few Wraps
You need about two full wraps of webbing on the spool for it to grip well. If the strap is so short that it barely wraps once, move the hook to a farther anchor point.
Leaving the Handle Open
A ratchet that is not closed can pop loose. Always shut the handle until it locks.
Does Strap Size Change the Steps?
The steps are the same for every size. Only the weight of the hardware changes.
| Strap Size | What It Is Good For |
|---|---|
| 1-inch | Small and light. Good for bikes, furniture, and light cargo in a pickup. The slot is small, so feed the webbing carefully. |
| 2-inch | The most common size for trailers, hotshot loads, and equipment. They have a longer handle that gives more pull. |
| 4-inch | Used on flatbed trailers for heavy freight. The handle is long and the webbing is thick. Many of these use flat hooks that grab the trailer rub rail. |
If you haul on a flatbed, a set like the 4-inch by 30-foot ratchet straps with flat hooks is a common choice. You can also look through the full straps collection to match the size to your load.
What About Endless Straps?
An endless strap has no hooks. It is one long piece that goes around the cargo and back into its own ratchet. You thread it the same way. Wrap the webbing around the items you want to bundle, feed the plain end through the slot, pull it snug, and pump the handle. These are handy for holding boxes on a pallet or bundling pipe.
Quick Safety Checks Before You Drive
- Look at the tag and make sure the working load limit fits your cargo.
- Check the webbing for cuts, burns, and worn spots.
- Use edge protectors where the strap crosses a sharp corner.
- Push on the cargo. It should not move.
- Stop and check the straps again early in your trip, because loads settle.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to thread a ratchet strap the right way. Open the handle, find the slot, feed the webbing up through it, pull the slack by hand, and pump until it is firm. Close the handle and tie off the tail. After you do it two or three times, your hands will remember it without thinking.
Ready for Your Next Load?
Find heavy-duty ratchet straps in every size at Safe & Tie, shipped to 48 states.
Shop StrapsFrequently Asked Questions
Which way does the strap go through a ratchet?
The plain end goes up through the slot in the spool from the bottom and lays back toward the fixed end. When you pump the handle, the webbing should wrap over itself and lock.
Why does my ratchet strap keep slipping?
It may be fed around the spool and not through the slot, or it may have too few wraps. Dirt, oil, or worn webbing can also cause slipping. Thread it again and make sure you get at least two wraps.
How much strap should be left over after tightening?
That depends on your load. Any extra length is fine as long as you tie it up so it cannot flap, drag, or get caught in a wheel.
Can I thread a ratchet strap by myself?
Yes. Hook both ends first, then walk to the ratchet and feed the webbing. On wide loads, toss the long end over the cargo before you hook it.
Do I have to take the webbing out after each use?
It is a good idea. Pull the webbing out, roll each piece, and close the ratchet. This keeps the strap from tangling and makes the next load faster.