Strap Winder Guide: Roll Up Straps in Seconds
Strap Winder Guide
Ask any flatbed driver what the dullest part of the job is. Many will say rolling straps. After a long drive and an unload, you still have eight or ten muddy straps on the ground. Each one is 27 or 30 feet long. Rolling them by hand takes time and wears out your wrists.
A strap winder fixes that. It is a small tool that rolls a long strap into a tight bundle in a few seconds. This guide covers what it is, the types you can buy, and how to choose one.
In This Guide
What Is It?
It is a hand tool with a slotted shaft and a handle. You slide the end of the strap into the slot and turn the handle. The strap wraps around the shaft and forms a neat roll. Then you slide the roll off.
That is all it does. But if you roll straps every day, it saves a lot of time.
Why Use One?
It is fast. A 30-foot strap takes seconds, not minutes.
It is easier on your body. Less twisting of the wrists and less bending over.
The rolls are tight. Tight rolls take up less space and do not come apart.
Straps last longer. Rolled straps stay off the ground, stay cleaner, and do not get run over.
Your truck looks sharp. Neat rolls show shippers and inspectors that you take care of your gear.
The next load goes quicker. A rolled strap is easy to toss over the freight.
Types
Handheld Winders
This is the simplest type. It has a handle to hold in one hand, a crank to turn with the other, and a slotted shaft in the middle.
It is small enough to fit in a door pocket or toolbox. You can use it anywhere, on any strap, with any trailer. It is a good choice for hotshot drivers, movers, and anyone who works with more than one trailer.
Safe & Tie carries a portable strap winder in a two-piece set, so you can keep one in the truck and one in the shop.
Trailer-Mounted Winders
This type attaches to the flatbed trailer, usually on the side rail or in a stake pocket. Because it is fixed in place, you have both hands free. One hand turns the crank and the other guides the strap.
It is a good choice for drivers who pull the same flatbed every day. The flatbed trailer strap winder from Safe & Tie comes as a two-pack.
Winch Winders
Many flatbeds have winches along the side with straps that stay on them. A winch winder is a small crank that fits into the holes in the winch cap. You spin it to roll the loose strap back onto the winch quickly, without using the heavy winch bar.
Drill Winders
Some winders have a shaft that fits into the chuck of a cordless drill. The drill does the turning. This is the fastest way to roll a lot of straps, but you need to keep a charged drill on the truck.
How to Use a Handheld Winder
- Lay out the strap. Pull it straight and take out any twists.
- Start at the plain end. Slide the plain end of the strap into the slot in the shaft. Push it in a few inches.
- Hold and crank. Hold the tool steady with one hand and turn the crank with the other. Let the strap slide through your fingers or under your boot to keep some tension on it.
- Keep the edges even. Guide the strap so each layer stacks on top of the last one.
- Stop at the hook. When you reach the hook, stop turning.
- Slide it off. Pull the roll off the shaft.
- Hold it closed. Wrap a rubber band or a hook and loop tie around the roll.
After two or three tries, each strap will take only a few seconds.
How to Use a Trailer-Mounted Winder
- Feed the plain end of the strap into the slot.
- Hold the strap with light tension in one hand.
- Turn the crank with the other hand.
- Guide the strap so it rolls up straight.
- Slide the finished roll off and band it.
Because the tool is fixed to the trailer, you can stand up straight while you work.
How to Choose
Ask yourself these questions.
| Question | What to Know |
|---|---|
| What width are my straps? | Make sure the slot fits your webbing. Most flatbed straps are 4 inches wide. Many hotshot straps are 2 inches. Some tools handle both. |
| Do I switch trailers? | If so, a handheld tool is the better pick. If you always pull the same trailer, a mounted one is quicker. |
| How many straps do I roll each day? | If you roll just a few, a hand crank is fine. If you roll dozens, a mounted or drill type saves real time. |
| Is it built to last? | Look for steel parts and a solid handle. This tool gets dropped, stepped on, and rained on. |
Tips for Neater Rolls
- Shake or brush the dirt off before you roll. Grit trapped in a roll wears the webbing.
- Let wet straps dry before you roll them when you can. If you cannot, unroll and dry them later.
- Keep a little pull on the strap as you roll. Loose rolls fall apart.
- Roll with the hook on the outside so it is easy to grab.
- Keep two-piece ratchet straps together. Roll the long piece and clip it to the short piece.
Where to Keep the Rolled Straps
A neat roll needs a neat home. Good spots include:
- A toolbox on the truck or under the trailer
- A crate or bin behind the headache rack
- A strap bag in the cab or the bed
- Hooks on a shop wall
Keep them dry and out of the sun. Sunlight weakens webbing over time. You can look at storage options in the toolboxes collection.
Inspect While You Roll
Rolling is a good time to check each strap, because every inch passes through your hand. Watch for:
- Cuts and holes
- Frayed edges
- Burn marks
- Loose stitching
- Bent hooks
- A missing or unreadable tag
Pull damaged straps out of use right away. Replacements are in the Safe & Tie straps collection.
Care for the Tool
There is not much to it.
- Wipe off mud and water.
- Put a drop of oil on the crank now and then.
- Check that the handle is tight.
- Store it where you can find it, because a tool you cannot find does not save time.
Final Thoughts
A strap winder is a small buy that pays you back on every load. It turns a slow, tiring chore into a quick one, keeps your straps cleaner, and keeps your truck organized. Pick a handheld one if you move between trailers, or a mounted one if you pull the same flatbed every day. Either way, your wrists will be glad you did.
Roll Your Straps in Seconds
Choose a handheld 2-piece set or a trailer-mounted 2-pack at Safe & Tie.
Shop Handheld Winder Shop Trailer WinderFrequently Asked Questions
Does it work with 2-inch and 4-inch straps?
Many do. Check the slot width on the tool before you buy to be sure it fits your straps.
Is a handheld or a mounted one better?
A handheld one goes anywhere and works with any trailer. A mounted one leaves both hands free and is faster for daily flatbed work.
Can I use it on straps with flat hooks?
Yes. Start at the plain end and stop when you reach the hook. The hook stays on the outside of the roll.
Will it damage my straps?
No. It only rolls the webbing. Just keep the strap flat and free of twists as you roll.
How do I keep the roll from coming undone?
Use a rubber band, a hook and loop tie, or tuck the hook under the last wrap. A tight roll holds its shape better.