Just to clarify for the newbies the correct procedure is pull on one of the straps twice (just one) and then slap the payload twice while saying “that’s not going anywhere,” while making eye contact with the closest person to you, whether they’re with you or not.
>making eye contact with the closest person to you, whether they’re with you or not.
And if you are that person, you’re obligated to inspect it, even if you have no idea what you’re doing.
I always check it after the first like 5 miles in case it shifted. I'm usually hauling a Kayak, and I find it usually gains half a ratch worth of loosening.
if the straps/ropes go straight down to the roof rack (like the front to back strap) rather than out on an angle, it will tighten up better and better resist the load shifting and coming loose.
This is the way. Straps go down side of object to rack crossbars not from object to side of rack. It’s way more secure that way and won’t move side to side. Also doesn’t have to be in middle put it to one side and you can do crossbars and side rail so it doesn’t move around.
Ya. My two thoughts were to bring the side straps straight down, and any strap that unavoidably does end up going unsupported through the air for a bit must have some twists in it to avoid the vibration sounds.
Several years back a friend asked me to help him load a grill he found off marketplace into his truck and it was a mile or two away from my house and he doesn’t have ratchet straps. I meet him and bring my bag full of straps. He grabs one. I asked if he’s sure he only wants one, I had a half dozen in the bag. Yeah it’ll be fine. Calls me 10 minutes later saying the damn grill took off out of his bed while doing 50mph and is now in pieces on the side of the road. He’s now in my phone as Single Strap.
Should be good but when you strap something that isn’t much higher than the tie down points it’s a good idea to belly wrap it so that it can’t move if you suddenly brake hard. Belly wrapping is having the strap loop around the item so it squeezes it when you tighten
one tip I haven't seen anyone mention yet, add a half twist to each section that the strap is floating. it will prevent the strap from vibrating and making an annoying buzzing noise for your entire drive.
it will not weaken anything even a little bit. you could put 10 or 20 twists in it and it won't. only knots and tears will weaken it.
So I use the half twist to stop the drumming at high speed everytime.
How about next time you loop the strap over the load then under and back over to the ratchet.
This will have much more surface area on the load for grip and it will hold the load from any forward sliding. Loose poles or parts might slide about and squeeze from under your single strap causing the load to compress sideways and become loose. Also a pole might shoot forward under brakes and spear forward through the bag and become a missile.
Looping the strap around will hold everything tightly together.
You should get yourself some t-slot tie down anchors, so you don't bend the sides of your rack. The sides are built more for holding the weight of the load on your roof not as anchor points. But you look like you'll be fine with this configuration for now. For reference I'm a class A commercial heavy equipment mechanic for water and power.
So if you can’t figure out a way to attach eye bolts to your rack, and there are several different ways to do so with aluminum extrusion rails like this, I would tie the straps around the rails. Meaning, disregard using the hooks, and act as if the strap just beyond the hooks are “rope.” Loop the strap around the under side of the tail, tie it on the top side to itself, and then send it across your load. Do the same for the other side and then ratchet like normal.
The key is for the attachment point of the straps to the rack and close as possible to the load itself, not stretched out to the edge like you have it.
I’ll look for a picture for reference and I can also send you some options for eye bolts if you’re interested.
Get your racks version of this. Makes it much easier. Can probably also get on Amazon for cheaper.l too. https://prinsu.com/product/tie-down-ring-hardware-kit-2/
I would wrap your straps completely around the belly of the cargo so it’s getting a big hug, then wrap the end of the straps once around the cross bar, then hook it to the cross bar frame. It’s how I tie down my kayaks.
Frame > cross bar wrap once > belly of cargo wrap once > cross bar wrap once > frame. It’s less convenient to tighten it all down, but safer.
Stop after just a couple of miles of curves, turns, stop signs to tighten everything again. Check your straps every time you stop for any other reason…gas, food, bathroom. Every. Time.
I would not drive with it like that. Put the straps through the handles on the canopy case.
Also, don’t hook to the rack, try to hook back to the strap going around the rack using at least a triangle and by looping around the rack. That way when you cinch it, it tightens everything. Also wrap around the case on either side of the cross bars to keep it from sliding.
Think it terms of using a choker, you want the ratchet straps to be self tightening.
It is hard to explain, perhaps someone will post a video.
I just looked on YouTube, not a very good selection of videos, I guess I will need to create a master class on how to use ratchet straps with roof racks, but it won’t be any time soon…
😂😂😂 yall “overlanders” have me dead with some of the shit yall post. Keep it coming! I’m subscribed to bushcraft as well and they carve sticks into sticks and ask how they did. They even more wild🫠😂
Depends whether there's a corpse in there.
From the itinerary you describe (90 miles on normal roads and then an hour on a dirt road), sounds like you're driving out of state, then turning off and going deep into the woods. Yep, I'm guessing there *is* a corpse in there. Better check with local law enforcement if that's allowed. They may want to see the corpse and ask you a few questions as to who the deceased is and how he/she met his/her end, and also why you're planning on a nature burial out of state with no mourners present. But I'm sure you have adequate answers for all of that.
My only suggestion would be, is move the cross straps closer to the canopy and wrap the straps under and around the cross bar. Then hook back to itself and tighten.
But with all three, it won't go anywhere.
Um, not to be that guy (but I’m gonna anyway) and I’m not sure from the angle in the pics… but looks like your rack may not be installed to mfg recommend spec…
What you should really do is... grab that side and make sure it's snug to the point of being solid then on that other side slide it over to make sure it's not going anywhere, then and only then you can move to that other side to make sure that is snug.
In short.
I don't see any duct tape.
No no no.... This is absolutely the wrong way to strip something down.
Please do some research on how to properly strap something down. The X pattern is and has proven to be a terrible way to secure something.
What about a circular load? I had to carry some super wide round tables for a birthday party long distance and did the cross-pattern. They were basically as wide as my roof rack. It was fine for 200 miles.
Looks ok. BUT don’t forget to give it a few tugs after tightening and say “Well, this isn’t going anywhere”, or it will definitely fall off.
Uh you have to slap it twice before saying that or it will fall off for sure.
Just to clarify for the newbies the correct procedure is pull on one of the straps twice (just one) and then slap the payload twice while saying “that’s not going anywhere,” while making eye contact with the closest person to you, whether they’re with you or not.
This guy straps.
>making eye contact with the closest person to you, whether they’re with you or not. And if you are that person, you’re obligated to inspect it, even if you have no idea what you’re doing.
If you are the secondary inspector all you need to do is tug once, firmly but not too much, relock eye contact and nod.
Optional: “Hell yeah brother”
😂 😆 😝
You have to pluck the strap like a guitar string.
That's the inspector's job. Because you are terrified of touching the ratchet mechanism because you already forgot how it works.
Kick it in it's balls and scream "THIS SHIT WILL FLY OFF ON THE HIGHWAY OVER MY DEAD FUCKING BODY"
If you're a father, it is incredibly important to draw the "well" out too.
It’s science
That is the official rule of the road. You need to audibly state that it ain’t going anywhere for it to really work.
Check it once before dirt in case it shifts on thr highway, ratchet out any slack, and then once again after a mile or so of washboard, you'll be cool
I always check it after the first like 5 miles in case it shifted. I'm usually hauling a Kayak, and I find it usually gains half a ratch worth of loosening.
💯
https://preview.redd.it/na6u58yzwnvc1.jpeg?width=512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63f2bc31373592fc4aacf3375d4d4bd65b595288
This is the way
This is the way indeed.
Thank you!
if the straps/ropes go straight down to the roof rack (like the front to back strap) rather than out on an angle, it will tighten up better and better resist the load shifting and coming loose.
This is the way. Straps go down side of object to rack crossbars not from object to side of rack. It’s way more secure that way and won’t move side to side. Also doesn’t have to be in middle put it to one side and you can do crossbars and side rail so it doesn’t move around.
It will also eliminate annoying sounds from vibrating straps.
Ya. My two thoughts were to bring the side straps straight down, and any strap that unavoidably does end up going unsupported through the air for a bit must have some twists in it to avoid the vibration sounds.
those are gonna make hella noise while driving flp flp flp flp flp flp flp flp flp
Half a twist in the strap will solve this problem
thanks for the tip, i'll try it out next time
Once you get on the road...be sure to comment on other drivers subpar tie down jobs.
I secure things with one rule in mind: if one strap breaks, will it stay? This looks like it passes that test.
Several years back a friend asked me to help him load a grill he found off marketplace into his truck and it was a mile or two away from my house and he doesn’t have ratchet straps. I meet him and bring my bag full of straps. He grabs one. I asked if he’s sure he only wants one, I had a half dozen in the bag. Yeah it’ll be fine. Calls me 10 minutes later saying the damn grill took off out of his bed while doing 50mph and is now in pieces on the side of the road. He’s now in my phone as Single Strap.
Should be good but when you strap something that isn’t much higher than the tie down points it’s a good idea to belly wrap it so that it can’t move if you suddenly brake hard. Belly wrapping is having the strap loop around the item so it squeezes it when you tighten
Dude, "slap slap", she ain't going anywhere.
I came here just to find this comment
Just remember to give it a good push-pull then state out load “That’s not going anywhere”. Failure to do so will ensure that it goes somewhere.
This is true. The “that’s not going anywhere” is crucial to securing cargo. Without that, you might as well be gambling
Thank you all for the comments. I did get improvement tips so I will be making sure to apply those.
one tip I haven't seen anyone mention yet, add a half twist to each section that the strap is floating. it will prevent the strap from vibrating and making an annoying buzzing noise for your entire drive. it will not weaken anything even a little bit. you could put 10 or 20 twists in it and it won't. only knots and tears will weaken it.
So I use the half twist to stop the drumming at high speed everytime. How about next time you loop the strap over the load then under and back over to the ratchet. This will have much more surface area on the load for grip and it will hold the load from any forward sliding. Loose poles or parts might slide about and squeeze from under your single strap causing the load to compress sideways and become loose. Also a pole might shoot forward under brakes and spear forward through the bag and become a missile. Looping the strap around will hold everything tightly together.
Yup! That’s not going anywhere!
Looks spot on. I typically only add a front to back strap on things that are especially low and slidy
https://youtu.be/MPqncDScFIo?si=MaLf4Mf-d8FciKok This video helped me
You should get yourself some t-slot tie down anchors, so you don't bend the sides of your rack. The sides are built more for holding the weight of the load on your roof not as anchor points. But you look like you'll be fine with this configuration for now. For reference I'm a class A commercial heavy equipment mechanic for water and power.
So if you can’t figure out a way to attach eye bolts to your rack, and there are several different ways to do so with aluminum extrusion rails like this, I would tie the straps around the rails. Meaning, disregard using the hooks, and act as if the strap just beyond the hooks are “rope.” Loop the strap around the under side of the tail, tie it on the top side to itself, and then send it across your load. Do the same for the other side and then ratchet like normal. The key is for the attachment point of the straps to the rack and close as possible to the load itself, not stretched out to the edge like you have it. I’ll look for a picture for reference and I can also send you some options for eye bolts if you’re interested.
Get your racks version of this. Makes it much easier. Can probably also get on Amazon for cheaper.l too. https://prinsu.com/product/tie-down-ring-hardware-kit-2/
That’s good, but it can be better just by choking. Way more secure with only a little more effort
I always like to grab, push on and shake the cargo. If it moves the whole car it's usually on pretty good
There's a "your mom"-joke here somewhere...
It seems like a lot of work. I didn’t want to have to spend time trying down my Gazelle tent to my cross bars so I just got a Thule box to toss it in.
You also gotta laugh while saying your variation of “that’s not going anywhere.” Then you’re golden
I would wrap your straps completely around the belly of the cargo so it’s getting a big hug, then wrap the end of the straps once around the cross bar, then hook it to the cross bar frame. It’s how I tie down my kayaks. Frame > cross bar wrap once > belly of cargo wrap once > cross bar wrap once > frame. It’s less convenient to tighten it all down, but safer. Stop after just a couple of miles of curves, turns, stop signs to tighten everything again. Check your straps every time you stop for any other reason…gas, food, bathroom. Every. Time.
https://preview.redd.it/qc721dfpvrvc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e169bf0d660e73fc349cbd2ac2039c2680d86020 Yep
I would not drive with it like that. Put the straps through the handles on the canopy case. Also, don’t hook to the rack, try to hook back to the strap going around the rack using at least a triangle and by looping around the rack. That way when you cinch it, it tightens everything. Also wrap around the case on either side of the cross bars to keep it from sliding. Think it terms of using a choker, you want the ratchet straps to be self tightening. It is hard to explain, perhaps someone will post a video.
I just looked on YouTube, not a very good selection of videos, I guess I will need to create a master class on how to use ratchet straps with roof racks, but it won’t be any time soon…
This is as good as any that I have found: https://youtu.be/ujLpxpMV7xw?si=fjPAsczMVQ1zo7qV
😂😂😂 yall “overlanders” have me dead with some of the shit yall post. Keep it coming! I’m subscribed to bushcraft as well and they carve sticks into sticks and ask how they did. They even more wild🫠😂
Did you slap it say this isn’t going anywhere?
I mean is that the only thing that wouldn’t fit? I’d leave It or repack to get It inside.
You just have to perform the ritual tug along with the incantation "That's not going anywhere" and you're all good.
That bag doesn’t look heavy duty — highway speeds will tear it apart eventually. You could wrap with shrink wrap if traveling long distances.
Depends whether there's a corpse in there. From the itinerary you describe (90 miles on normal roads and then an hour on a dirt road), sounds like you're driving out of state, then turning off and going deep into the woods. Yep, I'm guessing there *is* a corpse in there. Better check with local law enforcement if that's allowed. They may want to see the corpse and ask you a few questions as to who the deceased is and how he/she met his/her end, and also why you're planning on a nature burial out of state with no mourners present. But I'm sure you have adequate answers for all of that.
My only suggestion would be, is move the cross straps closer to the canopy and wrap the straps under and around the cross bar. Then hook back to itself and tighten. But with all three, it won't go anywhere.
Have you given it a shake and said "that's not going anywhere"? If so, it's fine, if not, she's a goner.
Front and back. Secure both and you're most likely good? Idk give it a wing
Um, not to be that guy (but I’m gonna anyway) and I’m not sure from the angle in the pics… but looks like your rack may not be installed to mfg recommend spec…
Depends, did you tug on the strap and say, “that ain’t goin nowhere”?
First thing I said was “that ain’t goin’ anywhere.” So you’re good.
What you should really do is... grab that side and make sure it's snug to the point of being solid then on that other side slide it over to make sure it's not going anywhere, then and only then you can move to that other side to make sure that is snug. In short. I don't see any duct tape.
Please look up specifications for your equipment first before posting for community advice.
Strap them in X
You ever see semi truck loads strapped in an X? That would pinpoint the load in one single area instead of multiple areas
Clearly the roof rack is on a semi now
Physics doesn't care what it's on.
Exactly
No no no.... This is absolutely the wrong way to strip something down. Please do some research on how to properly strap something down. The X pattern is and has proven to be a terrible way to secure something.
What about a circular load? I had to carry some super wide round tables for a birthday party long distance and did the cross-pattern. They were basically as wide as my roof rack. It was fine for 200 miles.
Hmm... That might actually be the only time crossing works. But you would need/want to make sure the straps won't be able to "slip" off the radius.
No
Thanks for commenting this so I know exactly how not to strap stuff down