Ratchet Strap vs Retractable Ratchet Strap: What’s the Difference?
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Ratchet straps have been securing loads for decades. They’re used everywhere from worksites and trailers to camping trips, 4WD adventures and weekends at the boat ramp. They do the job, but anyone who uses them regularly probably knows the less enjoyable part too: tangled webbing, loose ends and having to roll everything back up when you’re finished.
That’s exactly the problem retractable ratchet straps are designed to solve. So, what’s actually different about a retractable ratchet strap, and why would you choose one over a conventional ratchet strap?
What is a traditional ratchet strap?
A conventional ratchet strap uses webbing and a ratchet mechanism to tension the strap around or across a load. To use one, you pull the webbing through the ratchet mechanism, take up the excess and then use the ratchet to tension the strap.
It’s a simple system that has been around for years, but once the job is done, you’re left with the full length of webbing to pack away and store ready for next time. That can mean dealing with loose ends, tangled straps and a bit of extra time spent getting everything organised before and after use.
What is a retractable ratchet strap?
A retractable ratchet strap takes the familiar ratchet strap and adds an automatic retraction system. With RetractaStrap, the webbing is housed inside a compact, all-in-one casing. You pull out the length of strap you need, hook it into position and ratchet it tight. When you’re finished, release the strap and the webbing automatically retracts back into the housing.
This means there’s no need to manually roll the entire strap back up before putting it away. The webbing stays contained inside the housing, helping keep your straps neat, compact and ready for the next job.
Ratchet strap vs retractable ratchet strap
The biggest difference between a traditional ratchet strap and a retractable ratchet strap comes down to how the webbing is managed. With a conventional ratchet strap, the webbing remains loose and needs to be threaded, managed and packed away manually. With a retractable ratchet strap, the webbing retracts back into the housing when you’re finished.
It might sound like a small change, but it can make a noticeable difference when you’re using straps regularly. Instead of pulling tangled straps out of the ute, toolbox or trailer and sorting through metres of loose webbing, a retractable strap keeps everything contained and ready to pull out as required.
Are retractable ratchet straps faster?
One of the biggest benefits of RetractaStrap is how quickly you can get a load secured and get moving. In many everyday applications, RetractaStrap's retractable ratchet straps can secure loads up to four times faster than conventional straps.
The process is simple: pull out the required length, hook it into position, ratchet and secure. When the job is done, release the strap and allow the webbing to retract back into its housing. For someone who only occasionally secures a load, saving that extra time is convenient. For tradies, transport operators or anyone loading and unloading regularly, it can make an even bigger difference.
What about strength?
Retractable doesn’t mean light-duty. The OG Retractable Ratchet Strap measures 3 metres long by 25mm wide and has a 250kg working load limit and 700kg break strength. It features durable webbing, a robust ratchet mechanism, corrosion-resistant hardware and UV-protected webbing.
The OG is designed for a wide range of load-securing applications, including trailers and trucks, motorcycles, camping gear and building materials. As with any load restraint equipment, it’s important to choose the correct strap for the load and application and use it appropriately.
Storage is where you’ll really notice the difference
If you’ve ever opened the toolbox, ute tray or trailer and pulled out what looks like one giant knot made from several different tie-down straps, you’ll probably appreciate this part. Because RetractaStrap's webbing automatically retracts into its housing, the strap remains compact when it isn’t being used.
There’s no manually winding metres of webbing back up and no pile of loose strap waiting to tangle itself around everything else. Once you’re finished securing your load, the webbing retracts away and the strap can be stored neatly until you need it again.
Who are retractable ratchet straps for?
Retractable ratchet straps can be useful for anyone who regularly needs to secure a load. RetractaStrap has been designed with a range of real-world applications in mind, from tradies securing equipment and materials on the ute or trailer to campers, 4WDers and riders transporting gear for the weekend.
They can also be used across motorcycles, camping gear, caravans, boats, building materials and other transport applications. Whether you’re loading up for work every morning or heading away for the weekend, the idea is the same: spend less time dealing with your straps and more time getting where you need to go.
So, are retractable ratchet straps worth it?
Traditional ratchet straps have been around for a long time for a reason — they work. Retractable ratchet straps aren’t about changing the fundamental job of a ratchet strap. They’re about making the process of using and storing one quicker, neater and easier.
If you use tie-down straps regularly and you’re tired of tangled webbing, loose ends and rolling straps back up every time you use them, a retractable ratchet strap offers a simple alternative.
That was the idea behind RetractaStrap. We didn’t reinvent what a ratchet strap does - we changed the annoying part.