Could Twisting Ratchet Straps Make Them Even Stronger?

We might say that being able to properly strap something down on a trailer is as much of an art as it is a science. Everybody seems to have their own theories and philosophies on how it should be done. Sometimes, these philosophies are relatively uncontested but other times, folks can’t help but step in and deliver their own two cents.

As one of the comments in the video below points out, though, one good experiment is worth hundreds of unfounded stories. We don’t always head to the comments section and expect to find the most wisdom in the world but this one pretty much hit the nail on the head.

This time, we check in with an experiment from Fireball Tool that attempts to try out something that has been highly contested in the tiedown community. Apparently, some people think that twisting a ratchet strap is better for the load. Objectively, it definitely cuts down on vibration and can help to get rid of some of the sounds that goes with that vibration. Relieving vibration could also stand to save the load from being damaged by a strap. However, there are people out there who say that twisting a strap will weaken it.

In order to get to the bottom of this debate, our host decided to put together a test to see how these concepts play out. Down in the video below, we check out a variety of straps under pressure. From regular straps to twisted straps and even one with a knot in it, we get to see how far these things can be stretched before they eventually break.

There’s even one wet strap thrown in to simulate rainy conditions to see if those might have any impact on just how much pressure a tow strap can possibly hold. We wouldn’t recommend trying things just because you see them on YouTube but in this particular experiment, it seems as if the creator might have a point.