Keeper Ratchet Tie Down Straps

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO CHOOSE A TIE-DOWN
Keeper recommends using a minimum of two (2) Tie-Downs to secure cargo and prevent load shift.  Each Tie-Down should have a Working Load Limit equal to or greater than the weight of your cargo.

WORKING LOAD LIMIT
The maximum cargo weight a Tie-Down can safely handle and still accommodate unexpected forces caused by speed, road conditions or emergencies. The Industry Standard for Working Load Limit is 1/3 the Break-Strength of the Tie-Down assembly.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
   FOR RATCHET TIE-DOWNS
1. Place webbing over load and attach
    hooks to solid anchor points.

2. Insert webbing through ratchet reel
    and pull until ALL slack is out of
    webbing. (See How It Works Tab)

3. Pump ratchet handle to make webbing
    tight. Ratchet reel must have at least
    two layers of webbing wound around it.

4. CAUTION, too many layers of webbing
    will jam ratchet. If too much web is piling
    on ratchet reel, start procedure over, first
    removing ALL slack from webbing over
    load.

5. After load is secured, move handle down
    flat for transit. (See How It Works Tab)

6. To release, compress release bar and
    open handle 180 degrees. (See How It Works Tab)

Keeper Hi-Test Webbing:  The heart of a tie-down and tow strap is its webbing. The webbing design must be specific to the job. For example, the webbing used to lash a kayak to an automobile roof rack requires a different break strength, abrasion resistance, and weave pattern than a heavy duty ATV or motorcycle tie-down. Keeper is committed to providing high quality, long lasting, value driven products. Therefore, we design products with webbing that exceeds the demands of each  specific application. Keeper introduced Hi-Test™ webbing to the tie-down market many years ago, using three layers of high tenacity yarn. The face, back and edge layers protect the webbing from abrasion and weather. The center, or warp yarns, provide the strength.  All Keeper webbing meets appropriate abrasion capacity requirements so you and your customers are assured of longer lasting products.

Specifications

COMPONENT CAPACITY: The strength of each component of an assembly. e.g. Keeper P/N 04622, the ratchet begins to fail at 13,000 lbs., the hooks began to fail at 10,000 lbs., and the webbing breaks in excess of 12,000 lbs.

RATED CAPACITY: Also known as "assembly capacity" or "break strength" is the minimum load a complete assembly can withstand before failure in a laboratory pull test when the product is NEW. e.g. Keeper P/N 04622 the failure occurs in excess 0f 10,000 lbs.

WORKING LOAD LIMIT: The maximum weight of a load a tie-down should be subjected to during normal use. To assist the consumer in making the proper tie-down choice for the job, Keeper, the Web Sling Association and the Federal D.O.T. require the Working Load Limit to be 1/3 of the Rated Capacity. e.g. in Keeper P/N 04622 the working load limit is 3,333 lbs.

WEBBING MAKES A DIFFERENCE: DON'T BE FOOLED! Sewing Efficiency - As webbing is sewn it is weakened where it is pierced by the needle, reducing its strength by 10-20%. D.O.T. and Web Sling Association require each tie-down manufacturer to certify the Rated Capacity (Break Strength) and Working Load Limit of each product by attaching a tag or stencil to the product. To obtain the full 10,000 lbs. capacity for a 2" x 27' tie-down, "2 Stripe" (12,000 lbs. break strength) webbing must be used. "1 Stripe" webbing would only yield a capacity of 8,000 - 9,000 lbs. because of the sewing efficiency.

Keeper Ratchet Tie Down Straps - How It Works

Ratchet Operation 1. Place webbing over load and attach hooks to solid anchor points. 2. Insert webbing through ratchet reel and pull until ALL slack is out of webbing., 3. Pump ratchet handle to make webbing tight. Ratchet reel must have at least two layers of webbing wound around it. 4. CAUTION, too many layers of webbing will jam ratchet. If too much web is piling on ratchet reel, start procedure over, first removing ALL slack from webbing over load. 5. After load is secured, move handle down flat for transit. 6. To release, compress release bar and open handle 180 degrees.

Additional Features

	Keeper Strap Webbing: Keeper is committed to providing high quality, long lasting, value driven products. Therefore, we design products with webbing that exceeds the demands of each specific application. Keeper introduced Hi-Test™ webbing to the tie-down market many years ago, using three layers of high tenacity yarn. The face, back and edge layers protect the webbing from abrasion and weather. The center, or warp yarns, provide the strength. All Keeper webbing meets appropriate abrasion capacity requirements so you and your customers are assured of longer lasting products.
	Keeper Web Strap Break Strength: Also known as "assembly capacity" or "break strength" is the minimum load a complete assembly can withstand before failure in a laboratory pull test when the product is NEW. e.g. Keeper P/N 04622 the failure occurs in excess 0f 10,000 lbs. Be sure to read about our PRODUCT BREAK STRENGTH so you can choose the right Keeper product for your application. Located on FAQ Tab
	Keeper Strap Rating: The number of strips help tell the rating. 1 Red Stripe = 5,000lb per inch width 2" webbing = 10,000 rated webbing. 2 Red Stripes = 6,000lb per inch width 2" webbing = 12,000lb rated webbing. THE STRIPING SYSTEM IS A WEBBING INDUSTRY STANDARD