I'm looking to get some retractable ratchet straps for my 2016 Citroen Berlingo . These would be to strap down my loaded porterlite but I'm wondering what length I'd need . The ones I was looking at are 3m but not sure if this will be enough . Any advice please would be much appreciated , thanks .
In reply to Post #1
It depends on how you strap it. The most secure way would be to use one strap on each corner, down to the floor hooks if it has them. So you'd need 4 straps of maybe 1m or so. Or you can go right over the top which isn't as secure but easier to do. You might get away with 3 m straps but Tbh I'd get 5s just to make sure
It depends on how you strap it. The most secure way would be to use one strap on each corner, down to the floor hooks if it has them. So you'd need 4 straps of maybe 1m or so. Or you can go right over the top which isn't as secure but easier to do. You might get away with 3 m straps but Tbh I'd get 5s just to make sure
Load the barrow up as you would
Then use a piece of fishing line, string, cotton or similar and then use a tape to measure it.
But 3 or as said 5 would probably do.
Then use a piece of fishing line, string, cotton or similar and then use a tape to measure it.
But 3 or as said 5 would probably do.
I go from the floor loop, to the rear legs cross bar. Over that twice, then to floor loop on other side of van. It holds tight, never let me down. As the kit is strapped to the porter anyway, I've never felt the need to strap over the top again.
Just make sure you pass it over the rear leg cross bar twice..
Just make sure you pass it over the rear leg cross bar twice..
Go with 5s, I did and although a bit long for strapping width wise across the van, have come in handy in other situations.
Strap across the handle bars and also in behind the front edge. Lock them down tight and you'll be fine. Mine lives in my van at all time like this with the bedchair on and various things on it.
Strap across the handle bars and also in behind the front edge. Lock them down tight and you'll be fine. Mine lives in my van at all time like this with the bedchair on and various things on it.
In reply to Post #1
If you do buy longer you can always shorten them if it annoys you, just cut and burn the cut end to stop it fraying.
If you do buy longer you can always shorten them if it annoys you, just cut and burn the cut end to stop it fraying.
In reply to Post #6
Some good tips there , thanks . I must admit that I thought of strapping the frame down front and back but not over the gear as it's already strapped down but thought I might be being a bit thick . Quite fancy the retractable for ease but the ones I was looking at were 3m and wasn't sure if this would be enough , cheers .
Some good tips there , thanks . I must admit that I thought of strapping the frame down front and back but not over the gear as it's already strapped down but thought I might be being a bit thick . Quite fancy the retractable for ease but the ones I was looking at were 3m and wasn't sure if this would be enough , cheers .
In reply to Post #7
I do mine like this, the straps are cut down as they only need to be short when doing it like this. As you know the Porterlite doesn't have the loops on the frame but you could always loop the strap round the frame.
I do mine like this, the straps are cut down as they only need to be short when doing it like this. As you know the Porterlite doesn't have the loops on the frame but you could always loop the strap round the frame.
In reply to Post #8
Not sure how well those retractable ones would fare with mud and grit getting in to them
Not sure how well those retractable ones would fare with mud and grit getting in to them
In reply to Post #1
I use these to strap down a full load on a Nash power barrow, good bit kit, Fox also do them but the Speero ones are better in my opinion.
https://www.speero.co.uk/barrow-strap-set
I use these to strap down a full load on a Nash power barrow, good bit kit, Fox also do them but the Speero ones are better in my opinion.
https://www.speero.co.uk/barrow-strap-set
I bought some of those retractable ones and basically they are a pile of horse sh!t. One was broken in shipping, the cover was broken off the spring. One I broke the strap with my hands just pulling it out and another broke in the same way as I was tightening the barrow down to the van. Don't waste your money, they really are terribly made...
Your better off getting the proper ratchet straps all metal parts so almost bomb proof
Something to consider when it comes to "Ratchet Straps" is you have to be careful with them especially if you are strapping things down with them, it is easy to overdo it as they are quiet powerful and crush things or if you are just tightening up to the frame of a barrow, it can easily bend or distort the frame.
Many years ago I converted to ratchet straps from bungee's on my barrow and it was the best thing I ever did as it holds everything down a bit firmer and one thing I did stop doing was putting the holdhall on top of the barrow with the straps over it to prevent crushing the rods, now I just lay it on top or carry it. Same with a baitboat in a bag, you can easily crush it but I always store mine in a plastic box but even that is crushable.
There is also the other type of strap, the "Friction ones" were you just pull them tight, I found them OK and less chance of damaging anything but, not so good if you do want them tight enough to stop all movement especially on a barrow as unless you put your foot on your barrow, you pulled it over and they was a pain to use as invariably, your barrow would move or twist round. I only used them a few times
Many years ago I converted to ratchet straps from bungee's on my barrow and it was the best thing I ever did as it holds everything down a bit firmer and one thing I did stop doing was putting the holdhall on top of the barrow with the straps over it to prevent crushing the rods, now I just lay it on top or carry it. Same with a baitboat in a bag, you can easily crush it but I always store mine in a plastic box but even that is crushable.
There is also the other type of strap, the "Friction ones" were you just pull them tight, I found them OK and less chance of damaging anything but, not so good if you do want them tight enough to stop all movement especially on a barrow as unless you put your foot on your barrow, you pulled it over and they was a pain to use as invariably, your barrow would move or twist round. I only used them a few times
Just a reminder that as far as I'm aware the OP is asking about ratchet straps to keep the barrow stable in his van (as per my pic) not strapping stuff to the barrow, which is fine, been doing it for years without issue
In reply to Post #14
Thanks for all the help guys . Went for some rhino (non retractable) in the end and will see how these are , cheers .
Thanks for all the help guys . Went for some rhino (non retractable) in the end and will see how these are , cheers .