Hey all. I've lived around reefer hauling all my life but now I'm getting into flatbed. My question to everyone is how do you store your straps? I see two methods, store them off the winch, throw em over, and then fold the excess under the straps. And then I see some people keep them right on their winches. Opinions? It seems to me easier if I just leave em on the winches and if they only last 3 years instead of 4 they're not that expensive. Thoughts?
This is where I store my straps. Rolled up hook to the outside so when I throw a strap nobody gets hit in the head
I've either pulled them all the way off, or left them on the winches. Never cared for the store the excess under the strap method, unless I'm using a 2" strap.
I keep them in the side box of my truck so they can thaw out in the winter time. Straps don’t last that long. You’ll never have straps last 4 years if you use them. For straps on trailers you have to unravel, throw the hook end, and it isn’t as precise. You can also cause damage or hit someone. The straps get covered in all the dirt and mud and rain as you drive when they are left on the trailer. They last about half as long. The only reason to have straps on the trailer all the time is if you drop and hook trailers constantly.
My straps stay on the winches. I dont have the extra storage for 14 straps. Plus I try to stay loaded, so my straps are always holding something down.
Also if you dont have galvanized winches having them on all the time wet n dry you rust the inside of the winch to the point you’ll start crushing it tightening things down. Then you’re replacing a winch and strap not just a strap. My straps rarely get replaced due to wear. I have plenty that I’ve had n used for 6 years. Edge protection where needed n get them tight on anything so they don’t flutter/half twist if they aren’t against the load. Ymmv
Back when I pulled flatbed, I'd roll them up, and put them on the floorboard on the passenger side. I tried not to have them in the elements too much, outside of a no tarp load
I always kept my straps on the trailer(some of them straps were older than me) my portables I stashed in a heavy canvas gym bag in the side box, drove a lot of Cabo's in those days.
Same here. Rolled up, banded, and stored on a shelf in my side box. All of my 2" and 3" are taken apart as well. I will not throw a hook. If somebody gets hit by a roll of nylon they might be unhappy. A steel hook to the head can be deadly.
