Flatbed without slidable ratchet mechanism. Should we buy it?

It will be very hard to secure load with ratchets. They do not have the leverage to bind them (short handle ) If you getting the trailer at a good price you can purchase the track and install it your self.some trailer repair shops will have them new or used. Good luck

 

I would not use the hand ratchets as my main source of securing loads. But it's good to keep a couple around for some odd ball stuff. Get some regular 4 inch straps and depending on what you will be hauling, maybe some chains and binders

 

Is it just missing the strap holders or what?

 

Well if the trailer is that good of a deal then I would simply check into what it would cost to have it installed and see if it is still a deal or not. If so then buy it. If not don't. There are plenty of trailers out there for sale at good prices right now.

 

What are you hauling? Most times heavy stuff is best with chains and binders. We hauled pallets of shingles with hand ratchets, never had any problems.

 

Hello,

I've done a fair amount of flatbedding and Machinery Heavy Hauling, I'm not a minimalist either, I've learned that fate favors the prepared out on the road. Some folks like to get by with the least they can do, That approach has not been sucessful for me.

They sell portable 4" ratchet straps that work well, slip a winch bar under the short handle and carefully tension them up if you can't get adequate tension with the short handle (usually you can't). You can stagger bottom mount or side mount winches all down both sides of the trailer, I would reccomend every 24" on opposing sides, having a sliding winch track installed and stock up on sliding winches is an option too. Be smart about where you put them so you don't create interference issues with drive tires and trailer tires (side mount winches work best in these areas) if you have a dump valve it might look like you have enough clearance when you really don't.

I would not count on the average trailer mechanic to do your thinking for you here. I keep an assortment of 3/8 DOT chains and (Ratchet) binders on hand as well as 4" ratchet straps for those in-between spots that you inevetably need no matter how you outfit a trailer. Remember that good load securement is expensive, but losing or shifting loads is more expensive. AVOID Portable clamp type Winches, They can be very unreliable, when they come off they are a huge hazard for other motorist.

Finally, I have noticed that there are different popular configurations, back in the midwest and down south I see a lot of guys use fixed bottom mount winches (usually only on one side) and they keep the straps rolled on the winch when they are not using them. Out west the staggered winches are more popular, though every O/O has some slightly different tweak on their setup and the sliding winches are popular too. If the trailer is air ride, spend the $150 for an air scale (why wouldn't you?). I like putting rubber rope hooks all around the trailer and installing a couple winches on the back of the trailer about midway up the ICC bumper. Flat hook or cloth straps? I prefer flat hook, just keep an extra hub cap kit with you if you have the translucent oil bath hub cap, sooner or later you'll take one out with a flat hook. V boards, dunnage, ladders all need a place to go that is secure and weather proof. I like having a pair of good Protech double door 48" toolboxes too. They make light kits that you can set up in them fairly inexpensively. I like air and light connections off the deck connecting them at the landing gear from the rear of the truck frame is really valuable, keeps you from tripping and gives easy access without having to bust out the ladder. 4 ways at the rear markers and a 6 or 7 pin for long loads is useful if you have long loads. Separate id cluster, markers and brake turns if you do all of them, You can run beacons off of them too.

I know that's more than you asked for, none of it is gospel, I hope it helps.

 

ok not enough info here

What make is the trailer?

if its a ritenour it may take J hooks

if its a 96" east that also takes J hooks

 

they do sell a leverage bar made for those hand ratchets. and like fast eddy said even if you get a rail system. you still should have at least 4 4" hand straps in your box.