Couldn't tighten a strap

I was hauling steel plates yesterday. It was in the minus digits. I was running from midnight on. I was in the 50's when I left and raining so hard we were doing 30mph. Then came the cold. I could see from the cars lights in back of me that all my straps were really loose. I pulled into Flying J fuel pumps and most of the straps I couldn't put another notch on them. Then my chrome cheater bar snapped. First time this has ever happened. I've always worried about that and what would happen. Not much other then it was a shock to me. I didn't hit the ground like I thought I would. Went in and bought another one.

I'm wondering if the rain then cold then freezing had something to do with not being able to tighten the straps? So cold they couldn't stretch anymore?

 

The winch was free. I just think the straps got soaking wet then froze and wouldn't stretch enough so I could put another notch on there.

 

Mmmmmmmm. Good idea. I'll remember that.

 

Lol....Strong enough to break the cheater bar! No, it wasn't frozen, the strap was moving, just couldn't put another notch on it.