torque bar

Longevity of straps won't be harmed by tightening your straps to a "high C". That's a "static load" in the parlance of webbing and ropes. "Static" means the load is applied gradually. On the other hand a "dynamic load" is a sudden shock, like a rock climber falling 40' onto a 40' section of rope, with a bend over the radius of a carabiner secured to a piston, bolt, or other securement.

Climbing ropes are dynamic, meaning at the shock of the impact of a falling climber they will stretch up to 50% their length. That serves two purposes, it reduces the stress on the rope and it prevents injury or body parts separating when you hit the end of the rope.

The greatest damage to straps is from ultraviolet light from the sun. Drivers that like to leave their straps wound in the winches should replace their straps far more frequently than a driver that stows their straps in a side box.

I know a thing or two about straps, ropes, cordage, and webbing. I sold container loads of the products over the course of a thirty year career importing. I field tested and designed equipment for climbing and backpacking.

If you want your straps to last, take them off the ####ing winches when you are deadheading. Period. Full stop. Drop the mike.

If your load requires getting your straps to a high C, like a load of pipe, then give it all you got. Your life may depend on it...

...and hopefully you don't have crispy straps that have been cooked by UV for a year in the winches. STOW those mother####ers!

There.

Said it.

I'm getting off my soap box now.

 

On a long enough lever you can lift the earth itself.

I use a 5 foot pipe myself against the chain binders that fold over into themselves. Then in those days I hauled Steel and aluminum where they dont care how tough you bind them to a certain point.

What I do with straps etc is rack them tight as they go, but do not try for that last little bit. I give em a thump and as long they make a tune it's ok. If it's too slack it will need some more tighten.

 

Personally I think a lot of people overtighten straps. If a 200+ pound person is tightening a strap to the point that they have to bounce on the end of a 42 inch bar, the math says they are putting more than the wll of force on the strap.

Personally I'd rather add a strap or two vs abusing the straps.

 

So if the strap is way overtightented it will take less force to break it if u have to stand on the brakes or load shifts...is that what u are saying. ?

 

Technically yeah, but that applies more to a tie down (such as a coil on a chain) that is pulling to the rear instead of straight down.

What I actually meant was that overtightening a strap can degrade it over time, resulting in premature wear or failure.

 

10-4

 

so how often should one change straps if left on winches all the time?

 

When they need changing....

 

maybe I should be a little more specific. hopefully I get a more detailed answer

Do straps have a life expectancy or and interval they should be changed, every 3 years, every 5 years, etc...

or should they only be changed when they are showing damage.

 

Sorry i am more than a bit of a smart ###...

Tears cuts holes change em out or cut them short (nice to have a few shorter straps..) if you leave them on the winches they will wear out before they age out.. the real problem is drying them out or thawing them in the winter. We put our trucks indoors at night and drape out the straps when wet. They last pretty long