Winch Straps 101

Winch straps are used for industrial, heavy-duty purposes; they are specially built for hauling extreme weights such as vehicles, in flatbed trucks and trailers.

Winch straps could come at different measurements, but standard lengths come at 25 to 30 feet, and width usually at 4 inches (although 2 and 3 inches are also available).
When choosing which brand of winch strap to purchase, one of your guidelines should be to find out if it has been approved by the US Department of Transportation or the WSTDA (Web Sling and Tie Down Association). This will ensure that the product is of high quality and that it has adequately passed intensive safety regulations.

The webbing, or the material used for the strap should be very strong and could withstand heavy cargo. In this matter, know the different working load limit and break strength of the particular winch strap you are purchasing, to make sure that you would always work with loads that weigh within the safe range. A typical working load limit on 4-inch wide winch straps should be at 5,400 lbs, with a break strength of 16,200lbs. For 2 inches wide straps it should be at a 3,333 lbs, with a break strength 10,000 lbs. Be advised that it is very dangerous to regularly subject the winch strap to its maximum break strength; the working load limit should always be the figure you adhere to.

Aside from the very strong and durable webbing, high-quality winch straps should also have protective padding on the inside of the flat hook at the end to make sure that the webbing at this section will be protected from abrasion, wear and tear. Apart from this built-in padding, you could also purchase other protective accessories such as a corner protector. The corner protector is designed to keep the strap from being damaged by cutting despite being subjected to heavy loads and tension.

The flat hook attached should also have at least the same working load limit and break strength as the strap itself. Preferably it should be vinyl coated to avoid rusting and tarnishing. Though the flat hook is the most common winch strap attachment there are others available, such as chain anchor which generally has the same range of rated working load limit and break strength as flat hooks.

You could also opt to purchase reflective winch straps, which is a good choice specially if you are planning to do cargo transporting at night.

What are the prices on winch straps? High quality winch straps come at surprisingly affordable rates; for example, you could purchase a set of ten straps


Check out as well their available corner protectors, and the other products available at their website. They offer free shipping on orders. Certainly if you're looking for quality as well as affordability for your winch strap, their website would be the only place you'd need to look.