Tie Downs: Are They Effective at Load Restraining?

Published on: 20 March 2019 Last Updated on: 26 November 2021

Unrestrained loads are one of the biggest causes of accidents on our roads today. This is why ensuring your load is safely secured is paramount before embarking on a journey. Forget the short cuts: A thorough job –with the right equipment—is crucial if you expect to reach your destination with your cargo intact.

But what can you use to secure your load? There are many options at your disposal from nets to corner plates. However, we believe straps—ratchet tie downs in particular—are extremely effective at securing loads. We’ll outline all you need to know about these units including the different types so you’re prepared for your next journey.

Why Bother With Tie Downs For Effective Load Restraining?

Is this a priority? Maybe the following scenarios resulting from not utilizing them will shed some light as to their importance:

Accidents: It may cause trucks to overturn because of the unbalanced weight distribution of the load in question.
Damage to property: This includes either damage to your vehicle as well as the cargo being transported.
Loss of lives: Injuries are likely to occur when these kinds of accidents happen. In worst case scenarios, it can lead to loss of lives whether it’s yourself, other motorists or pedestrians in the vicinity.

Types of Tie Downs

The one you pick will depend on the gear and load you’re hauling. However, these are the five most common types.

Ratchet Tie Down Straps:

These are by far the most popular among most fleet owners. We suppose the fact that they’re deemed the most secure way to tie down heavy loads has something to do with it.

They are known to provide the most strength and security, especially for the larger loads. Just make sure you check the load rating of the straps before you use them on something heavy. Plus they’re quite versatile as load restraints in many scenarios: You can use them either on the trailer, roof rack or bed of your truck.

The downside to using this type is they’ll probably take you some time to figure out how they work. Note that given the nature of the hardware, we can’t entirely eliminate the risk of them damaging your load in transit. But for their effective performance, we think they are worth trying out.

Lashing Straps:

If you find the cost of the ratchet straps too steep, you can opt for the lashing straps. Not only are they less expensive options but you’ll appreciate that they’re easy to use.

They’re the ideal pick for the lighter loads such as securing surfboards or plastic cargo bins. Two things you don’t have to worry about are these lashing straps crushing or damaging your cargo.

Bungee Cords:

One thing you’ll appreciate about this type is the versatility. You can use it to wrap cargo of all types and sizes. However, you can only use them to secure very lightweight items such as plastic items.

Nylon Ropes:

This is also another inexpensive option. The trick lies in mastering how to tie more than a couple of knots. You can consider learning the power hitch: The good thing about this knot is you can use it in almost every situation.

Stratchits:

Last but definitely not least on our list are Stratchits. These are by far the easiest tie downs to use when securing your cargo. Also, you get the best of both worlds: The strength and user-friendliness associated with lashing straps plus the versatility that comes with bungee cords.

Another thing is they are adjustable: They can be adjusted from anything between 22” to 63”. Have any chairs or bicycles you want to transport? You can consider these and they’ll work just fine.

What Determines the Number of Tie Downs You Use?

When dealing with tie downs it’s important to note just how many to use to effectively secure your load. It’s really not about how many you can find just before embarking your trip: There are rules involved.

Generally, the number will depend on the length and weight of cargo you’re transporting as stated below.

When to Use One Tie Down

It’s very possible to use only one tie down but only when your cargo is:

Shorter than 5ft
Weighs less than 1100lb

When to Use Two Tie Downs

Two tie downs can be used in the following scenarios:

Cargo is 5ft or shorter and weighs more than 1100lb
If it’s longer than 5ft but definitely not longer than 10ft

When to Use Four Tie Downs

You can use a minimum of four tie downs if your cargo is heavier than 10000lb. Additional tie downs can be used if your cargo is at least 10ft or longer. It’s strongly advisable to add one tie down for every additional 10ft just for reinforcement.

Regardless of the number of tie downs you use, it’s in your best interests to always check the number of tie downs you need before carrying your load. Not only that but are they in a satisfactory condition? Always make sure of that for optimum performance.

Final Words

It’s pretty clear: Tie downs are pretty effective at securing loads. You just have to pick what matches your vehicle, load and not forgetting your budget. The most important thing is that you invest in one to avoid any unnecessary accidents. Your decisions determine whether you stay in control during your journey.

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How Many Wheels Are In The World? – Are You Excited To Know?

Have you ever wondered how many wheels are there in the world? The first answer that will come to the fore is that there are actually plenty of wheels, which are infinite in number. However, in this article, we will look at this interesting question a bit differently and find out how many wheels are in the world in particular. With the Automotive Industry growing in leaps and bounds every year, the number of wheels depends upon the large number of vehicles being produced. Estimations have speculated that the number of wheels could be anywhere around 37 billion globally. Furthermore, in this article, you will also know why this question is there in the first place and what is the motivation behind finding out how many wheels exist in the world. You will also know about the fact why many people want to know how many wheels are there in the world estimate, as well as the views of the people. How Many Wheels Are In The World Total? – General Background Many users on the internet and social media (Twitter in particular) organized a popular poll, which was mainly about whether there are more doors or more wheels in the world. Hence, there were two different opinions from different users, and the reasons that people came up with were also interesting and, in some cases, extremely funny. On the one hand, many people were of the opinion that there are more doors in the world since there are many buildings and a single building has several doors. On the other hand, others claimed that since there are too many vehicles in the world, the number of wheels outnumbers the doors. Many people from around the world participated in the poll, and many people enjoyed the answers on the poll. The poll was featured in many countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Ireland, and many more. The person who started this poll is Ryan Nixon. According to him, he found similar questions in Quora, from where he took the idea. According to Ryan, the question he found on Quora is, “If you could have one superpower, what would it be?” To answer the question, Ryan replied, “The ability to know the answer to any question I wanted.” This is how he found the idea of asking the question to people on the internet. Although it may sound strange to you, this is actually how the poll started and got popular in no time. More Doors Or More Wheels – What About The Post? Image Source: static.tweaktown.com Ryan Nixon posted the poll on March 5, 2022, on his Twitter account with the Twitter ID @NewYorkNixon. In the poll, he posted, “My mates and I are having the STUPIDEST debate...And I am here for it. Do you think there are more doors or wheels in the world?” As of February 22, 2023, we found that there are 223,347 votes. The final results are already out. The poll results were close, as 53.6% of people voted for more wheels, while 46.4% of people voted for more doors. There are 4823 retweets of the post and 19,200 likes on the post. Furthermore, 4414 people quoted the tweet. From the moment Ryan posted the tweet, it went viral in no time. Within three days, the post was one of the most viewed on the internet. Many experts are of the opinion that the reason behind the post being popular is that it was truly unique, and different people have different opinions about the post. Additionally, the post got popular quite fast on Facebook, Reddit, and other social platforms as well. What People Are Saying About The Doors Vs. Wheel Post? Image Source: media13.s-nbcnews.com You must have already understood that the post was unique and got popular due to it being interesting and funny at the same time. This is because hardly any people think about the number of doors and wheels in their own houses and cars, let alone the world. The funny part about the post is the way how many people came together to vote on the poll and have a debate in the comment section of the post. The question was, although simple, it was intriguing as well. For example, one person even commented, “Who is voting doors??? There’s wheels on everything. I have wheels on my garment rack, makeup storage holder, rubbish bin. It’s definitely wheels.” In return, Ryan Nixon replied, “You have more wheels in your house than doors? Think about cupboards, the pantry etc. Think about how many doors there would be in something like an apartment building or hotel...” Such conversations and opinions made the post extremely interesting. Some of the other comments that added fuel to the fire are: “Very solidly wheels. All cars have 4 wheels but 2-4 doors. An average home might have 6-10 doors but it also has 3 suitcases with 6-12 wheels. A collection of toy cars might have 400 wheels.” “How many suitcases with wheels on have you got in your house? I’ve got eight. That’s 32 wheels just there.” “Doors. Four door cars and trucks nullify themselves. All ships have doors, no wheels. All buildings have doors, no wheels. Doors.” “Doors by far. Most things with wheels have at least a 2:1 door-wheel ratio, and then you have all the other doors in the world.” “In my household there are 29 doors including fridge, cupboards, washing machine, tumble dryer and car. Got 4 wheels on my car and the hamster has a wheel, can’t think of any more wheels I’m saying doors." "Using the ideology that wheels are only for vehicles and doors only count if they can be walked through. Think it’s quite clear that doors win. Let me know if I’ve missed anything major or something needs explaining.” "Think it’s quite clear that doors win. Let me know if I’ve missed anything major or if something needs explaining.” "Doors. Four door cars and trucks nullify themselves. All ships have doors, no wheels. All buildings have doors, no wheels. Doors." "Easily doors There's double the number of homes in the world than there are other types of buildings too, eg shops, businesses etc Then on top of that, most vehicles have many doors too," "Must be wheel. Wheels is one of the earliest human inventions. Not only in vehicles, but also in rollerblades, suitcases, chairs, etc. Wheels also made each day more than doors." "Just to confuse this debate do you mean EVER or NOW? as this very much alters my answer. Also, is a broken door or wheel still a door or wheel? I need some rules here." "You have ruined my life, I've lost sleep over this." "This has sent me into a spiral and I can't escape it." What Is The Exact Answer To The Question? In every way, it is very hard to find out the exact number of wheels or doors. If, for example, you think about only cars, you have to consider it has four wheels and at least two doors. There are wheels in other vehicles as well. Furthermore, there are so many doors in houses, furniture, etc. On the other hand, there are also wheels in toys like Hot Wheels and Legos. Realistically speaking, the numbers are just too much for a person to count, as they are infinite. Hence, we will not be able to give you even a close idea. How Many Lego Wheels Are There In The World? Image Source: m.media-amazon.com In answer to how many Lego wheels there are in the world, you will need to estimate the number of car toys Lego produces. In a year, almost 17 billion toy cars are produced. Lego has sold approximately 6 billion wheels until now. As per a 2010 report, we found that Lego produces 318 million tires every year. Despite all these data, it is still hard to find out the number of wheels in this case too. Summing Up It is really hard to find how many wheels are in the world or even how many doors there are. Who knows! There can be billions of wheels and doors in the world. However, the best part about the question is that it is interesting and unique, and the post from where the question is inspired was a head-turner. Moreover, the post was funny, and the results were even funnier. Read Also: How Long Can You Go Without An Oil Change? What Type Of Vehicle Is Ideal For Off-Road Driving? How To Choose The Best Wheels And Tires For Your Vehicle?

Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving – How To Fix This Problem?

You might have noticed some irregularities with your car, like how it’s vibrating more than usual, even while idle. This can happen due to many reasons. Therefore, people should know the reasons behind why their car shakes at idle but smooths out while driving. If you are looking for the answer to this question, then you have clicked on the correct link. In this post, you will learn why the above effect happens and what needs to be done to solve it. Why Does Car Shakes At Idle But Smooths Out While Driving And How To Fix This Issue? If you wish to know why your car shaking while idle, then there can be various reasons for this issue. Therefore, here are some of the most common reasons why your car shakes when idle: 1. The Motor Mounts Are Weak Image Source: foxrunauto.com As you already know, your engine is stored in the car's engine compartment. This is done with the help of motor mounts that are attached to the engine to keep it in place. When these mounts become weak, they might fall off one by one. This can create a situation where your car vibrates when idle. You can notice this the most when your car is in neutral. If it does so, then you better go to a mechanic to get it checked and fixed immediately. 2. Damaged Spark Plugs Image Source: cfx-wp-images.imgix.net Spark plugs are connected to your engine and are responsible for igniting the fuel that goes in it. However, after lots of use, these spark plugs can become greasy due to the accumulation of residue from burnt oil. This can cause the engine to misfire. Therefore, it's best to keep in mind that your spark plugs are best replaced after every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. However, if you have a car that has a diesel engine, then there’s no need to worry about this since diesel engines don't have spark plugs. 3. The Camshaft Timing Chain Is Loose Image Source: carparts.com Many cars have a camshaft timing chain, which helps all the camshafts stay attached to your engine valves and pistons. This can create a problem for you if the timing chain for your camshaft has a loose chain tensioner. If you don't get all the hoses of your engine inspected by a mechanic, then your complaint about your car shaking when idle will never cease. This is because it can cause an engine vacuum leak, increasing the pressure inside its cylinders and vibrating your car. 4. Battery Cables Are Loose Image Source: autochimps.com Another common reason why your car shakes at idle but smooths out while driving is because of loose battery cables. If you see your car wont start after getting gas, then this might be one of the reasons why. This can happen if you recently changed your car battery. It can happen if the battery is not correctly connected to the battery cables. After driving around town, there is a chance that your battery cables might become loose, which leads to vibrating cars. 5. The Sensors Are Dirty Or Worn Out Image Source: protectmycar.com Two primary sensors in your car that are essential for starting it up are - the throttle position and oxygen sensors. Since they are located so close to the engine, they get greased up over time, making them malfunction. Adjusting the throttle cable a bit too tightly might cause the car to turn even while idle. Also, it makes things rough while driving as your car might speed up irrationally at times. In the same vein, a dysfunctional oxygen sensor can lead to exhaust malfunctions. This can also be another reason why your car shakes while idle. 6. Faulty Ignition Control Module Image Source: pixfeeds.com Your car’s idleness can be disturbed if there are faults in the ignition control module. Here, your engine might not start since the control module wrongly sends a signal that makes your engine misfire the compression from your cylinders. You can quickly diagnose this problem if you see your car vibrating on idle, even when you are not pressing the accelerator while in gear. 7. The Gas Cap Is Loose Image Source: carparts.com One of the most common causes of your car shaking on idle is a loose gas cap. If the gas cap is loose, then air can leak inside, pressuring and vacuuming the engine even more. This increase in pressure can cause your engine to shake, even while the car is idle. Therefore, try checking your fuel cap. Open it yourself and then put it back. If you see the cap is loose, then you have found the main culprit. 8. Malfunctions In The Fuel Intake System Image Source: themotorguy.com If you see your car shaking when idle, then there is a high chance that the problem probably lies in your fuel intake system. The more you drive your vehicle, the more wear and tear your fuel intake system suffers, leading to blockages and malfunctions. Obstructions in your fuel intake valves can lead to less fuel going to your engine, which fails to start the engine properly. This leads to vibrations in your engine, which makes your car shake even while idle. Therefore, ask your mechanic and allow them to implement the use of an OBD2 scanner to find car engine malfunctions. This scanner will quickly pick up any obstructions in the fuel intake system. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Here are the answers to some questions that people ask alongside why is my car shaking when idle: Q1. How Do You Diagnose Engine Vibration? Ans: To diagnose the reason why your engine is vibrating, you can do the following:First, place your car in a neutral state.Slowly start increasing the engine speed to an RPM which makes it vibrate. Q2. What Reduces Engine Vibration? 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7 Important Car Driving Safety Tips You Should Not Skip!

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Tie Downs: Are They Effective at Load Restraining?

Why Bother With Tie Downs For Effective Load Restraining?