Trailer Tie Downs & Trailer Straps

How to Choose Trailer Tie Downs by Working Load Limit

Choose trailer tie downs by working load limit (WLL), the load a strap is rated to handle in regular use. Break strength is the point where a strap fails, and it's always higher than WLL. Make sure the combined WLL of your straps covers the weight you're hauling.

JEGS strap ratings show the gap between the two numbers. The JEGS 555-80121 is a 2 in. x 8 ft ratchet tie-down strap with a 10,000 lb break strength and a 3,330 lb working load. The 555-80120 in the same size has a 5,000 lb capacity and a 1,660 lb working load.

JEGS notes that safe working load is 1/3 of rated capacity. That margin allows for the weight shift your load sees under braking. For help matching straps to your rig, read our guide to buying a truck towing kit or browse all trailer, towing and recovery parts.

Types of Trailer Tie-Down Straps

Most trailer loads call for one of four strap styles, sorted by width and load.

• Ratchet straps with 2 in. webbing for cars and heavy loads, like the 8 ft, 5,000 lb QuickCar Racing 635-64-253
• Light-duty straps for smaller cargo, like the JEGS 555-W1870 1 in. x 10 ft set of 4 with a 300 lb load limit
• Super-duty straps for extra reach, like the JEGS 555-W1826 at 1-1/2 in. x 15 ft
• Bungee cords for tarps and loose gear, like Rhino USA heavy-duty bungees in a set of 12

The JEGS 555-W1870 carries a 900 lb break strength, so its 300 lb limit follows the same 1/3 rule. Rhino USA also offers ratchet strap sets if you want matching straps for your trailer. Bungees stretch, so keep them on light loads that can't shift far.

Hauling gear on your hitch instead? Our hitch cargo carrier guide helps you pick a carrier to strap it to.

Axle Straps vs. Wheel Straps for Car Trailers

Axle straps wrap around a solid axle or frame point and give your ratchet hook a clean place to attach. Wheel straps loop over the tire and secure the wheel itself. Both keep hooks away from painted parts and brake lines.

Axle straps pair directly with 2 in. ratchets. The JEGS 555-80137 Ratchet Tie-Down Kit includes (2) 2 in. x 7 ft tie-downs and (2) 2 in. x 2 ft axle straps with a 10,000 lb capacity. You'll need 2 kits for a complete 4-point tie-down.

Race car owners have several axle combo options. Simpson offers an axle strap and an 8-foot axle ratchet tie-down, plus its 856-35007R 8-foot Ratchet Tie-Downs. Allstar Performance sells a race car tie down kit with axle combo ratchet straps, and QuickCar Racing offers a vehicle ratchet tie down with an axle strap.

Wheel straps suit cars where you can't reach a solid axle or frame point cleanly.

Tie-Down Anchors, D-Rings and E-Track

Tie-down anchors and mounts give your straps a rated attachment point on the trailer deck, walls or truck bed. Check that each anchor's working load matches the straps you hook to it.

D-rings bolt to the trailer with a bracket. The JEGS 555-W1882 D-Ring Tie-Down w/Bracket Set includes 4 zinc-plated steel rings. Each ring has a 400 lb working load and a 1,200 lb break strength, so it fits lighter cargo.

E-track gives you adjustable anchor spots along a wall or floor. JEGS sells E-Track in 2 ft horizontal sections, which you can space to fit your load. For a single fixed point, the JEGS forged mini J-hook cargo tie down anchor mounts where you need it.

Loose straps tangle and wear faster when they're thrown in a bin. Pit Pal tie-down hangers in 8 in. and 18 in. widths mount on your trailer wall and keep straps organized between trips.

How to Tie Down a Car on a Trailer

Use a 4-point tie-down, with one strap at each corner of the car pulling toward its own trailer anchor. This setup stops the car from shifting forward, backward or sideways. Pair each strap with an axle strap or wheel strap so hooks stay off finished parts.

Follow these steps each time you load:

• Load the car using trailer ramps and wheel chocks, then set the parking brake
• Attach axle straps or wheel straps at all four corners
• Hook each ratchet strap to a separate trailer anchor
• Tighten each strap evenly and check for twisted webbing
• Recheck strap tension after the first few miles

Straps can loosen as the load settles, so stop and recheck them on long trips. Browse our trailer and towing tech articles for more hauling and towing tips.