One of the confusing issues in cargo straps is the variations in terminology. Many buyers (and sellers) frequently get the descriptions mixed up. A winch strap is a strap used for securing loads that attaches to a WINCH. This winch is always attached to the trailer itself. This strap gets wound up on the winch which pulls it tighter thus securing a load. A winch strap has only one end with some sort of hook for grabbing onto a trailer, chain, etc. The other end of a winch strap is just a clean cut sealed end which allows for easy winding up on a winch. A ratchet strap is also used for securing loads but there is a RATCHET BUCKLE MECHANISM near one end of the strap. And most importantly both ends of the strap have hooks used for grabbing onto the trailer, chain, equipment, etc. The ratchet buckle is then manually tightened up which secures the strap. Both ratchet straps and winch straps are usually ordered in 2” 3”, 4” width and in a variety of lengths although the 2” and 4” are most common.
There are a variety of different hooks used on these straps. The flat hook us typically used to grab onto the side rails of trailers. With flat hooks the strap needs to be 90 degrees from the trailer edge – you it’s not designed to be tightened at an angle. Chain hooks have a small length of chain with a clevis hook – these are used to grab onto a chain and tighten down. Such as used for securing an excavator to a trailer. D-rings ends on straps are used to hook onto other hooks you may already have on your trailer, or your equipment for securing item. And wire hooks are simply very heavy gauge wire hooks that can be used to grab thru perforated wire mesh trailer floors, or can be used to grab thru cutouts in steel bodies on your equipment or items being secured.
Careful assessment of strap types, hook types and usage is very important for your personal safety and those you share the road and jobsite with.