Bungee Cords, Straps, Rope, Oh My! (tying down loads in the bed)

[mmiles2012]

OK truck friends, who's got recommendations for a "go-to" kit of stuff to tie down loads in the bed with? This is my first truck and I don't want to get caught out when people starting asking me to help haul things around .

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[Dark-Fx]

Bungie cords are okay for securing a tarp but shouldn't be trusted to hold a load in place. Same for twine.

 

[shift4]

This is my first truck as well, so by no means an expert, but I have been looking into various products for hauling stuff.

Recently used this to pick up a half yard of compost and it worked great. Much easier to use and more convenient than just a regular tarp (no tie downs necessary).

I purchased this based on the recommendation of other members for hauling lumber, although I have not used it yet.

Otherwise, I would just pick up a few ratcheting straps like these and throw them in the gear tunnel or under the back seat for when you need them, I wouldn't bother with bungie cords or rope.

 

[Madsen203]

Ratchet straps with a solid ratchet is best. However, I use the $2 2-pk Husky brand from Homedepot most times for smaller or lighter things on my open platform trailer.

Rhino straps is an excellent company. Straps don’t last forever but they warranty them no question if you reach out.

 

[Riviot]

For lumber 8' or less, nothing special needed. Load in the bed corner to corner, only sticks out a couple feet. I use tonneau for slight pressure, have never seen any rattle or move.

 

[jjswan33]

I have a couple of stratchits that I love, use them all the time.

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...accessories/front-runner-stratchits-pair.html

I also use typical ratchet straps for bigger jobs.

 

[FirstStateR1T]

I keep a small tool bag in the truck (gear tunnel or spare tire well) with a 4 pack of small 1" ratch straps, gloves, some red flags and a staple gun for those long loads. I've used a dumspter bag for hauls to the dump, the loops fit the cross bar towers really well and a few straps over the bag at the tailgate to secure 900+ lbs of loose debris. 1500 lbs of hardwood flooring with a few straps was no issue too...

 

[Wentworth]

Seconding all the “ratchet strap“ answers. A 4-pack will take care of 99.9% of anyone’s random needs.

 

[Jason]

These are all you need and they are AMAZING. I carry around 4. No excess strap to worry about, and they are strong and compact. Auto-retract ratchet straps. Saw them on Project Farm and immediately ordered a set.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TY4L9...p=&crid=22FS67FC0OBCT&sprefix=autoratche&th=1

 

[jeeden]

These are all you need and they are AMAZING. I carry around 4. No excess strap to worry about, and they are strong and compact. Auto-retract ratchet straps. Saw them on Project Farm and immediately ordered a set.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TY4L9...p=&crid=22FS67FC0OBCT&sprefix=autoratche&th=1

Wow, for that money those straps should go back in time and rachet down the lumber my ancestors hauled!

That said, ratchet straps are definitely the way to go. They can be purchased at depot, lowes, amazon, cheap. They hold a ton, are easy to use, tighten exactly how much you want them to, etc. If you are hauling something like furniture or something delicate, get the ones with the rubber boots on them so they don't scratch. A cheap bag to keep them in is always good.

 

[Jason]

IMO if you bought an $80k+ truck, some $35 ratchet straps shouldn't be an issue. I use mine all the time so I think its worth it. I have a bucket of normal ratchet straps that are all tangled up. And the time savings I get from not having to figure out how to deal with the excess strap is totally worth it. I have had a number of folks see these straps and go wide eyed. They are super easy to use, really strong, and super easy to store.

 

[OldGoat]

Wow, for that money those straps should go back in time and rachet down the lumber my ancestors hauled!

That said, ratchet straps are definitely the way to go. They can be purchased at depot, lowes, amazon, cheap. They hold a ton, are easy to use, tighten exactly how much you want them to, etc. If you are hauling something like furniture or something delicate, get the ones with the rubber boots on them so they don't scratch. A cheap bag to keep them in is always good.

I kinda agree...kinda...only kinda because even though I use ratchet straps all the time, I swear about half the time I thread the strap in the wrong way, only to cuss, remove and replace. Actually, now that I think of it, seems like it's more like 75% of the time. I'm an idiot and this looks pretty idiot proof.

 

[lostinafog]

Hey--thanks for all these links. I'm taking delivery soon and one of my use cases is hauling the occasional fancy wood for the woodshop projects (who am I kidding, my "use case" for buying this truck is pretty much non-existent and I don't care--never owned a truck before ). But I just copied out all of your links so I have some ideas of a starter kit...

 

[mmiles2012]

These are all you need and they are AMAZING. I carry around 4. No excess strap to worry about, and they are strong and compact. Auto-retract ratchet straps. Saw them on Project Farm and immediately ordered a set.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TY4L9...p=&crid=22FS67FC0OBCT&sprefix=autoratche&th=1

A reco from Project Farm is all I should have asked for in the first place...


Thanks all for the input!

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

+1 for bungee cords and ratchet straps. You can pick those up just about anywhere.

I've also got a load bar from my WT, but am a bit scared to try it on the Rivian. Anyone want to guess how quick something like this will wreck the Rivian's plastic bed? ?

Editing my comment to add - I also carry a padded moving blanket in my truck. Keep it in the toolbox of the WT, or the spare tire area on the Riv. You mentioned needing to haul "fancy" wood. Might be useful there to protect it. Just an idea. Good luck!

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