11 Must-Have Tie-Down Straps for Securing Vehicles on Towing Trailers

Towing cars for a living may not sound like the most glamorous job out there. When you realize that tow truck drivers rake in millions of dollars everywhere, you’ll change your tune. Tow truck driving, however, can also be a dangerous job. They have to do everything from hauling slammed cars to the nearest repair shop to aiding in emergency vehicle situations. A situation can even turn for the worse when drivers don’t use the right equipment. They could find themselves in a fatal car accident or risk losing their vehicle on the highway if you don’t follow this rules for securing vehicles on towing trailers.

Fortunately, securement devices like car tie down straps can help secure your vehicles during long transport. These auto-hauling devices are strong enough to support any ATV or Ram Truck, helping you make the most out of your towing job. However, not all auto-towing straps are made equal. Let’s check out the 11 tie-down straps on the market and how they can make your next tow job easier.

Explore The Different Types Of Tie-Down Straps

In the auto-hauling world, tie-down straps are the go-to option for cargo securement. Here are several styles of straps to choose from

1. Ratchet Straps

These 2” wide tie-downs come with a durable ratcheting system that helps tension your straps over your cargo or vehicle. Made of polyester webbing, they pack tons of strength, have high load capacities, extreme resistance to inclement weather, and are long-lasting.

They’re also easy to use. Just feed the strap through the slot, install your end fittings, and start ratcheting. Once you are done, eliminate any excess by folding it up and tucking it under the strap.

There are even tons of great benefits to using these ratcheting tire straps, such as saving time during loading and unloading procedures. As briefly mentioned, they can be paired with several end fittings such as wire hooks and chain anchors.

2. E-Track Straps

On the other hand, E Track Straps are designed for your E-Track systems installed within your enclosed trailer. These straps even help optimize and organize the space of your trailer. You won’t have to worry about your trailer being full of clutter or risk damaging your vehicle. Not to mention, they’re designed to help stabilize your heavier loads as well. You won’t have to worry about your Mercedes Benz or UTV sustaining any damages on the long drive. They’ll even anchor down your vehicles to the tow trailer, ensuring that you have a safe and secure haul. You won’t have to worry about losing your car on the highway. 

These 2” straps will add versatility to your E-Track Systems and another layer of protection over your vehicle. They come in various high visibility colors, lengths, and sizes, as well as high load capacities. Even better, some styles of E-Track Straps use ratcheting and pull-to-tighten practices to add sufficient tightening of your straps.

Installing an E-Track Strap is easy. Simply, inspect your E-Track Rails and tie-down straps for any damages first. If you don’t see any, proceed to install the end fittings over your straps, into the slots on your railing system. Wrap the strap around your car’s tires and tension them.

The advantages are endless. They offer great security and flexibility in securing your vehicles. Additionally, an E-Track Strap is easy to install. You’ll be on the road in no time.

3. Wheel Nets

Similar to the first two styles, Wheel Nets or a Side Mount Tire Strap, is made out of a high-strength polyester webbing that can handle just about anything you throw at it. These straps even have a resistance to stretching, meaning they’ll provide a tight and snug fit over your car’s tires.

It uses a 2” O-Ring that loops around the tire as well. Simply loop the strap around the outside of your vehicle’s tires. Depending on the number of tires, you may have to use 4 to 6 securement points to provide the best protection for your cars. Use the ratchet mechanism to add tension to your wheel nets and make sure they’re tight over the wheels. No matter the tire size, you can adjust your straps to fit snugly against them.

There’s a wealth of great benefits to using Wheel Net straps. However, the biggest advantage is that they prevent your vehicle from lurching forward or shifting when your tow truck comes to an abrupt stop.

4. Axle Straps 

Axle Straps are another tie-down used to secure your towed vehicles. They establish a securement point using devices like your E-Track rails to keep your vehicle stationary and stabilized during transport. Additionally, they’re commonly paired with snap hooks to be tightened with the ratcheting mechanism. This offers a superior level of protection for your slammed vehicle.

Using an Axle Strap isn’t the same as installing a Wheel Net, Ratchet, and E-Track Strap over your tires. Rather, these tie-downs are installed around the axles of your vehicles. They create a durable securement point, keeping your SUV or ATV anchored to your trailer.

Also, their benefits include enhanced weight distribution, taking the stress off your vehicle’s tires, and protecting the components of your suspension. Even better, they’re more affordable than a lot of other tie-down straps.  

5. Chain & Binder Systems

Tow Chains and Chain Boomers can also be used to anchor down your vehicles while towing them to the repair shop. Forged out of durable materials like industrial steel, these rigging devices will ensure your truck or motorcycle remains stationary over your trailer. They’re usually used in conjunction with various chain hooks, such as Choker and Clevis Grab Hooks.

To use a tow chain and chain binders, there are a few steps to follow. Attach one end of your chain to the attachment points on your trailer, and the other to the frame of your vehicle. Afterward, fit your chain binder in the center of your tow chain. Make sure the handle faces outward and is easy to get to. Now you can start ratcheting your binder to tension your straps over your vehicle. Make sure there’s no slack in your chains or that you haven’t over-tightened them. When you’re done securing your vehicle, check your chains to make sure your car doesn’t shift or move. 

Using a tow chain and chain binders can offer tons of benefits for your vehicle securement. For one, tow chains are inherently stronger than straps, they offer versatile ways to secure your car and they’re long-lasting.

6. Soft Straps Or Tow Straps

Tow Straps can prove useful in certain towing situations as well. Thestrap is mainly made out of polyester or polypropylene. It has little to no elasticity, which means it won’t break while towing a 4×4. However, the lack of “give” in these tie-down straps doesn’t make it possible to recover a car from a ditch. Hence the reason why they’re sometimes referred to as “soft” straps.

While they may not work in certain recovery vehicle situations, they’re great at towinga free-moving car. These auto-hauling straps come with a series of loops and have end hooks inserted on the ends of them. This allows them to pull your vehicle along. However, these straps can’t handle any aggressive pulling.

Some key advantages to using a Tow Strap are that their length and durability make them perfect for winching. Additionally, they come in several different styles, shapes, and sizes, the most common being 20 feet long. You can even add a couple of more feet to your winch line.

7. Over-The-Wheel Straps

Considered one of the most common auto-hauling straps, Over-the-Wheel Straps are designed to adjust to your car’s securement needs. These straps are made out of durable materials such as nylon and polyester webbing, making them capable of handling vehicles. They’re the sibling of the Ratchet Straps but use a combination of chains and hooks to secure your vehicles.

These straps fit over the wheels of your vehicles and tension them. Some styles even feature a block, rubber pads, and tensioning rings to help the straps provide a snug fit over your tires.

Some benefits include minimizing the stress on the vehicle’s body, they can be used on various cars, are affordable and their durable construction allows them to handle the rigors of a towing job. 

8. Bungee Straps

These straps are ideal for light-use towing. They’re a lightweight and hassle-free tie-down that can be used in conjunction with more heavy-duty towing straps. While Bungee cords have stretching capabilities, their elasticity comes as a major drawback. Their hook ends aren’t as strong as other tie-down methods either.

You can install them by draping a tarp over your vehicle and connecting the strap to it using grommets or D-rings. All you have to do is hook and secure everything down to your tow truck’s trailer.

Bungee straps are lightweight, absorb the shockwaves from the motion of your truck, and can secure your vehicles without causing any damage to them. 

9. Tow Dolly Straps

As the name suggests,Tow Dolly straps are specialized straps used to secure your truck or car to a tow dolly. They’re essential for preventing your vehicle from shifting or ending up dislodged during an important transport.

Using these straps is relatively easy. The ratcheting mechanism allows you to easily tighten your straps over your tires. You don’t have to worry about your SUV or Ford Fiesta falling off your tow truck.

Using Tow Dolly Straps can prevent you from having accidents on the road, can be used on any vehicle you’re towing, and provide the most reliable securement for your cars.

10. Quick-Loader Straps

Furthermore, Quick Loader Straps are innovative tie-down straps that can secure your vehicles in no time. They’re more often known in the auto-hauling world for their speed and convenience in securing your cars. In some cases, they’re better than most of the tie-down methods on this list.

They come user-friendly and require very little effort on your part to help secure an SUV. Specifically, the ratcheting and automatic retraction system make your vehicle securement go by faster.

They offer versatility, durability, an adjustable length and save you tons of time loading your vehicle. Their retractable feature also allows you to secure your strap at your desired length and quickly secure your load.

11. Frame Straps

Moreover, these specialized straps are another great option to use in towing and recovering your vehicles. Keep in mind that these straps must be attached to certain points on a vehicle’s frame or chassis. This will ensure a secure and stable connection for your cars.

How they work is that they secure your towed vehicle to your D-rings with a Ratchet Strap and RTJ clusters. Make sure you secure your vehicle using 4 anchor points.

Frame Straps pack tons of advantages such as protecting the suspension of your vehicle, stabilizing your car, and reducing the amount of stress on its body. The biggest takeaway is that a Frame Strap will save you money in the long run.  

Conclusion

There are tons of auto-hauling straps on the market for you to choose from. Even reputable companies like Mytee Products offer high-quality and affordable tie-down straps to satisfy your towing needs. On your next job, make sure to research the market and shop for straps that offer the most benefits.