What Do the Markings on a Winch Strap or Ratchet Strap Mean?

When it comes to choosing the right winch strap or ratchet strap to secure a load of freight, it’s not one-size-fits-all. Because cargo straps come in a variety of widths and lengths to secure loads of varying shapes, sizes and weights, it’s crucial to know how to "read" the information on the strap - from the color to the lines down the middle – to understand which is the correct strap to use.

Quality cargo straps use tags, stencils and Web, Sling & Tie Down Association (WSTDA) webbing markers to quickly convey Working Load Limit (WLL) and webbing breaking strength. WLL refers to the maximum weight a piece of cargo securement equipment can handle under normal conditions.

WLL Tag and Stencils

A strap without the appropriate ratings and markings could be deemed out of service depending on federal, state or provincial regulations. One of the primary ways winch and ratchet straps are marked is with a WLL tag. For a WLL tag to be considered legal, it must be marked with the manufacturer’s name and WLL in both pounds and kilograms.

Even when made from weather-resistant materials, WLL tags can become damaged or lost over time. In 2005, Kinedyne became the first cargo control manufacturer to stencil WLL information directly on its winch straps. This ensures that the WLL information is always available, even if a tag goes missing.

Webbing Markers

One or two red lines run down the center of the tie-down strap to indicate web breaking strength. Breaking strength equals three times WLL. A single red line represents 5,000 lbs. per inch and double red lines represent 6,000 lbs. per inch. For instance, a 4-inch, 30-foot strap with one line has a breaking strength of 20,000 pounds (4 inches times 5,000 pounds).

A tie-down strap’s WLL is based on the weakest component of the entire assembly, so it is imperative that drivers consider all the components that make up the winch strap (both webbing and hardware) to verify that the WLL rating on the tag is accurate.

Color

Kinedyne manufactures three lines of straps and uses three main colors to differentiate its straps, in addition to offering custom colors.

Gold: Traditional Kinedyne Gold, Black-Edge WebTM straps are for standard heavy-duty needs and have a maximum WLL of 5,400 pounds. These "Good" straps are the most commonly used and are ideal for the typical loads most drivers deal with daily.

Orange: The "Better" line is K-FORCETM, designed for tougher tie-down jobs that require more strength than standard straps. These straps have a maximum WLL of 6,670 pounds – 23 percent greater than the current industry standard. They are engineered with more polyester material in the body of the strap, allowing drivers to tie down heavier loads.

Gray: The "Best" in the lineup are the Rhino MAXTM straps that maintain the maximum 6,670 WLL while adding an abrasion-resistant protective coating engineered to provide exceptional security when the straps are susceptible to scrapes from rough cargo. Kinedyne also recommends regularly using corner protectors to protect cargo and keep straps from being damaged.

Learn more about choosing a tie-down strap and check out the Kinedyne Winch Straps 101 training video.