re: What item or equipment do you have a love/hate relationship with?

I'm generally curious here, and slightly confused by this statement. Though, it makes me think your first statement is also one coming from a different usage mindset

quote:

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When they are too long and I have ratcheted it down to the max and it is still too long

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How is this one a problem exactly? I always, and I mean always pulled them tight as I could before I started ratcheting, usually only 3-6 ratchets and that sucker was golden. Then tie excess length in whatever manner necessary to achieve the neatest, easiest, and most secure tie down.

It doesn't all have to wind up on the spool. Never seen someone try to use one with setting the length at the start, instead of as an afterthought.

Do you not reset on every use or something? Didn't know it was a thing not to. I've never seen it done another way.

Or maybe we are on two different mind sets regarding types of haul loads. I've carried a lot of random shite on several different hauling platforms with a lot of different people. From flatbeds, to pickups, to dumps, to box trucks, and an even larger variance of trailers.

I've never seen someone use a ratchet strap differently than the below configuration, made possible with steps following.

With the ratchet oriented so that the hook hangs straight down, and the handle opens up and away from the body when ratcheting. Ratchet the wheel till its straight up and down. Then the excess is pulled through the bottom opening in the middle of the ratchet center wheel, and pulled up and away from the action. Leaving a fulcrum point to tighten as much excess as possible. Then ratchet.

1) Release and unspool old excess. Some do it when taking off, others do it at start of next use. I prefer the former.

2) set non ratchet hook.

3) set ratchet hook.

4) pull excess tight in the same direction the action must be pulled to ratchet. While staying behind ratchet handle.

5) ratchet

6) tie excess

7) done.

Lot of words to describe my method, but I wanted to be clear as I could be, though I'm worried I over described it. Your statement just confused the crap out of me/ I've never seen it done in the manner I believe you are describing.

I feel like there is probably a youtube video that would have saved me a lot of typing.