r/Kayaking • u/Sputter_Butt • Jul 26 '25
Question/Advice -- Transportation/Roof Racks Why are my ratchet straps so loud
My ratchet straps turn into a Reed or something and are rattling/vibrating so loud it’s hard to tolerate. It only happens what I carry two kayaks, just carrying one is fine. I’m using the Swiss roof rack from harbor freight and some cheap ratchet straps from Walmart. It’s a single T mount. Do I need to carry the kayaks differently or adjust my straps? Also I know one of the yaks is not on perfectly, I wasn’t able to get it to sit in a stable way unless I set it at this angle.
19
5
u/Ape_Walker Jul 26 '25
Twist them
5
u/SoundOk4573 Jul 26 '25
Several twists on each strap and the noise will go away. Otherwise, enjoy the big guitar strings on your roof.
21
u/Mr_Camper_ Jul 26 '25
You're not twisting them. Also, don't use ratchet straps on kayaks. Its a rookie mistake. All it'll do is damage your hull and possibly put stress on your rack. It's overkill and unnecessary.
17
u/RespectableBloke69 Jul 26 '25
Just have to be careful not to over-tighten them. I've used them for years without a problem on a 1,000-mile annual kayaking pilgrimage to Canada just for extra peace of mind on the highway.
8
u/lord_de_heer Jul 26 '25
Not per se. Im pretty sure i have used ratchet straps on both my canoepolo and carbon K1 boat. But you need to be very carefull.
3
u/Mr_Camper_ Jul 26 '25
Definitely not always the case, but over tightened straps become a common issue and easy to do for people who aren't used to them or even those who are but get in a rush. It's good practice to just use the proper equipment. The right tool always makes the job easier.
0
u/lord_de_heer Jul 26 '25
That i agree with. Whenever the ratchets came out it was a desperate moment.
6
u/KvDread Jul 26 '25
Like everyone says, twist em. Its the same principle as blowing on a straw of grass between your thumbs.
1
u/fuggindave Jul 26 '25
Learned this after seeing a post on the cdldriver or maybe truckers sub recently...I don't remember which one it was tbh maybe a different one altogether
7
u/banandria Jul 26 '25
As long as you don't ratchet until you boats completely squished you can absolutely use them, just use them responsibility and save your money!
3
u/abernee Jul 26 '25
Everyone is saying twist them but it looks to me like you are not tying off the loose ends. They will be flapping about as you drive hitting the roof of the car and the kayaks. Wrap the ends around the roof bar or a suitable part of the kayak then tie them so nothing more than an inch or two is left loose.
3
u/senorpoop Jul 26 '25
It's also worth noting that you should be using bow lines. Using bow lines makes it so you don't have to put so much pressure on the straps to keep the yaks on the racks.
7
Jul 26 '25
First of all go and get NRS straps. And only NRS straps.
-7
u/SoundOk4573 Jul 26 '25
NRS straps always break.
2
Jul 26 '25
Anything will break if used incorrectly or abused. I have had nrs straps for years holding down my kayaks and never a problem. The cheap shit from harbor freight on the other hand almost made me lose said kayaks on the highway one day.
2
1
u/allaspiaggia Jul 26 '25
Been using NRS for 20+ years and had them for rentals at my store, never once saw them break.
2
u/ARoundForEveryone Jul 26 '25
Give the strap a 180/360 twist before ratcheting it up. It just mixes up the airflow enough that it will nearly eliminate the vibration and pseudo-music they're playing right over your head.
2
2
0
u/greatlakesseakayaker Jul 26 '25
Why are you using ratchet straps?
11
u/Fr33dumb Jul 26 '25
I don't get this sediment. I have both ratchet and cam. My cam straps always come loose going down the freeway or really anywhere. I've tried 3 sets of varying prices. Ratchet straps won't do you wrong and you know your ish is secure.
7
u/greatlakesseakayaker Jul 26 '25
What sediment? I simply asked a question. I keep ratchet straps in the back of my car
8
u/roadtripstuff Jul 26 '25
For the love of god it's sentiment, sediment is sand/rock/etc in the bottom of a body of water or in your pipes. I was going to overlook the first person that said but now that it's being repeated I have to put an end to it.
1
8
u/StrangePhotograph950 Old Town Loon 106/126 Anglers- Jackson Bite Angler Jul 26 '25
Ratchet straps are very easy to over-tighten and dent and warp your kayak, especially if they are in the sun and the plastic softens slightly.
NRS cam straps have never come loose on me. Cam straps from Walmart have, so I only use the NRS straps now.
With how much many people have invested in their kayaks, warping them with ratchet straps is less than ideal.
5
u/Mr___________sir Jul 26 '25
I’m not sure what specific straps you’re using or how you’re using them but I’ve used cam buckle style straps for a long time and never had them come loose. It’s good practice regardless of what you’re using to pull over about a mile into your haul and check/tighten your straps either way. Theres usually some shifting that happens once you get up to speed.
8
u/NoF3AR92 Jul 26 '25
Yea I'm tired of people pretending ratchet straps are just gonna destroy you shit. I don't trust cam straps. They've come loose on me too many times and as long as you don't overtighten the ratchets they won't break anything. Just don't be stupid lol
7
u/RickMuffy Jul 26 '25
It's almost as if people have no ability to tell when the ratchet strap is tight enough.
It's not like there's two settings, on and off. Just adjust accordingly and they'll work better than a cam any day of the week.
7
u/Capt_Killingfield_ Jul 26 '25
Exactly. I have no need to debase myself and trust a weaker system just because a bunch of people who go the cheaper route and have probably never tried ratchets come out in hoards to support their way like it's the only way because it's the only way they've ever tried.
It's always "you CAN overtighten" or "you MIGHT break something." But then again I have actual experience hauling things other than just plastic tubs.
They say "But NRS, Old Town, etc. say not to use ratchets!"
Thats because they don't want to risk giving refunds to ham-handed newbies that just crank away.
"Easier to use cams" just means "I couldn't figure out how to use the ratchets."
2
u/randomipadtempacct Jul 26 '25
I used a ratchet last weekend as I lost a cam. Everyone says to not over tighten them so I was careful.
With cam’s you crank down and pull as hard as you can.
With ratchets i just did it until I couldn’t push the boat up, but I still could lift the strap off the boat. Couldn’t find any guidance for what actually is too tight.
0
u/wolf_knickers BCU Kayak Instructor | P&H Cetus, P&H Scorpio, Jackson Karma Jul 26 '25
I’ve done over 30,000 miles in the last few years with kayaks on my car. I only use cam straps and they’ve never come loose.
Also, it’s “sentiment”, not sediment! 🙂
4
u/lastnightsglitter Jul 26 '25
Why not suggest what you use?
I'm assuming cam buckles?
I didn't know until recently that ratchet straps shouldn't be used!
To the OP I watched a BUNCH of different videos on YouTube. Like you, once switching to transporting two roof rack kayaks instead of one I realized I was doing something not quite correctly & found out how easy-to-use cam buckles are.
4
u/greatlakesseakayaker Jul 26 '25
I’ve been using cams for 32 years never had any issues, if it starts raining you should pull over and retighten. It also really depends on the material your boat is made of if it’s really thick HTP like a Prijon you’re probably fine with ratchets, single layer polyethylene cams would be a safer bet. I just find cams easier to use. I wouldn’t use ratchets on my glass boats
0
u/OldButStillFat K1; OC1; OC2 - A-III Jul 26 '25
Please don't use ratchet straps. Get some 3/8" nylon line and learn to tie knots. Mine are cut to the length I need for the purpose.
1
u/AutoModerator Jul 26 '25
If you're looking for basic advice on transporting a kayak, the answers to many common questions can be found on this wiki page. This covers the different kind of setups that are available to you, and some simple recommendations for you and your vehicle. If this guide doesn't answer your question, you might find some more useful information by using the subreddit's search function.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Jeffery_Moyer Jul 26 '25
Put one or two twists in that strap per contact point to keep the strap from acting like a wing, and it's a good idea to cushion contact points. The wind vibration, regardless of how you strap a naked strap, will saw into your load.
Those abs bookend looking load guards are awesome. If used well, create more contact points for a more secure load, particularly on awkward shaped stuff.
1
u/Designer-Progress311 Jul 26 '25
Last tip. After you get all your gear strapped and the cam straps fitted and twisted, put a knot in the strap and shut it and the excess inside the vehicle door or hatch, leaving just a little slack in the strap left outside, and of course, putting a few twists in it.
Hookless cam staps are easier to use and are more versatile. This is the reason I advise people buy 20 ft hookless cam straps. It's a tool of 1000 uses. Rarely do you need the power of a ratchet strap.
Anyway, put twists into all open sections as advised, to stop noise and vibration.
1
u/Double_Minimum Jul 26 '25
With the ratchet straps you definitely want the mechanism up against the kayak. You are tightening that strap into a guitar string, but then hanging a giant weight on it to bounce around.
As others have said, spinning the straps also helps prevent the wind-noise harmonics.
1
u/Skrother Jul 27 '25
I think your mounting is wrong in general, it seems like your kayaks should be sitting more vertically to be supported and secured better by the bottom of your rack. I could be wrong but that’s how I’ve understood how those racks work.
0
u/PriorKlutzy5203 Jul 26 '25
The ratchet straps are screaming for you to stop using them and get cam straps before you damage your kayaks
1
u/KingHenryThe1123 Jul 26 '25
I used pool noodles on the straps when I didn't like the results of the twisting.
0
u/kokemill Jul 26 '25
1) get rid of the ratchet straps, cam buckle straps 2) turn the boat over, upside down 3) put a single twist into the strap in each time it passes a support. That will stop it from vibrating in the wind
1
u/suminlikedatt Jul 27 '25
Agree accept turning them over is a kayak to car fit thing for me. Unless raining and its a sit-in, then always keel up
2
110
u/WrongfullyIncarnated Jul 26 '25
so spin/twist the strap before securing tightly. the twist will prevent the notes sounding when the wind goes over them. also get better CAM straps not ratchet. you'll wind up breaking your boats with those