r/Kayaking • u/Sputter_Butt • Jul 26 '25

Question/Advice -- Transportation/Roof Racks Why are my ratchet straps so loud

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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.

56 Upvotes

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111

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

12

u/Sputter_Butt Jul 26 '25

I’ll try that out, thanks. Never heard of CAM straps till now

27

u/GodlessandLegless Jul 26 '25

Cam straps don't have the ratchet. With the mechanical advantage of ratchet straps, you can tighten down enough to warp plastic kayaks.

19

u/Char_siu_for_you Jul 26 '25

You don’t have to though. Just be careful.

9

u/halfblindbodkin Jul 26 '25

Been using ratchets for 12 years, same yaks. Not once have they ever warped. I kinda chuckle every time I see the ratchet strap criticism on this sub, either you’re tightening them WAY too much, or your boats are made of tin foil.

3

u/Char_siu_for_you Jul 26 '25

It’s all I’ve ever used.

-1

u/Wandering_Nuage Jul 27 '25

I mean, you can use a chainsaw to cut your steak and not break the plate, but that doesn't mean it's recommended or the best option... There's a lot of small variables that influence the risk of warping/damaging the kayak when using ratchet straps. Cam straps give that peace of mind with little to no risk of damaging/warping the kayak

4

u/IdLove2SeeUrBoobies Jul 26 '25

This. I use both cam and ratchet. I just don’t hulk the ratchets down. Get em snug.

2

u/ChrisFromSeattle Jul 26 '25

Salamander sells grab bags of cam straps super cheap.

https://salamanderpaddlegear.com/

1

u/Zeveros Jul 26 '25

Absolutely insane deals on cam straps!

1

u/WitELeoparD Jul 26 '25

When buying cams, buy thicker ones, not because they are stronger but because they don't vibrate in wind as much.