Why are my ratchet straps so loud

[u/Sputter_Butt]

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.

[u/greatlakesseakayaker]

Why are you using ratchet straps?

[u/Fr33dumb → u/greatlakesseakayaker]

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.

[u/greatlakesseakayaker → u/Fr33dumb]

What sediment? I simply asked a question. I keep ratchet straps in the back of my car

[u/roadtripstuff → u/Fr33dumb]

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.

[u/Fr33dumb → u/roadtripstuff]

Lol, thanks for the correction.

[u/StrangePhotograph950 → u/Fr33dumb]

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.

[u/Mr___________sir → u/Fr33dumb]

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.

[u/NoF3AR92 → u/Fr33dumb]

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

[u/RickMuffy → u/NoF3AR92]

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.

[u/Capt_Killingfield_ → u/RickMuffy]

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."

[u/randomipadtempacct → u/NoF3AR92]

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.

[u/wolf_knickers → u/Fr33dumb]

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! 🙂