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Pro tip: switching from straps to chains on a load taught me something unexpected
I run flatbed mostly out of Ohio and for years I used straps on everything. Felt like chains took too long and weighed too much. Then last month I had a load of steel beams going to a site near Pittsburgh and the broker specifically asked for chains. I grumbled about it but set it up anyway with chain binders. Got to the drop and realized the load barely shifted at all during the 3 hour drive. With straps I usually have to retighten at least once. The chains held rock solid the whole way. Now I'm wondering if I've been making extra work for myself all these years just because straps are easier to handle. But chains are heavier and harder on the truck bed over time. Has anyone else switched between the two and noticed a big difference in how the load stays put?
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the_olivia2mo ago
Ngl, that part about having to retighten straps at least once really hit home for me. I've been there more times than I can count, pulling over on the shoulder to crank em down again while praying a cop doesn't roll up. Honestly, it's such a pain and always makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong even when I'm not. So yeah, I totally get the frustration you're talking about, and it's nice to hear someone else went through that same headache with straps.
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reese_hayes712mo ago
3 hours without having to retighten? Honestly that blows my mind. I figured chains and straps were pretty much the same for holding power once you get them snugged down.
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samk772mo ago
Yeah a buddy of mine had the same thought and then his load shifted on the freeway. Youre right though @reese_hayes71 these things stretch way less.
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