Alternatives to Best Cargo Securing Equipment Inc: Tie It Down

You have loaded the truck, the trailer or the roof rack, and now comes the part that decides whether the load arrives with you or meets the car behind you on the motorway. A strap that slips, a hook that straightens, or a working load limit you never checked can turn a good load into a road hazard in one hard brake.

Cargo securing equipment is a specialist market, and the specialist suppliers are not the only route. The same retractable ratchets, heavy-duty straps and bed-mounted tie-downs that the specialists sell are available as straightforward products with published break strengths and working load limits — if you know which numbers to read.

This guide covers five alternatives: two Rhino USA retractable sets, two AUGO sets in different strengths, and a Rhino USA bed-mounted kit for Ford trucks. Each one is judged on break strength, working load limit, strap size and hooks, so the choice follows your load and your truck.

Quick picks

Cargo securing alternatives, compared

How to choose cargo securing gear

Break strength is not working load

Break strength is the force at which the strap fails; working load limit is the safe everyday capacity, generally one-third of the break strength. Plan with the working load limit, and match the combined working load of your straps to the load weight with at least a 50 percent safety margin, as the Rhino USA guide advises.

Strap width and length

Wider webbing carries more load: 1 inch suits light cargo, 1.5 inch suits motorcycles and appliances, 2 inch suits UTVs and vehicles. Length matters just as much: a 10 ft strap that does not reach the anchor is useless, and a 15 ft strap reaches across a wide trailer.

Retractable or traditional

Retractable straps rewind themselves, so there is no loose webbing to flap, tangle or drag. Traditional ratchets are simpler, cheaper and easier to fault-find, but the loose tail must be tied off. Choose retractable for daily use and traditional for occasional heavy loads.

Hooks and anchor points

A hook must match the anchor: S-hooks for rails, safety lock hooks where a hook can bounce open, soft loops for handlebars and painted parts. Never anchor to a point weaker than the strap, and never use a tow ball as an anchor.

Number of anchor points

Four straps on four points hold a load still; two straps hold it down. A load secured at two points can still shift sideways, and a load that shifts is a load that fails. Buy a 4-pack, not a 2-pack, for anything that must not move.

Webbing care and retirement

Webbing fails from cuts, abrasion, sunlight and chemicals, not just from overload. Inspect every strap before use, retire any strap with a cut, a frayed edge or a damaged hook, and store straps clean and dry. A strap is a consumable, not a heirloom.

Cargo securing alternatives by budget

Types of cargo securing gear

Detailed reviews of cargo securing gear

Five products, five different answers to the same loaded truck. The reviews below give each one its full case — break strength, working load limit, size and hooks — so the choice follows your load and your truck.

Best Overall: Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch

Best Overall

Why the Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch is our pick

The Rhino USA Retractable 4-pack is four 1 inch by 10 ft tie-down straps with a self-retracting mechanism, a 1,209 lb break strength and a 403 lb working load limit per strap. The webbing retracts into the housing automatically, so there is no loose strap to flap, tangle or drag, and the set suits trucks, cargo trailers, motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. The maker guide states the working load limit is generally one-third of the break strength, and advises matching the combined working load limit of the straps to the load weight with at least a 50 percent safety margin.

It takes the overall slot because it is the set that suits the most loads: light to medium cargo, motorcycles, kayaks and lighter ATVs, with a retractable mechanism that removes the worst chore of tie-downs — the loose webbing. Four straps in the pack means four anchor points, which is the minimum for a load that must not shift. The 403 lb working load limit per strap is the number to plan with, not the 1,209 lb break strength.

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch key specs

• Strap size: 1 inch by 10 ft
• Break strength: 1,209 lb
• Working load limit: 403 lb per strap
• Pack: 4 straps
• Mechanism: Self-retracting, auto rewind
• Hooks: Coated S-hooks per listing
• Use: Truck, cargo trailer, motorcycle, ATV, UTV
• Model: RETRACTABLE-RATCHETS
• Colour: Green
• Warranty: Not published

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: fits and best for

Anyone securing light to medium cargo, a motorcycle or an ATV, who wants four straps that stow themselves.

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch pros and watch-outs

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: what owners report

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: who should not buy

Skip it if the load is heavy — a vehicle or a UTV needs the 2 inch set below.

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: pair it with

Pair it with soft loops to protect handlebars and a tree saver strap, and read our best ATV winch guide for the recovery kit that belongs with a loaded trailer.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Count working load limits, not break strengths: four straps at 403 lb give 1,612 lb of working capacity, and the load must sit well inside it.

Best Heavy-Duty: Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch

Best Heavy-Duty

Why the Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch is our pick

The Rhino USA 2 inch Retractable set is two 2 inch by 10 ft tie-down straps with a self-retracting mechanism, a 3,033 lb break strength and a working load limit of about 1,011 lb per strap. The maker guide names heavy-duty cargo, motorcycles, UTVs and vehicle securement as the use, and calls the 2 inch retractable the most popular retractable in the range. The wider webbing is what carries the higher rating: wider webbing means higher tensile strength, in the maker’s own words.

It is the heavy-duty pick because some loads cannot be secured with 1 inch webbing, however many straps you use. A UTV, a motorcycle on a long haul, or a vehicle on a trailer needs the working load limit that only wider webbing gives, and two straps at about 1,011 lb each give a working capacity that a 1 inch set cannot match. The self-retracting mechanism is the same, so the heavy set is no harder to live with than the light one.

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch key specs

• Strap size: 2 inch by 10 ft
• Break strength: 3,033 lb
• Working load limit: About 1,011 lb per strap
• Pack: 2 straps
• Mechanism: Self-retracting, auto rewind
• Use: Heavy-duty cargo, motorcycles, UTVs, vehicle securement
• Model: TD-RSRE2X10-GRY
• Colour: Gray
• Warranty: Not published
• Maker note: Most popular retractable in the range

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch: fits and best for

Anyone securing a UTV, a motorcycle on a long haul, or a vehicle on a trailer.

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch pros and watch-outs

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch: what owners report

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch: who should not buy

Skip it if the load is light — the 1 inch 4-pack above is cheaper, lighter and gives four anchor points.

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch: pair it with

Pair it with soft loops and a wheel chock kit, and read our best come along winch guide for the hand winch that pairs with heavy tie-downs.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Use at least four anchor points on a vehicle: two straps hold it down, four straps hold it still.

Best Value Four-Pack: AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch

Best Value Four-Pack

Why the AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch is our pick

The AUGO Retractable 4-pack is four 1 inch by 10 ft self-retracting tie-down straps with a 1,200 lb break strength and a 400 lb load capacity per strap, plus soft loops and a storage bag in the box. The straps suit motorcycles, trucks, trailers and cargo vans, and the soft loops protect handlebars and other finished surfaces from hook damage. The set is the direct rival to the Rhino USA 1 inch set, at the same size and nearly the same rating.

It is the value pick because it includes the two accessories that the other sets make you buy separately: soft loops for delicate anchor points, and a storage bag that keeps the retractors clean and untangled between jobs. A tie-down roundup notes the AUGO 4-pack posts the highest working load of the 1 inch kits it compared, and the soft loops are the detail that owners mention most. For a rider who ties down a bike every weekend, those two extras are worth more than a small difference in break strength.

AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch key specs

• Strap size: 1 inch by 10 ft
• Break strength: 1,200 lb
• Load capacity: 400 lb per strap
• Pack: 4 straps
• Mechanism: Self-retracting
• Included: Soft loops and storage bag
• Use: Motorcycle, truck, trailer, cargo van
• Model: 4RRT-4SL-1200-GRN
• Colour: Green
• Warranty: Not published

AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: fits and best for

Riders and haulers who want soft loops and a storage bag in the box, for a motorcycle or light cargo.

AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch pros and watch-outs

AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: what owners report

AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: who should not buy

Skip it if the load is heavy — step up to the 2 inch Rhino set above.

AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: pair it with

Pair it with a wheel chock and a second set for long loads, and read our best ATV winch guide for the recovery kit that belongs with a loaded trailer.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Use the soft loops on handlebars and painted parts: a bare hook on a chrome bar is a scratch you will see every day.

Best Long Straps: AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch

Best Long Straps

Why the AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch is our pick

The AUGO Heavy Duty 4-pack is four 1.5 inch by 15 ft ratchet straps with a 2,200 lb break strength and a 733 lb load capacity per strap, with safety lock S-hooks, ergonomic tightening handles and four soft loop tie-downs in the box. The straps suit motorcycles, ATVs, watercraft, appliances and moving loads, and the 15 ft length reaches across a wide trailer or a large load that a 10 ft strap cannot span.

It is the long-strap pick because length is the limit that no amount of strength can fix: a 10 ft strap that does not reach the anchor is a strap you cannot use. At 15 ft, with a 733 lb working load per strap, this set covers wide loads, tall loads and awkward anchor points, and the safety lock S-hooks stay shut where a plain hook can bounce open on a rough road. A tie-down roundup notes the AUGO 1 inch kit in the same line has the highest working load of its class, and this 1.5 inch set carries the same approach further.

AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch key specs

• Strap size: 1.5 inch by 15 ft
• Break strength: 2,200 lb
• Load capacity: 733 lb per strap
• Pack: 4 straps
• Hooks: Safety lock S-hooks
• Included: 4 soft loop tie-downs, storage bag
• Use: Motorcycles, ATVs, appliances, moving loads
• Model: HD-Ratchet-15-GRN-4PK
• Handles: Ergonomic tightening handles
• Warranty: Not published

AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch: fits and best for

Anyone securing a wide or tall load, or an appliance, where 10 ft straps do not reach.

AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch pros and watch-outs

AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch: what owners report

AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch: who should not buy

Skip it if you hate stowing loose webbing — buy a self-retracting set above instead.

AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch: pair it with

Pair it with a moving blanket and a second set for tall loads, and read our best heavy duty truck winch guide for the winch that pairs with a loaded trailer.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Tie the loose tail after tensioning: a flapping tail works the ratchet loose and frays the webbing.

Best Truck-Bed Fit: Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps

Best Truck-Bed Fit

Why the Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps is our pick

The Rhino USA Cargo Magic is a pair of bed-mounted retractable ratchet straps built for Ford trucks — 2015 and newer F-150, and 2017 and newer F-250 — that mounts to the factory BoxLink tie-down points. The straps are removable, swivel 360 degrees, and retract into the bed-mounted housing when not in use, so the tie-downs are always in the truck and never in the way. The maker presents them as heavy-duty tie-downs for the truck bed.

It is the bed-fit pick because it solves the problem every truck owner knows: the straps are at home in the garage when the load is in the bed. A mounted set is always there, always the right length for the bed, and always anchored to the factory tie-down points rather than to a hook that may or may not hold. The 360 degree swivel means the strap follows the load instead of twisting, and the removable design means the bed is clear when the straps are not needed.

Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps key specs

• Fit: Ford F-150 2015 and newer, F-250 2017 and newer
• Mount: BoxLink compatible, bed-mounted
• Swivel: 360 degrees
• Removable: Yes, removable from the bed
• Type: Retractable ratchet straps
• Use: Truck bed cargo tie-down
• Part number: TD-ICMRE1X10-F
• Brand: Rhino USA
• Warranty: Not published
• Break strength: Not published

Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps: fits and best for

Ford F-150 and F-250 owners who haul cargo in the bed every week.

Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps pros and watch-outs

Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps: what owners report

Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps: who should not buy

Skip it if you do not drive a compatible Ford — the mount is specific to those trucks.

Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps: pair it with

Pair it with a bed mat and a cargo net, and read our best truck winches guide for the winch that loads a heavy item into the bed.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Check the BoxLink fitment on your exact truck year before ordering: the mount is specific, and a wrong year is a return.

Spec comparison

Installation and use basics

Count the anchor points before buying anything. A load needs at least four straps on four points to stay still, and the combined working load limit of those straps must cover the load weight with at least a 50 percent safety margin. Work out the numbers on paper, then buy the set that covers them — not the set that looks strong enough.

Rig the load like it has to survive a hard brake. Place the straps over the load, not around a sharp edge, and use soft loops or edge protectors wherever the webbing crosses metal. Tension each strap evenly, starting with the ones that hold the load against the direction of travel, and check the tension after the first few miles — webbing settles and straps loosen. Our best ATV winch guide covers anchor practice, and our best come along winch guide covers hand winching a load into place.

Stow the straps properly. Retractable straps rewind into the housing, but the mechanism needs cleaning and the webbing needs drying before it is stored. Traditional straps need the loose tail tied off and the webbing coiled, not knotted. A strap stored wet and tangled is a strap that fails early.

Safety essentials

Three accessories worth carrying on every recovery or install day:

WARN Epic snatch block — a proven companion to the picks above.

Check Price

GearAmerica tree saver strap — a proven companion to the picks above.

Check Price

AMBULL D-ring shackles — a proven companion to the picks above.

Check Price

Troubleshooting

Who should NOT buy these

Do not buy straps on break strength alone. A 1,209 lb break strength is a 403 lb working load limit, and a load that needs 500 lb per strap will fail on a strap rated for 403. Read the working load limit, add the straps together, and keep a 50 percent safety margin.

Do not buy a 2-pack for a load that needs four points. Two straps hold a load down; four straps hold it still. A load secured at two points can shift sideways, and a shifting load is a failing load. Buy the 4-pack.

Do not buy the cheapest straps you can find. A strap with no published break strength and no working load limit is a strap with no accountability. The numbers are the product — buy them from a maker that prints them.

Do not buy a bed-mounted kit for the wrong truck. The Cargo Magic fits specific Ford F-150 and F-250 years, and a wrong year is a return. Check the fitment on your exact truck before ordering.

Final verdict

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: The everyday set: four self-retracting straps that stow themselves and hold most loads.

Check Price

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps 2-Pack 2 Inch: The heavy set: 2 inch webbing and a 3,033 lb break strength for loads the 1 inch set cannot hold.

Check Price

AUGO Retractable Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1 Inch: The complete kit: four straps, soft loops and a bag, for riders who tie down every weekend.

Check Price

AUGO Heavy Duty Ratchet Straps 4-Pack 1.5 Inch: For wide loads: 15 ft straps with safety lock hooks and a 733 lb working load per strap.

Check Price

Rhino USA Cargo Magic Bed-Mounted Retractable Straps: For Ford beds: tie-downs that live in the truck and mount to the factory points.

Check Price

FAQ

What is the best alternative to specialist cargo securing equipment?

The Rhino USA Retractable 4-pack is the best all-round alternative: four self-retracting 1 inch straps with a 1,209 lb break strength and a 403 lb working load limit. For heavy loads, the Rhino USA 2 inch set gives a 3,033 lb break strength, and for Ford trucks, the Cargo Magic mounts in the bed.

What is the difference between break strength and working load limit?

Break strength is the force at which the strap fails. Working load limit is the safe everyday capacity, generally one-third of the break strength. A 1,209 lb break strength means a 403 lb working load limit. Always plan with the working load limit, never with the break strength.

How many ratchet straps do I need for a motorcycle?

Four straps on four anchor points is the standard: two at the front and two at the rear, with soft loops on the handlebars. Two straps hold the bike down; four hold it still. Use a 1 inch retractable set, and check that the combined working load covers the bike weight with a safety margin.

Are retractable ratchet straps better than traditional ones?

For daily use, yes: the webbing rewinds itself, so there is no loose strap to flap, tangle or drag. Traditional ratchets are simpler and cheaper, and they suit occasional heavy loads. The strength is the same for the same webbing; the difference is convenience.

Can I use ratchet straps to secure a UTV?

Yes, with the right size: a UTV needs 2 inch straps with a working load limit that covers its weight. The Rhino USA 2 inch retractable set, at about a 1,011 lb working load per strap, is the pick in this guide. Use four anchor points and check the tension after the first few miles.

What is the working load limit of a 1 inch ratchet strap?

It depends on the strap, but the sets here publish it: the Rhino USA 1 inch set is 403 lb per strap, and the AUGO 1 inch set is 400 lb per strap. Both are about one-third of their break strengths. Never plan a load on the break strength number.

How do I stop a ratchet strap coming loose?

Tension it evenly, tie off the loose tail, and re-tension after the first few miles — webbing settles and straps loosen. Use safety lock hooks where a plain hook can bounce open, and check the straps at every fuel stop on a long haul.

Are soft loops worth it?

Yes, for motorcycles and anything with a finished surface. A soft loop goes around the handlebar or frame, and the hook goes through the loop, so no metal touches the bike. The AUGO sets in this guide include soft loops in the box.

Will the Rhino USA Cargo Magic fit my truck?

It fits Ford F-150 trucks from 2015 onwards and F-250 trucks from 2017 onwards, mounting to the factory BoxLink tie-down points. It does not fit other trucks or other years. Check the fitment on your exact truck year before ordering.

Sources

• Check Price — Rhino USA Retractable 4-pack Amazon listing
• Check Price — Rhino USA Retractable 2 inch Amazon listing
• Check Price — AUGO Retractable 4-pack Amazon listing
• Check Price — AUGO Heavy Duty 4-pack Amazon listing
• Check Price — Rhino USA Cargo Magic Amazon listing
• Best ratchet straps guide, Rhino USA
• Best tie-down straps roundup
• Rhino USA ratchet straps manual, ManualsPlus
• Check Price — WARN Epic snatch block Amazon listing
• Check Price — GearAmerica tree saver strap Amazon listing
• Check Price — AMBULL D-ring shackles Amazon listing

Related guides

• Best ATV Winch
• Best ATV Winch for the Money
• Best Performance Monitors Under 100
• Hybrid Battery Tools Alternative to Car
• Swatara Warning Lights Reviews
• Best Automotive Multimeters vs Watts