Cam Buckle Straps: So Simple, Yet So Effective
When you need to tie something down, do you immediately reach for rope? How often do you use bungee cords? I only ask because I came across a much better option a couple of years ago: the cam buckle strap. Cam buckle straps are so simple in design yet so effective at what they do.
You are probably familiar with the tie-down strap concept if you’ve ever seen or used ratchet straps. Cam buckle straps are similar. They do much the same thing, except that they rely on a cam buckle rather than a ratchet to close the strap. In my opinion, the design of the cam buckle makes them easier to use. Still, ratchet straps tend to be a better choice for the biggest and heaviest loads.
How Cam Buckle Straps Work
A typical cam buckle strap is made of webbing material. It could be nylon, polyester, canvas, or virtually any other material. On one end of the strap is a cam buckle. This is a metal or plastic buckle with a cam over which the strap slides. A locking plate activated by a spring clamps down on the webbing material to hold it secure.
I prefer the Rollercam brand due to its rotating cam. A rotating cam reduces friction, thereby allowing me to pull the strap tight with minimal effort. I have used other brands. They are all okay.
Here are some of the key features you get with cam buckle straps:
- Hand Tightening – Cam buckle straps do not require ratchets or winches to tighten. They are tightened by hand with just a gentle tug.
- Reduced Damage Risks – Because cam buckle straps are hand tightened, they offer a reduced risk of damage due to over tightening. You are less likely to damage fragile cargo with a cam buckle strap.
- Quick Release – Unlike ratchet and winch straps, cam buckle straps offer a quick release design. You can take cam straps off as quickly as you put them on.
Among the many different types of tie-down straps (this excludes chain, rope, and bungee cords) I prefer cam buckle straps. They are the easiest for me to use and are more than adequate for my limited load applications.
Sizes and Configurations
Manufacturers offer a variety of choices in cam buckle straps. For example, you can get different sizes and configurations. Let us start with size, which is measured by strap width.
Most light duty applications can be addressed with 1-inch straps. These are the narrowest of the cam buckle straps. They are a big hit with homeowners, landscaping contractors, and even professional movers.
More demanding applications might require 2-inch straps. The extra width provides more surface area by which a strap can hold something tightly. Professionals in moving in logistics tend to rely on the wider straps. As for strap configuration, think of cam buckle straps in one of two ways:
- Endless Loop – An endless loop configuration utilizes a single strap and buckle. The strap is wrapped around cargo and then secured. Endless loop setups are ideal for bundling items together or preparing pallets for shipping.
- Fitting Configurations – Tie-down straps can be married with a variety of connection fittings including wire hooks, loops, s-hooks, and e-track fittings. These types of configurations require two straps: one with the cam buckle and the other with the desired fitting.
Cam buckle straps really aren’t complicated to understand. They are designed to be simple and easy to use. Yet they are quite effective at keeping all sorts of cargo secure. I prefer them over ratchet straps, ropes, and even bungee cords.
