Have you recently invested in a few ratchet straps for a one-off move? Or do you have a drawer or cupboard full of straps that you’re no longer using but aren’t damaged, so don’t justify being chucked out? If so, it may be time to repurpose these very useful items.
Ratchet straps, also more commonly known as lashing straps or tie down straps, are essentially used to secure all types of cargo to trailers, utes, and trucks. These nifty straps are designed to apply tension with a ratchet mechanism, which secures the cargo during transit. This post explores a few of the out-of-the-box things you can do with your old tie downs.
Recycle and Repurpose With These Fun Ideas
Quality ratchet straps were originally designed to secure loads to vehicles during transport. The correct type of ratchet strap reduces the risk of your cargo coming loose and falling off into traffic.
However, if you’re done moving, you may be wondering what you can do with straps that aren’t damaged enough to throw out. Our creative team has shared a few ideas of the top ways that you can recycle and repurpose your used tie downs.
- Add Them to Your DIY Project
Ratchet tie-down straps aren’t just excellent for securing items on the back of your ute or trailer. They’re also handy to use for a range of DIY projects. This is especially the case if you have projects that require using more than two hands. If you have a DIY project that requires a piece of the project to be secured while the rest is worked on, it’s a good idea to use your tie-down straps to hold the project down.
In this instance, the ratchet strap will act as a giant clamp and can easily hold an item in place until the glue dries or the paint dries. This works especially well with woodwork items, but can also be used to secure metal or other materials. In addition to holding items in place, tie-downs are also good for suspending items that you’re working on, around, or underneath.
- Strengthen Your Hammock
Do you enjoy lying in a hammock when you go camping? Or do you have space in your garden to set up a hammock on a summer evening? Since hammocks make comfy reading nooks, it’s always a good idea to set one up if you have the space.
Use your older ratchet straps to secure your hammock to two sturdy trees and eliminate the risk of a rope snapping or coming loose. This is also handy if you don’t have a rope or you’ve misplaced your original rope.
Alternatively, if you don’t already have a hammock, you can easily make one out of a blanket and two tie-down straps. A piece of heavy-duty netting can also be fashioned into a makeshift hammock if you prefer. Creating your own fun hammock is also an excellent way to keep camping gear and supplies off the ground when you’re out camping.
- Create a Lantern Line Between Your Tents
If you’re an avid camper and you liked our hammock idea, then you’re going to find this one especially useful. Did you know that tie-down straps make excellent light lines? A light line is a line that you hang between your tents or trees in your camping area.
Add lanterns to this line to create a well-lit area, which is excellent for keeping small children calm in the dark. You can also add backpacks with food or supplies from these lines if they’re in the shade. This goes a long way toward keeping insects and other small animals out of your supplies.
If you’re going to give this option a try, we recommend speaking to your tie-down strap supplier about a few tree protectors. These will ensure that you don’t damage any trees when you lace the straps around their trunk. Our experts recommend using these when you secure your hammock to the tree as well.
- Use Tie Downs to Entertain Your Kids
Whether you’re at home or out camping, keeping your kids entertained can be challenging, especially when they’re bored with the toys and gadgets that usually keep them busy. Fortunately, if your children enjoy the outdoors, you can easily use two tie-down straps to tie an old tyre or a piece of square plank to a strong tree or post. This will instantly form a fun swing that will keep younger children entertained for hours. Be sure to give your makeshift swing a few strong tugs to make sure that it’s sturdy and safe.
Final Thoughts
If you have a drawer or bag full of old tie-down straps, the good news is that this post has given you a few ideas about what to do with them. Whether you’re planning to use them in your next camping trip or as ways to secure your DIY projects, you’ll easily get more functionality from them. Re-using your ratchet straps is an effective way to get your money’s worth from your tie-downs!
