Cam straps are ideal for tying down cargo. They are the perfect tiedown strap when you are moving household goods using a trailer or pickup truck. They work extremely well for securing outdoor equipment like kayaks, canoes, and ATVs. If you have cargo to move and it needs to be tied down, cam straps are the way to go.
As with any type of tiedown, there are right and wrong ways to use cam straps. Use them the right way and you will have a safe experience all the way around. Use them the wrong way and you could endanger your cargo, yourself, and anyone else in the same general area should a strap fail.
Rollercam is one of the more well-known makers of cam strap tie down straps. Their straps feature a patented cam buckle with a rotating cam that reduces friction between buckle and strap. Less friction allows you to tighten the strap firmly without having to apply as much force. According to Rollercam, here is what you need to use a cam strap safely:
1. A Cargo Securement Plan
Cam strap safety starts with a cargo securement plan. A good plan doesn’t just account for how straps will be utilized. It also accounts for how cargo will actually be loaded. Ideally, you want a load’s center of gravity as low as possible in relation to the ground. You also want the load to be equally balanced across the entire surface of the trailer or pickup bed.
Not having a plan usually leads to haphazard loading. And haphazard loading tends toward unbalanced loads, cargo stacked too high, and other problems that could be avoided by planning in advance.
2. An Anchor Point
Tying cargo to a utility trailer or truck bed requires an anchor point on one end of the cam strap. Cam straps come in different configurations, meaning you can anchor them to your trailer or truck bed with a loop, cook, or other anchor mechanism. The anchor point itself is critical to maintaining safety.
The anchor point needs to be strong and stable. It needs to be located and situated in such a way as to allow the strap to be pulled tightly without interference. Whenever possible, the anchor point should be easily accessible so that straps can be secured without having to force things.
3. A Load Point
The point at which a cam strap is secured to the cargo is called a load point. Some types of cargo can be secured with anchor points on either end. Other types of cargo require load points. As an example of the latter, consider tying an ATV to the back of a trailer. You are going to use all four wheels as load points.
Load points are so named because they carry the force of the load from a physics standpoint. Therefore, they need to be strong and stable just like anchor points. Load points absolutely cannot move during transport. Otherwise, your strap could slip and come loose.
4. Common Sense
The final thing you need to use a cam strap safely is common sense. Common sense dictates that you use straps strong enough to handle the load. It dictates that you use enough straps to always keep the load secure. Common sense dictates a safety-first mindset.
Cam straps are ideal for securing cargo to pickup trucks and utility trailers. Use them as intended and you can transport all sorts of cargo without worries that it will break loose and fall. Use them carelessly or improperly, and you are asking for trouble.
