Every day around the country our movers are busy loading rental trucks, moving containers and freight trailers- many for long distance moves. Unfortunately, hiring professional moving help isn't enough if you want your household items to arrive at your new home without damage; rope and tie down straps are a necessary component of a successful move.
So what type of tie down is best for your move? What size should you purchase? How many should you have? Believe it or not, the answer to these questions may differ, not only between the different transportation types available, such as a rented moving truck or portable storage container, but also between different name brands, such as U-Haul and Penske Truck Rental.
Luckily, we've asked some of our most experienced moving experts to weigh in on this topic and they've provided us with a lot of helpful information. We have compiled this data and created an easy to read table (below) to help you determine what type of tie downs to provide for your moving help.
Rental Trucks
| Company | Recommended Tie Down | Size | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penske Truck Rental | Nylon Rope | 1/4" | 100' |
| Budget Truck Rental | Nylon Rope | 1/4" | 100' |
| U-Haul Truck Rental | Nylon Rope | 1/4" | 100' |
Moving Containers
| Company | Recommended Tie Down | Size | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| PODS | Ratchet Strap | 8'-10' | 4-8 |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | Ratchet Strap | 8'-10' | 4-8 |
| MyWay Mobile Storage | Nylon Rope | 1/4" | 50' |
| UNITS | Ratchet Strap w/ E-Track Fitting | 8'-10' | 4-8 |
| ABF ReloCube | Ratchet Strap w/ E-Track Fitting | 7' | 2-4 |
Freight Moving Trailers
| Company | Recommended Tie Down | Size | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABF U-Pack | Ratchet Strap w/ E-Track Fitting | 8'-10' | 8-12 |
| Old Dominion | Ratchet Strap w/ E-Track Fitting | 8'-10' | 8-12 |
| Estes SureMove | Ratchet Strap w/ E-Track Fitting | 8'-10' | 8-12 |
Types of Tie Downs
When it comes to moving household goods the three most commonly used tie downs are rope, ratchet straps and ratchet straps with an e-track fitting. Be sure to review the charts above to determine which type of tie down is best for your truck or container.
Nylon Rope
Nylon rope is affordable and readily available at most hardware stores. 1/4" nylon rope is recommended most often because it is strong and durable. Avoid twine and braided rope as they are weaker, harder to secure and often times break apart while in transit. We recommend having at least 100' of rope on hand in case it's needed to secure your load.
Ratchet Strap
Ratchet straps are strong and durable tie downs that have a fastener. A typical ratchet strap will have a hook on both ends to help sure the strap to the internal walls.
Ratchet Strap with E-Track
Ratchet straps with an e-track fitting are similar to regular ratchet straps with one major difference, the e-track fitting. The e-track fitting will easily lock into place when the trailer or storage unit has the compatible tracking.