Buying a tie down strap should be pretty straightforward.

Then you start looking at different lengths, widths, buckles and end fittings and suddenly there are more decisions involved than expected.

Go too short and the strap won’t reach around the load.

Go much longer than you need and you’re left dealing with metres of excess webbing every time you use it.

The right strap comes down to what you’re securing, where you’re securing it and how much length you actually need to get around the load and back to your anchor points.

Here’s how to work it out.

What Size Tie Down Strap Do I Need? (Quick Answer)

For most jobs, you want a strap long enough to travel from one anchor point, around or over the load and to the other anchor point, with enough webbing left to comfortably feed through the buckle and tension it.

As a general guide:

 

There isn’t one strap length that works perfectly for everything.

If you regularly carry different loads, having a couple of lengths in the vehicle is usually more useful than trying to make one very long strap do every job.

1. Start by measuring the actual load

The easiest way to choose a strap length is also the most obvious.

Measure it.

You need to account for the distance between your anchor points as well as the distance the strap needs to travel over or around whatever you’re securing.

For example, if you’re strapping a storage tub into the back of the ute, don't just measure the width of the tub.

Look at where the tie down points actually sit.

The strap needs enough length to travel from the anchor point, over the load, to the other anchor point and through the buckle with enough webbing remaining to tension it properly.

If you're measuring for a roof rack, measure the load while it is sitting on the rack rather than trying to guess from the dimensions on the product box.

2. Don't buy the longest strap just in case

It can be tempting to buy the longest strap available because technically it will fit more things.

It also means dealing with a lot more webbing.

If you're only securing a small storage box, you probably don't want several metres of unused strap hanging off the side of the ute.

Longer isn't automatically better.

A strap that's reasonably close to the size of the job is quicker to fit, easier to manage and leaves less excess webbing to secure afterwards.

This is why having a few useful sizes in your camping or touring setup makes sense.

3. What size strap do I need for a swag?

Swags are one of the easier camping loads to secure, but their packed size can vary considerably.

A compact single swag may only require a relatively short strap, while a large double swag or swag with bulky bedding rolled inside it may need considerably more length.

Where you're carrying it matters too.

A swag sitting directly on roof racks will need a different amount of webbing to one being secured inside a ute tray.

Measure around the packed swag and between the anchor points you'll actually use.

Two appropriately positioned Rollercam Straps can provide controlled tension without needing to crush the swag to keep it secure.

4. What size tie down strap do I need for a kayak?

Kayaks generally require more strap length because the webbing has to travel over a wide, curved load and around the roof rack system.

The exact length depends on the kayak, vehicle and rack.

Rather than choosing a strap based purely on the length of the kayak, measure across its width while it's positioned on your roof racks.

That's the distance your strap actually has to deal with.

You also don't need to pull a kayak down as hard as physically possible.

A properly positioned Rollercam Strap lets you apply controlled tension while securing the kayak to suitable rack anchor points.

For larger kayaks, canoes or unusual rack setups, move up to a longer strap rather than trying to make a short one barely reach.

5. What size strap do I need for a roof rack?

There isn't a universal "roof rack strap size" because the load matters more than the rack itself.

A surfboard, swag, storage bag and kayak can all sit on the same roof racks and require completely different amounts of webbing.

Think about what you carry most often.

If your roof rack usually carries compact camping gear, shorter or medium straps may be easier to manage.

If you regularly carry bulky loads, you'll need additional length.

For a touring setup that changes from trip to trip, carrying more than one strap length gives you more flexibility without leaving huge amounts of excess webbing on every smaller load.

6. What size tie down strap do I need for a ute?

This one depends entirely on what you've put in it.

A ute tray might carry:

• Camping tubs
• Toolboxes
• An esky
• Swags
• Firewood
• Timber
• Garden equipment
• Furniture
• Camping chairs
• Awkward Marketplace purchases you didn't measure before leaving home

The distance between your tie down points can also be much greater than it is on a roof rack.

For everyday ute use, it makes sense to keep a selection of Rollercam Straps rather than relying on one size.

Shorter straps handle compact loads without leaving excess webbing everywhere.

Longer straps are there when the load takes up more of the tray.

7. What if my tie down strap is just too short?

This is where an extension strap becomes useful.

Sometimes your normal strap is right for 90% of the jobs you use it for, then one awkward load comes along and you're short by half a metre.

You don't necessarily need to replace your everyday straps with much longer ones.

Weston Works Extension Straps are designed to add length when you need it.

That makes sense for camping and touring setups where the load changes regularly.

Keep the manageable strap length you normally use and add an extension when the job calls for it.

8. Strap width matters too

Length isn't the only measurement to look at.

Tie down straps also come in different webbing widths and capacities.

Weston Works carries Rollercam Straps across different duty levels, so the right option depends on the load and application rather than length alone.

A larger strap isn't automatically required simply because an item looks bulky.

And a strap shouldn't be chosen because it happens to be the right length if its rated capacity isn't suitable for the job.

Always check the manufacturer's ratings and choose equipment appropriate for the load you're securing.

9. What about S-hooks?

Length isn't the only choice you'll come across when looking through Rollercam straps.

Some configurations use different end fittings, including S-hooks, which can make sense when you regularly secure gear to suitable anchor points where hooking the strap on is more convenient.

Other jobs may suit a continuous strap arrangement.

Think about your anchor points before buying.

If you're constantly attaching straps to the same ute tray or trailer, the end fitting can make just as much difference to ease of use as the strap length itself.

10. A simple way to build your tie down kit

If you camp, tour or regularly use a ute, we'd avoid trying to find one magical strap that handles every load.

Build the kit around what you actually carry.

Think about your most common jobs first.

Swag.

Storage tubs.

Roof rack gear.

Kayak.

Ute loads.

Trailer.

Then choose strap lengths that cover those jobs without leaving metres of unused webbing every time.

Add a longer option or Weston Works Extension Strap for the occasional awkward load.

It's a much more useful setup than buying a pile of identical straps and hoping they'll cover everything.

Why Rollercam works well when your loads keep changing

One weekend you're strapping down a swag.

The next it's a kayak.

Then somebody asks if you can help pick up a table because "you've got a ute."

That's fairly normal.

Rollercam Straps suit this kind of use because the patented roller inside the cam buckle reduces friction as you pull the webbing through.

That makes it easier to apply controlled tension and adjust the strap to suit different loads.

They're available through Weston Works in different sizes and configurations, so you can choose the strap around the jobs you actually do rather than trying to make the same setup work for everything.

Before You Buy: Measure These Three Things

Before choosing a tie down strap, check:

1. Your load: how wide or bulky is the item when it's actually packed?

2. Your anchor points: how far apart are the points the strap will attach to or pass around?

3. Your application: what are you securing and what strap rating and configuration does the job require?

Once you know those, choosing a strap becomes much easier.

If you're stuck between two lengths, consider what else you'll realistically use the strap for.

The best size is the one you'll actually reach for regularly.

FAQs

How do I know what length tie down strap I need?

Measure the complete path the strap needs to travel from your anchor point, over or around the load and back to the required connection point. Allow enough additional webbing to feed through the buckle and tension the strap properly.

Is it better to buy a tie down strap that's too long?

A little additional length gives you flexibility, but substantially oversized straps create unnecessary excess webbing that needs to be secured. Choosing a length reasonably close to your normal loads is usually easier to work with.

What size cam buckle strap do I need for a roof rack?

It depends on what you're carrying. Measure the strap path around the load while it's sitting on your actual roof rack. A swag, surfboard and kayak may all require different strap lengths on the same vehicle.

How many tie down straps do I need for a kayak?

The appropriate restraint setup depends on the kayak, rack, vehicle and applicable requirements. Use suitable restraints and anchor points for the load rather than relying on strap length alone.

Can I join two tie down straps together if one is too short?

Don't improvise a restraint system by joining equipment in a way it wasn't designed to be used. If you regularly need additional length, choose a longer strap or a compatible extension designed for the system.

Do tie down strap widths matter?

Yes. Webbing width, hardware and rated capacity all matter when selecting a restraint. Choose the strap based on the load and application, not just whether it's long enough to reach.

What are Weston Works Extension Straps for?

Weston Works Extension Straps provide additional reach when your regular strap isn't long enough for a particular load. They're handy if you normally use shorter straps but occasionally carry something larger or more awkward.

Final Word

Choosing the right tie down strap doesn't need to be complicated.

Start with what you're actually securing.

Measure the load and your anchor points.

Choose a suitable strap with enough length to tension it properly without leaving metres of unnecessary webbing.

And if your loads change from one weekend to the next, keep a few useful sizes in the ute.

Because the right strap isn't the longest one you can buy.

It's the one that fits the job.