Cam Buckle Tie-Down Straps

Cam buckle tie-down straps for roof racks, utes, trailers and bikes. Every strap here uses the Rollercam roller cam buckle, which pulls tight smoothly and releases under control. Choose a width for the load, an end for your anchor point, and a length with a little to spare.

How to choose a tie-down strap

Cam buckle or ratchet?

A ratchet strap winches the webbing tight with a lever. That suits heavy machinery, but it is easy to over-tighten and crush a roof box, kayak or surfboard. A cam buckle strap is pulled tight by hand, so you feel the tension and stop when the load is firm. It is quicker to set and release, and there is no ratchet mechanism to rust or jam.

The Rollercam buckle has a roller built in, so the webbing feeds through with less friction than a standard cam buckle. Read the full comparison in ratchet straps vs cam buckle straps.

Pick a width

WidthDutyGood for
19mmMediumCompact rigs, MOLLE panels, lighter gear and tight anchor points
25mmStandardEveryday roof rack, ute and trailer loads, surfboards and kayaks
32mmHeavyBigger and heavier loads, work trailers, tray setups and motorbikes

Pick an end

  • Straight end: wraps around a bar, through a ring or over the load. The most versatile.
  • Loop end: stays fixed on the anchor point between trips, so the strap is always where you left it.
  • Hook end: clips straight onto rings, rails and trailer points. The fastest on and off.

Pick a length

Measure the path the strap takes from the anchor, over the load and back, then add about 30cm to hold the tail. Lengths run from 0.3m (1ft) to 6.1m (20ft). If a strap falls short, a pair of extension straps adds between 0.3m and 1.5m.

Not sure where to start? Starter Kit II bundles the most popular lengths for racks, utes and MOLLE boards, and the Biker's Essentials Kit is built around hook-end straps for bikes. For bikes, see the motorcycle tie-down guide.

Questions

Are cam buckle straps good enough for a roof rack?

Yes. For roof racks, utes and trailers a cam buckle strap holds the load firmly without over-tightening it. Use enough straps for the load, check them after the first few kilometres, and choose 32mm heavy duty straps for bigger, heavier gear.

How tight should a cam buckle strap be?

Pull the strap until it is firm and the load does not move when you push on it. Hand tight is the point of a cam buckle, so there is no need to lever on it.

Will the buckle mark my surfboard, kayak or paintwork?

Fit a CamGuard. It sits between the buckle and the surface and protects both your gear and the buckle.

What do I do with the loose end of the strap?

MOLLE strap clips hold the spare tail flat so it does not flap in the wind, and they can stay on the strap for next time.

Can I replace just the buckle?

Yes. The Rollercam buckle is sold on its own and suits 25mm webbing, including all standard duty Rollercam straps.