Ratchet Tow Strap vs V Bridle Tow Strap: Specs & Use Guide

Ratchet Tow Strap and V Bridle Tow Strap: A Technical Reference for Securing and Towing

A Ratchet Tow Strap and a V Bridle Tow Strap are both woven from polyester webbing, yet each one solves a different problem on the same job. The Ratchet Tow Strap creates and holds tension, so a vehicle, machine or load stays exactly where it was placed. The V Bridle Tow Strap shapes a pull, splitting one towing force into two symmetrical paths that reach two separate anchor points on a vehicle. The sections below explain how each product is built, how to read its rating label, how to connect it correctly and how to keep it in service for years of dependable use.

3 : 1Typical ratio between break strength and working load limit on a webbing assembly

2 legsA V Bridle Tow Strap shares one pull between two vehicle anchor points

50 mmThe 2 inch webbing width found on the most common Ratchet Tow Strap

4 pointsStandard securing pattern for a passenger vehicle on a flat trailer

Two Straps, Two Different Jobs

Choosing between a Ratchet Tow Strap and a V Bridle Tow Strap starts with the type of force involved. Securing a stationary load calls for adjustable tension. Moving a vehicle calls for a balanced, centered pull. Mixing the two roles is the most common reason webbing assemblies are damaged or overloaded, so it helps to see the products side by side.

Ratchet Tow Strap

Built around a geared ratchet buckle, this strap converts short handle strokes into controlled tension. The user feeds the loose end of the webbing through the mandrel, cranks until the load settles and locks the handle. Tension stays constant after locking, which suits trailers, truck beds, flat racks and workshop floors where a load must not shift. Typical jobs include holding a car on a trailer, restraining a machine on a pallet and tying down equipment that vibrates during transport.

V Bridle Tow Strap

Two webbing legs meet at a central apex loop and form the letter V. Each leg ends in a loop, hook or shackle fitting that connects to a vehicle anchor point, while the apex loop connects to the towing vehicle or pulling device. Because the legs share the force, each anchor point carries a smaller part of the pull and the vehicle frame receives a balanced load. A V Bridle Tow Strap is the right choice when a vehicle has two front anchor points and needs a stable, centered pull.

Feature	Ratchet Tow Strap	V Bridle Tow Strap
Primary function	Holds a load in place with adjustable tension	Directs a towing pull to two anchor points
Main components	Webbing, ratchet buckle, two end fittings	Two webbing legs, apex loop, leg fittings, wear sleeves
How force is created	Handle strokes advance the mandrel and tighten the webbing	The towing vehicle pulls the apex loop and the legs share the force
Anchor points used	Two or more fixed points per strap	Two vehicle anchor points per strap
Typical end fittings	S hook, J hook, flat hook, snap hook	Soft loop, shackle, hook with keeper
Adjustability	High, tension is set strap by strap	Fixed, set by leg length
Typical webbing width	25 mm to 75 mm	50 mm to 75 mm
Typical environment	Trailers, truck beds, flat racks, workshops	Yards, workshops, short controlled moves

Anatomy of a Ratchet Tow Strap

Every part of a Ratchet Tow Strap sits in the load path, so the strap is only as dependable as its weakest component. Six elements decide how well it performs.

Polyester Webbing

Flat woven polyester with a tight weave and heat-sealed edges. It carries the load and sets the width class of the strap. Low stretch keeps tension from fading after the handle is locked.

Ratchet Buckle

A steel frame, a toothed mandrel and a spring-loaded pawl. Each handle stroke advances the mandrel one tooth and the pawl locks it. A release lever frees the pawl when the job ends.

Standing End

The shorter section attached to the buckle, usually 0.3 m to 0.6 m long, finished with an end fitting. The stitched loop around the buckle frame is a major load path.

Tail End

The longer section carries the second end fitting and passes through the mandrel. Its length sets the adjustment range, which matters when the load is wide or tall.

Stitch Pattern

Box-and-cross or multi-row zigzag stitching spreads force across many threads. Even stitch spacing and no skipped stitches are signs of controlled production.

Rating Label

Sewn into the webbing, the label states the working load limit, strap length, production code and warnings. A strap with an unreadable label should be taken out of use.

The end fitting decides where a Ratchet Tow Strap can attach. Matching the fitting to the anchor shape prevents point loading, where force concentrates on a thin edge of a hook.

End Fitting	Best Fit	Notes
S hook	Rails, stake pockets, round bar anchors	Simple profile, quick to attach and remove
J hook	Vehicle tow loops and frame holes	Narrow tip enters small openings
Flat hook	E track, L track and flat bed rails	Wide base sits flush against the rail
Snap hook with keeper	Anchor rings and D rings	Spring keeper stops the hook from lifting out when tension drops
Wire hook	Light loads on thin anchors	Low weight, lower rated than forged hooks
Soft loop	Axle tubes, painted frames, wheel arches	Webbing contact protects finishes

Buckle size has to match webbing width. A buckle built for 50 mm webbing cannot grip 75 mm webbing evenly, and a 25 mm buckle cannot carry a 50 mm rating. Checking this pairing on the label removes a hidden weak point from the assembly.

Anatomy of a V Bridle Tow Strap

A V Bridle Tow Strap has fewer moving parts than a Ratchet Tow Strap, which places more importance on webbing quality, stitching and connection hardware. Four features matter most.

Webbing Legs

Two equal-length legs sewn from heavy webbing, often multi-layer. Equal length keeps both anchor points loaded evenly. A mismatch of even a few centimeters shifts load to the shorter leg.

Apex Loop

The point where both legs join. It is sewn as a reinforced eye large enough to accept a shackle or tow hitch pin without bending the webbing sharply around the hardware.

Wear Sleeves

Abrasion-resistant sleeves cover areas that contact bumpers, frames or the ground. They absorb scuffing so the load-bearing fibers underneath stay intact.

Connection Hardware

Shackles with screw pins, rated hooks or soft loops finish the leg ends. Hardware rating must meet or exceed the webbing rating, otherwise the metal becomes the limit.

Leg length determines the angle between the two legs, and that angle controls how much force each leg carries. The table below pairs common anchor spacings with suitable leg lengths. Each leg load figure is shown as a share of the total pull.

Anchor Spacing	Suggested Leg Length	Included Angle	Load per Leg
0.6 m	0.9 m	39 degrees	0.53 of total pull
0.8 m	1.0 m	47 degrees	0.55 of total pull
1.0 m	1.2 m	49 degrees	0.55 of total pull
1.2 m	1.5 m	47 degrees	0.55 of total pull
1.4 m	1.5 m	56 degrees	0.57 of total pull

Reading the Load Rating Label

The label on a Ratchet Tow Strap or V Bridle Tow Strap holds the numbers that matter most. Two values appear on almost every label: the working load limit and the break strength. The working load limit is the highest force the assembly should carry in normal use. Break strength is the force at which a new strap fails in a laboratory pull test. For webbing assemblies, the working load limit is commonly set at one third of break strength, which leaves a safety factor of 3 to 1 for shock, wear and uneven loading.

Labels written to the European standard for web lashings, EN 12195-2, use different wording. They show lashing capacity in daN, the standard tension force that the buckle can deliver and the standard hand force of 50 daN used to test the ratchet. Reading these values correctly avoids mistaking tension capacity for load capacity.

Label Term	Meaning	How to Use It
Working load limit	Maximum force for normal service	Never exceed it, add margin for dynamic loads
Break strength	Force at which a new assembly fails	Reference value only, not a working figure
Lashing capacity	Rated pull of a web lashing, shown in daN	Compare with the restraint force the cargo needs
Standard tension force	Tension produced at 50 daN hand force	Indicates how tightly the buckle can pre-load the load
Length	Overall length of the assembly	Confirm the strap reaches both anchors with tail to spare

Typical Working Load Limit of a Ratchet Tow Strap by Webbing Width

25 mmabout 450 kg

38 mmabout 680 kg

50 mmabout 1,500 kg

75 mmabout 2,270 kg

Values are typical single-strap figures. The number printed on the label of the actual strap always takes priority.

How a V Bridle Tow Strap Distributes Load

The geometry of a V Bridle Tow Strap follows a simple rule. When the towing vehicle pulls the apex loop with force F, each leg carries F divided by twice the cosine of half the included angle. A narrow V gives each leg slightly more than half the pull. A wide V forces each leg to carry as much as the whole pull, and beyond that, more than the whole pull.

Load on Each Leg as a Share of Total Pull

The curve is nearly flat up to 90 degrees and then climbs steeply. This is why leg length matters when choosing a V Bridle Tow Strap. Keeping the included angle under 60 degrees holds each leg close to half of the pull, which leaves the most margin on the webbing and on the vehicle anchor points.

Included Angle	Load per Leg	Guidance
0 to 30 degrees	0.50 to 0.52 of pull	Ideal, legs run almost parallel
60 degrees	0.58 of pull	Recommended upper limit for routine use
90 degrees	0.71 of pull	Acceptable only for light, slow pulls
120 degrees	1.00 of pull	Each leg carries the full pull, avoid
150 degrees	1.93 of pull	Each leg carries nearly double the pull, do not use

Webbing Material Comparison

Most Ratchet Tow Strap and V Bridle Tow Strap assemblies use polyester webbing, but nylon and polypropylene exist for specific tasks. The material changes how much the strap stretches, how it handles sunlight and water, and which chemicals it tolerates.

Property	Polyester	Nylon	Polypropylene
Elongation at break	12 to 15 percent	20 to 30 percent	18 to 25 percent
Sunlight resistance	Good	Moderate	Low unless stabilized
Water behavior	Very low absorption	Absorbs water, strength drops slightly when wet	Very low absorption, floats
Acid tolerance	Good	Poor	Very good
Alkali tolerance	Fair	Good	Very good
Typical use	Tie-down and towing webbing	Applications that need shock absorption	Light-duty and marine tasks

Approximate Stretch at Break by Webbing Material

Polyester12 to 15 percent

Polypropylene18 to 25 percent

Nylon20 to 30 percent

Polyester stretches the least, so a Ratchet Tow Strap stays tight after the handle is locked and a V Bridle Tow Strap transmits the pull smoothly without a rubber-band effect. Stored energy in highly elastic webbing is released suddenly if a fitting fails, which is one reason low-stretch polyester suits both products.

Securing a Vehicle with a Ratchet Tow Strap

A repeatable sequence keeps every strap loaded evenly and the vehicle stable from the loading ramp to the destination.

Inspect the strap

Run the webbing through your hands. Look for cuts, burns, fraying, stiff areas and loose stitching, and confirm the label is readable.

Position the vehicle

Center the vehicle on the trailer with weight slightly forward of the trailer axle. Set the parking brake and place the transmission in park or first gear.

Choose anchor points

Use frame loops, designated tie-down slots or an axle with soft loops. Avoid brake lines, exhaust pipes and suspension arms that may bend.

Attach the fittings

Seat each hook fully in its anchor, with the load on the hook bowl rather than the tip. Route the strap clear of sharp edges and hot parts.

Thread the tail

Open the buckle, feed the tail through the mandrel slot from the underside and pull the slack through by hand until the strap is snug.

Crank to tension

Work the handle in full strokes. Stop when the vehicle suspension compresses slightly and the strap is taut, without twisting the webbing.

Lock and tidy

Close the handle until it clicks into the locked position. Tie off or roll the loose tail so it cannot flap in the airflow.

Recheck early

Stop after the first few kilometers and test every strap. New loads settle, and webbing can seat into the buckle, which loosens the first adjustment.

Tension comes from the hand force on the handle. Extending the handle with a pipe can exceed the buckle rating and distort the frame, so use the handle as supplied.

Connecting a V Bridle Tow Strap

Connecting a V Bridle Tow Strap is a faster job than securing a load, but the order of steps decides whether the pull stays straight and the anchor points stay within their limits.

Identify rated anchors

Find the two anchor points marked by the vehicle maker, usually front tow eyes or frame-mounted loops. Bumpers and body panels are not anchors.

Check leg fit

Lay the legs out and confirm they reach both anchors without pulling inward. Leg length that fits the spacing keeps the included angle under 60 degrees.

Fit the hardware

Connect each leg end with a shackle or a rated hook. Tighten shackle pins by hand and back off a quarter turn so the pin cannot jam.

Protect contact areas

Slide wear sleeves over any section that touches a bumper edge, wheel arch or the ground, and keep the webbing free of twists.

Join the apex

Attach the apex loop to the towing vehicle with a rated pin or shackle. The pull should line up with the centerline of both vehicles.

Take up slack

Move off at walking pace until the strap is straight and taut. A sudden jerk adds shock load that can be several times the steady pull.

Keep the move gentle

Maintain steady speed, brake early and keep the driver of the towed vehicle ready to steer and brake. Local rules decide where towing with webbing is allowed.

Anchor Point Selection by Vehicle Type

Different vehicles present different anchors, and the right strap setup follows from what the vehicle offers. The table lists common cases for a Ratchet Tow Strap and a V Bridle Tow Strap.

Vehicle Class	Common Anchor	Suggested Setup
Passenger car	Frame tie-down slots, axle with soft loops	Four Ratchet Tow Strap assemblies, 50 mm width
SUV and pickup	Front tow hooks, rear frame loops	Four 50 mm or 75 mm straps, V Bridle Tow Strap for short moves
ATV and UTV	Frame rails, bumper tie-down points	Four 38 mm or 50 mm Ratchet Tow Strap assemblies
Motorcycle	Handlebar soft loops, rear frame	Two to four 25 mm straps with soft loops
Compact tractor	Axle housings, drawbar	Two to four 75 mm straps
Stuck or disabled car	Two front tow eyes	V Bridle Tow Strap with 50 mm or 75 mm legs

Where the Straps Work

Car Hauling

Open and enclosed trailers rely on four Ratchet Tow Strap assemblies per vehicle, tightened evenly so the vehicle rides without rocking on its suspension.

Workshop Positioning

A V Bridle Tow Strap lets a non-running vehicle be pulled onto a lift or out of a bay without touching the bumper, protecting trim and sensors.

Yard and Lot Moves

Slow repositioning of vehicles across a storage yard benefits from the balanced pull of a V Bridle Tow Strap on two anchors.

Farm and Land Work

Compact tractors, mowers and implements ride on trailers secured by wide-webbing Ratchet Tow Strap assemblies, set to keep the load from walking over rough roads.

Boat and Trailer Rigging

Transom and bow tie-downs hold a boat to its trailer. Polyester webbing resists water and sunlight, so the strap holds its strength across seasons of launches.

Roadside Assistance

When a vehicle must be moved a short distance to a safe spot, a V Bridle Tow Strap offers a controlled, centered pull, provided local rules allow the move.

Inspection Routine and Retirement Criteria

Webbing wears slowly, which makes damage easy to overlook. A regular routine catches problems before they reach the load path.

When	What to Check	Action if Found
Before each use	Webbing surface, stitching, label, fitting shape	Set the strap aside if anything looks changed
After each use	Dirt, grit, moisture, hot spots	Rinse, dry and store separately
Monthly	Buckle action, pawl spring, hook openings, stitch lines	Lubricate the buckle lightly, replace worn hardware
After an overload or shock	Full length, including the inside of the loops	Retire the strap if any fiber is crushed or glazed

Cuts and Tears

A cut across the edge of the webbing removes load-bearing fibers. Even a small nick is a reason to retire a strap.

Broken Stitches

Loose or missing thread in the eye or buckle seam means the load path is compromised.

Heat and Friction Damage

Shiny, stiff or melted webbing shows heat or friction damage. Polyester loses strength once fibers fuse.

Chemical Exposure

Discoloration, brittleness or a gritty feel after contact with acids, alkalis or solvents calls for replacement.

Bent or Cracked Hardware

Hooks with a widened throat, a twisted frame or a buckle that no longer locks cannot be repaired in the field.

Missing Label

Without a legible rating label the load limit is unknown, so the strap should not carry a load.

Care, Cleaning and Storage

Cleaning

Rinse mud and salt with clean water and a soft brush. Mild soap is fine. Avoid solvents, bleach and pressure washers, which can degrade fibers.

Drying

Hang the strap loosely and let it dry in shade at room temperature. Heat guns and direct flame damage polyester quickly.

Buckle Care

A light film of machine oil on the mandrel and pawl keeps a Ratchet Tow Strap smooth. Wipe off excess so it cannot soak into the webbing.

Storage

Coil each strap loosely, keep it dry and away from sunlight, and hang the V Bridle Tow Strap by its apex loop so the legs stay straight and untangled.

Common Mistakes and Correct Practice

Mistake	What Happens	Correct Practice
Using a Ratchet Tow Strap to tow a moving vehicle	Low-stretch webbing meets shock load and a fitting can fail	Use a V Bridle Tow Strap or a purpose-made tow strap
Tying a knot in the webbing	A knot can cut strength by roughly half	Use the buckle or a rated fitting to shorten the strap
Hooking a bumper or body panel	Panels tear and the strap loses its anchor	Connect only to rated anchor points
Running webbing over a sharp edge	The edge cuts fibers under tension	Fit corner protectors or sleeves
Leaving a wide angle between bridle legs	Each leg carries more than the total pull	Choose leg length that keeps the angle under 60 degrees
Adding a handle extension	Over-tension distorts the buckle and the vehicle	Use the handle as supplied
Skipping the early recheck	Settling leaves slack and the load shifts	Stop within the first few kilometers and retighten

Selection Guide by Application

Matching strap width, length and fitting to the job removes guesswork. The guide below lists typical choices for a Ratchet Tow Strap and a V Bridle Tow Strap in common applications.

Application	Strap Type	Width	Length	Fitting
Light motorcycle on trailer	Ratchet Tow Strap	25 mm	1.8 m to 3 m	Soft loop and snap hook
ATV or UTV on trailer	Ratchet Tow Strap	38 mm	3 m to 4.5 m	S hook or snap hook
Passenger car on trailer	Ratchet Tow Strap	50 mm	3 m to 6 m	J hook with soft loop
Pickup or SUV on trailer	Ratchet Tow Strap	50 mm to 75 mm	4.5 m to 9 m	Flat hook or snap hook
Tractor or machine on flat bed	Ratchet Tow Strap	75 mm	6 m to 12 m	Flat hook with forged frame
Short vehicle move in a yard	V Bridle Tow Strap	50 mm	Legs 0.9 m to 1.2 m	Shackle or soft loop
Heavy vehicle repositioning	V Bridle Tow Strap	75 mm	Legs 1.2 m to 1.5 m	Screw-pin shackle
Boat on trailer	Ratchet Tow Strap	38 mm to 50 mm	2.4 m to 4.5 m	Coated hook or soft loop

Available Configurations

Webbing Width

25 mm, 38 mm, 50 mm and 75 mm webbing, each with a matching buckle and a rated label.

Length

Ratchet Tow Strap assemblies from 1.8 m to 12 m, and V Bridle Tow Strap legs cut to the anchor spacing of common vehicle classes.

End Fittings

S hooks, J hooks, flat hooks, snap hooks, wire hooks, soft loops and shackle connections, all matched to the webbing rating.

Webbing Color

Black, yellow, orange, red, blue and high-visibility green webbing make it easy to identify a strap by size or by job.

Label Printing

Rating labels printed with working load limit, length and production code, in the language the work crew reads.

Packaging

Straps supplied coiled with a hook-and-loop band, in single packs, matched sets of four or storage bags.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Ratchet Tow Strap be used for towing a vehicle?

A Ratchet Tow Strap is designed to secure and tension a load, not to tow. Low stretch and a ratchet buckle make it unsuitable for the dynamic pull of a moving tow. A V Bridle Tow Strap or a tow strap made for the job is the correct choice.

What does a V Bridle Tow Strap do that a single strap does not?

It splits the pull between two vehicle anchor points. This lowers the load on each point and keeps the pull centered, which makes the move more stable and reduces stress on the frame.

How many straps does a car need on a trailer?

Four Ratchet Tow Strap assemblies, one near each wheel or at each corner of the frame, give the most stable result. Combined working load should exceed the vehicle weight with margin.

Is a wider strap always stronger?

Width raises the rating, but only when the buckle, hooks and anchor points match it. A wide strap on a small hook is limited by the hook.

What is the right angle for the legs of a V Bridle Tow Strap?

Aim for under 60 degrees. At that angle each leg carries about 0.58 of the pull. Wider angles raise leg load quickly.

Why does the strap loosen after the first few kilometers?

Webbing seats into the buckle, and the vehicle settles on its suspension. Both changes reduce tension, so a recheck early in the journey is standard practice.

Can polyester webbing be used outdoors all year?

Polyester resists sunlight and moisture well. Rinsing and drying the strap after harsh exposure and storing it out of direct sun extends its working life.

How long does a strap last?

Service life depends on load, environment and care, not on age alone. A strap that passes inspection and has no damage can stay in use, while one with a cut or burn is retired at once.

Can a damaged strap be repaired?

Webbing and stitching repairs reduce strength in ways that cannot be measured in the field, so damaged assemblies should be replaced, not repaired.

How is the right length chosen?

Measure the distance between the two anchors, add the route around the load and leave at least 0.5 m of tail through the buckle. For a V Bridle Tow Strap, choose leg length from the anchor spacing and keep the included angle small.

What Is the Difference Between a Ratchet Tow Strap and a V Bridle Tow Strap