Bungee cords and ratchet tie-down straps may seem simple in construction and design, but provide a surprising amount of usability, both in the home and beyond. High quality examples, like our Fortem bungee cords and ratchet tie-down straps, offer affordable utility that will accomplish a myriad of tasks and last for many years to come. Both are superficially similar and have some overlap in the way of practical uses, but with a crucial difference in tensile strength. Bungee cords can be used in a wide variety of situations and will serve their purpose well, but when doing heavy duty work, tie-down straps are king.
So what kind of tasks can you accomplish with both? Both are great for bundling objects up together, making carrying and transport easier. For example, campers or those who love the outdoors may get some use out of bungee cords when securing sleeping bags, air mattresses, fishing tackle, and firewood. Tie-down straps perform admirably with these tasks as well, but excel in heavy duty situations where bungee cords are simply unsafe to use. Let’s look at specific tasks that suit both products so that you can make the best use out of your new Fortem equipment.
BUNGEE CORDS
Bungee cords are ubiquitous tools, in the same realm as a humble roll of duct tape. They’re easy to use, requiring no knowledge of knot-tying; employing them is as simple as clipping their hooked ends to suitable anchor points. They can withstand a surprising amount of shock before snapping, and are inexpensive, just $21.99 for our full set on Amazon (a 24 piece set with four bungee balls, a carry case, and a bonus cargo net). These factors make them indispensable tools for any aspiring DIYer and indeed, for anyone requiring a do-anything tool.
For everyday use, they can be employed for cargo retention in your vehicle. If you can’t fit a particularly large piece of cargo in your Fortem Trunk Organizer V1 or Trunk Organizer V2 (say, if you’re transporting light furniture, a bicycle, or the like), you can recruit your trusty bungee cords to keep this oversize item from jumbling around in the trunk and possibly causing damage.
Bungee cords can also be used to tie down loose tarps of virtually all sizes. Have patio furniture out in the winter months? A tarp combined with a couple bungee cords or more will be enough to tie it down and protect your furniture from the elements and harsh weather. Have bundles of firewood exposed outdoors? It’s the same process, simply use a tarp and some bungee cords to keep your investments safe from the elements.
Additionally, bungee cords have their uses for exercise too. Use them in place of more expensive resistance bands, with small dowels attached to the ends if you require handles for better grip. What if you’re a yoga enthusiast? Yoga mats can be cumbersome and awkward to carry on the way to the studio. Utilize a bungee cord to keep your folded mat together; it’ll make carrying it much easier!
RATCHET TIE-DOWNS STRAPS
As mentioned before, while tie-down straps can perform all the same tasks that bungee cords can, they excel in heavy duty applications. While superficially similar to bungee cords, tie-down straps are specially designed to secure cargo for transportation, while bungee cords are designed to absorb shock and work best in lighter duty applications. Our Fortem tie-down straps are made out of high quality polyester, with a robust ratcheting system for adjusting length. Our main set comes with four 15-foot straps in a high-visibility neon green color, four metal ratchet buckles, four metal hook straps, four soft loops, and a carrying case for easy transport. We also offer a four piece set of straps rated for a 2,250 pound load limit with 4,500 break strength, perfect for even more heavy duty applications.
The straps in our main set are rated for a 500 pound max load limit each (and a 1,500 pound break strength), suitable for nearly any non-professional task. Use them for affixing heavy cargo, such as in the bed of a pickup truck or even a trailer. The same can be said for home DIY or woodworking, where bungee cords won’t have the tensile strength to safely perform. For your safety and the safety of those around you, always keep in mind the max load limit when working with any tie-down strap, and never exceed this limit as it can lead to serious injury.
UNMATCHED VERSATILITY
Bungee cords and tie-down straps have many, many uses, and are indispensable tools to carry. From cargo transportation, to camping, to home DIY, both tools can do almost anything. Just keep safety in mind, and use the correct tool for the task.
Quality is paramount, so check out our affordable Fortem bungee cords, 500-lb load limit ratchet tie-down straps, and heavy duty 2,250-lb load limit ratchet tie-down straps, available on Amazon and our website. Ready to get started? It’s time to put your new equipment to use and channel your inner MacGyver!
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