Retractable ratchet straps seem like an amazing idea, anyone tried them?

[NeighborGeek]

As a new owner, I've of course been searching for what kind of cool accessories I could get for my truck. I just came across Maxzina retractable ratchet straps that mount to the boxlink holes in the bed. I love the idea, having ratchet straps always there, ready to use and with one end permanently anchored to the bed. But, some ideas that sound incredible at first have down sides that maybe aren't apparent until after you try them. Has anyone used these, or a similar product? What are your thoughts?

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[RickLightning]

I had a 2013 F-150 before my Lightning, it had cleats but not the Boxlinks. I have a gallon plastic ice cream tub with about 8 straps in it. Off the top of my head, they cost maybe a few dollars each. Bought a 4 pack once, a strap or two here or there.

$30 per strap is crazy IMO. They get dirty and greasy in use. I use them on my Diamondback tonneau cover, where the Boxlink straps would be useless. Same on tailgate.

 

[chl]

Interesting idea. It would save the time it takes to pack and unpack etc. ratchets that are the hook-on type not permanently mounted.

I've used ratchet straps for years to tie down things or pull things up into the bed of my 2001 Ranger.

The only things that might be an issue with permanently mounted ones are 1) once in a while a strap can get twisted requiring a bit of effort to straighten out and 2) sometimes the ratcheting mechanism gets jammed and needs to be manipulated with a screw driver or other lever to free it up.

But maybe they are easy to remove parts temporarily to fix jams?

The 9ft length might be a limitation for some applications.

And the price is a bit high but then everything is pricier nowadays - I haven't bought ratchet straps in a long while, they last a long time if taken care of.

 

[NeighborGeek]

Hmm... fair points. I wouldn't consider these a replacement for having extra straps available, but more just a convenient way to keep 2 straps always ready, mounted, etc.
Not sure what you mean by using the straps on your tonneau cover or tailgate though. Are you saying you strap stuff on top of the cover or to the tailgate?

 

[NeighborGeek]

...they last a long time if taken care of.

That is my primary concern for these. Expensive straps, exposed to weather. But, at least with these being self retracting and permantly mounted I can count on them pretty much always being put away and back where they belong, vs a strap getting tossed loose in the bed when done, or tangled up because it didn't get rolled up and put away, or one piece or the other getting lost...

 

[aldera]

I like them. They're out of the way but when you need them you don't have to go searching for a set. I've got 4 of them, and for me, they're very handy. Glad I got them.

 

[NeighborGeek]

I like them. They're out of the way but when you need them you don't have to go searching for a set. I've got 4 of them, and for me, they're very handy. Glad I got them.

Nice! Thanks for sharing first hand experience. How long have you had them? Do you have a covered bed, or are they exposed to the elements?
You said you have 4 of them... so 2 on each side of the bed? I was picturing 2 on the same side, and typical use being to go over/around cargo and hook to the box link bracket on the other side. I was thinking having them on both sides would be redundant, but I guess it would enable cris-cross other other applications.

 

[Tex]

I like mine. I just got a pair for the cleats nearest the tailgate since I have a trifold cover. On sale today Not cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DQY21CHT?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[aldera]

I've had them about 2 months. I have a top that rolls back. Yes, 2 on each side.

So far, I've used them to transport a 10' dinghy, a 10HP boat motor and a boat lift. I like the extra security of being able to strap them from both sides.

I also use them to hold my lumber in place. I just wrap 1 strap around the lumber by the tailgate end and hook it to the other side. If the lumber tries to slide out, the strap just gets tighter and keeps it in place.

On sale today. 20% off.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F131M6X3?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

 

[JAXLightning]

Funny, I was just looking at these 2 days ago. Based on the feedback here I think I'll pull the trigger.

 

[Dglambert]

So i have a set of CargoBuckles on my Thule TracRack and i wasn't sure at first since they were alittle pricey and only 6 ft hence why I ordered two pairs, but now that i have them i wouldn't go back. They are such a time saver for strapping lumber onto my ladder racks its totally worth it. I can strap up now in under 60 seconds, before i had to get my straps out, figure out how to secure them, then deal with thing off the long tails, then wrap them back up nicely before putting them away so they aren't a tangled mess the next time i needed them. Not to mention i use them maybe couple times a month, if i were a professional contractor it would be a no brainer. So if you're using a ladder rack i definitely recommend retractable straps.

 

[Jackdforme]

Do any of these connect tothe OEM boxlink plates or you remove those?

 

[RickLightning]

Hmm... fair points. I wouldn't consider these a replacement for having extra straps available, but more just a convenient way to keep 2 straps always ready, mounted, etc.
Not sure what you mean by using the straps on your tonneau cover or tailgate though. Are you saying you strap stuff on top of the cover or to the tailgate?

I have a tonneau cover, DiamondBack HD, that has cleats all over it. I pickup lumber, lay it out tonneau cover, strap it down.

And, if I need to, I can strap things across the tailgate when it is down.

 

[Tex]

You just pop the four existing bolts and the ones I got use the same holes.

 

[Jackdforme]

Nice 47 for a pair on prime day.

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