We all use rachet straps... I confess I hated to go to them but they work... I bought the latest set of 4 (1" X 15') at Harbor Freight... (figures they are now on sale for even less.) The package completely enclosed the products. I used the straps last weekend to tie my scooter down on the landscaper's trailer... never gave it much thought. When I got home, one of the straps was almost severed where the THIN strap rubbed on the steel... the contact point was well rounded, I thought. I'm convinced that the straps are inferior, just too thin. I noticed that for the same money or nearly so, the Home Depot has rachet straps with heavier webbing... and the package is open so you can feel the webbing to know what you are getting. I'm not going to buy another strap where the package precludes touching the webbing. Sure, I can extend the life by altering how I tie down... and I will... but the quality does count for something. Lesson learned...

In my business, I go through a lot of ratchet straps. I've found that over the past couple of years, the 'home-grade' RS's have gotten much, much cheaper in quality.HD has decent RSs. I prefer to use the Quickloader straps, usually 1.25" wide, or the 1.5" ones. They seem to resist abrasions fairly well. Of course, they're $25-30 ea. 1500lb strength. But I'd bet that scooter is worth a little more than $50 worth of straps ;)

I typically buy my ratchet straps at WalMart of all weird places but typically I look at the webbing and how thick the metal is on the ratchet. There is a few things I'm a bit picky about... Straps are one...

I don't care where the straps come from... but I'm realizing that if I can't touch the webbing, I don't want to buy it. (The plastic display packaging keeps one from feeling & touching the strap itself.) This may be an over simplification but it's a working theory. I have never had a rachet mechanism fail, though some are easier to work than others.

I give the "turn-buckles" a shot of WD 40 every so often to keep them rust free and so you don't need to be the HULK to "trip" them!!!!

Also don't leave them on the ground so you can run them over... I now wind them up in a roll so they store nicely and don't turn into a knotted mess.

I wrap mine around the rachet assembly, secure with rubber band, store in tupperware under seat. (Rubber bands get dropping to tupperware while deploying.) Wifee leaves in a ball on the floor of truck...

I use straps a lot. The HD ones used to be much better. The last couple of years they have used thinner metal in the handles. The sad thing is they are still better than anyone else. I am talking about the big yellow ones. I think all small straps are weak.

I ran across a deal on the yellow Erickson 2"x15' ones, caj, back in January. I bought 20 of them for $8 each in a business blowout. They're normally around $20ea.Also got 6 of the Ratchet-Strap 4"x30' ones for $15ea. (normally $50-60ea).

Got mine at Costco, pkg of 2- 27' long I believe they are for under $30. haven't used them much yet though to see how durable they are.

I always have 4 ratchet straps in my truck 2" wide 10,000lb max as well as at least 50ft of 1" 2500lb mule tape.-Jordan-

I went to Freuhuaf (sp.) trucking and got my 1 1/2'' wide ones. Had them for over ten years now and use them on my flatbed 92 ctd. I paid 14 bucks each for them back then and they are the best you can get.