Roof rack strapping

[billy bleed]

What straps can you recommend for holding down items such as bike, tent, and tubs on the roof?

Is there any out there that are also tamper/theft proof?


I am made up of the following parts.. Black Irish / Gypsy / Tattoo's and Grumpiness.. and this was sent from my phone using Tapatalk!

[93patrol]

i use a ratchet strap from bunnings to tie stuff down in the back of the ute and nothing has been taken from me but i am in the sw of WA

[MudRunnerTD]

Ratchet tie downs win.

[TPC]

I have always used ratchet straps and have never had anything go missing.
You could always use a bike lock if you are worried about things going missing.

[Winnie]

Ratchets or fasty straps will do.

[threedogs]

1" rachet straps are good for 350kg each, maybe wider for a tyre/rim combo.
avoid using okky straps just an accident waiting to happen.
Price wise you can get quality rachet straps 4 @ $20

[Cuppa]

I always get in a mess with ratchet type tie downs. Perhaps it's just me, but I prefer the pull down type of tie downs.
As has been suggested a cable or two would be handy,together with a mix of not putting anything outside that you can't afford to lose & generally making sure that what is outside require a little bit of work to access rather than quickly grab. Experience helps in assessing where are good or not so good spots to camp. Always be guided by your gut feeling, & be prepared to move elsewhere if needed. Popular spots littered with alcohol containers & tyre marks or within 15 or 20kms of a town, especially on Friday & Saturday nights are best avoided, as is 'advertising your intention to camp somewhere close by whilst in town during the day. The only place I've ever had anything nicked was whilst in a caravan park, & have only ever moved once because our gut feelings told it was wise once.

Whilst thinking about safety & security on the road, it is common to be told by well meaning folk to avoid certain places/towns. Maybe we are a little perverse, but our response tends to be one of 'let's check it out for ourselves' & to date have never regretted doing so. It is not uncommon for a single incident in the dim & distant past to result in an enduring & unfortunate reputation for places, which continue to be repeated, often by folk who have never been there. More often than not these are places with predominantly aboriginal populations. I'm sure that often the myths are perpetuated by white folk who are either racist, or have walked through the towns in a state of fear, avoiding any contact with the locals. Not saying there are not problems in these towns, there are, but generally if you treat folk with respect there is no problem & often the welcome is warm.

I may have gone a bit off topic here, but I guess the boiled down message is to not worry about security overly. Outback folks are generally far more trustworthy than their city counterparts.......IMHO.

Cuppa

[billy bleed]

Thanks all.. Bring on Wednesday so I can go shopping!

And cuppa beautifully written as always.. I am with you!


I am made up of the following parts.. Black Irish / Gypsy / Tattoo's and Grumpiness.. and this was sent from my phone using Tapatalk!

[Tank]

We use ratchet tie downs and for security on family holidays when we are in city's I had the local wire rope guys make up a cable out of 4mm plastic coated wire rope with a loop on each end, cable is 12m long. I just lock one end on and then weave the cable in and out through some loops I put on the basket.

[healy]

1" rachet straps are good for 350kg each, maybe wider for a tyre/rim combo.
avoid using okky straps just an accident waiting to happen.
Price wise you can get quality rachet straps 4 @ $20

The only problem with those cheap ratchets they brake easy I've got some 1" ratchets that hold 850kgs swl so you could go abit further if you wanted to live on the edge lol

[guwishyouhadone]

You can get some good ones from super cheap that are bright yellow and are rated for 550 kg ea .. Love em

[Jaycee]

I always get in a mess with ratchet type tie downs. Perhaps it's just me, but I prefer the pull down type of tie downs.
As has been suggested a cable or two would be handy,together with a mix of not putting anything outside that you can't afford to lose & generally making sure that what is outside require a little bit of work to access rather than quickly grab. Experience helps in assessing where are good or not so good spots to camp. Always be guided by your gut feeling, & be prepared to move elsewhere if needed. Popular spots littered with alcohol containers & tyre marks or within 15 or 20kms of a town, especially on Friday & Saturday nights are best avoided, as is 'advertising your intention to camp somewhere close by whilst in town during the day. The only place I've ever had anything nicked was whilst in a caravan park, & have only ever moved once because our gut feelings told it was wise once.

Whilst thinking about safety & security on the road, it is common to be told by well meaning folk to avoid certain places/towns. Maybe we are a little perverse, but our response tends to be one of 'let's check it out for ourselves' & to date have never regretted doing so. It is not uncommon for a single incident in the dim & distant past to result in an enduring & unfortunate reputation for places, which continue to be repeated, often by folk who have never been there. More often than not these are places with predominantly aboriginal populations. I'm sure that often the myths are perpetuated by white folk who are either racist, or have walked through the towns in a state of fear, avoiding any contact with the locals. Not saying there are not problems in these towns, there are, but generally if you treat folk with respect there is no problem & often the welcome is warm.

I may have gone a bit off topic here, but I guess the boiled down message is to not worry about security overly. Outback folks are generally far more trustworthy than their city counterparts.......IMHO.

Cuppa

Well said Cuppa. It's amazing how fear and prejudice is passed on from person to person and generation to generation. Taking a chance by challenging some of these popular beliefs can often lead to the most spectacular rewards.

[TPC]

I always get in a mess with ratchet type tie downs. Perhaps it's just me, but I prefer the pull down type of tie downs.
As has been suggested a cable or two would be handy,together with a mix of not putting anything outside that you can't afford to lose & generally making sure that what is outside require a little bit of work to access rather than quickly grab. Experience helps in assessing where are good or not so good spots to camp. Always be guided by your gut feeling, & be prepared to move elsewhere if needed. Popular spots littered with alcohol containers & tyre marks or within 15 or 20kms of a town, especially on Friday & Saturday nights are best avoided, as is 'advertising your intention to camp somewhere close by whilst in town during the day. The only place I've ever had anything nicked was whilst in a caravan park, & have only ever moved once because our gut feelings told it was wise once.

Whilst thinking about safety & security on the road, it is common to be told by well meaning folk to avoid certain places/towns. Maybe we are a little perverse, but our response tends to be one of 'let's check it out for ourselves' & to date have never regretted doing so. It is not uncommon for a single incident in the dim & distant past to result in an enduring & unfortunate reputation for places, which continue to be repeated, often by folk who have never been there. More often than not these are places with predominantly aboriginal populations. I'm sure that often the myths are perpetuated by white folk who are either racist, or have walked through the towns in a state of fear, avoiding any contact with the locals. Not saying there are not problems in these towns, there are, but generally if you treat folk with respect there is no problem & often the welcome is warm.

I may have gone a bit off topic here, but I guess the boiled down message is to not worry about security overly. Outback folks are generally far more trustworthy than their city counterparts.......IMHO.

Cuppa
Well said Cuppa.
I stayed in Coober Pedy several years ago at the start of a trip in underground accommodation and our vehicle with lots of gear on the roof was parked just off the street, due to misguided prejudice and paranoia I felt the need to keep getting up and checking on the car.
The result was I had about 2 hrs sleep the night before a 10 hr drive and the gear on the car was probably never in danger.
I no longer worry about gear on the roof being stolen as worrying all the time just spoils the trip, and I believe most people are honest, especially in the country.

[healy]

That's abit rude saying country people are less likely to steal than suburban people I don't like that comment at all and I think your kidding your self if that's what you think

[TPC]

That's abit rude saying country people are less likely to steal than suburban people I don't like that comment at all and I think your kidding your self if that's what you think
Sorry, no offence intended. I wrote that wrong but believe theft is more likely to occur in built up areas due to higher population.

[Cuppa]

theft is more likely to occur in built up areas due to higher population.

I agree.
Another factor, whilst theft can of course occur anywhere (there is no law that says scumbags have to live in town or bush) I believe it is less likely that I will get stuff nicked in the bush because of a basic understanding that the majority of folk have. When I'm out in the bush just about everything I carry is a necessity, like most other folk. The loss of a 'necessity' could have far greater negative impact out bush, than the theft of something from my car in town. Often one event could be life threatening whilst the other an annoying inconvenience. I think that this general understanding makes theft less likely the more remote you go, & reckon it's related in some way to the phenomena of folks waving to each other out in the bush as they pass on the road. The closer you get to a city the less this occurs. Plenty of good folk live in cities, but plenty more scumbags too. A greater sense of looking out for others in the country.
I live 30kms from the nearest town & rarely lock the doors of my house. When I lived in Melbourne I wouldn't have dreamt of leaving the house unlocked whilst no-one was home. Out in the bush folks up to no good dont have a crowd to blend into, anonymity is more difficult, things get noticed. This makes theft harder in many cases.

Cuppa

[NP99]

The only problem with those cheap ratchets they brake easy I've got some 1" ratchets that hold 850kgs swl so you could go abit further if you wanted to live on the edge lol

Good and cheap don't go in the same sentence :)

[threedogs]

Yeah bit of overkill as can only whack 100 odd kg up top anyway .
Dont over tighten or you'll bend your roof rack very quickly. like
the idea of getting long cable made. If funds allowed maybe a purpose
built canvas bag thats lockable, but Think you'll find most thieves CBF'd
fiddling with locks, Just park you 4x4 in eyesight, keep all valuables
out of sight. Dont be too Paranoid but be wary at the same time,

[taslucas]

That's abit rude saying country people are less likely to steal than suburban people I don't like that comment at all and I think your kidding your self if that's what you think

Unfortunately it's true though mate. In cities there are whole suburbs that you wouldn't even like to drive through let alone stop in.
Yes thieves are everywhere.
In my country town I don't lock the car when I go into a shop......... Would you do that in any city???

FanTapstic!

[threedogs]

We had a clown or group of clowns walk around our "U" shaped street and stuck 44 vehicles tyres with a knife. but getting off topic.
could go on about theives till the cows come home , but with the drug problem as it is theives
will continue breaking into cars,4x4s for anything they can find to sell for a quick fix at your/ mine expense


@ Billy look at MSA they do canvas storage bags fo the roof

[happygu]

I am off the opinion, that most people that go to the trouble of getting all the gear together to go camping/touring, are generally fairly easy-going/reliable folks.
Generally, when you meet people out on the road you meet them at their best, and most people are happy to stop and talk about stuff for hours or even lend you a helping hand when needed, as we all enjoy a break form the normal routine.

I never worry to much about leaving camp with our gear there or even stuff on the car, but we are also prudent in putting stuff of any great value out of sight - out of sight, out of mind for most people.

For instance, the rear tyre on a Patrol is probably worth over $500, but I have never locked it on......

Mic

[gaddy]

I got a question in qld you need a net over anything in the back of a ute . I believe it has to be 25 mm mesh does the same apply to a rack ? I would think so ? Not to mention a small tinny or a box trailer ,As I have heard of tradies been fined around $100 per item not secured in a ute ? I am going to call into a cop shop on Monday as I have a few other questions I need answered ? I have already donated $1000 to the qld police in the last 6 months ,
Sorry for the hijack but maybe related

Gaddy