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Old Jul 26, 2009 | 09:19 PM
  #1  
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Smart straps issues

I bought a set of "Smart Straps" "Ratchet X" from wal-fart a few weeks back, and they are one of the worst purchases I have made. I bought them because they had the highest working ratings of any straps there, but in light duty use they have failed horribly. I got two trips out of the first pair, the third strap is about to break, and I haven't even taken the fourth one out of it's package yet. The critical flaw seems to be defective stitching that damaged the webbing. The first one that failed I though it might have been my fault, as it was holding a ramp flat across the deck on my trailer and the car shifted, nudging the ramp. The second one, though, broke while I was doing a fuel stop check. Just lifted the handle a bit, and the whole thing went slack.
Here's a pic of the third one, it didn't fail completely but failed in the same spot as the other two, just holding my lawn tractor in the bed of my truck. Brakes were engaged, and it didn't seem to move at all. I kept my eyes on it and it didn't shift while driving.


I guess the moral of the story is DO NOT BUY SMART STRAPS.
 
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Old Jul 26, 2009 | 09:30 PM
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Bring it back, explain the situation and get your money back. They've got a pretty good return policy, so you shouldn't have a problem there.

I'd bring it back and buy something more substantial.
 
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Old Jul 26, 2009 | 11:30 PM
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Gotta have a receipt to return.
I bought those in a pinch to hold a tarp down, and I'm pretty sure the receipt went into the trash can by the cart return.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 12:26 AM
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I've had walmart take stuff back without a receipt.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 06:23 AM
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They only give you a store credit, but most of the time that's fine.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 12:33 PM
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Wal Mart will take almost anything back, sometimes without the receipt, especially if they still sell the item. and even if you just get store credit..... be honest, you will eventually shop at wal mart again, so its not like you're wasting money
 
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 04:13 PM
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Heck even Harbor frieght straps last longer than that.

So who makes good straps?

I have some G-force 10,000 pound ratchet straps for my race car on the trailer. seem pretty good for the last few years. Need new ones soon. ratchets still work great straps are showing wear.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 08:13 PM
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Well, I talked with the VP and general manager of the company, and they are making this right.
 
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Old Jul 30, 2009 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Ford_Six
I bought a set of "Smart Straps" "Ratchet X" from wal-fart a few weeks back, and they are one of the worst purchases I have made. I bought them because they had the highest working ratings of any straps there, but in light duty use they have failed horribly. I got two trips out of the first pair, the third strap is about to break, and I haven't even taken the fourth one out of it's package yet. The critical flaw seems to be defective stitching that damaged the webbing. The first one that failed I though it might have been my fault, as it was holding a ramp flat across the deck on my trailer and the car shifted, nudging the ramp. The second one, though, broke while I was doing a fuel stop check. Just lifted the handle a bit, and the whole thing went slack.
Here's a pic of the third one, it didn't fail completely but failed in the same spot as the other two, just holding my lawn tractor in the bed of my truck. Brakes were engaged, and it didn't seem to move at all. I kept my eyes on it and it didn't shift while driving.


I guess the moral of the story is DO NOT BUY SMART STRAPS.
Wouldnt you be better off putting the hook on the end of the strap around both sides of the tie down cleat,rather than the hooks eye over just one end of cleat,since you are loading a couple components in a manner unlike what they may be designed for?
Putting that aside,you ran the straps in a straight line,and across what appears to be a smooth surface,so it appears that the straps werent well constructed!
 
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Old Jul 30, 2009 | 11:27 AM
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I get my straps from homedepot. Get them beefy and then you will be ok. Wal-Mart ones are not to be used except for harry the homeowner.
 
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Old Jul 30, 2009 | 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by iggybob44
Wouldnt you be better off putting the hook on the end of the strap around both sides of the tie down cleat,rather than the hooks eye over just one end of cleat,since you are loading a couple components in a manner unlike what they may be designed for?
Putting that aside,you ran the straps in a straight line,and across what appears to be a smooth surface,so it appears that the straps werent well constructed!
I ran that strap that way because it is extremely hard to get them to stay on the cleat while I walk around to the other side to tighten. On my trailer I installed tie downs that work around this. The other two that broke were never even touched in that area, and actually didn't go across any sharp edges at all.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 12:03 PM
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I know what you mean,it requires two people or a whole lot of luck......
 
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 01:15 PM
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I have hooks on my strap, and crummy tie downs. It doesn't take two people, just tension.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 01:57 PM
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I have two sets of ratchet from Sams. I have a furniture store and use them quite offen. They have lasted me five years and are still ingood shape. Just a little bit more expensive and not available at w-world. I've had others also that didnt last, seems that the ones w the large "S" hooks always fall apart. The ones I have have claw type hooks.
 
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