You Did WHAT With A Ratchet Strap? The Many Uses Of A Ratchet Strap, Part 3

In case you missed them, read the first 5 uses in Part 1 HERE, and the second 5 uses in Part 2 HERE.

Let’s face it, no matter how good we are with our tent camping trip prep, from time to time we’ll forget something. Or, we find ourselves at the site, having traveled for a few hours to get there, and you start to bring out your gear and you find something that’s broken. It’s times like this that can try the patience of all of us. What do you do when you’re too far from a store to replace it, and you only have what you brought with you to deal with the issue? You improvise!

So you start rummaging through your gear to see what you have. Maybe some lengths of rope, an extra tent peg or two, a stray piece of newspaper. Aha! You were smart and packed in one of the best items to have in your gear stash: a ratchet strap. This post will shed light on some great uses for a ratchet strap. Now most of us have used ratchet straps to secure loads on our cars and trucks, and possible on a trailer as well. They work great for this, but have you ever thought about what other uses a ratchet strap has while you are tent camping? Well wonder no more! I’ll share 5 of the coolest uses for a ratchet strap, so make sure before you head out for your next tent camping excursion, you pack at least one ratchet strap in your gear.

Ratchet Strap, Part 3

Ratchet Strap Use #11

In this third installment for ratchet strap uses, the first use is as a support to keep your canoe or kayak off the ground. Now why would you need or want to do this while you are camping? There are several possible reasons to do this. Of course, putting the canoe or kayak back on top of your vehicle or trailer is possible, but this is a hassle if you intend to use it again before heading home. Number one, by hanging your canoe or kayak upside down, you prevent water from getting inside of it, keeping it dry for when you use it next. As an added benefit, this also provides you with a small dry space if you need it should it rain; this is a great place to put your firewood to keep it dry, etc. Number two, by hanging your canoe or kayak, it makes it harder for critters to get inside and make a new temporary home, or to otherwise damage your investment. To hang your canoe or kayak, you’ll end up securing the ratchet strap to tree branches to form a sling where your canoe or kayak is suspended from. One for each end will be all that you need.

Ratchet Strap Use #12

A second use for your ratchet strap is as a pot and pan holder. This is especially handy when you are staying in a place for several days and don’t want to pack away the pots and pans that you use regularly, and provides the opportunity for them to air dry, saving you time. For this, you will need some S hooks as well. One option is to string your ratchet strap between two trees and then hang the S hooks from the strap. You can then hang your pots and pans from these S hooks. Another option is to wrap your ratchet strap around a single tree, and then slide in the S hooks between the strap and the tree. You can then hang your pots and pans from the S hooks.

Ratchet Strap Use #12

Ratchet Strap Use #13

A third use for your ratchet strap is to hold up a hand washing station on a tree. So often in camp the picnic table becomes THE place where nearly everything happens: cooking, washing dishes, washing hands, game table, etc. By moving the hand washing station away from this area, it opens your camp up and keeps your picnic table from getting so wet. Along with your ratchet straps, you’ll need some sort of water container with a spigot. A 5-gallon Igloo water container works great, but any water container with a spigot should work. Don’t fill your water container more than about half-full, otherwise it will be too heavy to secure to the tree and you may damage the container. This also makes a nice place to brush your teeth as well.

Ratchet Strap Use #14

A fourth use for your ratchet strap is for a swing for kids. Now this option takes a bit of engineering and you’ll need two ratchet straps, but is great fun. The swing is round and is one that can be purchased or perhaps even made if you’re handy, but it will have 3-4 leads from which to hang it. You’ll also want four 5/16 inch quick links and one ¼ inch eye to eye swivel. Find two trees that are several feet apart. For each ratchet strap, when you wrap it around the tree and secure it, use one of the quick links to go through the same loop in the webbing that the hook is through, and then run the other end through the quick link. This will provide a very secure hold on each tree. In the middle where the two ratchet straps meet, you will connect them with a quick link through the webbing again. From this quick link, you will add the swivel through one of the eyes, and then put the last quick link through the other eye of the swivel. Finally, the swing leads will go on the quick link hanging from the swivel. Of course, a regular swing will work here as well, but the round swing combined with the swivel allows for all sorts of fun swinging actions.

Ratchet Strap Use #14

Ratchet Strap Use #15

A fifth use of your ratchet strap is something that you will probably only use if you’re in a pinch: a pet leash. When packing things up for your trip, you may end up forgetting that nice leash that you usually use for walking the dog. Or, your leash is getting old and breaks at the worst possible time: when you’re on vacation. It’s not the most glamorous option, but a ratchet strap will fill in nicely as a leash. It won’t have the variability that the nicer ones have, but you can still adjust it as you need. And hey, it’s an interesting conversation piece when meeting other pet owners!

Wrap Up

So these are the next five interesting uses for a ratchet strap. They are a versatile tool that should become a permanent addition to your tent camping gear. Shop for ratchet straps with Amazon and Bass Pro Shops.

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