We’ve all seen it. Something large and unsecured bouncing off the back of a bakkie on the N2. It’s dangerous, it’s avoidable, and frankly, it’s embarrassing. If you’re buying tie downs in South Africa, whether you’re heading to Sardinia Bay with the kayaks on the roof or hauling equipment to a job site in the Karoo, knowing which one to use and how to secure a load properly is one of those things that separates the people who know what they’re doing from the ones who don’t.
So let’s get into it.
Two Types. One Choice.
Tie downs fall into two main categories: cam buckle tie downs and ratchet tie downs. They look similar, they do similar jobs, but they are not interchangeable. Choosing the wrong one can damage your cargo or, worse, cause an accident.
Cam Buckle Tie Downs
Cam buckles use a spring-loaded, alligator-style teeth mechanism that grips the strap when you release it. The real advantage here is control. You’re tightening by hand, so you can feel exactly how much tension you’re applying. That means no crushed cargo, no damaged goods.
They’re faster to thread and release too, which is a bonus when you’re strapping down multiple items. Think surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, cardboard boxes… anything where over-tightening would cause damage. Cam buckle tie downs are the go-to for the majority of everyday load-securing jobs in South Africa, from roof racks to trailers.
Ratchet Tie Downs
Ratchet tie downs work differently. The spooling mechanism and handle act like a lever, multiplying your arm strength to generate serious tension. Once locked, they don’t budge, even on rough roads or if the load shifts. They’re built for heavy-duty work: ATVs, lumber, large appliances, and heavy equipment.
Every ratchet strap carries a Working Load Limit (WLL), which is the maximum force it can safely handle in normal use, along with a break strength that is typically three times the WLL. Always match your strap’s WLL to your load weight, and never use a strap that’s been cut, frayed, or UV-degraded.
Leisure Man tip: The mechanical advantage of a ratchet handle can multiply your applied force by 10x or more. That’s exactly why ratchet tie downs are powerful, and exactly why you need to use them with care.
The Motorcycle Mistake Everyone Makes
Here’s where a lot of generic advice gets it wrong, and Leisure Man is going to set the record straight.
Do not use standard ratchet tie downs to secure a motorcycle for transport.
Over-tighten, and you risk compressing the suspension too much, damaging the fork seals and shock absorbers. The fix? Use dedicated cam-style motorcycle tie downs, designed specifically for bikes, with webbing loops that wrap around the handlebar tree rather than hooks that can scratch or stress the frame. The closed-frame cam buckles used in quality motorcycle tie downs are loaded at the time of manufacture; you simply pull tight or loosen using the lever with no re-threading required.
This is one area where knowing your gear really matters.
Cam Buckle vs Ratchet Strap: Quick Comparison
| Cam Buckle | Ratchet | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Kayaks, surfboards, fragile goods | ATVs, heavy equipment, machinery |
| Tension control | Hand-feel, easy to adjust | Mechanical: very high tension |
| Risk of over-tightening | Low | High if used incorrectly |
| Speed | Fast to thread & release | Slower, more steps |
| Motorcycles | Yes (dedicated type) | No |
Hook Configurations for Tie Downs in South Africa
Both cam buckle and ratchet tie downs come in different hook setups. Here’s what you’ll find on the shelves:
- Endless Loop: A simple one-piece strap with no hooks. It loops around the object and feeds back into its own buckle. Great for clean, scratch-free securing.
- S-Hook / J-Hook: A rubber-coated hook on a short fixed tail. Ideal for anchoring to trailer eyelets or bakkie bed tie-down points.
One thing worth knowing about heavy-duty cam buckles: some closed-frame models are not designed to have the webbing removed and re-threaded. The webbing is installed at the time of manufacture. Storm straps and motorcycle tie downs often use this configuration. They work the same way. Pull tight, release the lever. Just don’t try to disassemble them.
What About Rope?
Rope is a solid option for very large loads or when you need to run a line over an object multiple times. The catch is you need to know your knots, specifically the Truckers Knot, which is the benchmark for load securing with rope on South African roads. But that’s a whole topic on its own. Watch this space.
Polyester vs Polypropylene Webbing: Does It Matter?
Yes, more than you’d think. Budget tie downs are often made with polypropylene webbing, which is cheaper but degrades faster under UV exposure (not ideal in the South African sun) and carries lower load ratings.
Quality tie downs use rated polyester webbing, which is stronger, more UV-resistant, and maintains its integrity over time. It’s not a small difference. It’s the difference between a strap that lasts a season and one that lasts years.
Leisure Man Recommends: Gear4Gear Tie Downs
When it comes to tie downs in South Africa, Leisure Man recommends the Gear4Gear range. They are one of the best options available locally, using quality components and rated polyester webbing throughout, not the polypropylene found in many budget alternatives.
Gear4Gear offers a massive range of configurations to suit almost any securing application, with a selection of buckle protection options to keep your cargo scratch-free. They also manufacture custom straps on request, ideal if you have a non-standard setup.
Shop the full tie down range at Nautical Sports →
June Promo: All Tie Downs on Sale Until 30 June!
Right now, all tie downs on the Nautical Sports website are on promotion. If you’ve been looking for tie downs in South Africa at a great price, whether you need cam buckles for the roof rack, dedicated motorcycle straps, or heavy-duty ratchets for the trailer, now is the time to stock up.
Shop all tie downs on sale Promo ends 30 June 2026. Don’t sleep on it.
Tie Downs, Your Questions Answered
Q: What’s the difference between a cam buckle and a ratchet tie down? A: A cam buckle tightens by hand, giving you control over tension. It’s ideal for fragile or lightweight loads like kayaks and surfboards. A ratchet uses a mechanical lever to generate much higher tension, making it better for heavy loads like ATVs or machinery. Choosing the wrong one can damage your cargo.
Q: Can I use ratchet tie downs to secure a motorcycle? A: No, this is a common mistake. Ratchet straps can over-compress a bike’s suspension and damage the fork seals. Use dedicated cam-style motorcycle tie downs with handlebar-tree webbing loops instead.
Q: What is a Working Load Limit (WLL) on a tie down strap? A: The WLL is the maximum load a strap is rated to handle safely during normal use. The break strength is typically three times the WLL. Always choose a tie down whose WLL exceeds the weight of your load.
Q: What’s the difference between polyester and polypropylene webbing straps? A: Polyester webbing is stronger, more UV-resistant, and longer-lasting, which is especially important in South Africa’s harsh sun. Polypropylene is cheaper but degrades faster and carries lower load ratings. Gear4Gear tie downs use rated polyester webbing throughout.
Q: What is the best knot for securing a load with rope? A: The Truckers Knot is the go-to for load securing with rope. It gives you mechanical advantage to pull tight and locks off cleanly. Stay tuned, as Leisure Man is covering this in a future blog post.
Leisure Man is Nautical Sports’ resident gear expert. He lives for the water, the open road, and making sure your kit arrives in one piece, wherever in South Africa that might be.