Every flatbed truck driver keeps a selection of winch straps on board. Winch straps are a very important piece of trucking supply equipment. They are one of the fundamental tools truck drivers use to control cargo. Knowing that, have you ever been curious as to why winch straps are made of webbing? It turns out that webbing is the perfect material for them.
Webbing is a woven fabric manufactured in long strips for a variety of purposes. It can be made from different kinds of fibers, such as cotton or flax, but most modern webbing materials are made of synthetic fibers including polyester, polypropylene, and nylon. Webbing is the perfect material for winch straps for three primary reasons:
1. Webbing Has High Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is the ability of a material to withstand forces that would tend to tear it apart. Scientifically speaking, this is known as longitudinal stress. The best way to think of tensile strength is to picture a winch strap connected at either end to arms that slowly stretch it apart. The force required to rip the strap apart would be considered its tensile strength.
Because webbing is made from small fibers that are woven together in a compact area, it has very high tensile strength. The truck driver can tighten winches down with a considerable amount of force without damaging the integrity of his/her webbing straps. Those straps hold firm without risk of breaking, even at highway speeds.
2. Webbing Is Versatile
The principle of manufacturing webbing as long strips naturally creates versatility. For example, a less strong webbing can be manufactured in extremely large quantities for seat belt applications while a more durable product can be manufactured for winch straps. Both can be produced on the same machine using the same process.
Webbing straps can also be made in various widths and lengths without sacrificing strength and durability. Even custom products are possible when unique needs have to be met. In that sense, webbing is a lot more versatile than chains.
3. Webbing Does Not Absorb Water
One of the strongest properties of webbing for winch straps is the fact that it does not absorb water. Webbing is less likely to shrink, rot, or develop mold and mildew the way rope can. It is certainly not subject to oxidation like chains, either. A truck driver can use the same webbing straps for years and never have to worry about breakdown caused by water.
Along those same lines, the synthetic fibers used to create webbing hold up very well to sunlight and acidic industrial chemicals. They perform very well in temperature extremes, too. Simply put, there’s not much by way of environmental conditions you can throw at webbing straps that will cause significant damage. Webbing is a very durable and reliable material that simply gets the job done.
Webbing is the perfect material to create the winch straps that flatbed truck drivers depend on for secure cargo. Most truckers carry a variety of straps in different lengths and widths for different jobs. We invite you to check out the complete Mytee inventory for all of your winch strap needs. We carry straps with chain anchors, wire hooks, flat hooks, and sewn loop ends.
Here at Mytee Products, we understand how valuable winch straps are to flatbed truckers. Therefore, we strive to always supply only the highest quality products at the best possible prices. Our webbing straps are just what you need to control cargo effectively on every job.
