Which Car Tie Down Strap is Right for Me?
The Right car tie-down strap comes down to four things: your trailer type, your anchor points, your tire size, and the end fittings that connect to your trailer. Match your trailer first, then match the strap style and make sure it fits your vehicle's tires.
Car tie-down straps are a critical component in auto transport. They secure vehicles in place, preventing damage and protecting yourself and others on the road. Auto haulers regularly use them on flatbeds, tow dollies, enclosed trailers, and more.
Not every strap works for every vehicle, and the strap names - "wheel net," "wheel bonnet," "wheel strap," and "tow dolly strap" - are often used interchangeably. No matter what type of vehicle you're securing or what straps you're using, make sure your setup is compliant. Federal cargo securement rules (49 CFR 393.128) require cars, light trucks, and vans up to 10,000 lbs. to be restrained at both the front and rear to prevent lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical movement, using at least two tie-downs. We recommend securing all four wheels on any trailer, other than a tow dolly.
Start Here: Four Questions For Choosing a Car Tie-Down
- What kind of trailer are you using? Flatbed, car hauler, enclosed trailer, or tow dolly. Some straps will only work on certain trailers, so consider this first.
- What anchor points does your trailer have? D-rings, E-track, holes in the floor, or rails along the sides.
- What size are your tires? Check the size printed on the sidewall. More on this below.
- Which end fittings match your anchor points? S-hooks work well for holes or D-rings; E-track fittings work with E-track; flat hooks work with side rails.
Why Tire Size Matters More Than Wheel Size
Wheel and rim sizes don't tell you whether a strap will fit. Two vehicles with the same rim size can have very different tire widths and profiles, which can change how a strap will fit. Always use the tire size and look for straps made for your stock tire size. A few tips to remember:
- If you're between sizes, go bigger. A strap that's too big can be adjusted, but a strap that's too small can't be made bigger.
- Oversized or aftermarket tires, like mud tires on a lifted truck, may not fit standard straps. Pick a strap made for extra-large tires, or give us a call first.
- Not sure how to measure your tire? Read our Auto Tire Tie Down Measuring Guide
Types of Car Tie Down Straps
1. Wheel Straps
Wheel straps are a favorite with auto haulers because they are easy to use. These car tie-down straps go over the tire and attach to tie-down points on the trailer floor near the tire. A ratchet tightens them down. For low-profile vehicles with small-to-medium tires, wheel straps work best.
Most wheel straps have two end fittings, such as swivel hooks or wire hooks. A few models have three straps or three end fittings for better security. Other models include rubber cleats that fit securely into the tire treads to keep the strap in place. Rubber cleats can be fixed or adjustable, depending on the make of the wheel strap.
2. Wheel Nets
Wheel nets wrap more of the tire than just a single strap. They work for all general trailer types. Side mount wheel nets connect to the sides and rails of the trailer. These work differently from the normal configurations, which attach to the end and the front of trailers. They are available in single strap and dual strap options and come in two types of end fittings: flat hooks or chain extensions. Side-mount nets are for trailers only, not tow dollies.
Lasso Straps are generally used for side-mount applications as well, as they work to create an over-the-tire setup that attaches to a tie-down anchor point along the side of the trailer. They are also used as replacement straps for side-mount wheel nets.
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- LEARN: How to Loop a Lasso Strap
3. Tow Dolly Straps & Basket Straps (Wheel Bonnets)
Tow Dolly Straps and basket straps, or wheel bonnets, secure the vehicle's tires to a tow dolly trailer. A tow dolly strap uses one strap across the tire. A basket strap uses three straps to form a basket over the tire. Both hold firmly to the dolly.
Tow dolly and basket straps come with one or two tie-downs to secure to the tow dolly trailer, with different end fittings to choose from. Most of these car tie-down straps can adjust to fit the size of the vehicle's tire. However, you can also choose the blue dolly straps to handle extra-large tires that go beyond the adjustable straps.
4. Axle Straps
Axle straps fit around the axle of the vehicle rather than the tire, and they attach to other ratchet tie-downs connected to the trailer to tighten the vehicle in place. These straps can also come with Cordura® sleeve protection to prevent wear and tear to the webbing.
- Check out our other quick sleeves and wear pads to protect your straps and/or slings.
Hauling an ATV or UTV?
Wheel nets aren't the right tool for ATVs and UTVs. ATVs and UTVs are narrow compared to a standard trailer, and side-mount nets fit them poorly. Ratchet straps with S-hooks work much better. See how to tie down an ATV using ratchet straps.
Car Tie Down Straps Tips
All of our car tie-down straps use industrial-grade polyester webbing that resists tearing, UV, and water. A few rules to remember for any strap:
- Always work within the posted working load limits.
- Never use straps for incompatible trailers (i.e., tow dolly straps for flatbed trailers)
- Never use straps for incompatible tire sizes (i.e., fixed car tie-down straps for extra-large tires)
- Make sure to use the appropriate tie down hardware to keep you and your trailer setup safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a wheel net and a wheel strap?
A wheel strap goes over the tire and attaches to the trailer floor with a ratchet. A wheel net wraps more of the tire and often mounts to the side of the wheel.
How do I know what size wheel net I need?
Use your tire size, not your wheel size. If you're between sizes, go larger.
Can I use a side mount wheel net on a tow dolly?
No. Side mount wheel nets are for trailers only. Use only tow dolly straps or basket straps with tow dollies.
Do I need a strap on all four wheels?
Federal rules require restraint at the front and rear of a vehicle with at least two tie-downs. We recommend securing all four wheels on any trailer other than a tow dolly.
Will a standard wheel net fit oversized or mud tires?
Likely not. Choose a specialty net made for large tires that confirms it can contain your tire size.
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How to Tie Down an ATV Using Ratchet Straps
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