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Anchor Point

The location to which a tie down is attached to a vehicle or trailer. If the anchor point can not support the force of the tie down system, then the load rating of the tie down will be limited to the strength of the anchor point.

Breaking Strength Capacity

The minimum load a component or assembly can withstand before failure. All assemblies are only as strong as the weakest component.


All materials carried by a vehicle or trailer including those used to operate the vehicle.


A lightweight non abrasive material ideal for moving blankets and furniture pads. Cotton is typically used in higher quality moving blankets and pads.


The movement of goods directly from receiving dock to shipping dock to eliminate storage expense.

Cubic Capacity

The carrying capacity of a piece of equipment according to measurement in cubic feet.

Cyclic Test

A test to determine a cyclic life or acceptable cyclic rating of a tie down component or assembly.

Design Factor

The ratio of the breaking strength to the working load limit assigned to each synthetic web tie down assembly.

Direct Tie down

A tie down that is intended to provide direct resistance to a potential shift of an article.


The length of stretch that a specific amount of pull divided by the original length multiplied by 100%.

Fabrication Efficiency

The synthetic web tie down assembly break strength, as a percentage of the webbing strength prior to fabrication of the tie down assembly.

Heavy Duty Truck


Indirect Tie Down

A tie down whose tension is intended to increase the pressure of an article or stack of articles on the deck of the vehicle or trailer.


A device positioned on a hook to prevent the hook from inadvertently releasing.


The distance between extreme end bearing points of the synthetic web tie down assembly including the fittings.

Load Binder

A binder incorporating an over center locking action.


Soft yet strong material that combines good elongation and recovery properties with abrasion and mildew resistance. Most mineral acids won’t affect nylon but it does lose strength when wet. Nylon is the ideal fabric for use with heavy duty recovery straps.


A soft low stretch material with quick drying capabilities. Polyester retains much of its strength when wet, so it is ideal for ratchet tie down assemblies that will be used outdoors. Polyester also resists UV light, mildew and abrasion making it the first choice for heavy duty tie down assemblies.


Economical lightweight material that repels water and resists mildew, most acids and alkalies.

Proof Load Test

A non destructive load test of a web tie down assembly to some multiple of the working load limit of a web tie down assembly.

Rated Load Capacity

Ratings are generally established and/or regulated by industry or legislative standards and may vary from industry to industry.

Recovery Straps

Recovery Straps are made from nylon and are used for pulling immobile vehicles. . Recovery straps are often confused with tow straps. A recovery strap can be from 2''-12'' wide, but the most common size recovery straps are in the 2''-4'' range. A good recovery strap will have wear pads sewn in to the eye or covering the eye to increase the longevity of the strap. Recovery straps are made of nylon so they can stretch and recoil. Vehicle recovery is much safer with a strap than with a chain or cable and can be used as a tow strap to tow a vehicle in some instances. Recovery straps can be used to pull out cars, trucks, tractor and other automobiles. Heavy Duty Recovery Straps can be used to pull large vehicles like RV's and tractor trailers.

Safety Factor

Safety factor of a line is the ratio between the breaking strength and the safe working load. Usually, a safety factor of four is acceptable, but this is not always the case. In other words, the safety factor will vary, depending on such things as the condition of the line and circumstances under which it is to be used. While the safety factor should NEVER be less than three, it often should be well above four (possibly as high as eight or ten).


The woven or knitted edge of synthetic webbing, so formed to prevent raveling.

Sew/Stitch Pattern

The pattern of the stitches used to sew the webbing together.

Shoring Bar

A structural section placed transversely between the walls of a vehicle to prevent cargo from tipping or shifting.


A longitudinal load bearing yarn in webbing.

Tow Straps

Tow straps come in many varieties. If a tow strap is being used only for towing, it may have snap hooks or other auto hooks on each end of the strap. Sometimes a consumer looking for a tow strap may actually be looking for a recovery strap. Tow straps should never be used in recovery applications. A tow strap with hooks could break and flying hardware could cause severe injury or even death. A tow strap weighs less than chain, so it is easy to carry in a vehicle in case it is ever needed to tow another vehicle.

Ultimate (Destructive) Test

A straight tensile load test of the synthetic web tie down assembly tested to failure. The failure load is the average breaking strength value of a minimum of five test samples.


A device for tensioning a webbing or wire rope tie down that is fitted with means to lock the initial tension.

Working Load Limit (WLL)

The maximum load capacity any given component or assembly should be subject to during use. US Cargo Control highly recommends the "working load limit" does not exceed 1/3 the "breaking strength capacity" of the component or assembly being used. Working load limits shown on this website are rated at 1/3 of the minimum breaking strength. Example: A ratchet strap rated at 6,000 pounds would have a working load limit of 2000 pounds.