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Message: [QUOTE="Corb@CorbinShipping, post: 904991, member: 2499"] For what I am doing, mostly hauling custom and high end cars and truck, I just use the Tractor Supply Co brand 3 k ratchets. And, after being on a mountain climbing team for a few years in SF, I learned quite a bit about nylon and other materials that hold a lot of weight... They only have a service life of 4 years for material rated to 1,000 pounds, and 3 years for materials rated for 2,000, 2 years for materials rated at 3,000..... (this is going from memory, and all times are approximate) Now, granted, the military takes the extreme cases when it comes to safety standards, etc, so, maybe they are "really" ok for a year or so longer than that.... However, if you are using a rope or harness that is out of service date, and something bad happens, you will be a "Line of duty:NO" in the case of negligence.... And could be left paying your own med bills, life insurance, etc... With that in mine, I get new heavy straps every 18-24 months, new medium straps every 24 months... I have used the MACS stuff, and I really like their products. Their metal parts are top notch, and I have never seen or heard of their ratchets getting locked up, or their product failing. But if I am going to replace the whole system every 18-24 months anyhow, I would rather have $20 bucks tied up in it, vs $40.... 12 heavy straps in my rig, and 30 mediums.... that adds up, at double the cost... Now, the argument could be reversed, for sure... As in "how much is the object that you are hauling worth, that you would go cheap on the straps?" And I hear you. I really do. But I have never seen my TSC straps fail, and as an up and coming, newly started business owner, I have to count beans... And until one of the TSC straps lets me down, and tests my $300,000 worth of cargo insurance, then I will keep using them... Also, keep in mind, I am hauling in an enclosed rig, so sun damage, and the elements are not a consideration for me. I would def endorse the MACS products, but any quality made strap and ratchet that meets your weight requirement should suffice. As long as it is maintained... [/QUOTE]