Cam straps are designed to last a long time. They are made from materials that can withstand quite a bit of punishment. But even the best cam strap in the world will not last forever. Materials eventually break down; straps can be damaged while in use. One way or another, every strap will reach end of life.
Is there anything you can do to extend the lives of your cam straps? Absolutely. Like any other product, straps and cam buckles will last longer if you take care of them. Take care of them and they will take care of you, as the saying goes.
The makers of Rollercam tie-down straps and cam buckles offer the following helpful tips for extending strap and buckle life:
1. Keep Them Out of the Sun
Cam straps and buckles are naturally exposed to sunlight during use. That much is unavoidable. But when not in use, keep them out of the sun. The sun’s UV rays can wear out materials over time. A good cam strap will last years before sun damage sets in, but there is no need to speed up the process. Just store your cam straps and buckles out of the sun.
2. Let Wet Straps Dry Before Storing
Cam straps are made with a variety of materials. Whether those materials are waterproof or not, wet straps are a harbinger for mold and mildew. Neither one is good for the materials. That being the case, let wet straps dry thoroughly before storing them.
If you do notice mold or mildew growing on your straps, get yourselves a non-chlorine mold or mildew remover. Clean up the straps, dry them, and then put them away.
3. Lubricate as Needed
Some cam buckles are made of plastic and need no lubrication. Others are made from steel or some other metal. The thing about metal cam buckles is that they may need lubricating from time to time. Check the instructions that came with your buckles to learn more. If yours require lubrication, the instructions should tell you what to use and how often to apply it.
4. Avoid Sharp Edges
There are times when tying down loads potentially exposes straps to sharp edges. Never take any chances. Avoid direct contact between a strap and sharp edge by inserting a plastic edge protector, a piece of scrap cardboard, or even a block of wood.
Plastic and rubber edge protectors are available pretty cheaply online. It might be a good idea to get yourself some if you routinely need to use cam straps on cargo with sharp edges.
5. Inspect and Repair
Finally, you can extend cam strap life through routine inspections and repairs. Never use a strap that appears worn or damaged. The same goes for cam buckles. Minor damage can often be repaired, thereby allowing you to put a strap back in to service.
A typical repair of a webbing strap involves sewing the material back together where a slight tear or cut has occurred. You need a heavy-duty sewing machine and the right thread to affect this sort of repair.
Good quality straps and cam buckles should provide years of reliable service. That is one of their advantages over rope and bungie cords. As long as you practice standard safety procedures and maintain your straps and buckles, they should last for years. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to purchase only name brand products.
If you ever have questions about maintenance tips, there’s plenty of free information available online. Heed the advice experienced users have to offer. Do not forget what manufacturers have the say, either.
