TEA PAM 55-20 Tiedown Handbook for Truck - Military Surface ...

FOURTH EDITION SDDCTEA PAMPHLET 55-20
C. TIEDOWN WITH WEB STRAP
Web straps are easy to use to secure boxes and pallets for transport. The web straps,
easily obtained from the Army inventory (NSN 1670-00-725-1437 and NSN 5340-01-
204-3009, fig 74), are rated at 5,000 pounds.
Before each use, straps should be inspected for burns, tears, punctures, cuts, caustic
damage, oil or grease contamination, and fraying or broken stitches. Also, their metal
parts should be inspected for improper operation, corrosion, cracks, or distortion. If any
of these conditions exist, the tiedown should be replaced. They should not be used for
any mode of transport if they have been damaged. No strength testing of straps will be
made.
When tiedown straps are attached to cargo and to vehicle tiedown fittings, each strap
must be tensioned to form at least 1-1/2 turns on the takeup spool of the tensioning
ratchet. The 1-1/2 turns must take place after webbing-to-webbing contact. To prevent
movement of the cargo, each tiedown must be tightened until about equal tension is
applied throughout the tiedown arrangement. After tensioning is completed, the takeup
spool locking latch must be checked to ensure that it is fully seated at both ends of the
spool in the matching locking notches. The scuff sleeve may have to be removed to allow
tightening of tiedowns. Secure the loose ends of straps by suitable means.
When using web straps to secure loads on pallets, you may need to place padding
between the load and the hooks to prevent the hooks from damaging the load. Figure 75
shows typical loads secured to the cargo bed of the vehicle with web straps. Steel banding
is used to secure the items together. Figure 76 shows how to use web straps or steel
banding to secure a load to a pallet.
102