5 Steps to Tie Down a Jet Ski on a Trailer

With the growing interest in outdoor recreation, more and more people are heading out for fun and adventure with their jet skis (and kayaks)!

But here’s the thing: as much fun as a jet ski is, transporting it can be tricky. Whether you’re off to a scenic lake or just moving it to a new spot, it’s important to secure your jet ski properly on the trailer to prevent damage and ensure safety during transit.

The good news? Retractable ratchet straps are your best friend here. They’re easy to use and incredibly reliable for tying down your jet ski. We’ll walk you through using these retractable straps for a worry-free ride, and share some tips to keep your jet ski safe while you’re on the move!

How to tie down your jet ski

Step 1: Position your jet ski on the trailer

Before tying down your jet ski, make sure it’s in the correct position on the trailer. You’ll want to center it up and have the front end pointing forward. Just give it a once-over to ensure it’s balanced on the trailer. This way, you’d avoid any chance of it tipping while you’re on the move.

Step 2: Attach the straps to the trailer

After you’ve got your jet ski just right on the trailer, it’s time to find those anchor points. These are the spots where you’ll hook up your tie-downs. Keep an eye out for sturdy points like an eyelet, a tow hook, or the trailer’s frame. Just a heads up, though – steer clear of plastic bits or anything that doesn’t scream ‘solid’ because they might not hold up and could break while you’re on the road.

Go ahead and fix one end of your strap to a reliable anchor point right up front near your jet ski. Make sure it’s good and tight before you move on to the next step.

Step 3: Attach the straps to the jet ski

Now that you’ve got one end of the retractable ratchet strap firmly hooked to the trailer, grab the other end and hook it up to the stern eye or tow hook at the back of your jet ski. Then, just do the same thing on the other side—hook up a second strap to both the trailer’s anchor point and the jet ski’s rear attachment spot. This way, your jet ski is evenly secured from both sides.

Step 4: Tighten the straps

After you’ve hooked the retractable straps to both the jet ski and the trailer, it’s time to tighten them up. Give the handle a few back-and-forth cranks until the jet ski feels secure and the straps are tight, but be careful not to overdo it—you don’t want them so tight that there’s no give at all. Once you’ve got the right tension, snap the ratchet handle down to lock everything in place. Go ahead and do the same for both straps you’ve set up. And hey, don’t forget to peek at the manufacturer’s instructions for those retractable ratchet straps to make sure you’re using them right and keeping things safe.

Step 5: Check the straps

Once you’ve got those straps tightened, do a quick once-over to make sure they’re still firmly attached to both the jet ski and the trailer. Keep an eye out for any twists or knots that could potentially loosen up while you’re on the move. It’s crucial that everything stays tight and secure before you roll out. And remember, it’s just as important to check those straps at every pit stop you make. Road vibrations and bumps can cause them to loosen up over time. Also, keep an eye on your jet ski and the transport vehicle for any signs of damage.

Why retractable straps?

When it comes to securing your jet ski, PWC, or Sea-Doo, there are a few different methods you can use, and the best one often depends on the kind of strap you prefer. You’ve got lashing straps, cam buckles, and ratchet straps as your main options. Retractable ratchet straps fall under the ratchet strap category, but here’s the cool part: they automatically retract! No fussing with loose ends or tangled straps—these guys make the job a whole lot easier than using any other straps!

• Lashing straps are intended for light duty use
• Cam buckle straps are perfect for medium-sized items
• Ratchet straps/retractable ratchet straps are for anything from light to the heaviest loads.

These straps are all affordable and easy to learn. Generally speaking, they’re all handy tools for strapping down anything. However, sometimes these straps can get a bit tangled if you don’t store them properly. Even worse, they can become a bit tricky to release over time. To make strapping easier and faster, there’s a new invention called “retractable tie-down straps”. You can tie down your jet ski using “bolt-on retractable ratchet straps”, “retractable transom straps” and “3-point retractable straps”. They are slightly heavier than other straps but, trust me, they make storing easier and the process smoother.

It’s around 50 bucks for a set of retractable straps, and it’s totally worth the price. If you’re thinking of upgrading from your old straps, I’d suggest trying the retractable ones. But if you’re on a budget, a regular ratchet strap can still get the job done.

Differences between ratchet straps and retractable straps 

The main difference between a ratchet strap and a retractable ratchet strap lies in the process. While a ratchet strap requires manual threading before securing anything, the retractable strap simplifies the entire process. From releasing, storing, to tying off, the retractable strap automatically retracts itself, and eliminates the need for manual effort.

Best jet ski tie downs

We have covered the basic steps to tie down a jet ski with a retractable ratchet strap, but it’s worth noting that there’s a variety of specific retractable straps out there designed for this very purpose. In fact, you’ve got three main types of retractable straps to choose from when it comes to strapping down your jet ski:

• Bolt on retractable ratchet straps
• 3-point retractable straps
• retractable transom straps

We’ve concluded the steps in the list below to help you understand better.

No matter which strap you choose, it’s important to know the exact steps to avoid any damage to your jet ski or potential safety risk. To help you navigate this process, here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide on tying down your jet ski with bolt-on retractable ratchet straps, 3-point retractable straps, and retractable transom straps!

How to use bolt on retractable ratchet straps?

A bolt-on retractable ratchet strap is a type of tie-down tool able to permanently attached to the trailer or vehicle with bolts, providing a fixed anchoring point that’s always ready to use. This setup is particularly convenient because it not only simplifies the process of securing and releasing your cargo—like a jet ski, for instance—but also ensures that the strap is always where you need it, when you need it, and stored in a way that prevents it from becoming damaged or excessively worn.

Instructions are boring, here is a video to make reading easier.

Step 1: Measure where to put the bolt on

Put the strap up against the trailer and measure where to put the bolt on. The handle is rubber-coated so don’t worry that it will leave any mark on your jet ski.

Step 2: Drill out a hole for the bolt

Prepare a ½ inch drill bit for the bolt.

Step 3: Tighten the nut and bolt

Pop the bolt into the retractable strap and tighten it up with the nut and washer. Make sure the strap can pull out nice and straight. If you need a hand, a bracket can help with that. Finally, just make sure everything is mounted securely and you’re good to move on to the next step!

Step 4: Pull the strap

Push the ratchet handle all the way down, hit the release button, pull the strap tight against your jet ski, and lock it in place.

Step 5: Tighten your strap

Give the ratchet handle a few good pumps until it feels nice and tight.

Step 6: Release the strap

Bring the handle back to the release position, press the button, and let the strap auto-retract!

How to use 3-point retractable straps?

Three-point retractable straps are tie-downs that use three separate anchor points, giving you a secure and balanced way to fasten objects. They’re especially great for keeping larger or oddly shaped loads, like jet skis or other recreational vehicles, stable and secure on trailers or in cargo spaces.

Step 1: Lock the hook on the bottom of the trailer

A retractable strap comes with three hooks- one fixed on the non-retractable side, one on the retractable side, and a floating hook on the retractable side. Start by taking the fixed hook on the non-retractable side and clipping it onto the trailer.

Step 2: Lock the hook on the tow eye

Take the floating hook and pull it up to the tow eye on the back of the ski.

Step 3: Take the fixed hook and lock it on the other side

Take the fixed hook on the retractable side, and lock it on the other side of the trailer.

Step 4: Tighten the strap

Pull up and down with the handle until it feels tight. 

Step 5: Lock the strap

Push the handle down to the lock position.

Step 6: Release

Start by unhooking everything. Just give the strap a slight pull, and it will retract on its own.

How to use retractable transom straps?

Step 1: Bring the ratchet handle to 90°

Step 2: Hook both ends on the trailer and the jet ski

Step 3: Tighten the strap and lock it

Pull up and down with the ratchet handle until it feels tight enough.

Step 4: Release

To release, press the button and the strap auto retracts.

Read more: How to Tie Down Your ATV or UTV

4 tips for tying down your jet ski

Securing your jet ski on a trailer is a must to avoid any damage or accidents on the road. Retractable ratchet straps are a great option, but there are a few extra tricks to keep your jet ski safe during your trip:

1. Always use high-quality retractable ratchet straps

Cheap, low-quality tie-downs might not handle the weight and movement of your jet ski during transport. Strapinno’s marine straps, on the other hand, are made from tough materials and specifically designed for trailers carrying jet skis and boats. Plus, they have a bolt-on design for a super secure fit.

2. Check the trailer’s weight capacity

Before transporting your jet ski, make sure that your trailer has enough weight capacity to support the combined weight of your jet ski and trailer. Overloading can cause serious damage to both the trailer and jet ski and accidents during transport.

3. Avoid over-tightening the tie-downs

Over-tightening the straps can cause damage to both the jet ski and trailer and may also compromise the straps’ strength.

4. Using multiple attachment points

Spread the load by using multiple attachment points. This way, you reduce the risk of strap failure and make everything more stable.

FAQs

1. Are retractable ratchet straps worth it?

Yes! Unlike ratchet straps that require threading before use, retractable tie down straps not only skip the threading step but also automatically retract the strap when you want to release it!

2. How to store ratchet tie down straps?

There are so many types of straps in the market. Here we will explain how to store the retractable ratchet tie down straps and a ratchet strap.

To ensure the longevity of retractable ratchet tie down straps, it’s advised to: 

1. Clean the straps after use
2. Lubricate the ratchet mechanism
3. Avoid overloading

If you own a ratchet strap, here are the steps to store it:

1. Close the handle.
2. Thread the longer part of the strap through the winding mechanism, leaving about 15 inches out.
3. Fold the strap over, creating a fold about 3 feet down. Roll up the strap tightly. 
4. Place the rolled-up strap on the ratcheting mechanism. 
5. Take the short end with the attached hook and tuck it as close as possible to the rolled strap.
6. With the roughly 15 inches of the longer strap, bring it over the top of the rolled strap.
7. Hook or tuck it under the handle of the ratcheting mechanism. 
8. Adjust the length by letting out or tightening the strap until you have the right amount to secure the rolled strap.

3. What should I look for in a ratchet strap?

When tying down a jet ski on trailer, you’ll want to choose a retractable strap with a breaking limit that exceeds the weight of the jet ski. It’s recommended to choose a ratchet strap with a breaking limit at least 1.5 to 2 times the weight of your jet ski. A 3-point retractable straps with a breaking strength of 3000 lbs and a working load limit of 1000 lbs or a bolt-on retractable ratchet strap with a breaking strength of 1650 lbs and a working load limit of 550 lbs will be a good option for you!

4. What is the working load limit of a 1 inch ratchet strap?

With Strapinno’s retractable straps, the working load limit ranges from 500 lbs to 1000 lbs, and depending on the number of ratchet straps you use, it could ultimately increase the working load limit as a whole.

Final thoughts!

Properly securing your jet ski on a trailer is crucial to ensure your safety and prevent any damage during transportation. Using high-quality retractable ratchet straps and following the step-by-step guide provided in this article is a secure and easy way to tie down your jet ski. With these tips and best practices, you can enjoy the thrill of jet skiing without worrying about mishaps on the way to your destination and back home. Always prioritize safety when transporting your jet ski!

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Traveling with your jet ski soon? Shop retractable tie-downs and soft loop straps at Strapinno.com!