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Best Load Binders

Updated October 2021
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Discount Ramps Red Load Binder Ratchet, 1 Pack
Discount Ramps
Red Load Binder Ratchet, 1 Pack
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This load binder has lots of fans and few complaints.

Pros

Made of heavy-duty forged steel. Paint is thick and protective. DOT has approved of this for commercial transportation. Very sturdy and easy to use.

Cons

It costs more than some other single ratchet load binders.

Best Bang for the Buck
Elitexion Ratchet Type Chain Load Binder 1/4"-5/16"
Elitexion
Ratchet Type Chain Load Binder 1/4"-5/16"
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Lightweight Use
Bottom Line

An inexpensive ratchet load binder that is strong yet somewhat limited in its potential capacity.

Pros

Made of strong steel. Easy to use and highly affordable. Effective at tying down loads.

Cons

It is lighter duty than some other options. Check to make sure its smaller size would fit your particular needs.

ABN Ratchet Load Chain Binder
ABN
Ratchet Load Chain Binder
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Heavy-Duty Use
Bottom Line

Heavy-duty load binder with excellent strength for hauling.

Pros

Ratcheting action effectively tightens chains. Made of durable steel with a powder coating for corrosion resistance. Dual hooks.

Cons

Hooks may be too large for some.

Koch Industries 5/16" to 3/8" Lever Load Binder
Koch Industries
5/16" to 3/8" Lever Load Binder
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Easy to Use and Simple
Bottom Line

This is a lever load binder that's great for tasks like securing large farm equipment.

Pros

Simple and straightforward. High weight limit. Heavy duty, and the price is affordable.

Cons

Some people may prefer a ratchet binder; a lever binder requires greater strength to use.

EZ Travel Collection 2 Pack Truck Trailer Load Binder Ratchet Chain Binder
EZ Travel Collection
2 Pack Truck Trailer Load Binder Ratchet Chain Binder
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Smaller Yet Effective
Bottom Line

Two load binders are included in this package, making it a great deal on a popular and well-received product.

Pros

A great value for the money. Easy to use. Effective in spite of smaller size.

Cons

These load binders are smaller than some other choices. Check to make sure the size would fit your needs before purchasing.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

52
Models
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60
Consumers
Consulted
28
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best load binders

Nylon ratchet straps are great for tying down lightweight gear, but they have their limits. With large, heavy, and awkward loads, they can get cut or worn through. They just aren’t safe. Chains are the answer, and a load binder is the device that’s used to tighten them properly.

Take a quick glance at these heavy-duty devices and you might be forgiven for thinking they’re all pretty much the same, and they do look very similar. However, there are important differences.

I1 
There is state and federal legislation covering loads on trucks and trailers. If your load is not secured properly, you risk a heavy fine. If you cause an accident, you could go to jail. Check the FMCSA website.

Considerations

Types

There are two main types of load binder: lever and ratchet.

Lever load binders have a simpler construction and are frequently less expensive than ratchet types. They’re also a little quicker to use because the lever action feeds the chain faster.

However, the lever itself can cause problems. If your hand slips during operation, the lever can spring back, with the potential for a nasty injury. They’ve also been known to pop open — some experts recommend they be wired shut once tightened, which would take away much of the speed advantage.

Ratchet load binders work in a similar way to the ratchet on typical nylon straps. They’re slower to use than lever models, and the mechanism is slightly more complex, which increases the price. However, ratchets are easier and safer, and, in situations where it’s needed, they can apply more tension. In general, ratchet load binders are now the more popular choice.

One or two manufacturers have addressed the speed issue in ratchet load binders by modifying the ratchet mechanism. Instead of tightening manually, a cordless impact wrench can be attached, dramatically speeding up operation (it has to be an impact wrench because a standard drill doesn’t generate enough torque). If speed is an issue, it’s worth looking at these, though they cost a lot more money.

If you choose a lever load binder, we recommend paying a little extra for a recoilless or anti-kickback model. It could save you from injury.

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Features

Whichever type of load binder you choose, the key features are the same.

Material

Load binders should be made of forged steel, which is much stronger than cast. Manufacturers often use the term “carbon steel,” but as all steel contains some carbon (it’s an alloy of carbon and iron) it’s largely a gimmick.

Load capacity

Breaking strength may be quoted, and it’s often an impressive figure — 30,000 pounds, for example — but it’s actually irrelevant. The important figure is the load capacity, or working load limit (WLL). This is vital for various road transport regulations.

The working load limit of the load binder doesn’t need to equal the weight of the load, but the total of the load binders you use does. For example, if the load is 10,000 pounds, and you’re using four tie-down chains and load binders, then each one must have a minimum working load limit of 2,500 pounds (4 x 2,500 = 10,000). If you’re only using two (assuming that it’s safe), they would each need to be 5,000 pounds.

Size

Hook: Will the hook fit your chain? There are regulations governing the type of transport chain you can use, so you need to know that the hooks on the load binder will go through those loops!

Width: Depending on your particular application, width may have an impact. There is often some degree of adjustability here, which can be useful.

Certification

Some load binders achieve U.S. Department of Transportation approval, which is a handy guide to quality, though it’s not a legal requirement.

I2 
You must not try to repair a transport chain by welding it. Damaged links should be removed and replaced with either a coupling link or twin clevis that matches the specification of the chain.

FAQ about load binders

Q. I read that lever load binders aren’t legal. Is this true?

A. There are safety concerns with this kind of load binder, and personal injury is not uncommon. Some organizations, notably the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have banned their use. Accordingly, some suppliers no longer stock them. However, at the time of writing they’re still legal in the United States, but laws change. Our advice would be to consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or use ratchet load binders, which don’t suffer the same problems or restrictions.

Q. Do load binders need much maintenance?

A. Not much. They’re extremely robust devices that need nothing more than the occasional lubrication of threads, pawls, and ratchet mechanisms to prolong their working life. Keeping them out of the weather when not in use is also a good idea.

Q. Is it important what kind of chain I use with the load binder?

A. It is. There are different grades of chain, and not all are appropriate for transportation use. Each should be rated by its safe working load limit. What you use will depend on the type of load and its weight. If you haven’t been trained in how to make relevant calculations, you should consult the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website to learn how to comply with relevant regulations.

Never use a “cheater bar” (a length of steel pipe) to increase the pressure on a lever load binder. If you can’t get enough leverage with the handle as supplied, you should use the ratchet type instead.

Staff
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