I recently ran across an interesting article on the ADVMoto website. It was entitled ‘Beyond the Bungee: Modern Tie-down Options’. I am sure you can guess what it was about. I appreciated the post because it confirmed that I am not the only one who has given up on bungee cords.
Bungee cords are handy and helpful for certain kinds of jobs. Yet they are not the right tie-down option when you are looking to strap cargo to a motorcycle, trailer, or pickup bed. They certainly aren’t the right tool for securing cargo on top of the family sedan. Bungee cords just are not built for heavy loads and highway speeds.
The Laws of Physics Are in Play
The author of the post relates a personal story of how he decided to take a road trip on his motorcycle. He used bungee cords to secure his tent and luggage. At some point along the way, the tent shifted and broke loose. It took its own road trip and was lost forever.
What the author described is the result of the laws of physics. Those laws are always in play when you secure cargo to a vehicle. Without getting too technical, there are three potential problems you need to contend with:
- Wind – Wind exerts a force against whatever cargo you’re carrying. If you have ever seen a foolish driver attempting to hold on to an improperly secured mattress, you know just how threatening wind can be.
- Road Vibration – Rode vibration is a normal concern when you are carrying cargo. Improperly secured cargo can break loose as a result of ongoing vibrations that continue mile after mile.
- Momentum – Cargo is subject to forces related to momentum every time a vehicle accelerates, brakes, or turns. Cargo wants to continue along the same path it was on before the force was applied. It will do so if not properly secured.
The point of using tie-down straps is not merely preventing cargo loss. It is to ensure that the cargo doesn’t move – not even a fraction of an inch. Even the smallest amount of movement can be problematic. So cargo needs to be securely fastened in place.
The Problem With Bungee Cords
Once you understand the principle of not allowing cargo to move even the slightest amount, the problem with bungee quartz becomes quite apparent. Bungee cords are flexible by design. They stretch. And unfortunately, that makes them inappropriate as cargo tie-downs.
Bungee cords are highly susceptible to wind gusts. They don’t perform very well when a vehicle is accelerating, braking, or turning. Whether or not they can manage continuous road vibrations is questionable as well.
Cam or Ratchet Straps
When I finally figured out that bungee cords were not my best choice, I switched to ratchet straps. I eventually discovered Rollercam cam straps and was instantly sold. Both types of straps do the same thing but in different ways.
Ratchet straps rely on a ratchet, rather than a buckle, to keep strapping material secure. They are the best choice for commercial truckers because they are capable of withstanding heavy loads. They would be overkill for my needs, so I prefer cam straps that are easier to deploy and less likely to damage my stuff.
The point of all of this is to say that bungee cords have their proper uses, but transporting cargo in an open vehicle is not one of them. Next time you are carrying something on your motorcycle, trailer, or pickup truck, forget the bungee cords. Use ratchet or cam straps instead. You and your cargo will be better off.
