Straps made from webbing material are a preferred option for tie-down manufactures. Nylon webbing material is strong, durable, and lightweight. It is such a good material that manufacturers use it to create all sorts of tie-downs, including transom straps and cam straps.
I bring up the two types of straps because I recently ran across a blog post that spoke of them interchangeably. That concerns me for the simple fact that transom straps and cam straps are two distinctly different tie-downs with distinctly different applications. Using either one improperly could lead to property damage or personal injury.
Cargo Securement Devices
Before discussing transom straps and cam straps specifically, it is a good idea to understand exactly what a tie-down is. All tie-downs are cargo securement devices regardless of the materials they are made from and how they are kept secure. Tie-downs include:
- Bungee cords.
- Cam straps.
- Ratchet straps.
- Steel cables.
The one and only purpose of a tie-down is to keep cargo secure. Some tie-downs are stronger than others. Some are more flexible than others. Some are nearly impervious to environmental factors while others are affected by moisture and temperature extremes. With all this being said, it is important that the right tie-down is chosen for each application.
Transom Straps Are for Boats
Moving on to the main topic, transom straps are a particular type of tie-down designed to be used with boats. Boats are obviously transported across land on trailers. Ideally, owners do not want their boats bouncing around in transit. In fact, they want no movement at all. That is where the transom strap comes in.
A transom strap provides a secure connection between a boat transom and the trailer underneath. Straps on both sides prevent the boat from bouncing up and down on the trailer. For the record, a boat’s transom is that part of the stern where an outboard motor is mounted. Preventing it from bouncing up and down protects both boat and motor.
How They Are Applied
A typical transom strap is designed as a ratchet strap with a hook on one end. The strap and its ratchet assembly are either bolted or well did to the trailer. The hook connects to an anchor point welded to the transom. Ratcheting the strap tightly holds the boat securely. It is a simple setup but still very effective.
Cam Straps Are for General Use
Where transom straps are specifically for marine uses, cam straps are more general in their applications. According to the experts behind the Rollercam brand, what designates a tie-down as a cam strap is the cam buckle that holds the strap in place. The open end of the strap is fed through the buckle and over the cam. A spring-loaded pressure plate prevents the strap from slipping.
Overlanders rely on cam straps to secure their gear. White water rafters often rig their boats with cam straps. The straps are versatile enough to be useful to hikers, campers, auto mechanics, and just about anyone else who needs to keep some sort of cargo secure. However, they generally are not strong enough to substitute for commercial-grade ratchet straps – like those used by flatbed truckers to secure extremely heavy loads.
Both transom straps and cam straps are tie-downs made with webbing material. But they are distinctly different. They have different applications as well. It pays to know the difference, especially if you are looking for a tie-down for your boat. A transom strap is going to be your best bet. Leave the cam straps for more general applications.
