Do Flat Hooks On etrailer Ratchet Straps Scratch Painted Trailer Rails?

Updated 12/17/2025 | Published 12/16/2025

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Ratchet Straps with Double-J Hooks and Storage Bag 2" x 20' - 1,333 lbs Qty 4

(18)

$71.10

etrailer Ratchet Straps with Flat Hooks and Storage Bag - 2" x 20' - 3,333 lbs - Qty 4

(12)

$70.81

etrailer Ratchet Straps w/ S-Hooks and Accessory Bag - 2" x 15' - 700 lbs - Qty 4

(38)

$58.05

Brophy Stake Pocket Tie Down Anchor - Black Powder Coat - 2-5/16" D-Ring - 4,000 lbs

(29)

$39.06

Question:

Do the flat hooks on these ratchet straps from etrailer e72SV scratch a painted trailer rail? I’ve got a brand-new 18’ equipment trailer and I’m trying to keep it nice as long as possible.

asked by: Colin

Expert Reply:

Colin, the flat hooks on the # e72SV ratchet straps are steel, so any metal-on-metal contact can mark the paint over time, especially if the strap angle pulls downward across the rail. You could always just slip a small piece of rubber or an edge protector under the hook if you want to keep the rail pristine.

If you’d rather avoid rail contact altogether, the double-J kit # e42SV or the S-hook kit # e92NR will attach directly to D-rings or smaller anchors without touching the side rail at all. They also have a protective vinyl coating so it won't be metal to metal, at least until they are heavily used/worn.

What style of rail and tie downs does your trailer have? Assuming you have the rectangular stake pockets, you could add something like Stake Pocket Tie Down Anchor # TL1B which gives you a D-Ring that can be moved around between stake pockets. This has a strong black powder coat so it also wouldn't be metal to metal until it wears down over time. This is what I do on my trailer and it's a game changer!

expert reply by: Andrew N

Jared

12/17/2025

Andrew, slightly off-topic but since we're talking about these straps.. do the storage bags that come with these kits actually keep the straps clean and dry? I feel like normally the inside still gets wet.

Andrew N.

12/17/2025

@Jared Great question, Jared. And yes, the storage bags that come with them are a big improvement over tossing straps loose into a truck bed or getting the interior of the truck dirty. The bags are water-resistant (not submergible) and fully enclosed, so they keep water and grit out of the ratchet mechanism, which is usually what makes old straps bind up and corrode.