Securing cargo on a flatbed trailer often begins with a deceptively demanding move: throwing a rolled tie-down strap over a load that may stand more than 10 feet high. Miss the first attempt, and the driver must retrieve the strap and throw it again—often after spending hours seated behind the wheel.
Quebec-based RigCraftor has developed a compressed-air alternative. Its Pneumatic Strap Launcher sends a rolled cargo strap over a truckload at the press of a control, replacing much of the overhead throwing motion with a repeatable burst of air.
The launcher does not tighten the strap or secure the cargo by itself. Its job is narrower but useful: getting the strap from one side of a tall or bulky load to the other while the operator remains on the ground.
Why throwing straps can become a problem
For an experienced driver, tossing a strap over a low load may seem routine. The strain becomes more apparent when loads approach 14 feet (4.3 m), the strap carries a chain weighing as much as 3.5 lb (1.6 kg), wind interferes with the throw or the same movement is repeated several times a day.
The occupational concern is not merely promotional. A peer-reviewed study of 130 commercial truck drivers treated for shoulder disorders found that 31% had been injured while using chains, tarps or straps. Sprains and strains were the most common diagnoses, followed by rotator-cuff tears.
That study does not establish how much the RigCraftor launcher reduces injuries. It does, however, support the premise that cargo-securement work can place meaningful stress on drivers’ shoulders—particularly as the workforce ages.
Compressed air does the throwing
The Pneumatic Strap Launcher resembles a short upright air tank topped by an angled cylindrical holder. The operator rolls a strap, loads it into the holder and connects the tool to the tractor-trailer air supply with an adapter and hose.
When activated, air stored inside the launcher is released beneath the roll, propelling it upward and across the cargo. Demonstrations show the launch taking only a few seconds, although winding, loading, connecting the air and retrieving the strap add time.
The company says the pneumatic system can make launches more consistent and help the webbing land flatter, reducing the twisted straps that can make cargo securement particularly frustrating in cold weather.
Once the strap has crossed the load, the driver still has to connect it to the proper anchor point and tension it with an approved winch or ratchet. The launcher does not change the strap’s load rating or replace any legally required cargo-securement procedure.
It uses the truck’s existing air system
RigCraftor designed the launcher to run from air already available at the trailer. Its instructions say a typical system may provide around 120 psi, but that is not the recommended launch pressure for every job. For a conventional 3-inch strap, the company describes approximately 60 psi as a useful starting point.
Pressure can vary with the strap and load, so operators should follow the instructions instead of automatically using the maximum available.
The package includes an adapter and quick-connect fitting, but the air hose must be purchased separately. RigCraftor specifies a 3/8-inch hose with two 1/4-inch female connectors.
Drivers must also handle the vehicle’s air connection correctly. The trailer should be immobilized before any air line is disconnected, and the normal connection must be fully restored before returning to the road.
Three versions cover common strap widths
The launcher is offered in three configurations:
- PSL02-2506: designed for 2-inch straps
- PSL03-2506: designed for 3-inch straps
- PSL04-2506: designed for 4-inch straps
The store broadly describes the product as compatible with 2-, 3- and 4-inch webbing, but buyers select the appropriate holder size when ordering. It should not be understood as one automatically adjustable opening that accepts every width.
Strap thickness can also vary. If a roll fits too tightly, RigCraftor recommends unwinding it slightly and feeding it back into the holder more smoothly. The company says the launcher does not require the strap to have the exact hook shown in its demonstrations.
The unit weighs 14 lb (6.3 kg) without a strap. RigCraftor does not publish complete dimensions, tank volume or a detailed materials breakdown on the product page.
A drill-powered winder is included
Each launcher comes with RigCraftor’s Drill Strap Winder Kit. Attached to a suitable drill, the accessory rolls the webbing into a compact bundle before it is inserted into the launcher.
An evenly rolled strap loads more easily and should behave more predictably when the air is released. The drill, cargo strap, air hose and normal tensioning hardware are not included.
How the launcher is used
Operators begin with the front valve closed, connect the air source, position the launcher securely and load the strap fully into its holder.
For the launch, the company’s guide recommends standing approximately 48 inches (1.2 m) from the trailer. The operator adopts a steady stance, leans the launcher into the appropriate upward angle and activates its two-stage control.
The safety mechanism must be operated before the trigger can release the air, providing two-stage protection against accidental activation.
After the strap clears the load, the driver retrieves and secures it. When the work is complete, pressure is released from the tool and the trailer-air system is reconnected normally.
It must be treated as a launcher
The launcher introduces compressed air and a fast-moving strap. Both sides of the cargo must be clear, and it should never be aimed toward a person, vehicle or building.
RigCraftor warns users never to load anything except the intended strap. Hands and faces must remain clear of the opening, the valve should stay closed during loading, and the tool should be inspected and depressurized before storage or maintenance.
The safest wording for the product’s benefit is that it is designed to reduce physical strain and improve control. RigCraftor has not published an independent trial establishing a specific reduction in injuries or loading time.
From a manual idea to a pneumatic tool
RigCraftor says the project grew from conversations Marc Dion had with truck drivers who wanted a way to avoid wearing out their arms. Dion, a former trucker, initially developed manual strap-launching tools approximately 12 years ago.
Early manual versions used a heavier two-piece aluminum handle. Field testing led to changes in weight, reinforcement and durability before the team adopted pneumatic power. Dion says roughly 10 tip geometries were tested to direct the air correctly beneath the strap. RigCraftor describes the result as patented, although the sales page does not identify a patent number.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Quebec City, RigCraftor also sells manual strap launchers, strap winders, trailer-access ladders and steps. Its broader focus is reducing strain and unsafe climbing during commercial transport work.
Pricing, shipping and warranty
The Pneumatic Strap Launcher is listed at US$625, with the same displayed price for the 2-, 3- and 4-inch configurations.
RigCraftor advertises free shipping to Canada and the United States and offers international delivery. Orders are normally processed within one to three business days; duties and taxes may apply outside Canada.
The one-year warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser, excluding normal wear, misuse, modification, incorrect installation and improper storage.
Unused products in their original packaging can generally be returned within 30 days. For a non-defective return, the customer pays the shipping costs and RigCraftor applies a 20% restocking fee. Customized products are normally excluded.
A specialized tool with a straightforward purpose
At US$625, this is not an impulse purchase for an occasional user. An experienced driver may still throw a strap over a low load faster than it takes to set up the air system. The value proposition becomes stronger for fleets, frequent flatbed work, tall or irregular cargo and drivers affected by reduced shoulder strength.
The appeal is easy to understand: a repetitive task normally powered by a driver’s arm is transferred to a source of compressed air already carried by the truck. The launcher will not secure the load by itself, but it could make the first—and sometimes most frustrating—part of that job easier to repeat.
Product page: RigCraftor Pneumatic Strap Launcher
