6 Best Bungee Cord Assortment For Hobby Farm Needs Old Farmers Swear By
Discover 6 farmer-approved bungee cord assortments. Our guide covers durable, versatile kits with the right sizes for any hobby farm securing task.
You’ve just wrestled a heavy tarp over the woodpile, and the wind is already trying to tear it away. You reach for a bungee cord, but the only one you can find is a frayed, overstretched relic that couldn’t hold down a paper bag. Every hobby farmer knows this moment of frustration, proving that a simple tool like a bungee cord is anything but simple when it fails. Having a reliable assortment on hand isn’t a luxury; it’s a core part of keeping a small farm running smoothly.
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Why Every Hobby Farm Needs a Good Bungee Set
A quality bungee cord set is the unsung hero of the hobby farm. It’s the third hand you need when securing a gate that won’t latch, the quick fix for a rattling piece of equipment on the mower, and the perfect way to bundle unruly hoses and extension cords in the barn. Their versatility is nearly endless, from holding down a chicken tractor lid in a storm to keeping a wheelbarrow from tipping in the back of the truck.
The difference between a cheap, gas station bungee and a proper farm-grade cord is night and day. Low-quality cords use inferior rubber that quickly loses its elasticity, becoming permanently stretched and useless after just a few uses. Their hooks are often flimsy, bending under pressure or having sharp, uncoated ends that scratch paint and tear tarps.
Investing in a good assortment means you have the right tool for the job. Using a cord that’s too long creates slack, while using one that’s too short leads to dangerous overstretching. A proper set gives you a range of lengths and strengths, ensuring a secure hold without compromising the cord or what you’re trying to secure. It’s a small investment that pays off in safety and reliability every single day.
Rhino USA Bungee Cords: Ultimate Durability
When you have a job that absolutely cannot fail, you reach for a Rhino. These cords are built for serious work, and their reputation for durability is well-earned. They are designed to withstand the constant abuse of sun, rain, and heavy tension that defines life on a farm.
The secret is in the materials. Rhino uses a high-grade rubber core that provides consistent, powerful tension, and wraps it in a thick, UV-resistant outer sheath. This outer layer is critical; it protects the inner rubber from sunlight, which is the number one killer of lesser bungee cords. Their hooks are S-hooks made of coated steel that won’t easily bend or break when you’re cranking down on them.
Of course, this level of quality comes at a higher price. You wouldn’t use a Rhino cord for a simple task like bundling firewood. But for securing a heavy load on a trailer for a trip into town or anchoring a temporary greenhouse panel against a rising wind, their reliability provides peace of mind that is well worth the extra cost. This is the set you buy once and depend on for years.
Cartman 30-Piece Set: A Size for Every Job
The greatest strength of the Cartman assortment is its sheer variety. It’s the perfect general-purpose kit for any barn because it acknowledges a simple truth: farm tasks come in all shapes and sizes. You get everything from tiny 10-inch mini-cords to long 40-inch bungees, and often includes canopy ties (the ones with a ball on the end) for securing tarps to frames.
Having this range at your fingertips solves the common problem of trying to make the wrong cord work. Instead of dangerously daisy-chaining two short cords together or wrapping a long cord around an object ten times, you can just grab the correct length. This leads to a safer, more secure hold and extends the life of your cords by preventing overstretching.
This isn’t a premium, heavy-duty set. The quality is solid for everyday tasks, but you wouldn’t rely on the thinnest cords to hold down something truly heavy or valuable. Think of the Cartman set as your go-to daily driver. It’s the affordable, comprehensive kit that ensures you’re prepared for 90% of the small jobs that pop up around the property.
The Keeper Jar: Tangle-Free Cord Storage
The most frustrating thing about bungee cords isn’t using them; it’s finding the one you need in the tangled, bird’s nest mess they inevitably become. The Keeper Jar solves this problem brilliantly. It’s a simple concept—a durable, clear plastic jar filled with a variety of quality bungee cords—but it makes a world of difference in your workflow.
Keeper is a reputable brand, and the cords themselves are a solid mid-grade option suitable for most farm needs. They feature steel hooks and durable outer jackets. The assortment in the jar typically provides a good mix of the most commonly used lengths, from 12 to 36 inches, making it a well-rounded starter set.
The real value, however, is the organization. The jar keeps the cords contained, untangled, and easy to see. You can quickly spot the length and color you need without dumping a whole pile on the floor. The container is also portable, so you can grab the entire jar and take it out to the field or toss it in the back of your truck. It’s a system that saves time and eliminates one of the small, daily frustrations of farm life.
SmartStraps Flat Bungees for Securing Tarps
Round bungees are great for many things, but they have one major flaw: they create a focused point of pressure. When used to secure a tarp through a grommet, that focused pressure can easily rip the grommet out in a strong wind. SmartStraps Flat Bungees solve this by distributing the tension across a wider surface area.
The flat design is much gentler on tarps, fabric, and painted surfaces. Instead of a thin cord digging in, the wider strap spreads the load, significantly reducing the chance of tearing or scratching. This makes them the absolute best choice for securing equipment covers, woodpile tarps, or temporary shelters where you want the cover to last more than one season.
While they are a specialty cord, their utility doesn’t stop with tarps. They are excellent for bundling items that could be damaged by a round cord, like finished lumber or PVC pipes. They also tend to stay put better and have less of a tendency to roll or slip off an edge compared to their round counterparts. You don’t need a whole set of them, but having a few on hand is a smart move.
Stalwart Assortment: Reliable and Affordable
Sometimes you just need a lot of decent, functional bungee cords without breaking the bank. The Stalwart assortment is the answer. It’s a no-frills, budget-friendly option that delivers reliable performance for a wide range of general-duty tasks around the farm.
The quality is a clear step above the bargain-bin junk you find at checkout counters. The hooks are reasonably strong, the elastic has a good lifespan for the price, and the sheathing holds up to moderate use. They might not last as long as a premium brand under constant, heavy strain, but they are more than capable for most everyday jobs.
This is the perfect set for situations where cords are likely to get lost, weathered, or abused. Use them to hold up temporary fencing, organize tools on a pegboard, or strap down empty feed bags for a trip to the dump. Because they are so affordable, you won’t hesitate to use them, and you won’t be heartbroken when one inevitably gets left behind in a field or run over by the mower.
Fortem Adjustable Cords for Custom Lengths
There’s nothing more frustrating than needing a 30-inch bungee when all you have are 24s and 36s. The 24-inch is too short to stretch safely, and the 36-inch leaves you with a loose, flapping load. Fortem’s adjustable cords eliminate this problem entirely by letting you create a custom length for a perfect fit.
The design is simple: one end has a fixed hook, while the other hook can be slid along the cord and locked into place. This allows you to dial in the exact tension you need for any given job. You can create a perfectly snug fit for securing odd-shaped items in a trailer or for tensioning a specific line on a temporary structure without any slack.
These aren’t meant to replace your entire collection of standard bungees. The adjustment mechanism, while strong, can be a potential point of failure compared to a simple, fixed hook. But for those specific situations where a standard length just won’t do, their versatility is unmatched. Having two or three of these in your collection will save you a world of headaches.
Bungee Safety: Checking for Wear and Tear
A bungee cord under tension stores a surprising amount of energy. If that cord or one of its hooks fails, it can snap back with enough force to cause a serious injury, especially to the eyes. For this reason, you must treat your bungee cords like any other tool and inspect them regularly for signs of wear.
Before you stretch any cord, give it a quick once-over. Run your hand along the length and look for these warning signs:
- Frayed or fuzzy sheathing: This is a sign of UV damage and internal wear. The outer jacket is compromised.
- Stiff or thin spots: If part of the cord feels less elastic than the rest, the inner rubber strands are likely broken.
- Damaged hooks: Look for bent hooks, cracked plastic coatings, or rust that could compromise their strength.
- Overstretching: If a cord doesn’t return to its original length, it has been permanently damaged and has lost its strength.
The rule is simple and non-negotiable: when in doubt, throw it out. Cut the cord in half before you toss it so no one else is tempted to use it. A new bungee costs a couple of dollars. That’s a cheap price to pay to protect your eyesight and avoid a painful accident.
Ultimately, the best bungee cord set is the one that fits the unique demands of your farm. Whether you prioritize the brute strength of a Rhino, the versatility of a Cartman set, or the clever storage of a Keeper Jar, having the right cord on hand makes you more efficient and safer. It’s a small detail, but as any seasoned farmer knows, success is often found in getting the small details right.
