How to Tie Down a Load with Rope

STEPS:
1) Fix One End at 1st Anchor
2) Wrap Rope around Load
3) Run Free End around 2nd Anchor
4) Form 1st Loop
5) Form 2nd Loop (free side)
6) Pull 2nd Loop through 1st Loop
7) Run Free End through 2nd Loop
8) Pull Free End to Tighten
9) Tie Free End with Square Knot

[@threeriversforge1997]

Rope is your friend, and definitely something too many craftsmen have forgotten about. A note, if I may... plastic ropes are strong, but they still rely on the individual fibers working together. With the frayed ends like you've displayed here, the fibers aren't bound together and that means the strength of the rope is greatly diminished. A common whipping not only fixes that, but makes the lines look professional and reflects well on the owner. First Class Amateur has a channel here on KZbin where he demonstrates the Trucker's Hitch he prefers, and I think you'll find the slight change to your liking because it allows you to keep the tension you pull in without having to pinch the lines with your fingers. Rather brilliant, I thought. Also, if you do an online search, there's a free copy of the Ashley Book of Knots you can peruse. I highly recommend everyone have a hard copy in hand, but even just reading it online will open a world of possibilities for you. Rope is amazing stuff, especially when you know how to use it!

[@McGuireMechanism]

Interesting! Thanks for all the great info.

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@McGuireMechanism Here's FCA demonstrating his self-locking Trucker's Hitch -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/inywZpqXjq-KhJI It has saved me a bunch of time, and the ease with which it can be tied has made me far more likely to tie things down. I recommend carrying four or five 20' lengths of rope, the ends whipped and looking sharp, in a small canvas bag under the rear seat. That way you always have enough line to secure whatever you might need to carry. Throw in some Prussic Loops made from 550 cord, and you're set for life!

[@McGuireMechanism]

@@threeriversforge1997 Super nifty trick! Nice not having to hold tension while tying.

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@McGuireMechanism Ain't it neat?! 😁 Saved me so much time and aggravation since I learned it, and I've stopped using ratchet straps entirely.

[@chuckgreen355]

nice job!!! I just started doing knots and this how to worked perfect for showing me how to tie down my zero point energy reactor

[@McGuireMechanism]

Haha thanks Chuck double knot that one!!

[@cottondai]

Excellent instruction

[@stvn___]

I started working at a furniture store recently and one of the things we do regularly is tie down large loads to vehicles using baling twine. This is the exact technique we use. I have all of these steps down except for the last step. How do you tie a square knot when one of the lines is completely straight and unmovable? I'm used to the type of square knot in shoelaces where both lines have loose ends, so I'm not sure how to tie it with just one loose line. I'm trying to learn either a halter hitch or a taut-line hitch to replace the square knot, but to no avail. Really, anything simple could help me out.

[@McGuireMechanism]

Great question! Try tying your shoes using only your right hand (just keep the lace in your left somewhat tight, straight up or off to the side.) This way, you start with a familiar application. By muscle memory, you might see how your right hand just loops its lace around your left hand's lace, then underneath itself, then tightens to the left. It's the same idea with a trucker's hitch shown here, only the lefthand "lace" is tied to an anchor point.

[@stvn___]

@@McGuireMechanism I'll try this, thanks!

[@Roys_Rickhouse]

Oh, that loop should be a "directional 8" knot. The bends in the figure of 8 knots equal to greater than 3/4 of the ropes diameter, thus retaining 80% of the rope's strength. I assume from the looks of the rope you used, it was a dynema or a synthetic blend with a small core count?

[@McGuireMechanism]

Interesting! So much to learn. I'm no knot expert haha - this is just one that I learned way back when and use all the time, so I wanted to share :) I grab synthetic or cotton ropes at 6 mm or 1/4" and swap them out when they start to feel flimsy or stiff.

[@Roys_Rickhouse]

@@McGuireMechanism I have tons of literature on mechanical advantage with ropes and knots if you are interested.

[@McGuireMechanism]

@@Roys_Rickhouse Thanks James! Maybe if you have a favorite author or reference share the name/title so I can look them up.

[@mehardin]

A square knot is used to tie the ends of two ropes, out both ends if the r tope, together. You use a half-hitch to lock a trucker's hitch, and you probably used two half-hitches to tie to your first anchor point. You definitely did not use a square knot because you did not have two ends of rope.

[@McGuireMechanism]

Good to know! Semantics can be a puzzle. I did not realize that if a square knot is tied with one single rope it is no longer called a square knot. I'm definitely not the expert on knots. Thanks, Mike.