Knots

[Chris C]

For those of you who are knot-challenged, and even those who are NOT knot-challanged, (where are Doug's limericks when I need em?) here's a really neat site for learning how to tie some knots which can be of great help when traveling and camping:

http://www.animatedknots.com/

[halfdome, Danny]

Thanks Cris, I have always wanted to know how to properly tie knots. I love the animation. I have used my own variation of the bowline to tie down cabinets and sometimes I forget how I did it. This will make my loads much safer to be sure. This website could save an unsuspecting motorist disfigurement or death. Unsecured loads in Washington state over the past few years have been devastating and one woman is completely blind and disfigured because of one incident where a particle board shelf went through her windshield. Danny

[48Rob]

I like it!

Thanks

[Steve_Cox]

For those of you who are knot-challenged, and even those who are NOT knot-challanged, (where are Doug's limericks when I need em?) here's a really neat site for learning how to tie some knots which can be of great help when traveling and camping:

http://www.animatedknots.com/

Chris,

Great web link!!

I've got a couple of knot books, and this site beats them by a mile. Thanks,

Steve

[cracker39]

Those knots have their uses, and I do use several of them, but I have a very simple but very effective way of tying down loads withoug any fancy knots. I've used this technique for many different things, like securing lumber sticking out the back of my truck so it doesn't slide around. I hope this diagram I made and my explanation are clear enough. The picture below shows a box, and two tie down points (circles).

I tie the line to one tie down point (on the right), stretch it over the load (box) and a couple of feet short of the 2nd tie down point, I tie a loop in the line. I then run the line through the 2nd tie down point, back up and through the loop. The, I pull the line back toward the 2 tie down point from which it came and pull it tight. This allows you to pull the line tighter with leverage. Then, hold it where it passes through the loop and tie a double slip knot to secure it. If you are using a smooth nylon line, you might want to use a more secure knot. Using the double slip knot works great with sisal rope, or the "string" the box stores supply you to secure loads, and just a simple pull on the end unties it. I've never had one slip yet.

[PaulC]

Hey Dale, Over here we call that a Truckies Hitch. It's probably the simplest and quickest way of securing a load that I know of. If you have enough rope you can do another on the piece you use to pull down on and it acts like a reduction gearbox. Doubles your pulling power for those times when once isn't enough
Cheers
Paul

[angib]

The other important thing to do when tying down loads is to make sure you are using rubbish rope and there is a reason for this. Really good rope tends to be stiff - it may have fancy materials like aramid (Kevlar) or Dyneema in the core - that is, it does not stretch much under load. But you want plenty of stretch in tying-down rope, so that it remains under tension even if the load relaxes a little. So the cheapest, nastiest stretchy rope is what you want!

To get that tension, you want to use the trucker's hitch - as Dale and Paul have said, it increases the 'purchase' (the gearing of a rope system).

When a trucker's hitch can't be used, you can often tension a rope by pulling two of its runs together. This sideways tweak can really put a big pull on the rope. I guess I'll have to photograph that to make it clear.....

Andrew

[Larwyn]

The "trucker's hitch" known on the farm where I grew up as the "hay haulers hitch" has served me well over the years. Actually used it on hay for several years, but it aint too particular on what it will keep on your truck or trailer.

I've learned more sophisticated knots over the years but none have proven more useful when it comes to tieing down a load.

[cracker39]

And I thought I had come up with an original knot system...Oh well...at least it looks like lots of others think as highly of it as I do.

[Chris C]

Frankly I don't care what you call it, or if you even know it's name. I'm just quick to teach someone how to tie the trucker's hitch. It has kept many a load on the platform it was tied to and not out on the road surface or in someone's windshield! I think everyone needs to know knots which will serve their needs. Knots are indespensible................in my opinion.