Truckers Hitch

Several weeks ago, I posted “Knot Today” which discussed seven outdoor knots that everyone should know. With the summer coming, many of us are going to be breaking out the canoes and kayaks and floating or padding our favorite waters. I don’t know how others travel with their favorite water craft, but mine in on top of my truck shell tied down with ratchet straps. Before ratchet straps and cam straps, many had to use just regular rope and the trucker’s hitch.

“The trucker’s hitch, also known as the power cinch, is a self-binding knot commonly used for securing loads on trucks or trailers. There are several variations of the knot, all of which use a loop in the standing part of the rope as a make-shift pulley in order to obtain a 3 to 1 mechanical advantage. The version depicted here has the advantage that it can be tied anywhere in the rope (without access to an end). Once tight, the knot is secured with a half hitch, usually slipped for easy releasing.” – Wikipedia

The following image is from Pro-Knots which produces plastic, easy to use knot cards. I have one of these for fishing knots and carry it with me in my boat bag just in case I need a quick reference.

2 comments April 23rd, 2008