How to Tie a Taut-line Hitch

The taut-line hitch is a useful knot for tying down a tent because it can be tightened or loosened by pushing the hitch up or down. Follow these steps to tie down a tent with a taut-line hitch.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pull the rope around the front of the stake and back toward you. Put the rope under and up through the loop.

2. Put the rope under and up through the loop a second time. Bring the rope over and around the rope line to the left of the first loop. Once again, bring the rope up through the loop you just made.

3. Pull the loose end of the rope to tighten the knots. Keep the knots neat while doing this. Tighten the hitch down by pushing it toward the stake, but not so tight that it can't easily slide.

4. Loosen the hitch by pulling the knot away from the stake and pulling on the rope that is around the stake to help it slide through the knot. You may need to do this to adjust your tent after all the lines have been staked down.

5. Undo the hitch by pulling the knot away from the stake to loosen it and pulling on the rope around the stake to help the knot slide. Undo the loops until you have a straight piece of rope.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't tie a taut-line hitch to secure a load on the back of a truck. It isn't a secure knot and the lines may loosen after a few miles.

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