How to Tie Basic Knots - Part 2 - Securing a Load

Rope Securing a Coleman Cooler

In Part 1 of this series, we fastened the end of a rope to an anchor point. In this article, we'll use the rope to secure a load. Shown here is a hitch mounted carrier; the same method would be applied in a pick-up truck bed, cargo trailer, U-Haul truck, or anything with sturdy mounting points to attach your rope.

Things You'll Need

• Rope, 1/4" polyester braid, nylon, or similar
• Carrier, trailer, truck, etc., with anchor points for attaching rope
• Cargo, of some type - cooler, box, etc.

Instructions

1. Decide how the cargo should be positioned. Putting the flattest side down is probably best, if possible; sometimes upside-down is better. Choose whatever allows the least chance for movement. Coolers, refrigerators, barbecues, and the like don't offer you much choice - leave them upright.

2. 

   Fasten one end of your rope to an anchor point, as demonstrated in Part 1 of this series, and run the rope over or around the object to be secured. The idea is to "trap" or pin the object against the bottom, side, or both, of the carrier or vehicle, to prevent movement.

3. 

   Run the loose end of the rope through or around the opposite anchor point. Make sure that when the rope is drawn tight, the cargo item will be held safely in place. If not, change the position of the item and/or rope.

4. 

   Make a "draw-down" loop in the rope, near the object, and toward the second anchor point. This is just a simple slip knot. First, make a loop in the rope...

5. 

   ...then push a fold of the rope through the loop...

6. 

   ...then draw it snug. It doesn't need to be very tight; it will be under tension from both sides, so it can't come undone.

7. 

   Push a long (18"-24") loop of the free end of the rope through the draw-down loop.

8. 

   Pull this long loop back toward the second anchor point, until the load is held firmly in place.

9. 

   Form a knot just past the draw-down loop, keeping tension on it as you go. Just make a simple loop knot, nothing fancy.

10. 

    Snug this knot up, against the draw-down loop. Once you have this first knot snug, it will hold by itself, as you double check that the load is held firmly.

11. 

    Finish by repeating the simple knot 4 or 5 times, to use up the loop. This keeps the first knot from slipping in transit.

12. Coil up the tail end of the rope, and tuck it beside the cargo, if the vehicle is open to the wind.

13. 

    If your rope must pass over sharp edges, protect it with a towel, rag, or chunk of cardboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Some objects may need a second rope, holding in a different angle from the first, to fully secure them. Often, I use the rest of the same rope to do this - I keep a 50-foot length (or two) in anything I drive.

• If your cargo is in a cardboard box, drawing the rope tight will bite into it, keeping the rope from shifting. (Just don't break your "cargo"!)

• If your cargo has openings or handles, consider running the rope through them to reduce movement.

• DISCLAIMER: These knots are not to be used for climbing, or overhead lifting of objects. Use for temporarily holding cargo in place in transport, within the safe working limits of the rope.

• For long trips, stop often and check that rope(s) have not worked loose, or become damaged by rubbing against sharp corners.