Trucker's Hitch

The Trucker's Hitch or Trucker's Knot is really useful when you are tying down a load onto a trailer, or tying a canoe on the top of a car. It allows you to easily tighten the rope as you go and fasten the end.

Tying a Trucker's Hitch

The top knot is attached to whatever you want to tie down. It could be a canoe on a car, or a tarp or a bundle of wood. Use a bowline knot for this or a buntline hitch, or whatever solid knot you like.

Tie a loop in the rope. You can do this on the rope without having the loose end.

Put your loose end around whatever you want to tighten against, maybe a ring on the trailer or car, then thread the loose end through the loop you tied.

You can then pull down and the friction against the loop will allow you to tighten the rope till you are happy that it is going to be tight enough.

You can then hitch the end of the line and tie it down. Its easier to do because the loop takes the tension. I'm only showing one half hitch but I would put several to make sure the end does not come apart.

I have some pages about materials used in ropemaking also trade names of ropes.

This web site reflects my personal ideas and doesn't represent anyone else's point of view.