Trucker’s Hitch

Trucker’s Hitch

Do you need to tie down long ropes at your camp site or secure kayaks and canoes to your truck? The trucker’s hitch or power cinch knot could help you with it. It works for long lengths of ropes such as tarp guy-lines or clotheslines. The compound knot that finds mention in The Ashley Book of Knots forms a crude block and tackle system. An easy version is demonstrated in the below step by step.

How to Tie a Trucker’s Hitch

How to Tie a Trucker’s Hitch

Tips

1. Instead of the carabiner it can be any cylindrical support like a tree trunk, etc.
2. It can be finished off with a taut line hitch. Less prone to slipping than the latter.
3. If you are pulling at the working end, it gives a mechanical advantage of 2:1. It is because the common variations of the hitch use the loop in the standing part and the anchor point as makeshift pulleys.
4. The knot may be secured with a double half hitch along one or both lines.

Variations

If you have the Alpine butterfly as your midline loop instead of the slip knot as shown in the diagram, there are fewer chances of jamming. There are jamming issues with the directional figure 8 too as your midline knot, but it provides an interesting variation as does the bowline on a bight. Another variation is provided by a quick release sheepshank knot style construction.

Uses

1. Tying plastic tarps’ ridgelines.
2. Hammock suspension.
3. For securing loads on trailers and trucks.
4. Boating.
5. Climbing.

Instructional Video

How to Tie a Trucker’s Hitch Step by Step

1. Pass the rope through the loop
2. Hold and pull to tighten the loop
3. Pass one end through a carabiner and pass through the loop
4. Wrap it around the standing part
5. Wrap it once more
6. Tighten to finish knot

Alternatives

1. Prusik knot – A friction hitch that allows a loop of cord to be attached to a rope in a way that the former can be easily adjusted.
2. Truckie hitch – Instead of being made with a slip knot, it utilizes parts of a sheepshank.