this post was submitted on 03 May 2026
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[–] hanrahan@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 day ago

I've done this multiple times, why is it an issue ?

[–] RodgeGrabTheCat@sh.itjust.works 51 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

Not screwed at all.

I'd use a Bowline to secure the end of the rope to the trailer, and a Trucker's Hitch at the other end.

The Bowline is easy to untie and the Trucker's Hitch gives a 2:1 mechanical advantage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowline

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trucker%27s_hitch

Edit: Another way to secure the end of the rope to the trailer is a Timber Hitch (best for a round pipe) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_hitch. Super secure and can be untied very easily.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 16 points 5 days ago (2 children)
[–] theherk@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

You gotta love an Ylvis reference.

[–] JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 days ago

This deserves a post in YouTubeClassics

[–] Keshara@piefed.blahaj.zone 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Timber and truckers is what I was originally taught. I remember it taking a while to get the truckers hitch down then out of no where it was like 'snap', had it ever since lol

That knot comes in handy so often.

Years ago, my clothesline came apart (it had pinch clamps that failed to grab the line tight enough) and I used a Trucker's Hitch along with Prusik knots to pull the clothesline close enough together to reattach it.

I now only buy clotheslines that come with the mini winch.

https://www.animatedknots.com/prusik-knot

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

This is the correct answer.

Glad to be of service.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 22 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Super screwed!

This always happens when I touch rope! (NSFW)

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I was guessing Oglaf before I even showed the spoiler. Never seen that one, either.

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago

Oglaf is so ridiculous in the best possible ways.

[–] naught101@lemmy.world 19 points 5 days ago (2 children)

No problem. Clove hitch and a truckie's hitch is all you need. Super easy to learn. You can even get away with just a clove hitch and a figure of eight.

I'd also recommend learning a bowline, because it's super useful, and if you figure out how it works, it makes other knots easier to understand and learn.

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[–] rob_t_firefly@lemmy.world 8 points 4 days ago

You didn't specify what kind of trailer, so I've decided it's an enclosed trailer with a locking door. I just throw the load in, throw the rope in after it, and then lock up normally. 🚛

[–] IAmNorRealTakeYourMeds@lemmy.world 16 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I'm offended that you expect me to cut the rope at the end

Same. I don't know knots very well but I've never met one I couldn't undo.

[–] Doom@lemmy.world 12 points 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

You litterally just asked a community of deviants how comfortable we are with rope.

[–] SolacefromSilence@fedia.io 14 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Just utter the sacred spell after tying the knot "This ain't going nowhere"

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago

don't forget, you also have to slap it a couple times too.

[–] okwhateverdude@lemmy.world 13 points 5 days ago

All those hours learning knots for merit badges will finally pay off!

[–] Nemo@slrpnk.net 11 points 5 days ago

This is a completely normal thing to do and I'm baffled that it elicits such trepidation in you, OP.

[–] TaeKwonDoh@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

Not at all. Assuming I have enough rope, knowing the clove hitch, two half hitches and taut-line hitch means I can secure most loads without worry.

[–] yesman@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Cutting ropes is a thing that only happens in movies. They don't have Boyscouts in California I guess.

Every conceivable use for a rope has a knot that will accommodate it. Knots that don't bind when under tension are a whole genre.

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I think you're vastly overestimating the average person's knowledge about knots.

[–] rob_t_firefly@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

I know all about Knots! He played Barney Fife and Mr. Furley.

[–] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

animatedknots.com is insane

[–] Natanael@slrpnk.net 4 points 5 days ago

I have the knots 3D app on my phone

[–] determinist@kbin.earth 7 points 5 days ago

not.

trucker hitch, combined with evenk hitch

[–] NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip 6 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

This is a weird question. Nobody cuts the ropes they use the secure things. You would always need to buy new rope.

I am surprised people think they should use a knife at all.

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 1 points 5 days ago

For many people the only knot they can manage is one that's virtually impossible to undo after it's been put under tension.

[–] bluGill@fedia.io 6 points 5 days ago

As scoutmaster I was just going over knots with the kids. I'm good for the next month

[–] Mr_Fish@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago

Done that before pretty much. It's not hard. Use a bowline or some other loop knot to make a pulley between the loop and the anchor point, then go back and forth until you run out of rope, then tie it off.

Sure, ratchet tie downs are easier and probably get a tighter hold, but rope works fine.

I am a rock climber so I’ll tie a double figure eight knot and hope for the best.

[–] Noodle07@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Uuuuh not my job

[–] Lexam@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

As someone with access to the Internet and basic search skills. I think I will be ok.

[–] ThatWeirdGuy1001@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Oh it'll hold. It won't be pretty or conventional by any means but it'll hold.

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

Know your knots, and it is no issue at all.

Sailors and others have dealt with this for centuries, way before trailers existed.

[–] gru54777@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

done it many times

[–] OriginEnergySux@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

Nah yeah all good, just tie the fuck out of it, she'll be right

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 3 points 5 days ago

Others have explained what knots to use, but tbh, go to harbor freight and get some cheap ratchet straps. They're much better than using rope. These are on sale right now:

https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-Capacity-1-in-x-15-ft-Ratcheting-Tie-Downs-4-Pack-63094.html?event_id=184447

[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

Not at all?

[–] RattlerSix@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I think most people who aren't good with knots tie knots that don't hold and people who can tie a decent knot can untie them too.

Really, you can untie any knot, it just depends on how good and patient you are.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

1.25 hours when a ponytail holder twisted into my hair and cause a massive tangle. Patience saved my locks.

[–] CultLeader4Hire@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

I kept reading this like you were using the rope to tie the trailer to your tow vehicle and thought I was losing my mind when everyone was saying it was ok, just tying stuff ONTO a trailer though? Yeah that’s a perfectly normal way to do it

[–] Twinklebreeze@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Not screwed at all. Learned a lot of useful knots as an arborist.

[–] IWW4@lemmy.zip 2 points 5 days ago

Not at all.

[–] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

Do I have access to the internet?

Not screwed at all; I use rope to secure loads in a pickup truck all the time. I tend to keep the rope secured to one tiedown point with a figure 8 follow-through and then the free end gets secured with a couple clove hitches.

[–] SwingingTheLamp@piefed.zip 1 points 5 days ago

It depends on the load. A refrigerator? No problem. If it's full of bodies, I'm probably in for a bit of trouble.

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