Trucker's Hitch (Power Cinch Knot)

Form a bight in the standing end and use it to tie a Directional Figure 8 Knot. Pass the tail round the hook below and through the Directional Figure 8 Loop, and pull tight. Complete the knot with two Half Hitches below the loop.

Use: The Trucker's Hitch (Power Cinch Knot, Lorry Knot, Haymaker's Hitch, Harvester's Hitch) (ABOK # 2124, p 344) has the distinctive feature of providing a mechanical advantage when being tightened. The variety of names for this hitch is a tribute to its widespread use. It is a valuable knot - particularly for securing loads or tarpaulins.

Real Truckers: The Animation was prepared to show the structure of the knot. In practice at step 6, a Real Trucker will pass a bight of rope through the loop and then use the bight to tie off the knot with half hitches. This allows him to use one long piece of rope to tie many Trucker's Hitches.

3:1 Purchase: The arrangement of line provides a theoretical 3:1 purchase. However, rope is running over rope with considerable friction. In practice the mechanical advantage is much less, may be more like 1.6:1. However, hauling on the line can be surged and then the friction is an advantage as it helps hold the gain while the end is secured. The theoretical 3:1 gain assumes that the lower attachment point is fixed and the upper point is being moved.

Finishing with a Rolling Hitch has the advantage that it facilitates adjustment. Whichever hitch is used, the rope may be passed around the lower hook a second time before being secured.