You need to secure a load onto trailer using just plain rope and then untie it later without using a knife - how screwed are you?

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.

Super screwed!

::: spoiler This always happens when I touch rope! (NSFW) :::

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.

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

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

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

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

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

animatedknots.com is insane

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.

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.

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. 🚛

not.

trucker hitch, combined with evenk hitch

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.

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

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.

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

Do I get to bring my marlinspike?

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

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

done it many times

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.

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

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

Not at all?

Do I have access to the internet?

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

Not at all.

Uuuuh not my job

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

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

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

Pretty screwed. I wish I had gotten more into knots as a cub/boy scout.

I'll be just fine. I've been doing shit like that for decades.

Can I use the internet to research it for a couple of minutes, or spend 20 minutes fiddling around first, or is it a "do or die right god damn meow" situation?

Because I'd be fine eventually, I usually figure stuff out or can follow instructions, but I dont actually possess those skills.

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

I'd use cleat and clove hitches everywhere.

I know knots. I'd be just fine.

Some sort of Prusik and youre fine.

LOL why screwed?

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.

I'd watch some youtube shorts by knot master and hope something helpful comes up

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

It should be illegal to have trailer without ratchet straps 🤔