Hands down the best knot video on the market. I operated under the motto of " If you don't know knots, tie lot's" for years. Now I can tie good ones!! Thanks a lot
I like the truckers/mccarthy hitch for when the weather is nuts and the wind is high. For 95% of the time I just use a tautline hitch on the line and it is just fine. Plus I usually add a small look of shock cord to the tent or tarp then tie the guyline to that. Then it takes up the slack of the wind and keeps good tension. In high wind, i bypass the loop and go back to the fabric loop for stability. Nice informative video though.
Your presentation makes clear the principle of mechanical advantage in the tightening hitches, with the McCarthy as the simplest to understand and tie, and the Trucker's necessary when line length is significantly less than twice the distance between the shelter and the anchor. Very nicely done.
I generally use a taught hitch instead of the truckers hitch this way I can adjust accordingly at ease .. just a little tip on the truckers hitch if you go through the lead line loop twice with the tag end it’s stay secure with minimal pinching for when you put the half slip loop ... 😊👍🏻
Appreciate the basic knots lesson. As a long-time free-standing tent, but non-freestanding curious dude, I searched high and low for good videos on this and it's like every other video has critical parts of knot tying out of the shot, obscured by hands or ties the know way too fast to follow even rewinding and rewatching. Your video makes it really easy to not mess these up, thanks again.
You are so correct. Make yourself do it until you get comfortable with it and then you are set up with a new ingrained skill. Do them while watching the like you said. People give up easy but it gets very quick improvement after you run through them a few full times.
I use the trucker's hitch for everything from tents to hammocks...You name it really. Once you get quick with the knot it is irreplaceable...and can turn you into a tent saving knight in shining armor! hehe :)
Really love your video, haha the best one out there. Short and direct, these knots are my life saviors for out dooring and towing goods. Thanks m8, your video is still alive haha ;)
I really like knots... and regularily use the three shown ones. However, the linelocs do have one significant advantage: They are much easier to operate in the cold (stiff fingers). Still good to know the knots as a backup in case a lineloc breaks.
Thank you. This is so fast, so simple, and so effective. The mechanical advantage especially won me over. I went ahead and used this method on a couple of huge tents, and also showed a few other guys how to do it this way.
I watched this a while ago but did not bookmark it. I am so glad I finally found it again. Now I have it bookmarked and subscribed to the channel, Thanks for the great information.
And, when doing trucker's hitch, if you wrap the free end around the tension loop the second time instead of just pulling, you'll get auto tensioning without having to hold the tension manually when tyhing the half-hitch.
@@noahziegler3478 knots are the manly version of practical knowledge. So many applications to a few knots! I’ve been around a cowboy cousin (after figure) and knots are the only thing I could surpass him in, and impress him.
Good job Andrew - you've explained this very well. I've been using these knots for years, most recently on my Stratospire 1 (excellent tent by the way). And yes, this system works very well with heavier rope tying down loads.
Great video. I'm wondering if I saw this when it was new (probably), cause this is most of what I do. These are all by far the most useful ways to anchor a tent or fly. Do these and your set-up is always as quick as it can be, you have extra line for that stump or buried boulder that is always right at the 4th stake position. In 2018 when I made a DIY rain fly, I got rid of all the D-rings, just made nylon grosgrain loops, For some corners I'd just stick a stake through two loops of it and stick it in the ground. That's for the foot of my rain fly. Done. Everywhere else I'd do Andrew's method shown here. And yep. Practice. The reason I'm watching this video in 2020 is I got a new tent and I was just making a couple of tie out lines....and I forgot how to make 'em adjustable. (Probably just means I haven't been camping enough. Also the little plastic adjusters? A pain to use. It's not a cheap tent REI Flash Air 2. The REI adjusters are okay, Andrew's method here is better, quicker, more versatile.) Also all of my stakes have line loops on them. About an 8-10" diameter (20-25 cm) loops. These have two purposes. First, choose a bright color, orange or day glo, now you will never ever lose a stake. Second, in many cases you can just run the stake-loop through one of your grosgrain loops and then stick the stake in the ground- done, no knots no fuss (this of course works best if the ground's soft and you can adjust by resetting a stake). I think the only time you really need to be adjusting lines is when the ground is hard and you have to hammer in your stakes.
I've actually had a lot of benefit from having my guy lines secured to the nylon tie out with bungie cordage help to keep everything taught and less stress on the tie outs
Thanks a lot for making this video, it really makes the info come to life and much more clear, especially for someone that doesn't have a ton of experience with knots and is getting used to using tarps. I've been using the guide Andrew did as it was the best I found when I googled it. (Started looking more of what he did up as I kept hearing the name and he's been a great resource.) Keep up these awesome, informative video's!!!!
appreciate the simplicity and versatility in this system but have one concern: the durability of the attachment to the tent. One replaces something stiff (the fixed lineloc) that distributes the tension in the guy line across the whole width of the tent loop with a flexible guy line that focuses the tension to the sides/ends of the tent loop. In the long run I would expect some earlier wear of the tent loop fabric. Any thoughts? I do realize even Hilleberg lets guylines go through tent loops but perhaps not in loops where high tension is to be expected?
Pro tip for the truckers hitch...the slip loop or slip knot is....make sure u create the loop that you are pulling thru the loop on the side of the loop in the direction u are pulling it back too...other wise the slip loop will sinch down on its self!....so if you are if you are going the be pulling the tail end of your guy line to your right to crank it down, then u need to create the bite on the right side of the loop and then pull it through the top of the loop...if u donit the wrong way it makes the marlingspike hitch instead of the slip knot/loop....but u can use the marlingspike hitch to hold the tent stake tight and then just pull the stake back as far as u want it tight
If you’re not a knot person, use a girth hitch for the tab and a taut line hitch for the stake. You can also just do an overhand knot on a bight and pass it through as a larks head knot.
Mr. Skurka, why was it necessary to "cut-off" the existing loops? Perhaps, breakage reliability in the field? Otherwise, Sir, your video was very informative, and instructive, to learn and use three (3) useful knots. Good job, and thank you Sir, for your hard work.
As an added benefit when using these knots, if you're using sticks or other natural materials as a deadman anchor in snow or sand, there is no need to dig them up when you're finished. Just release the hitch and pull the end of the cord around the deadman.
One question,,.. why cut off the plastic attachment points on the tent/tarp? All of the guylines would work the same with them. Great video. I use a small amount of hardware for ease but mostly use knots. Even if you use hardware it's a good idea to know and practice knots, all it takes is a missing or lost piece of hardware to put you in a spot where you have to improvise.
@@zoladkow @3:40 he made a complete loop around the stake, back to the bowline knot at the tent. Thus twice the length of cordage. With a linelock you only need a little loop big enough to fit over the head of the stake so you only have one length of cordage going between the tent and stake.
Throw the ends of the lines atop the tarp before folding or stuffing it. Don't let lines dangle out -- that's how they get knotted. I don't think the effort of neatly coiling lines is worth the time; do it only if you have an OCD issue you need to address.
No joke I watch this video every time I go backpacking just as a refresher.
Taught me my first two knots in under 5 minutes. Quick easy straight forward video. Cheers man
Worked commercial fishing for over a decade back in the day. The Bowline was a widely used a very versatile knot.
Hello Andrew, you are a genius is your presentation style and delivery of how to tie knots. Great job Sir!
What would us novices do without guys like you. Thanks so much!
Hands down the best knot video on the market. I operated under the motto of " If you don't know knots, tie lot's" for years. Now I can tie good ones!! Thanks a lot
Lynne B.R. Is one of the most underrated TH-cam channels right now.
I like the truckers/mccarthy hitch for when the weather is nuts and the wind is high. For 95% of the time I just use a tautline hitch on the line and it is just fine. Plus I usually add a small look of shock cord to the tent or tarp then tie the guyline to that. Then it takes up the slack of the wind and keeps good tension. In high wind, i bypass the loop and go back to the fabric loop for stability. Nice informative video though.
I thought the purpose of using shock cord was to protect the tent/tarp when there *is* high wind, ie, to stop gusts from causing rips.
Very straightforward video explaining guyliny system and truckers hitch!~
Well, I did not prep a tent, but a patio small greenhouse built. Your knots worked great!😀
Your presentation makes clear the principle of mechanical advantage in the tightening hitches, with the McCarthy as the simplest to understand and tie, and the Trucker's necessary when line length is significantly less than twice the distance between the shelter and the anchor. Very nicely done.
I generally use a taught hitch instead of the truckers hitch this way I can adjust accordingly at ease .. just a little tip on the truckers hitch if you go through the lead line loop twice with the tag end it’s stay secure with minimal pinching for when you put the half slip loop ... 😊👍🏻
Already knew the knots, brilliant use of them thank you and stay safe out there
Great video and just perfect timing as we go hiking and camping for a week in 5 weeks time. Thanks 👌
You taught me this a few years ago (maybe 8 now) and this refresher was so well done - came right back to me. Like riding a bike, indeed!
Thanks.
Appreciate the basic knots lesson. As a long-time free-standing tent, but non-freestanding curious dude, I searched high and low for good videos on this and it's like every other video has critical parts of knot tying out of the shot, obscured by hands or ties the know way too fast to follow even rewinding and rewatching. Your video makes it really easy to not mess these up, thanks again.
That is AWESOME! All this time, I’ve been visualizing like 2 extra steps on the truckers hitch, and this video just straightened me out.
You are so correct. Make yourself do it until you get comfortable with it and then you are set up with a new ingrained skill. Do them while watching the like you said. People give up easy but it gets very quick improvement after you run through them a few full times.
That slippery half hitch is excellent! I love your point on the mechanical advantage x3
Always so clear. Watch this every season. Thanks Andrew!
I use the trucker's hitch for everything from tents to hammocks...You name it really.
Once you get quick with the knot it is irreplaceable...and can turn you into a tent saving knight in shining armor! hehe :)
Love it, much appreciated, thank you, Chris from UK. 🍻👍👍👍
It's really interesting to see the knots in the real situations. Thank you
Really love your video, haha the best one out there. Short and direct, these knots are my life saviors for out dooring and towing goods. Thanks m8, your video is still alive haha ;)
Thank you. I heave learned all I needed for my camping.
I really like knots... and regularily use the three shown ones. However, the linelocs do have one significant advantage: They are much easier to operate in the cold (stiff fingers). Still good to know the knots as a backup in case a lineloc breaks.
Nice video, simple and to the point. I like how you brought up big rocks sometimes being in your way and how to work around them.
Thank you. This is so fast, so simple, and so effective. The mechanical advantage especially won me over. I went ahead and used this method on a couple of huge tents, and also showed a few other guys how to do it this way.
Excellent! Great video. Clear instructions. Thanks! Yes, the trucker's hitch is so useful. I use it all the time.
I watched this a while ago but did not bookmark it. I am so glad I finally found it again. Now I have it bookmarked and subscribed to the channel, Thanks for the great information.
These two knots are basically all you need when camping.
Thanks soooo much ! You're an excellent teacher.
So nicely done. Back here again for the reminder. :)
And, when doing trucker's hitch, if you wrap the free end around the tension loop the second time instead of just pulling, you'll get auto tensioning without having to hold the tension manually when tyhing the half-hitch.
Nothing like breaking out the trucker's hitch in front of your father-in-law first time camping like a boss.
@@noahziegler3478 knots are the manly version of practical knowledge. So many applications to a few knots!
I’ve been around a cowboy cousin (after figure) and knots are the only thing I could surpass him in, and impress him.
I've been using the McCarthy and Trucker's hitch for years. Didn't know what they were called until tonight.
excellent video and excellent knots
Got my first high end tent from Cabela's and realized I can barely tie a knot on my shoes Thanks!
Thanks you rock, I only spent a year in boy scouts, and I didn't really make it to alot of meetings.
Thanks I appreciate the summary at the end!
very good and useful video.. thanks for posting !
Awesome Video , learned some valuable stuff... thank you
OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH,i was having troubles with doing a bowline knot with guylines and my seniors in CCA are unsure about it
Love coming back to review
Good job Andrew - you've explained this very well. I've been using these knots for years, most recently on my Stratospire 1 (excellent tent by the way). And yes, this system works very well with heavier rope tying down loads.
Thank you Andrew! Best knot video I've seen.
Awesome tutorial. Thank you, sir!
So well explained! Thanks!
it's so cool i can practice this in my own room
Muy breve, muy sencillo, MUY ÚTIL!
Great video. I'm wondering if I saw this when it was new (probably), cause this is most of what I do. These are all by far the most useful ways to anchor a tent or fly. Do these and your set-up is always as quick as it can be, you have extra line for that stump or buried boulder that is always right at the 4th stake position.
In 2018 when I made a DIY rain fly, I got rid of all the D-rings, just made nylon grosgrain loops, For some corners I'd just stick a stake through two loops of it and stick it in the ground. That's for the foot of my rain fly. Done. Everywhere else I'd do Andrew's method shown here. And yep. Practice. The reason I'm watching this video in 2020 is I got a new tent and I was just making a couple of tie out lines....and I forgot how to make 'em adjustable. (Probably just means I haven't been camping enough. Also the little plastic adjusters? A pain to use. It's not a cheap tent REI Flash Air 2. The REI adjusters are okay, Andrew's method here is better, quicker, more versatile.)
Also all of my stakes have line loops on them. About an 8-10" diameter (20-25 cm) loops. These have two purposes. First, choose a bright color, orange or day glo, now you will never ever lose a stake. Second, in many cases you can just run the stake-loop through one of your grosgrain loops and then stick the stake in the ground- done, no knots no fuss (this of course works best if the ground's soft and you can adjust by resetting a stake). I think the only time you really need to be adjusting lines is when the ground is hard and you have to hammer in your stakes.
Perfect video. Thank you!
I've actually had a lot of benefit from having my guy lines secured to the nylon tie out with bungie cordage help to keep everything taught and less stress on the tie outs
This is great! I learned how to do this from Mr. Skurka's blog and the video is very helpful.
eliminates the need for those pesky line locks/tensioners. genius!
Thanks! It's a great video teaching how to use guy lines to secure a tent.
Bowline and trucker true mvp knots
Great tutorials! thanks a lot!
2:18 bowline knot
3:40 mccharty+slippery half hitch
5:05 truckers hitch
5:59 all you need
Thanks a lot for making this video, it really makes the info come to life and much more clear, especially for someone that doesn't have a ton of experience with knots and is getting used to using tarps. I've been using the guide Andrew did as it was the best I found when I googled it. (Started looking more of what he did up as I kept hearing the name and he's been a great resource.) Keep up these awesome, informative video's!!!!
I feel like such a magician now!;) Thanks
Great reference video, thank you !!
Brilliant! Very concise instruction. Well done!
First class clear instruction.
great video.
I loved the video! Just a quick note. The McCarthy hitch looks to be a 2 to 1 advantage, not 3 to 1. Keep up the great work!
appreciate the simplicity and versatility in this system but have one concern: the durability of the attachment to the tent.
One replaces something stiff (the fixed lineloc) that distributes the tension in the guy line across the whole width of the tent loop with a flexible guy line that focuses the tension to the sides/ends of the tent loop. In the long run I would expect some earlier wear of the tent loop fabric. Any thoughts?
I do realize even Hilleberg lets guylines go through tent loops but perhaps not in loops where high tension is to be expected?
Great knot, so easy and quick, thank u 👍
Great tutorials! Always useful to learn better and more efficient ways of doing even small tasks. Thank you for sharing.
I have been trying to teach myself different knots. Yes, practice makes perfect. Thanks for sharing! ⛺🙂
Love the color!
and look what we have now in comparison. So sad.
Best video on the subject ever
Glad it was helpful!
@@SierraDesignsGear totally I love it, simple, efficient and clear :))))
Now I set up my tarp in few minutes :D
Really helpful.. great tutorial, thanks! 👍
Thanks for sharing, Andrew! ATB Gereon
Great video you have a new fan.
Very nice. Thank you very much.
Wow that looks so much like a Durston Gear X-Mid tent
Thank you for this video. It was full of useful info.
Thanks for video
The video I’ve been looking for 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Pro tip for the truckers hitch...the slip loop or slip knot is....make sure u create the loop that you are pulling thru the loop on the side of the loop in the direction u are pulling it back too...other wise the slip loop will sinch down on its self!....so if you are if you are going the be pulling the tail end of your guy line to your right to crank it down, then u need to create the bite on the right side of the loop and then pull it through the top of the loop...if u donit the wrong way it makes the marlingspike hitch instead of the slip knot/loop....but u can use the marlingspike hitch to hold the tent stake tight and then just pull the stake back as far as u want it tight
Great!! Thanks very much!
If you’re not a knot person, use a girth hitch for the tab and a taut line hitch for the stake. You can also just do an overhand knot on a bight and pass it through as a larks head knot.
Great content
Thanks Andrew... Love you... 😘
so clear, thank you!!
so cool! thanks
awesome video, great info
excellent video
Mr. Skurka, why was it necessary to "cut-off" the existing loops? Perhaps, breakage reliability in the field?
Otherwise, Sir, your video was very informative, and instructive, to learn and use three (3) useful knots. Good job, and thank you Sir, for your hard work.
You mean why is it necessary to cut off the existing plastic hardware pieces? Because I'm never going to use them again, and they just get in the way.
As an added benefit when using these knots, if you're using sticks or other natural materials as a deadman anchor in snow or sand, there is no need to dig them up when you're finished. Just release the hitch and pull the end of the cord around the deadman.
Hugely helpful thx
Thank you.
Thanks so much bud, it was very helpful. :-) Great explanation.
One question,,.. why cut off the plastic attachment points on the tent/tarp? All of the guylines would work the same with them. Great video. I use a small amount of hardware for ease but mostly use knots. Even if you use hardware it's a good idea to know and practice knots, all it takes is a missing or lost piece of hardware to put you in a spot where you have to improvise.
@link2derek Adds far more potential failure points and adds more weight in doubling the cordage.
@@danh2716 doubling the cordage? how? 🤯
@@zoladkow @3:40 he made a complete loop around the stake, back to the bowline knot at the tent. Thus twice the length of cordage. With a linelock you only need a little loop big enough to fit over the head of the stake so you only have one length of cordage going between the tent and stake.
great instructions!!!
great video, thanks!
This was great. Thanks
2:03 bowline
3:36 McCarthy hitch
Great video Andrew, any tips on guy line management?
Throw the ends of the lines atop the tarp before folding or stuffing it. Don't let lines dangle out -- that's how they get knotted. I don't think the effort of neatly coiling lines is worth the time; do it only if you have an OCD issue you need to address.
What is that rope/line that your using, what would you recommend? 2-3mm nylon or polyester?