Best way to tie tarp lines

[ljsommer]

Hello all,

   I am knot-challenged. That is to say, I have learned many knots academically but I don't spend enough time actually using the knots for them to remain in my memory for long. One area I constantly find myself struggling in is finding the best knot to tie a tarp.
Example: One end of a rope to a tree, the other end to the gusset on the tarp. What do you use?

[Bullkllr]

Trucker's hitch is easy and can be tensioned/retensioned as needed.
https://www.animatedknots.com/truckers-hitch-knot

[Special T]

TAUT line Hitch

[pd]

Here is a trick for you.  Don't use the gusset holes on the tarp!  Rather, find a small rock, cover the rock with the tarp, and then tie a clove hitch over the rock.  A thousand times stronger than a gusset hole.

[elkslayer069]

I always fold a rock on the inside of the tarp corners and in the middle somewhere. Then tie a clove hitch around the rock so the tarp won’t tear if you use the eyelets of the tarp to tie off to.

[elkslayer069]

Haha pd bet me to it while I was typing.

[Magnum_Willys]

There's a reason my tent bag has a bunch of golf balls in it...........

[Woodchuck]

There's a reason my tent bag has a bunch of golf balls in it...........

[7mmfan]

Same as all these guys. small rocks or chunks of wood, etc, tied around on the corner of the tarp, and then a round the tree to a truckers hitch for tensioning.

[ljsommer]

Thanks everyone! I heard about tying around an object but haven't ever tried it. Time to go practice!

[Sandberm]

Trucker's hitch is easy and can be tensioned/retensioned as needed.
https://www.animatedknots.com/truckers-hitch-knot

Thats my go to knot also. Learned how to tie that years ago securing hay tarps. Best thing about that knot is all the knots pull free and you are left with a nice knot free rope again.

Thanks for that website by the way. I saved it to my favorites. 

[Special T]

[pd]

Haha pd bet me to it while I was typing.

Geniuses have to stick together.  HuntWa Mensa society??

[pianoman9701]

These have worked really well for me. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Movable-Tarp-Grabbers-Clips-Extra-Tie-Down-Effect-Without-Damaging-Hole-One-Size-Tent-Awning-Banner-Outdoor-Camping-Cover-Tarps-Plastic-Sheeting-10/408860197?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101055903&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=aud-430887228898:pla-51320962143&wl5=9033614&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=350146810&wl11=online&wl12=408860197&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmaibBhCAARIsAKUlaKRxxKZWnD3LwzvjP29DiqfNAjf-QYcIzpvHv3TVZMtGk8fZwWhGSh8aAnA8EALw_wcB

[Call em in]

Learn how to tie a bowline, a clove hitch and a truckers hitch.  Those knots will cover most situations you’ll encounter.

[vandeman17]

Maybe I am missing the boat but I always just tie a loop a couple feet from the end of the rope. Run the rope through the grommet and then back through the loop so I can pull rope tight then tie it off. If tarp doen't have a grommet, I use the rock method.

[Rob]

truckers hitch is great, but the taught-line hitch is really cool too.

It is essentially a prussik that allows you to simply slide it to tighten up the line.  Great for Tarps, guy lines off poles, and tent guy lines.  Most of the time it uses less rope than a Truckers hitch

[Stein]

I would use truckers or taut line.  Truckers will hold better if there is a ton of wind but does need more rope as mentioned.  It also leaves you with a loop in the line that can be hard to undo unless you use a figure 8.

[Rob]

An extra loop or two in step one of that taught-line hitch diagram will improve the holding capability.

That said, I would not tie a tarp down on a pickup with the taught-line - I would use the truckers hitch as indicated.