Cargo tips and tricks

[MichaelW2]

Not just cargo boasting but can all of you experienced load haulers offer tips, techniques etc on supporting loads, lashing, cordage, knots.
Photos of useful techniques or very long, heavy awkward loads welcome.

My first contribution is the truckers hitch, a really useful way of turning some chord into a tensioning system to really crank down on a load.

You make a loop in your rope which acts as a pully. Easiest loop is the Alpine Buttetfly Hitch

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2aRj8dQPRQ


Then use this loop to crank down.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvjoE-xAfts


Often I just use a granmy knot for the loop but the proper ones undo better.

 

[Ridgeway]

Pretty much only ever use ratchet straps these days, even for strapping down the bikes in the trailer. But worth tidying up the ends:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmR9VVaKLpE

 

[mjr]

Cam buckle straps for light loads, ratchet for heavy ones, think about toppling and load trailers with heaviest things front centre. What else?

 

[Andy in Germany]

I learned a number of useful knots here:

https://www.animatedknots.com/

The advantage is that you can make the animation slow down and go backwards.

Personally I find a truckers hitch and a bowlin are a good combination:

A 200kg rated static line can be used for many things, including child transport:

 

[Ridgeway]

The most awkward thing i've carried on the bike trailer is our 3 man Kayak. We balance it on top and add a strap around it, then due to its unsteadiness i walk with the bike in Bosch e-motor "walk mode" so it just sort of takes the strain and tows it along. We only do this from where we are camping to the river/lake edge so never more than a few hundred metres, sort of works

 

[Drago]

Not just cargo boasting but can all of you experienced load haulers offer tips, techniques etc on supporting loads, lashing, cordage, knots.
Photos of useful techniques or very long, heavy awkward loads welcome.

My first contribution is the truckers hitch, a really useful way of turning some chord into a tensioning system to really crank down on a load.

You make a loop in your rope which acts as a pully. Easiest loop is the Alpine Buttetfly Hitch

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2aRj8dQPRQ


Then use this loop to crank down.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvjoE-xAfts


Often I just use a granmy knot for the loop but the proper ones undo better.

You are Kev from Corrie AICMFP!

 

[classic33]

Nearly all my loads have been fastened and held in place with ratchet straps. Placed across and along the load(always at least one strap), to prevent movement fore and aft.

Two bread trays, as seen on supermarket shelves used for the base of any loose, multi bagged load. These held together, and in place, using homemade brackets.

Edited to add
When uing ratchet straps, I've never relied on it not slipping. I put the first knot when tying up loose ends immediately behind the ratchet mechanism.

 

[tyred]

Not just cargo boasting but can all of you experienced load haulers offer tips, techniques etc on supporting loads, lashing, cordage, knots.
Photos of useful techniques or very long, heavy awkward loads welcome.

My first contribution is the truckers hitch, a really useful way of turning some chord into a tensioning system to really crank down on a load.

You make a loop in your rope which acts as a pully. Easiest loop is the Alpine Buttetfly Hitch

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2aRj8dQPRQ


Then use this loop to crank down.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvjoE-xAfts


Often I just use a granmy knot for the loop but the proper ones undo better.

Watching the videos of knot tying reminds me of being out and about on lorries with my Dad when I was much younger.

Tying loads on like that is a dying skill. I wonder how many modern lorry drivers would know how.

I could make an effort but am no expert.

 

[Blue Hills]

I've tried various knots but can never get them to stick in my head. In truth for camping tarp purposes etc i think there are simple lightweight fittings which mean you can get by these days without needing to know clever running knots etc.

 

[tyred]

I have never felt the need for using any knots for cycle touring. Most things go in my large Carradice Super C panniers and the tent and any other awkward bit is set on the rack and held in place with bungee cords.

I have many bungee cords as I often seem to find them lying on the road.

 

[mjr]

I have many bungee cords as I often seem to find them lying on the road.

Of course you do because about half set them so loose that they fall off when they go over bumps, while about half set them too tight and they crush loads and snap sooner, and the remaining few never set off because they've stabbed themselves with a flying bungee hook. Bungees really are awful and have no place securing cargo or luggage unless they're absolutely the only thing in the needed size that you have left.

That said, I rarely use knots. I can only think of hitching to ferries and towing the bins in. Straps are nearly always easier.

 

[MichaelW2]

Had to pop up to PC world to swap a laptop. Too big for the pannier so took the trailer. For fragile loads I have a piece of 4" foam in the trailer box. I also recalled the nitroglycerine cargo in Wages of Fear and used their rope suspension trick. I looped a chord around the laptop box and anchored it so it was held suspended on each side. No knocking against the side.

 

[Blue Hills]

Had to pop up to PC world to swap a laptop. Too big for the pannier so took the trailer. For fragile loads I have a piece of 4" foam in the trailer box. I also recalled the nitroglycerine cargo in Wages of Fear and used their rope suspension trick. I looped a chord around the laptop box and anchored it so it was held suspended on each side. No knocking against the side.

A pic would be handy.
But I'm wondering what sort of laptop wouldn't fit in a pannier - or a small backpack for that matter.

 

[MichaelW2]

A laptop in a box

 

[Blue Hills]

A laptop in a box

ah fair point - though a well strapped decent drybag on a normal rack would also have sorted it.