What knot or knots do you recommend for lashing something down to the roof rack?
I could show you in 5 seconds but its kind of hard to explain. I learned this when I was in college working for Bekins Moving company tying down big truck loads of furniture. Just tie down one end and bring the rope over your load, then about 2 feet away from the other side of the roof rack put a loop in the rope and knot it. Extend the rope over the roof rack and then back through the loop you just made, then pull on the rope to tighten it. You will be able to tighten it easily because of the "block and tackle" effect and when you get it really tight, pinch the loop and the rope with two fingers. You will be able to easily hold it with two fingers then make a single loop like you are half tying your shoe lace. You can now let go of the rope and it will stay tight, but put an extra safety knot on the end of the loop just in case. To unload loosen the safety knot pull the loose end and the load is untied.
OK, thanks, I'll try that. I thought maybe that knot had a name like square lashing, transom knot, figure of eight hitch, or something like that.
It's called a trucker's hitch.
That's exactly what it is. Other than the knot for tying your shoelaces it may be the most useful of all knots.
Cool, thanks! I'm tying one on now. So to speak!
Actually, look at a lot of people's shoes... if the bows aren't perpendicular to the foot, they are actually tying them wrong.
On my old explorer, I actually sanded and repainted my crossbars when they started chipping. It's not that hard, but if you want to avoid the scratches, cut a pool "noodle" lengthwise and secure with some string. Or pipe insulation.
