I’m new to knots (and to the forum). My repertoire is quite small, and often I find that my limitations are not only in being unaware of an available knot, but often in trying to figure out the right knot for the job.
At any rate, I have some sandbag weights for a canopy tent that I am trying to find the right knots for.
The sandbags have attachment loops, and I am hanging them from the canopy frame ( but easier to just envision them hanging from a nail), using rope. I need to adjust the knot as I need to have the bags sit just slightly above the ground.
I need to disassemble the rope and sandbag from the canopy for storage.
My current method is using a tautline hitch to connect one end of the rope to the other, and adjusting as needed. Seems to work fine, but wondering if there is a more ideal solution.
It just occurred to me as I write this that I could tie a bowline to one end, thread the other end through, then hoist up the bags and perhaps tie off at the loop?
I like the idea where you suggest using a bowline. Simple and easy. Also what you suggest would mean less friction than a tautline or similar, so it would be easier to adjust.
I think a bowline on the top of the canopy and an adjustable grip hitch through the attachment loops would work perfectly. I’ve always had better results with the adjustable grip hitch over the taught line hitch. You could even put an AGH on both ends. The AGH also makes a great bend if you wanted a bowline on both tie off points.
Sorry for the delayed reply, thought I had thread notifications turned on.
The adjustable grip hitch and slippery 8 are now on my to-learn list!
I still need to give a trucker’s hitch approach a try as well. Thank you for the input, will report back once I’ve experimented with these suggestions.
I know this is an old thread, but gc will probably be putting his canopy up next summer, so I thought I would add another suggestion. I think this is a perfect application for the backhand hitch. Those sandbags are probably pretty heavy and difficult to hold in position while you are tying the knot. So just tie a Munter hitch, lift the bag up, and lower it easily on the Munter, then tie off with half hitches when it’s at the right height.
i’d consider Becket / Sheet Bend to the fixed eye of the sand bag; perhaps slipped if speed is desired; then small lock in slip loop for safety.
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If jamming, stretch or strength is a problem/consideration;
would consider a loop section of friction hitch back to itself in the construction.
Thus, any slip etc. to the friction hitch leg of loop would immediately re-divert to the solid leg (favored) in the mechanic i’d think.
This would give more strength and less jamming; especially from impacting change(wind etc. ) .
Dual legs would be loaded half as much each, so system would yield less elasticity overall.
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Sorry again, turns out the thread notification emails were getting flagged as junk mail.
I’m going to have to give these all a try.
I really like the backhand hitch suggestion. Looks like it would indeed help with the hoisting of the sandbags.
The sheet bend through the attachment eyelet is a great idea too, as I’d like this entire set to be easily disassembled once the events are over. I do various outdoor artist events and have to set up and tear down over a weekend. Multiple times throughout the summer as well.
I played around with some cheapo carabiner pulley systems after watching some hammock strap hanging technique videos last Autumn. It worked, but was a bit of overkill for my needs. But fun to experiment and learn.
The bags are only about 25 libs, and only need to barely be lifted – the weights are more to prevent the canopy from flying away than anything else. And my current canopy is consumer-grade, so I’m trying to avoid too much weight on the support frame which wasn’t designed for weight-bearing loads as far as I know – they suggest staking them down but that’s impossible on pavement.
The backhand hitch looks ideal to ease the bags down to the proper height, easily tie off and then easily disassemble. Same for the sheet bend for the disassembly.
Thanks again for all the help! Great stuff here that I’d not come across on my own.
I have just recently learned the Gleipnir knot, and it occurred to me that it would be perfect for your application. Yes, even better than the backhand hitch, which is one of my favorites.
Have a look at this video. https://youtu.be/YLKPC2ynH8g
I will grant you the part about rope length, but you can use two separate pieces, one hitched to the upper anchor point with an eye knot tied a couple feet off the ground, then a short section for the gleipner. Also, inexpensive paracord would be fine to hold the 25 lb. bags. As for the stability, I definitely disagree. With constant tension, it’s rock solid. Did you see how hard I had to pull to lower the bucket?
A weight hanging from it is practically the very definition of constant tension. I think if you tied it like I did and played around with it a little bit, you would see for yourself how stable it is.
Only in a world with no wind, people or other sources of motion or force. : Even then, I wouldn’t trust it and alternatives that use much less rope are far more stable.
I have lots of experience with the Gleipnir and I have never been impressed with it. Even you admitted it wasn’t very impressive here:
“Sometimes it works” isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
When I say constant tension, my intent was that it’s constantly under tension, not necessarily that the tension doesn’t fluctuate. Wind, or even people brushing up against it won’t have any effect.
I still have spotty results getting the gleipnir really tight around a bundle, which was its original purpose, However, it becomes a completely different animal when tied in free air like I did in the video. I guess OP can try it out and see if it meets his needs.
I’m curious what kind of cord you used, as that hasn’t been my experience at all. I’ve used the braided poly, as shown in the video, and some nylon paracord, with good results. Both of these cord types were somewhat unreliable when tied in various friction hitches like the adjustable grip hitch, the Farrimond friction hitch, the taut line hitch, etc. I think I’ve tried them all. They all hold, more or less, as long as the rope isn’t too slippery, you dress them nice and tight, and don’t pull too hard. But then you adjust them, and they are likely as not to slip again.
I think those are the kinds of knots you would compare the gleipnir to in this application where OP wants to fine tune the height adjustment.
Seems I am still not receiving reply notifications. At any rate?
After some canopy set-ups this summer, I?ve had a chance to experiment in the real world with the knots.
The current champ is a slippery Bowline paired with the Trucker?s Hitch. The Bowline isn?t used to attach to the upper canopy frame, and the Trucker ?s Hitch allows me to hoist the sandbag before tying off.
As time isi usually in short supply during these setups, I?ve not had a chance to try other suggestions as I?m defaulting to the knots I already know.
At some point I?d like to set up at home and try all these other suggestions. Thank you for the help!
Even then, I wouldn’t trust it and alternatives that use much less rope are far more stable.