Anyone still use rope to tie things down?

[IslandTractor]

One place where I use bungees is not in securing a load but in putting consistent extra tension on line that is securing a load. Getting line taut is sometimes a challenge if the load cannot be compressed like with lumber. I find that what seems a tightly secured load will become loose after the vehicle bumps around on the highway. I sometimes will tie the load with line but then use a bungee to pull at 90 degrees perpendicular to the direction of the line so as to keep tension. Seems to work for me. The load is secured with line but the bungee keeps the line tense so it doesn't loosen. Anyone else do that?

 

[brown40]

This thread got me thinking about where/when I have attempted to use bungee for actual securing and holding and been satisfied...
I have used it to hold down the lid of the big black plastic storage boxes you see at the box stores... to keep garbage can lids on... to keep stuff from bouncing out of the rope-tied tote on back of the ATV (bungee secured was very unsuccessful--but the rider will prevent the tote from sliding too far forward!)... suspending small fans/motors/pumps that create vibration (stops transfer better than rope, chain or solid mount--I install with bowlines & midshipman's hitches on rope/chain into place, size the appropriate bungee, then release the rope tension/feed out the chain until the bungee is bearing/dampening. The rope/twine/chain stays in place for if/when the bungee stretches or fails.
Failure rate, lack of protection from light degradation, and having a narrow range for actually imparting enough tension to secure something are the reasons I use them so little.
I have tied many knots in cheap bungees to "size them" to the job--but in getting good tension on then they just seem to fail even faster.
I guess dampening vibration, temporarily holding something in place, and keeping lids and objects in receptacles are my bungee uses.

 

[bcp]

It doesn't sound like any of you would tie a bungee to yourself and a bridge, then jump off.



Bruce

 

[downsizingnow48]

I use them daily but only to keep stuff from sliding and on the dump trailer tarp. Never to hold a load.

 

[CajunRider]

It doesn't sound like any of you would tie a bungee to yourself and a bridge, then jump off.



Bruce

Done that several times. Don't see it as much of a thrill. If you want to see me giddy, gimme a new tractor.

 

[joeyd]

I only use rope to hold down the tarp on my trailer when making dump runs and that is just utility grade rope. I use high grade rope, pulleys etc to direct trees when felling them. For load security I use ratchet straps in my truck bed.