Reader Find: The Tite-Tie — The Trucker’s Knot for Dummies
By Chuck Cage
David sent us this “little plastic metal jigger that keeps you from having to know how to tie a trucker’s hitch” from the soon-to-be-as-seen-on-TV file.
The “trucker’s hitch” [as seen here in the great demo at animatedknots.com] is a knot commonly used by truckers to shorten and secure load tie-downs. The Tite-Tie serves the same purpose, directing rope into the same configuration — but without any knot-tying experience.
Here’s the part I don’t get, though: we’d love to tell you how much they’re asking for this thing, but we can’t find any place where you can buy it.
Maybe that’s an indication of the demand for a tool that replaces a knot you can tie for free. I’m just sayin’.
Update: The Tite-Tie’s inventor stopped by in comments and passed on that a) we couldn’t find the price because it’s currently selling in countries other than the US, b) it’ll be on-sale in the US soon at “most leading hardware stores” for $7.50 to $9.95 a set, and c) it’s made of metal, not plastic. He also points out that “there are nine different ways to tie a trucker’s knot.” All of this, of course, makes this a much more interesting tool than it was at first glance.
Multi-Use Tie Down [Tite-Tie]
March 21st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Personally, I’m a knot guy but I can see where this might come in handy, especially if you’re working with wet rope. I would probably lean more towards these than the ratcheting tiedowns (which are great but for most everything I just use rope).
March 21st, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Their website says that it’s a new product - that might explain the lack of online availability if it’s true. Or it could be that this is an Australian product.
March 21st, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Hello all Toolmongers
The Tite-Tie is made from heat treated steel (not plastic) and is rated for 1985lbs. The reason why I invented this product is because there are 9 different way to tie a trucker’s knot and more and more people are becoming confused or not bothering to learn but still try to secure cargo with ropes. The Tite-Tie gives a super strong tie down with no knot tying, and the one size fits small to large ropes, you can even use webbing straps. The reason why I am not selling them directly is because my distributors have asked me not to. The Tite-Tie is exported and sold throughout Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Israel, and will be available at most leading hardware stores in the US soon for $7.50 to $9.95 a set. If you would like anymore information regarding the Tite-Tie please contact me via my web site
March 21st, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I apologize for mistakenly saying these were plastic. Metal, with the self-locking nature makes them even cooler I guess.
March 22nd, 2007 at 12:08 am
Thanks David, no problem. I have a Google Alert on “truckers knot” so I can keep up to date with things. Would you like a sample of the Tite-Tie sent to you? Contact me directly via my web site and leave your address and I’ll send you one free of charge for being a good sport, kind regards Chris
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:25 am
But I love the truckers hitch, though I just looked online and it turns out that i am using the “false truckers.” Since canoe season is upon us here in MI I guess I am going to have to learn the real one, or get some of these.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
[...] Original Tite-Tie Post [Toolmonger] [...]
December 19th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I found a similar, and smaller item at REI in the tent tie-down section. The design was a bit different. The brand name was Nite Ize Figure 9 Rope Tightener.
Google found:
http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/item/06350/icn/20-017863/rcp_enterprises/f9s_03_tp09.htm
They have different sizes and ratings.
Can’t wait to get one of these, though. Especially for truck tie-downs.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I just Googled Tite-Tie and found it on the US based website (www.idltools.com/products/TT2200/) The site is not as complete a site as the Aussie site but it is definately the same product. You can buy it from these guys as well.
Just wanted to let you guys know.