I am a rock climber so I’ll tie a double figure eight knot and hope for the best.

You didn't specify what kind of trailer, so I've decided it's an enclosed trailer with a locking door. I just throw the load in, throw the rope in after it, and then lock up normally. 🚛

Oh it'll hold. It won't be pretty or conventional by any means but it'll hold.

I kept reading this like you were using the rope to tie the trailer to your tow vehicle and thought I was losing my mind when everyone was saying it was ok, just tying stuff ONTO a trailer though? Yeah that’s a perfectly normal way to do it

Not at all. Assuming I have enough rope, knowing the clove hitch, two half hitches and taut-line hitch means I can secure most loads without worry.

You litterally just asked a community of deviants how comfortable we are with rope.

Not screwed at all.

I'd use a Bowline to secure the end of the rope to the trailer, and a Trucker's Hitch at the other end.

The Bowline is easy to untie and the Trucker's Hitch gives a 2:1 mechanical advantage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowline

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trucker%27s_hitch

Edit: Another way to secure the end of the rope to the trailer is a Timber Hitch (best for a round pipe) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_hitch. Super secure and can be untied very easily.

Cutting ropes is a thing that only happens in movies. They don't have Boyscouts in California I guess.

Every conceivable use for a rope has a knot that will accommodate it. Knots that don't bind when under tension are a whole genre.

No problem. Clove hitch and a truckie's hitch is all you need. Super easy to learn. You can even get away with just a clove hitch and a figure of eight.

I'd also recommend learning a bowline, because it's super useful, and if you figure out how it works, it makes other knots easier to understand and learn.

Super screwed!

This always happens when I touch rope! (NSFW)

Do I get to bring my marlinspike?

I think most people who aren't good with knots tie knots that don't hold and people who can tie a decent knot can untie them too.

Really, you can untie any knot, it just depends on how good and patient you are.

I'm offended that you expect me to cut the rope at the end

Do I have access to the internet?

Just utter the sacred spell after tying the knot "This ain't going nowhere"

All those hours learning knots for merit badges will finally pay off!

This is a completely normal thing to do and I'm baffled that it elicits such trepidation in you, OP.

As scoutmaster I was just going over knots with the kids. I'm good for the next month

not.

trucker hitch, combined with evenk hitch

This is a weird question. Nobody cuts the ropes they use the secure things. You would always need to buy new rope.

I am surprised people think they should use a knife at all.

animatedknots.com is insane

As someone with access to the Internet and basic search skills. I think I will be ok.

Others have explained what knots to use, but tbh, go to harbor freight and get some cheap ratchet straps. They're much better than using rope. These are on sale right now:

https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-Capacity-1-in-x-15-ft-Ratcheting-Tie-Downs-4-Pack-63094.html?event_id=184447

Know your knots, and it is no issue at all.

Sailors and others have dealt with this for centuries, way before trailers existed.

It depends on the load. A refrigerator? No problem. If it's full of bodies, I'm probably in for a bit of trouble.

Done that before pretty much. It's not hard. Use a bowline or some other loop knot to make a pulley between the loop and the anchor point, then go back and forth until you run out of rope, then tie it off.

Sure, ratchet tie downs are easier and probably get a tighter hold, but rope works fine.

done it many times

Not screwed at all. Learned a lot of useful knots as an arborist.

Not at all?