Tie Loads to Car Roofs by Making Temporary Anchors

by Wilmette in Workshop > Cars

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Tie Loads to Car Roofs by Making Temporary Anchors

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This is for cars with no racks on the car roof and with at least 4 doors
When  there are places to tie the ropes to,  or to hook the bungee cords to , then  it is easy to tie loads to car roofs with ropes or bungee cords
The places to tie the ropes, or hook the bungee cords , are w called anchor points.
Here is how to make these temporary anchor points

The use of a ratchet strap is also most highly recommended. 

The use of a rubbery roof pad is also highly  recomended

Materials

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There are several materials that can be used for anchors.
The materials have to be strong and thin.
For my vehicle, I would consider strong as having a working load of 75 pounds or more
I would consider thin to be less than 3/8 inches thick.

Although I will illustrate the procedure with nylon military belts ( straps)
Other materials could have been used.
For instance:
Cable Ties ( Zip Ties)
550 paracord
Electrical cord
Other thin wirres or cables
Luggage straps
Leather belts


Tie Straps Around Center Posts of Cars

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Tie the straps loosely  around the centerposts.
Turn the knots inside the car and close the doors
The knot used to tie the ends of the strap together is called a "water knot"
Many sites on the web show how to tie a water knot.

If tying this knot is a problem, then consider using cable ties or  paracord or a wire or cable.
Small clamps will bind cables and can be obtained at the Ace Hardware store.


Turn Strap to Inside of Car and Close Door

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Inside View of Knot

Outside View

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View From Outside

Anchor Points on Both Sides

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This is how the car looks with anchor points on both sides

Loaded Car

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Here is a picture of a car loaded using the anchors

Option: Instead of Straps, Use Long Cable Ties

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One easy way tpo majke anchors is to use a long ( 18-36" cable strap
These are also known as Zip ties
They are thin and strong.
They can cost  from 0.30 - 1.00 each and are not re-useable
But they are easy.


Details of Cord Tied to Anchors

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The cord is ttied to anchor using a knot called
"Round Turn and Two Half Hitches"

Two Ropes and Bungee Attached to Anchor

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Here the anchor is used to secure two ropes and a bungee
One rope is going toward the front of the load
The other rope is going to the back
The bungee cord us going ovetr the load.

About Ratchet Straps

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Note that the strap over the load  ( step 6 ) is not a bungee cord, it is a ratchet strap.
Here are photos of the ratchet strap and how  the strap appears in the car.
Various places on the web show how to use a ratchet strap.
The ratchet strap is good fior applying downward pressure on the load

About the Roof Pad

A rubbery roof pad, ( see step 6)  tucked under at tghe front and back
 does all these things:
Protects the roof
Adds friction so the items don't  slide
Improves air flow around the load
Keeps the load from shifting front and back