I figured the anchors would be the weak link out in the boonies, but I'll use the same rope on the ramp.Good advice all around from previous posts. Just be aware, if using portable ground anchors the anchors will be the limiting factor. Recent tests of some of the currently popular brands showed they pulled out of the ground somewhere in the 400-500 pound range, but this is very much dependent on the soil conditions.
Thanks. cubscout
Caravans are a tad bit bigger that what most of us here fly. Ratchet straps can break things, especially big ones, and if you ever have one come loose during a storm that mechanism flying around can beat a plane to a pulp.FedEx ties down their Cessna Caravans with ratchet straps. Why do I see folks on this site saying ratchet straps are a poor practice?
When the wind really starts blowing and the small planes start rocking back and forth the strap gets loose and the hook falls off the wing. It really does not take that much to get a Cessna or Cub rocking and pop off a hook or bust a ratchet mechanism (cheap Walmart units). Once you have driven around an airport with several planes destroyed because the pilots were to cheap/lazy to buy good rope and use it correctly you will understand. Unfortunately we see it around here too often. https://www.supercub.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=59354&d=1641945579FedEx ties down their Cessna Caravans with ratchet straps. Why do I see folks on this site saying ratchet straps are a poor practice?
The straps also need to be heavier than you think. I used to use ratchet straps as a supplement to tie down the plane during Storm events. When the winds start gusting near 100 in the middle of the night, I've found the plane tied to the dock with the lines and the straps released due to bent dogging mechanisms. These were not Walmart ratchet straps.Straps need to be twisted and not be flat. Wind will cause flat straps to shake and tear things up....including the strap.
Gary
They fray in the wind, rope is not as susceptible to the fraying. there are limits though considering what is used for an anchor.FedEx ties down their Cessna Caravans with ratchet straps. Why do I see folks on this site saying ratchet straps are a poor practice?
Shemya has real wind for days at time Gary, makes a Florida hurricane look like a microburst. so Yeah, I agree, real wind can change things...A quick search reveals I know little about the quality and claimed strength of commercial ratchet straps> https://www.uscargocontrol.com/collections/ratchet-straps-tie-downs
Locally thin narrow Walmart-types are common, even on $200K plus Backcountry Cubs, but we in Fairbanks rarely get real wind. I like 3/8-1/2" twisted nylon rope as it holds an airplane knot well. I do recall a floatplane Cub on Kodiak in a blow. Despite rope, the pilot had to fill the floats with water to keep it anchored on the beach. Screw anchors in wet gravel simply pulled out from constant jerking. Real wind is humbling. Our cabin had cables over the roof to keep it in place.
Gary
This whole thread is really silly.
A good rope helps.
BUT
What matters is attentiveness to the conditions. Match your tie down method and materials to the conditions your in or forecast for.
A cheap rope in a everyday breeze is probably OK
A great rope in a chinook wind on skiis on deep snow won't mater when the snow melts 6" and everything gets loose.
What matters is getting your butt up and checking on your plane, and making sure it's tied down for the conditions.
Sounds good but doesn’t work. People are busy. People travel for work. Some of us are gone for weeks at a time. Verify earth anchors, keep the spot plowed, use good ropes, and as 55-PA18 taught me, install solid wing covers for ice and spoiler mesh covers over them for wind protection. All that done, the best added protection is good neighbors to handle things while you’re gone. I was on both sides of that for 25 years at Lake Hood. I’d shovel snow and reinforce rear struts for total strangers and go out of my way to do the same for friends. I’d go to my plane and find it swept or with added ropes.
In that case, you need to recruit or pay someone to care for what is arguably your most expensive toy.
MTV