The approximate strength percentages for choker, vertical, and basket hitches respectively are?

• A. 60%, 90%, 180%
• B. 75%, 100%, 200%
• C. 50%, 100%, 150%
• D. 80%, 110%, 210%

Answer: (B)

Understanding how a hitch affects rope capacity is about how the load is carried and how much friction or distribution changes the usable strength. A choker hitch tightens around the load, creating friction and constriction that reduce the effective strength to about 75% of the rope’s breaking strength. A vertical hitch pulls directly on the load with minimal friction or redirection, so it uses essentially the full rope strength, about 100%. A basket hitch wraps the rope so two legs share the load, effectively doubling the capacity of a single leg, giving about 200%. These are approximate values and can vary with rope type and condition, but this is the typical expectation.