Which factor determines how much the rated load is reduced when using a choke hitch relative to a vertical hitch?

• A. The size of the sling
• B. The angle of choke
• C. The length of the load
• D. The material of the rope

Answer: (B)

The angle of the choke is the factor that sets how much the rated load is reduced. In a choke hitch, the rope forms two segments that pull in different directions, and the way those forces combine at the choke point depends on the angle between the segments. The larger that angle, the more the load path is spread out, which reduces the effective capacity of the rope and hardware compared with a vertical hitch. So the exact reduction in rated load is determined by that choke angle, and you’d use a rigging chart to find the precise factor for your rope size and angle. The sling size, the length of the load, or the rope material don’t determine this reduction directly. They affect other aspects of strength and durability, but the angle at the choke governs how much the rating is reduced.