FAQ's

Welcome to our FAQ

Shipping & Returns

Below are some common questions about shipping, returns, and exchanges

Can I pickup my order locally?

Yes, During checkout you can select local pickup. 

Do you have free shipping?

Yes! Most orders $149 or more to the lower 48 states will automatically get free shipping. No coupon code is required.
There are a few products that negate free shipping. Adding them to your cart will negate it at checkout. They are currently any empty spool, dock & deck, and anything that get shipped by freight truck.

 I am not in the lower 48 states, what about me? 

We didn't forget about you! You will get access to special discounts on shipping outside the lower 48 states on orders over $149!

 Where is my shipping cost? 

We ship everything with UPS, FedEx, and USPS right now. On the check out page it will give you the exact cost of shipping. PO boxes are conditional, see below.

 Why can't I see my shipping cost before the shipping section at checkout? 

A shipping rate calculator is available on the cart page, but it will not be as accurate as the shipping section on the checkout page.

Can I ship to a PO Box?

No, We require a physical address as we only ship products with UPS or FedEx.

 When will my order ship? 

We ship all processed orders with in-stock items the same or next business day (standard eastern time zone). Below you can find a coverage map from UPS from our location to better understand shipping times. Please understand this is for reference only and does not guarantee a delivery date. note: orders are usually processed at 8am eastern time and orders placed after that are usually processed the next business day.

 Do you ship outside of the USA? 

Yes! We can ship to most countries, it will show you those shipping costs at the checkout page. You will be responsible for all duties / import taxes / tariffs on this product if applicable. We do not control what a country charges for those fees. If your country is not listed, please email jeff@atwoodrope for more information and options for getting product to your country and we will do our best to help you.

Just so you know, the best price per weight per shipping large orders sits between 100Lbs(200 hanks of 550 paracord), and 150Lbs(300 hanks of 550 paracord). If you are doing an international shipment, try to keep each order you do within that pound range to get the best possible shipping rate per hank per dollar per order. This is conditional upon current shipping estimates. The rates are almost in a constant flux.

Shipping to Canada

Shipments to Canada will have duties/taxes/fees due at the Canadian border. Sometimes the country charges more than what shows and the shipping company mails a fee. This costs varies wildly. Customers have seen anything from 13%-150% of the order value, if shipping with UPS or FedEx this tax will be required to be paid by you. If shipping with USPS, they are sometimes able to ship items through without having to pay the additional tax ( we don't know why, but it happens ) So take that into consideration when choosing your shipping method.

 Returns: 

If the product is still new and unused in its packaging You're welcome to ship the product back to us at the address below. Contact customer service through live chat or email.

Atwood Rope MFG
2185 Refugee St
Millersport OH, 43046

Support@atwoodrope.com

614-920-0534

We will refund the entire order/product(s) fully.

EXCEPTIONS:
Warning:
Bulk Box / Master Run In A Box cannot be returned
Mystery Boxes and clearance items cannot be returned.

International orders do not have an option of return labels. Those must be sent back in order to receive a refund. If international orders are rejected at the border or sent back from claims the cost of the shipping and any customs/fees/taxes or charges come out of the refund of the returned shipment.

For any other circumstances or issues (like return labels inside the states), feel free to contact us at support@atwoodrope.com

Rope Basics

Below are some of are common questions about Rope

 Do knots affect the strength of a rope? 

Yes. Knots can reduce rope strength by up to 50% because they distort and cut fibers. Where possible, use properly designed terminations (such as splices or suitable hardware eyes) for better efficiency and lower strength loss. Always account for the reduction when calculating working loads.

 What is the proper way to store rope? 

Store rope in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, chemicals, and sharp edges. Proper storage preserves strength and extends service life.

 What is the shelf life of nylon and polyester rope? 

There is no universal shelf life. For unused nylon and polyester ropes stored properly, a maximum of 10 years is a common guideline. Heat, moisture, UV exposure, temperature extremes, and chemical contact will shorten usable life. Always inspect before use and retire or downgrade any rope showing signs of degradation, especially in critical applications.

 Is the minimum breaking strength of a rope the same as its safe working load? 

No. Quoted minimum breaking strength is typically measured under controlled laboratory conditions on new rope pulled slowly in a straight line. Real-world use involves dynamic forces, abrasion, bends, knots, heat, and other factors that reduce capacity.

Safe working load (or working load limit) is established by applying a design factor to the minimum breaking strength. The design factor accounts for risk to people and property, operating conditions, inspection practices, and dynamic loading. Higher design factors (often 5:1 to 12:1 or more, and up to 15:1 in some standards such as certain NFPA requirements) are used for critical applications. Users must determine the appropriate design factor for their specific conditions. Never exceed the established working load limit.

 How is the minimum breaking strength of a rope determined? 

Minimum breaking strength is established by testing samples to failure under standardized laboratory conditions (slow, steady pull in a straight line). Always refer to the specific product data and applicable standards for the ropes you are using.

 How do I know if my kernmantle or safety rope is still safe to use? 

Even among manufacturers there is no single definitive retirement rule, but conservative visual inspection is essential. Retire or downgrade the rope if you see:

  • Broken fibers, significant abrasion, or any reduction in diameter / exposed core
  • Burns, melting, or heat damage
  • Heavy dirt or grit that cannot be cleaned or that has penetrated toward the core
  • Oil, grease, or chemical contamination

When in doubt, replace the rope. This is especially important for safety static ropes, helicopter fast ropes, and other life-critical or load-bearing applications. Atwood recommends following applicable standards and manufacturer guidelines for inspection frequency and retirement criteria.

Can I wash my rope? 

Yes! Keep ropes free of dirt, chemicals, and contaminants. For synthetic ropes:

  • Rinse heavily soiled rope with water; a soft nylon brush may help.
  • Soak in mild detergent appropriate for the fiber (or use a commercial washer on cold) after confirming the machine is clean.
  • Loop the rope or place it in a mesh bag to reduce tangling. Front-loading machines are preferred.
  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Air-dry in a cool, shaded area away from direct sun and heat sources. Never use a clothes dryer.

If a rope has been exposed to significant chemicals or contamination, discard it or downgrade it to non-critical use.

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