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I don't have much experience at tying down my 150 outside let alone tying it down in high winds. I may have to tie it down outside for a few days and the winds may be as high as 40 MPH. I need some tips on proper knots and what would be the maximum acceptable wind speed?

Because I had a hangar, the only times I had to tie down my plane were when I went on long trips and to Clinton. I used tie down straps with hooks LIKE THESE [harborfreight.com] . For the ground, I had homemade anchors similar to THESE [walmart.com] that Wayne Westerman gave to me. Whatever you use, make sure the straps/ropes are taut, so the plane can't move with the wind gusts and yanking on the tiedown rings, putting extra stress on the wings and tail.

Maximum wind speed is limited only by the strength of your tie downs. My plane went through a hurricane outside. I doubled up on the tie downs just before the storm which were attached to chains anchored in the ground. It survived with no problem.

My plane has been tied down since I bought it 20 some years ago.

This Youtube Video [youtube.com] shows the method I use.
I have never had any trouble using this method and it has withstood all kinds of winds here in the north east.

You use a locking double half hitch. Google EAA video tying down plane for instructional video. I carry my own tie downs when I fly cross county. You would not believe the sad condition of the ropes you find at some airports. Don't forget to chock the wheel and a good rudder lock

Before I got into a hanger my plane set outside thru several hurricanes. Winds in excess of 80 mph. Before the big winds hit, I took 1/4" cable and a couple of wire rope clips and used them to tie down plane. Not for everyday tie down but good for a big winds.

you can always buy a set of Slide Downs [slidedown.com] and don't worry about knots.
These work great and are what I take with me when on long x-country flights.

They are also a sponsor of the Fly-In.

Dalton,

Best knot is a taut-line hitch. http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitch

There should be absolutely no slack in the ropes and that knot will slide completely tight and will not slip. It's easy to tie with a bit of practice (similar to two half hitches).

Don't have a maximum wind speed, but tie downs should hold at 40 MPH. If you have to deal with a tail wind, cock the nosewheel to one side when you park the airplane. That will deflect the rudder to the stop and helps keep it from banging back and forth if you don't have an external gust lock for the rudder.

Warmest regards,
Rick

I use the same. Easy to tie and release, yet holds great. It holds tighter as the tension increases.

I use the chocks I made for he ice runway at Alton Bay. Two pieces of 2x4, connected by a piece of rope, with 6 wood screws sticking 1/8" through the bottom of each 2x4. Turns out they work great on asphalt and don't walk as the plane rocks.

+1

Another thing is that the ropes for the wings should pull the plane forward and to the sides. It might sound obvious, but I have seen planes that were parked past the tie-down anchors for the wings, and the ropes later pulled the plane backward along with the tail rope.