Petzl William Carabiner, Auto-Locking

The Petzl William carabiner is a large pear-shaped (HMS) aluminum connector, and the auto-locking version locks itself every time the gate closes. Its wide shape makes room for a friction hitch, rope eyes, and several attachments at once, which is why so many arborists use it at the bridge or hitch.

Why climbers pick the William

A friction hitch, a rope eye, and a pulley all need space on one carabiner, and a small D will crowd them. The William's large pear shape gives everything room to sit without binding, and the wide gate opening makes it easy to clip a rope eye or a bridge with gloves on.

The auto-locking gate closes and locks every time, so you are not relying on remembering to spin a sleeve. Compare other auto-locking carabiners if you want a smaller or steel option.

The William is also a common choice for connecting a rope bridge or for clipping a pulley and hitch together at the top of a hitch-climber setup.

Use and inspection

Load the carabiner along its major axis, avoid three-way and cross loading, and keep the gate away from edges and tree contact where bark can push it open. Check that the lock engages fully after each clip.

Before every climb, inspect for cracks, sharp edges, wear grooves, and a gate that does not snap shut and lock. Retire it after a significant drop onto a hard surface. Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard and the manufacturer's instructions, be inspected before every climb, and be used only by trained climbers working to ANSI Z133.