Abstract: A tie-down mechanism for securing a pivotally mounted automobile trunk lid 20 when objects 24 in the trunk are too large to allow the fully closing of the lid. The mechanism includes a reel 32 journalled for rotation on a reel housing 34 which is attached to the underside of the trunk lid. A flexible strap 41 wound on the reel spool is provided with a fastener 46 on its free end. A ratchet and pawl mechanism mounted on the reel housing includes a pawl 58 which is normally spring biased to lock the ratchet and reel against rotation in the unwinding direction. The reel is releasable by manual retraction of the pawl from engagement with the ratchet and the pawl held in the disengaged position by cooperation of a holding pin 70 on the pawl and a shoulder on the pawl carrier 56. With reel released, the strap can be withdrawn from the reel and its free end secured to an anchoring element 23 in the trunk.