helping a friend

I know we have done this before put two tow straps together with a shackle
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Recovery-Strap-Accident.htm

I know how that is, I have on tape a jeep front tow hook breaking and going through a suburban. The driver lucked out by 6".

We all need to use the winch's we spend all the money for instead of using the tow straps and yanking.. We have done it in the last two trips we have been on. We are always in a rush and one of us are going to get hurt..

Thanks for sharing that...

I heard that story some years ago. Or something just like it. Maybe its time for a winching 101 class for all the newbies in the club.

That wouldnt be a bad idea.. I am sure everyone will learn something..


I watched Nick hook up Greg last week and Nick did have a tree saver and also a weight for the metal winch line... Ryan used something over your line when you where pulling Paul also... Great job guys..

mdcj7 wrote:

I know we have done this before put two tow straps together with a shackle
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Recovery-Strap-Accident.htm

to my knowledge and while on my watch we have not used two tow straps held together by a D-ring, we have tied them togther , but not with the used of the d-ring. That would be like useing the straps with the hooks.

A class may be needed in deed.

I don't like strapping unless it's an easy little tug (not to say accidents happen there either) but it's really enough to piss you and everybody around you off when you snap an axle shaft or ujoint because you didn't feel like unspooling to winch and thought you could get a run in your wrangler with 35"s on a dana35 to pull out your buddy sunk to his frame in mud.

How about in ulimate adventure with the dudes entire front bumper ripping off while winching. That'd be something to see.


http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/TechGuide_PN62885-A2.pdf

Just curious about this hookup technique though. I ended up browsing through warn's winching techniques looking for parts one day and this caught my eye.



I normally just use the hook and just never thought or taught to do it the way they show in the picture. I guess there isn't much benefit other than it should prolly stay together better until getting the slack out.

straps are fine as long as you use them with some common sense. Its when you begin to jerk tug them when things begin to go wrong.

I have seen twice in the last few years incidents that could have ended badly. first I witness a vehicle being winched uphill with the cable doubled back to a tow hook on the front bumper that was attached to the vehicle with a single bolt. Also saw during a guided ride someone was being pulled up a steep hill by winch. when that didn't work they hooked a strap to the bumper and tried to pull it up, when that didn't work they hooked two vehicles to it by straps on the front bumper and tried to pull it up. Still didn't work so they were going to bump it up by having both jeeps yank it up. I moved the kids and others away from the line of fire and got out of the way. Sure enough they yanked and the bumper came off and flew threw the air over the top of the two jeeps and landed where people were previously gathered to watch. Evidently the old CJ didn't have all the bolts secure and the ones that were secure were through a rusted frame. Gotta make sure that what you are hooking to is secure to handle the load as well as proper rigging. We mentioned about a safety class before and it didn't materialize. Probably the least intrusive way to do this is while wheeling. If a recovery situation materializes then we should gather and have a miniclass. Or just pick a day when you have a good showing and go get stuck for a recovery lesson. Dump a jeep in the 5' pit if you have to, or better yet just wait for someone to go by with a big ego and small tires and talke them into it.

Another good safety move is putting up the hood while winching. You don't see this done often and I might have done it once or twice if I was winching from a stationary position. I don't do it when I'm winching myself since I kind of like to see where I'm going. I guess a cable weight should drop the cable but the hood would do a good job of saving your dome from flying hooks and whatever else decides it wants to try and kill you.

gentelman, all this information has been refreshing and welcomed. I am sure that by the chatting alone some of us have learn some lessons already, I for one like the idea to use the loop on the wire end where the hook is at for better safety, and Bill has first hand knowledge or a double reverse pull when your hung in the front and sliding off the side, right Bill?

I agree, a class is well over due, but is also beneficial to see it in action at the trails. There is so much we can do to teach new members, we just have to slow down a little rather than run the whole park in one shot. Good points from everyone that provided input. Nick that was a great link on the manual for winching, good stuff there.

Thinking on the couple rides I've been on - Lunch time at lake Kristy has a few good spots to learn/teach at as long as theres not a group going full tilt through there

The Devil Dog wrote:

and Bill has first hand knowledge or a double reverse pull when your hung in the front and sliding off the side, right Bill?

...we just have to slow down a little rather than run the whole park in one shot. .

yeah double reverse also works well when drinking and trying to catch up with everyone. Winching? I don't need no stinkin winch.

I am not going to be the one that flips on purpose so you guys can practice winching. well not again

Damn...you were the first person that popped into my mind too. Maybe I'll do it before I replace my windshield.

Synthetic line does not need a weight from what I have heard but it seem like a good idea anyway.

Chris Taylor wrote:

Synthetic line does not need a weight from what I have heard but it seem like a good idea anyway.

Correct but still if there is a D-ring or snatch block on the other end its just as dangerous if its not the line that snaps.