Winch - really a necessity? Your comment welcome

**Eevo** · 21st March 2016, 01:46 PM

ah, the exhaust jack

https://youtu.be/JCzqq7EeqU8?list=PL...cb2z6vRN&t=324

**tact** · 21st March 2016, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by austastar

Hi,
Sit Rep:
Pulled off a bitumen road to check a set of roadside picnic tables as a spot to kip for the night. Heavy rain for days had us very cautious about going any where off road.

Problem:
Vic Gas had refilled a trench with soft earth between the road and the tables.

Result:
Bogged to the chassis at the rear. Front wheels on hard stand.

Not enough traction on the front to extract us forward, and that would put us on the wrong side of the trench. The Tirfur would have pulled us forward maybe but would have needed me to drive and winch at the same time.

Backwards was the only way to go, but our jacks and planks were inadequate to get the wheel out of the gooey trench to get planks under them.

Fortunately we were rescued by a local with a Toyota and a short strap.

Conclusion:
The weapon of choice here may have been a Hi-Lift Jack, although a mounted winch might have got me out - but on the wrong side of the trench.

Cheers

...and a strapped tow from another vehicle did the job nicely. Which kinda circles back to my use case: I don't go wheeling solo any more, carry my own straps and shackles.

I hadn't mentioned before but back when I was learning and listening to trainers (40 yrs ago) - the wisdom they imparted, assuming you had another vehicle around was:
- always try to recover a simple bogging with a tow strap as first resort (not snatch! Tow!). Digging and prep work may follow to help a tow strap recovery.
- then only if that fails then move on to the more dangerous activities and tools like winches and snatch straps

Most definitely there are situations when only a winch will do. I have also been in situations where 3 winches on 3 vehicles did the job but would have been nice to have a 4th vehicle with a winch - hard technical recoveries.

As someone pointed out - if you have a winch at the front, why not at the rear too?

And.....as above, you can get stuck just pulling off the tarmac for a break.

There is a line there that everyone must draw for themselves: No winch? One winch? Front and Rear winches?

**tact** · 22nd March 2016, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

One adjunct to my anecdote as well Neil. It wouldn't have made any difference had I been in a convoy. The lead vehicle would have had to have a winch or they would all have been stuck. I've seen and heard what you do and it is no less difficult than what I do. You can't tell me either, that you're not inclined to push it a little further some times.

Nice comment cuppabillytea. Yep you have seen pics and heard some of my stories and for sure, I like to push limits.

Where those limits are, for me at least, differ somewhat tho - depending whether I have a winch fitted (the Toyota years) or not. And whether solo or in convoy with others.
- Without a winch, as already mentioned, solo into anywhere "interesting" is a no-no for me now, unless it's relatively easy to call a mate out should I get stuck.

- Without a winch, but in convoy with my regular mates who I know well and can trust for their knowledge and skills with regards to recoveries and equipment they carry - for sure I am WAY less worried (like not at all) about getting stuck. (And up to the point where a winch is the only way - I can reciprocate in kind with knowledge, skill, and gear).

Most of the guys do have winches and so in the scenario you mentioned - wouldn't have stopped us.

We practice sensible stuff like placing non-winch or low clearance vehicles between winch equipped vehicles. Once the lead vehicle winches through an obstacle its usually a strap to the one behind. As each vehicle passes the obstacle, they in turn pull the bloke behind. In situations like this you can get 6 vehicles through a challenge much quicker with straps than using winches.

(Reminds me of a tale: Back in Toyota/winch days I was lead on one trip (and yes lead can change several times in a trip to share the pain/fun). ... Had to winch myself up a muddy slope. Turned around and ran out winch for the next vehicle. So slow. Turned my 'lux around again and ran out 2 long tow straps joined together and then hauled the next 4-5 vehicles up real fast ... Tow one up, reverse, tow the next up....).

But all that is just "business as usual" type stuff.

When things turn to custard - a pretty rare thing I reckon - then for sure having a few in the group with winches is a good plan.

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