How to use winch properly?

[AC77]

Hello everyone. Wanted to see and know. What’s the correct way to use a winch ?
Pull out a car/truck ? Or oneself ?
Thanks

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[AirportDave]

Warn has some excellent information on basic winch techniques. https://www.warn.com/basic-guide-to-winch-techniques#

 

[TheRaven]

Unfortunately it's not a simple question. It's a lot like asking "how do I use a car?". It's not something we can answer in a sentence or even a paragraph.

Best way to get the answer you seek is probably this:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+use+a+winch

At JLWranglerForums.com you're just going to get mocked for a bit and then it'll turn into a heated debate on the right way to wind winch rope.

 

[garykk]

You can do both. But as mentioned above, watch a few videos to get the hang of it.
One important thing is to NEVER stand between the vehicles when winching.
a few years ago, I even saw a video where the guy was actually sitting in his pickup truck and was killed by the hitch that broke off the vehicle he was trying to winch out.

 

[GATORB8]

Hello everyone. Wanted to see and know. What’s the correct way to use a winch ?
Pull out a car/truck ? Or oneself ?
Thanks

A winch can aid in both those situations and others, including right siding a rolled vehicle.

Most important thing is to learn how to safely use it (and any other recovery equipment).

 

[AcesandEights]

I asked a simple question, wasn't looking for a smart ass comment today !

Well that's too bad. They say there are no dumb questions, but "they" obviously didn't click on this thread.

A winch is a large reel. You can reel things in; thereby move them toward you, or you toward them. Which one is heavier or more stuck.

 

[AC77]

Warn has some excellent information on basic winch techniques. https://www.warn.com/basic-guide-to-winch-techniques#

thank you !

 

[AcesandEights]

@AC77 you're welcome.

 

[rcadden]

Good answers thus far.

A winch is a useful tool, but like most useful tools, can also be *extremely* dangerous and/or deadly if used incorrectly. Reading up on how (and when) to use it will go a long way.

I would also check your area for local Jeep clubs and/or off-road parks. Many of them will have periodic "recovery learning" days, where instead of wheeling, they set up staged situations where you'll need to use your recovery gear, so that you can learn how/when to use it properly in a slightly more controlled environment.

This is highly recommended, and usually very noob friendly. We *all* benefit by helping others understand how and when to properly use recovery gear.

 

[TrailScooter]

I asked a simple question, wasn't looking for a smart ass comment today !

You lucked out then,,


'cause, its not a simple question...

 

[yokramer]

You lucked out then,,


'cause, its not a simple question...

Googling and youtube are hard man.

 

[Zandcwhite]

You can do both. But as mentioned above, watch a few videos to get the hang of it.
One important thing is to NEVER stand between the vehicles when winching.
a few years ago, I even saw a video where the guy was actually sitting in his pickup truck and was killed by the hitch that broke off the vehicle he was trying to winch out.

That wasn't a winch pull, that was the truck trying to do kinetic recovery with non-kinetic straps/chains etc and shock loading the hell out of a huge drop hitch. Use a winch blanket, don't put anyone in line with the winch pull, and use common sense.

 

[Mocopo]

Out of curiosity, are you asking because you have one and want to know how to use it, or are you wondering if the type of wheeling you want to do necessitates buying one?

Others are correct, just browse youtube and be willing to watch an hour of videos to get a good understanding of different and safe methods to use. But you're less likely to find good info on helping you decide if you even need a winch, IMO. That's where asking in a forum like this one is useful.

 

[yokramer]

Out of curiosity, are you asking because you have one and want to know how to use it, or are you wondering if the type of wheeling you want to do necessitates buying one?

Others are correct, just browse youtube and be willing to watch an hour of videos to get a good understanding of different and safe methods to use. But you're less likely to find good info on helping you decide if you even need a winch, IMO. That's where asking in a forum like this one is useful.

Really the only question of if you need one or not is if you ever wheel by yourself. If youre gonna have a buddy that can help get you out of a sticky situation then you can get away without one but if you plan to do any wheeling by yourself you should have one, or at the least a come along.

 

[Mocopo]

Really the only question of if you need one or not is if you ever wheel by yourself. If youre gonna have a buddy that can help get you out of a sticky situation then you can get away without one but if you plan to do any wheeling by yourself you should have one, or at the least a come along.

I generally agree, but a winch is also a bit of an investment, and if someone rolled up in a jeep without a winch I wouldn't say they're stupid for wheeling alone. It just significantly changes the level of risk you should be willing to take. So the debate should really be where that line is.

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