New winch rope tensioning?

[operator22]

This is regarding the Warn winch that is Jeep factory optioned. Both the winch and I are new to winching. The owners manual talks about tensioning the winch rope but I have no idea if this is necessary or how to do it if it is:

Tensioning The Winch Rope

The winch rope must be properly tensioned before use.
Follow the instructions listed to tension the rope:

1. Un-spool the rope leaving five wraps of rope on the
winch drum.

2. Attach the hook to a suitable anchor point.

CAUTION!

Be certain the anchor will withstand the load
required to tension the winch rope.

3. Apply at least 1,000 lb (454 kg) of tension to the
rope while winding the rope. Always use care to
ensure the rope does not pile up on one side of
the drum and is neatly wound onto the drum.

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[Terrymo]

This is regarding the Warn winch that is Jeep factory optioned. Both the winch and I are new to winching. The owners manual talks about tensioning the winch rope but I have no idea if this is necessary or how to do it if it is:

Tensioning The Winch Rope

The winch rope must be properly tensioned before use.
Follow the instructions listed to tension the rope:

1. Un-spool the rope leaving five wraps of rope on the
winch drum.

2. Attach the hook to a suitable anchor point.

CAUTION!

Be certain the anchor will withstand the load
required to tension the winch rope.

3. Apply at least 1,000 lb (454 kg) of tension to the
rope while winding the rope. Always use care to
ensure the rope does not pile up on one side of
the drum and is neatly wound onto the drum.

 

[operator22]

That was very helpful. Thank you!

 

[Odyssey USA]

I’ve parked another jeep on a slight grade up the road and hooked to it to do it. That or a 6” plus diameter tree with tree saver on a slight grade should be enough.

 

[gburchett]

I hooked up to my F450 and put on my parking brake just enough to provide a little resistance and winched up to my truck. Just keep an arms length away from your winch. That will make sure you keep your fingers clear and you don’t risk getting your fingers pulled in to the winch.

 

[Medsker]

Just keep an arms length away from your winch

Thanks for bringing this up. It's a good reminder for everyone.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I hooked up to my F450 and put on my parking brake just enough to provide a little resistance and winched up to my truck. Just keep an arms length away from your winch. That will make sure you keep your fingers clear and you don’t risk getting your fingers pulled in to the winch.

Yep, about 3 clicks of parking brake and your good to go.

 

[Flip]

I usually hook up to a tree or another vehicle and winch my jeep to it.

You'll be fine.

 

[Mocopo]

Does anyone have a good resource that speaks to WHY tensioning the line is important, and what problems you may run into of you don't?

 

[dragoneggs]

Does anyone have a good resource that speaks to WHY tensioning the line is important, and what problems you may run into of you don't?

One reason is that if your line is loose on the spool, when it tightens during pulling, it could bind up due to falling in between the spooled line and make a mess.

 

[Terrymo]

Does anyone have a good resource that speaks to WHY tensioning the line is important, and what problems you may run into of you don't?

Here you go. Just ignore the narrator looking like he needs to switch to decaf

 

[Philly_]

Here you go. Just ignore the narrator looking like he needs to switch to decaf

This video pretty much nails it.

Probably not best practices, but I unplugged my driver door wiring harness to disable the auto-park feature that usual turns on while opening the door with the transmission in gear, pulled the parking brake to maintain tension, and then followed the rest of the process in the video so that I did not have to get in and out of the Jeep multiple times. This way, I could also keep an eye on the rope while it was spooling. The whole process from setup to packing up took maybe 15 minutes.

Walmart, Costco, or other large parking lots are a great solution if you don't have the space near your house or live in an apartment. This is what I did, but you will get some funny looks. I didn't have any problems, but I was also done and packed up before anyone had the chance to approach me. If you use a tree strap, there's virtually no risk to harming the tree so it really shouldn't be an issue, but some people love to get into others' business...

 

[Terrymo]

This video pretty much nails it.

Probably not best practices, but I unplugged my driver door wiring harness to disable the auto-park feature that usual turns on while opening the door with the transmission in gear, pulled the parking brake to maintain tension, and then followed the rest of the process in the video so that I did not have to get in and out of the Jeep multiple times. This way, I could also keep an eye on the rope while it was spooling. The whole process from setup to packing up took maybe 15 minutes.

Walmart, Costco, or other large parking lots are a great solution if you don't have the space near your house or live in an apartment. This is what I did, but you will get some funny looks. I didn't have any problems, but I was also done and packed up before anyone had the chance to approach me. If you use a tree strap, there's virtually no risk to harming the tree so it really shouldn't be an issue, but some people love to get into others' business...

911 what’s your emergency?
Yeah…ummmm…some dudes in the Walmart parking lot…and I think he’s trying to run himself over with his Jeep

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