Tension when Spooling/Re-Spooling Winches

[ArcadeTracks]

I've watched upwards of two YouTube videos from random people on the subject, so I'm pretty much as expert now. But, just for fun, I'd like some more opinions/input.
I just got a new (my first) winch. I plan to spool out the (synthetic) line and re-spool it. My winch info "requires" 1k lbs. of tension when re-spooling. I'll be doing this by myself in some random public location. Should I use a tree and pull/steer the Jeep, or should/could I hook up the end of the line to a heavy-but-movable object and pull it towards the Jeep via the winch? If the second option is viable, what could I use at the end of the line to provide proper weight/tension?

TLDR: How do you tension your winch line when you re-spool solo?

Sponsored

 

[Apples491]

Hooking to a tree is probably the best way to do it if you're alone. I usually find a buddy that needs to do so also and we spend a couple hours and more than a couple beers to use each others truck to do so.

 

[Vinman]

I’ve been using nothing but synthetic winch rope for over 20 years and have never ever pretensioned the rope. Only ever respooled by holding the rope and feeding it in by hand while the Jeep is in the garage.
Never had a single issue.

 

[grimmjeeper]

I've done it with and without a lot of tension.

I get good results pulling my Jeep up a minor grade. That tends to keep uniform tension on the rope.

Of course, all that goes out the window when you do multiple recoveries on a single trip.

 

[wibornz]

I put the transfer case in neutral, and hook to a tree at the top of a hill and winch the Jeep up the hill to tension my rope.

 

[maestro5531]

I hooked up to my truck , 1-2clicks on e brake and spooled in.

 

[Apples491]

Only ever respooled by holding the rope and feeding it in by hand while the Jeep is in the garage.
Never had a single issue.

Realistically, this is probably all you really need to do. The point of tensioning the line on a new winch is to make sure the line is spooled properly to eliminate any weirdness from the factory. After that first tensioning, it's more about inspecting the rope and making sure you respooled it properly when you last used it.

 

[JeepinPete]

Tensioning the rope also helps to prevent the rope from burying itself between the wraps below it.

 

[wibornz]

Tensioning the rope also helps to prevent the rope from burying itself between the wraps below it.

Facts. Nothing like I need to pull line out, but hey I can't get it out of the winch to hook up. Then getting three people hugging on the rope to free it up.

Sponsored