Use a come-along for off road recovery?

[RedlandRanger]

I didn’t install a winch because I tow my truck behind the MH, weight is an issue as well as after market bumper and winch interfering with tow bar attachments. Money wasn’t the issue.

I have a hitch mount so it isn't on all the time-only when I need it. I also got a front hitch mount so I can put the winch front or rear as needed.

To each his own but this setup works really well. The only downside is fitting the winch in the receiver when I need it.

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[UncleWillie]

I'm just going to echo others. In general, no, but there are occasions where a comealong will get you out of a pickle. It has for me. I was stuck in a flat muddy area with very little (no) traction. I didn't use a come-a-long to get pulled out, but rather I need help moving forward (and upwards) a few more inches onto some planks and then get some more momentum.

 

[Dieseldean1]

Has anyone successfully used a come-along or hand winch for off road recovery? What was the situation? (I've watched several Youtube videos) I'm considering buying one - your recommended minimum size/features? I have the "usual" other gear - kinetic rope, tow strap, soft & hard shackles, etc. but electric winch is too pricey right now.
Steve
2020 Lariat, FX4, Off Road, Tow Package

Anytime you use a line or chain for a pull, there’s a lot of “stored energy” in it. Should a link snap, or a line part, you’ll be in the line of fire.
That said, yes- in a pinch, they’ll help.

 

[Davidjc]

Has anyone successfully used a come-along or hand winch for off road recovery? What was the situation? (I've watched several Youtube videos) I'm considering buying one - your recommended minimum size/features? I have the "usual" other gear - kinetic rope, tow strap, soft & hard shackles, etc. but electric winch is too pricey right now.
Steve
2020 Lariat, FX4, Off Road, Tow Package

Many many times in the 70s and 80s when I hunted a really muddy area. Two draw backs are 1. The the labor itself... (getting down in the mud to hook it up, dragging chain through mud to a nearby tree, cranking the handle back and forth, then pulling it back out to get a new bite on the chain repeatedly.)
2. As indicated above, the come along pull is often very short. Maybe 5-10 feet at a time, so sometimes you have to pull, disconnect pull cable out again and reconnect to the chain several times to pull it the distance you need for tire traction.
As messy and bothersome as that is, it beats sleeping in the truck in the woods, stuck in a mud hole.
Yes, I keep one in my lariat swing -out tool box. Just in case.

 

[Davidjc]

This is one of the best ratchet pullers on the market, I carry one on off road, along with my other recovery gear. 6K #'s pull, and 12K drag, more with a snatch block. 35' of Amsteel Blue synthetic 13,500 # test rope.

https://www.baileysonline.com/wyeth-scott-ratchet-puller-3-ton-with-35-amsteel-rope.html

Nice. Much better than my little antique cable one.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Many many times in the 70s and 80s when I hunted a really muddy area. Two draw backs are 1. The the labor itself... (getting down in the mud to hook it up, dragging chain through mud to a nearby tree, cranking the handle back and forth, then pulling it back out to get a new bite on the chain repeatedly.)
2. As indicated above, the come along pull is often very short. Maybe 5-10 feet at a time, so sometimes you have to pull, disconnect pull cable out again and reconnect to the chain several times to pull it the distance you need for tire traction.
As messy and bothersome as that is, it beats sleeping in the truck in the woods, stuck in a mud hole.
Yes, I keep one in my lariat swing -out tool box. Just in case.

Said a different way - the tool you HAVE is better than the tool you need (or wished you had)

 

[subquark]

Has anyone successfully used a come-along or hand winch for off road recovery? What was the situation? (I've watched several Youtube videos) I'm considering buying one - your recommended minimum size/features? I have the "usual" other gear - kinetic rope, tow strap, soft & hard shackles, etc. but electric winch is too pricey right now.
Steve
2020 Lariat, FX4, Off Road, Tow Package

I used a chain come along for 20 years with an FJ40. Pulled it out probably 7 or 8 times. The worst was three days stuck in a swamp up to the frame in Michigan.

I was 16 and my dad said we'd have to wait till winter to get it out. I spent long days digging and sleeping in that Tojo.

Dug out holes for jacks and kept showing saplings in until the jacks stopped sinking. Then started shoving anything and everything under each tire until they were high enough to roll out of their ruts.

Then the real work. Used chains and some anchor line and pulled it a few feet at a time. Come along only has 5 feet of chain and half would go to stretching and rolling back. After I got it maybe 25 feet from where it went down, I started it up and floored the life out of that 3.9 liter straight six in low case 4x4 and mowed down some 4" samplings and didn't let off the gas until I was on the dirt road.

But I was 16 and wasn't going to disappoint my dad. I was beaming and so proud when I drove it home. =)

Years later, I got an old 1962 PTO Ramsey winch.

But I carry that same come along in Soupie and have no doubt I could get it out of anything I foolishly get into. That said, it's a 4X2 and my serious off road days are long behind me. I also carry tire chains and that's a throw back to my days in Quebec way back when.

used it last summer, fittingly to pull the Tojo onto a trailer to bring it to my daughter to restore =)

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

This is one of the best ratchet pullers on the market, I carry one on off road, along with my other recovery gear. 6K #'s pull, and 12K drag, more with a snatch block. 35' of Amsteel Blue synthetic 13,500 # test rope.

https://www.baileysonline.com/wyeth-scott-ratchet-puller-3-ton-with-35-amsteel-rope.html

These are the best I have ever used. I have a 12K winch and still carry my Bailey's line puller when going solo back country, or wheeling when no one else in the group has a winch. I haven't had to use it as a primary yet, but have used it to pull sideways and keep me from sliding off a shelf road while my winch pulled forward.

I've also used a high lift as a come along, and although they do work, they are lots more work. Also they require some chain which is a PITA, heavy, and more dangerous.

 

[Rhino]

I didn’t install a winch because I tow my truck behind the MH, weight is an issue as well as after market bumper and winch interfering with tow bar attachments. Money wasn’t the issue.

they legit make stuff that goes in the oem bumper so a winch wouldnt get in the way or weigh a ton... just sounds like lazy research to me.

 

[Rhino]

Has anyone successfully used a come-along or hand winch for off road recovery? What was the situation? (I've watched several Youtube videos) I'm considering buying one - your recommended minimum size/features? I have the "usual" other gear - kinetic rope, tow strap, soft & hard shackles, etc. but electric winch is too pricey right now.
Steve
2020 Lariat, FX4, Off Road, Tow Package

ive seen people use them... they can work with the proper rigging... but lets be honest here its stupid... ive seen people try and use them and struggle with it for a long time until someone with an electric winch shows up or a snatch strap and boom they are out in seconds instead of almost an hour..(yes i legit watched a dude in a offroad park claim his come-along would get him out just as fast as my warn winch.... an hour and some change good lord!) on top of that if you are on a trail and you start setting the dang thing up you then block the trail! for a long time! anyone showing up is going to be annoyed at that (also good chance they take pity on you and just winch you out...)... its not worth the time or hassle tbh if you are wanting to wheel....


now on the other end of it. if you are not wheeling and you slide off the side of the road yes they do work pretty good for that but again it takes awhile and puts you in the danger zone.. so its a 50/50 to me not a bad idea to have one and a couple of good recovery straps thou. but if you are thinking of buying that silly one for 400+... just go buy a winch and a mounting plate in the oem bumper... or a hitch receiver option where the winch isnt always attached to the vehicle.

 

[JesseS]

they legit make stuff that goes in the oem bumper so a winch wouldnt get in the way or weigh a ton... just sounds like lazy research to me.

Well, by

they legit make stuff that goes in the oem bumper so a winch wouldnt get in the way or weigh a ton... just sounds like lazy research to me.

well, aren’t you the snarky one , I am well aware of the winch options, I also know my towing setup, and that it uses the same attachment points as that winch. So the next time you want to run your mouth and be a jerk, don’t.

 

[JesseS]

it uses the same attachment points as your oem bumper? man that must get old taking the bumper on and off every time!

not being a jerk just pointing out the obvious. nooow i could have said you were a complete moron thinking your little hand crank winch is a good option to use offroad in a true recovery situation but ya know that would be rude and this forum is a bit sensitive on stuff and likes to block or hide people when they get feelings hurt. so figured id be nicer but i guess even that was to much for ya

You sure assume a lot, the flat tow attachment is to the frame horns, not the bumper, which is way to weak for towing or a winch. I never said I 'wanted' a winch, or needed one, or that the ratchet puller was sufficient for a 'true recovery situation', you just assumed that. The OP just asked about Ratchet Pullers, and I provided a link to one, the rest is just in your head.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Said a different way - the tool you HAVE is better than the tool you need (or wished you had)

any wrench can be a hammer, but not every hammer can be a wrnech.

or something like that.

 

[Skit hjälm]

For years I always used a Tirfor. Needed it once per year or so.
I hate to confess. Now days I'd probably not have the 'nads to work the bar very long...

 

[9zero1790]

tirfor?

Dickfore?
i hope some person really asks me the question it will make my wednesday lol...

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