New to using my winch, question.

This is the first time I have owned a truck with a winch. I have a 10,000 lbs Smittybuilt mounted on the front. I'm the type of person that likes to help others and yesterday I saw someone had gone into the ditch and was thinking about helping them. I realized that I might not have the right equipment to pull someone out and if I do I don't know exactly how to use it. I have recovery gear - tow strap, tow rope, tree savers, rope shackles and the winch has a nipple. How do I use that gear to hook up someone and pull them out? TIA

 

The ole' nipple winch

Good luck out there

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXxLh8shMu8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn8qDC40ERk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIMn0sMt8Ls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCDzXmlJibQ

 

First I would be very careful helping random people. I understand wanting to help people, but it can bite you back.

Second You should go on YouTube and just watch videos on how to properly use a winch to your advantage. Winches are great tools but will only be effective if you know how to use them. There’s no definitive cut and dry “always do this” because there are so many variables.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/recovery.226/

There might be a few threads on the subject in the recovery sub forum.


Is this the nipple we're talking about?

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/SeekAdventure/videos

This Aussie does a god job breaking down different recovery scenarios for the beginner. Take a look around and watch some videos.

But some things to remember;
1) Know where you can connect your winch on a vehicle you are recovering. Every car should have a point on the front and back that is rated for this.
2) Learn about hardware selection. When to use soft shackles and when to use steel shackles. etc.
3) Most importantly, understand the rating of all your gear. You know the saying "You're only as strongest as your weakest link"? Well your 10k winch will not mean a thing if you are using a keychain carabiner on the end. Also, just because a vehicle weights 4k, doesn't mean it will only take 4k of force to move. Take into account terrain.

Happy to chat specifics, winches and rope systems are kind of what I do for a living. Otherwise this will get you started safely.

 

Totally agree. Like Matt's Off-Road Recovery (on YouTube), being a business, he carries insurance for any potential damage that results in recoveries.

 

Thanks!!

 

Thanks! I watched a few videos but I think I am missing some of the equipment. They haven't showed how to hook up to a car or truck without using a hook. I will watch the other videos on this post.

 

Most vehicles today have a recovery point in the front and rear which sometimes requires a panel to be removed and a recovery bolt screwed in. Add in liability and other things and you’re better off calling them a tow truck.

Watch some YouTube.

 

Shackles and Soft shackles can be looped around things on vehicles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9sOBnOr6f8

 

Great info, thank you. How do I connect my winch line to a car or truck that does not have shackles? I will watch the video you linked. Should I get metal shackles for my truck or will the soft shackles work for towing me out? What towing scenarios should I stay away from? TIA

 

Yes, is this not a good one? Or is there something else that is better? I notice it gets beat up when I am running the dunes but I can't remove it when I am there.

 

You can run both. Soft shackles are good for more unique and random situations. However, shackles on vehicles aren’t always mounted to a rated point. We see a lot of people installing shackles for aesthetics but can’t be used for recovery.

 

Matt is a wrecker/recovery service, his methods are questioned on the forum but he is a professional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voXU7uGD7-Y

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyWHaqO7_QE

 

I've pulled a lot of people out of the ditch over the years with tow straps. Always ask them to make the decision where to attach the hook to their vehicle. Perhaps this doesn't completely negate legal consequences of damage but then it's in their court. On occasion I've helped someone figure out where their recovery points are but they make the final decision. It's that or call a tow truck.

 

@rimfire7 you need 100+ hours of logged time to become

 

Same, just like jumpstarting(Jumper pack) someone elses car. I make them hookup the leads, with clear supervision, Red is +; yes that one

 

I find a snatch strap can get 99% of people out. I have only used the winch on my fj40 twice and both were full pucker situations.