Anyone Recommend a Hand Winch?

[snowmirage]

I would like the sense of security of having a shot at pulling my self out of trouble if (ok... when... lol) I get stuck.

An electric winch just isnt in the budget at the moment, I also have no place to mount it other than maybe some type of adapter for the rear tow hitch.

I have been searching around but surprisingly little comes up from searches for "hand winch" or "manual winch"

Is there some other name they are more commonly known by that is slipping my mind?

I am hoping I can find something pretty cheap but still safe to use (2003 trailblazer 4x4 LTZ soon to have MarkMC's 2.5" lift and a set of Nitto Terra Grappler 265/70 17's).

I also find it strange that I see electric winches rated at 9000-12000 lbs or more but then the few "hand winches" I see seem to be rated at 2400lbs? or so?

[djthumper]

A Hi-Lift will take care of the hand winch for you.

[damien]

You can find half decent 10,000lb winches for under $300 new, or just scour the local cl and probably find them cheaper.
As far as mount points you could get a decent tree strap and use a remote battery , to do direct pulls off of whatever anchor would be suitable

[navigator]

are you talking about a come-a-long?

http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Heavy-Duty- ... B000MBWCIU

[Trail X]

Hi lift gets my vote for all around function. 7k lb rating (If I recall)... if you can pull that hard on the handle... you will be the limit to how hard you can pull, not the winch.

[chevycrew]

Combine a hi-lift with a cable, snatch block, tree saver and gloves. you can pretty much move a mountain.


That being said, i would buy a 8k winch, hitch mount, and a snatch block. you could be in the whole set up brand new, less than 400 if you watch the sales. (yes i mean harbor freight) my 10k was $300 out the door with tax and warranty. I caught a good sale and used a 20% coupon on top of it.

[snowmirage]

Thanks for the tips

I was considering a highlift but looking at the models i've seen I dont know that I have any points on the truck that I could reach with it to use it as a jack. But your right that may be a great option.


@navigator

Yes thank you thats the other name they are known by I couldnt think of. The type you linked (not that I know that much about them) I dont know if they have any saftey features built in to keep you from possibly snapping the cable?

Something like this from what I have read have shear pins to keep you from exceeding its limits.

http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Tow-Stra ... es/48.aspx

But many of those models I've seen run almost as much as an electric winch.

[Gordinho80]

A Hi-Lift is a great piece of recovery equipment. With the Lift Mate attachment, you can use it to lift your vehicle using the wheels. With the Winch kit, you can use it for manual winching. I've used mine a couple of times as a winch. I was stuck in some sloppy mud, up to the frame... it got me out.

As far as using a come-along... aren't they designed more for loading?

[snowmirage]

Just looked at the lift mate attachment. Never would have thought of that, very handy! Think I'll see if i can go that route.

[Trail X]

Brandon, have you read the recovery article on this site?

http://www.offroadtb.com/articles/vehicle-recovery

Might be a good starting point to get your brain churning.

[snowmirage]

Wow thanks never noticed that part of the site. My bookmark went right to the forums! Looks like I have another week of reading to do