Hand winch and/or high lift.

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Hi

I kinda hijacked another thread, "Who carries a high lift" so I though I would start my own as I have more questions.
Thanks to those that replied in the other thread.

I have found other forums with this topic but it is hard to tell whats the go... too much arguing/unfounded statements.
PP seems to have a generally high quality information.

As suggested in the other thread, both is the best, and at some point I will probably own both. But budget is a bit tight atm, but I have recently been out on a trail by myself and started out being quite a nice track got a little more tricky than I expected. I didn't get stuck, but the potential was there. I foolishly thought that it was just a bad bit and it would get better soon... It was clearly marked on the map as a road and the street maps on the GPS even had it, and there were fresh tyre marks. Not that I saw another vehicle while I was there.

Anyhows, I found parts of the adventure quite stressful since all of my recovery gear, apart from the maxtrax and shovel, require another vehicle to pull.
I don't do hard stuff at all, even less when alone obviously. I will never go anywhere I am expecting to get stuck, so whatever I decide its more like an insurance policy... I hope I never have to use it.

So the question... Hand winch or High lift to get me unstuck if I get it wrong... remembering its just for insurance.

Some of my thoughts...
1. I have an alloy bar, so a high lift will need to jack with a lift mate off the wheels.
2. Fiddling about isn't an issue, neither is cracking a sweat...
3. I understand that a high lift can be dangerous. This doesn't bother me, I am confident I can learn how to use it and assess the safety of the situation ok.
4. I have seen the high lift winch kit, looks tedious, but might be ok... has anyone used one in anger?
5. I like the idea of the tirfor style winch, seems simpler and therefore less likely to have operator error. but less uses... but a better winch obviously.
6. Will winching get me out of just about anything I will come across. People invest a lot in electric winches (bar, dual batteries, and winch... $3000 +)
7. Tirfor has 20m reach. I like that.

D

[Ron.H. Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ron.H.]

Re: Hand winch and/or high lift.

I would go with the hand winch as the highlift is limited and would be very slow going but if that is all you had then you would have to use it.

You mention about having to have a second battery for an electric winch this is not the case as the winch should always be connected to the main battery as this is where your power goes first from the alternator then once that main battery is full it then goes to the second battery.
So if you ran the winch on the second battery and your main was down a bit your car would be charging your main and nothing would go to the second battery and you could kill your second quickly with the high current draw of the electric winch. So have your second battery for all the auxillary accessories like lights and fridges etc.
Ron.H.

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: Hand winch and/or high lift.

You mention about having to have a second battery for an electric winch this is not the case as the winch should always be connected to the main battery as this is where your power goes first from the alternator then once that main battery is full it then goes to the second battery.
So if you ran the winch on the second battery and your main was down a bit your car would be charging your main and nothing would go to the second battery and you could kill your second quickly with the high current draw of the electric winch. So have your second battery for all the auxillary accessories like lights and fridges etc.
Ron.H.

Makes sense. Thanks. I think the people talking about dual batteries (on other forums) were forcing the batteries to work together to get more bang for the winch not sure tho... I get the feeling they were throwing around reasons not to get an electric, so stretching the truth a bit..

I am leaning towards the hand winch at the moment. But that will probably change in the next day...

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Hand winch and/or high lift.

Like you, I wanted best bang for buck in my recovery gear kit.

The best option is to arrange to go with another vehicle, whenever possible. A $100 snatch strap and good recovery points will get you out of 99% of situations, in my experience.

If I'm going single with a chance of tricky bits, I'll take a hand winch and the MaxTraX. I have a Hi Lift but honestly, don't bother with it anymore..

If you get a hand winch, also get a a snatch block ( pulley) and enough shackles to set up for a double line pull. This'll double your winching power and halve your effort in a real stuck situation. Also get a 20m or 30m winch extension strap and 2 tree protector strap. ( one for the tree and another to act as a bridle at the car end ). All this is going to cost a bit more but is worth it, and can be used with an electric winch too if you ever upgrade.
Practice setting up on your vehicle and a tree or similar before you go out.

If your off road trips are more about getting safely to the destination rather than taking the most challenging track, you'll rarely need to use any of this.

Oh, and you'll probably see posts around the forums about using a high lift as a budget winch, which indeed is possible with a lot of stuffing about. ... I tried it, found the $400 for a hand winch.

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: Hand winch and/or high lift.

Like you, I wanted best bang for buck in my recovery gear kit.

The best option is to arrange to go with another vehicle, whenever possible. A $100 snatch strap and good recovery points will get you out of 99% of situations, in my experience.

If I'm going single with a chance of tricky bits, I'll take a hand winch and the MaxTraX. I have a Hi Lift but honestly, don't bother with it anymore..

If you get a hand winch, also get a a snatch block ( pulley) and enough shackles to set up for a double line pull. This'll double your winching power and halve your effort in a real stuck situation. Also get a 20m or 30m winch extension strap and 2 tree protector strap. ( one for the tree and another to act as a bridle at the car end ). All this is going to cost a bit more but is worth it, and can be used with an electric winch too if you ever upgrade.
Practice setting up on your vehicle and a tree or similar before you go out.

Thanks, this sound exactly like what I will do. I already have the snatch and all the bits and pieces, and maxtrax. The winch will just be piece of mind.

As I gain experience, I figure what I find challenging will move up the scale and along with it the likelihood I will get stuck. Because of this I am happy to get all the gear now so I have it when needed, instead of having a bad experience then rushing out to the shop...

If your off road trips are more about getting safely to the destination rather than taking the most challenging track, you'll rarely need to use any of this.

Yep, thats how I see things, for now...



D

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: Hand winch and/or high lift.

I was on ebay this morning and saw an original Tirfor 516D hand winch which looked in very good condition, current model from what I can tell from the style and stickers on it. It was going for about $200, so I bid and won it for $235.

I have heard that these original Tirfors will last a lifetime, so with any luck its a good buy.

So I guess that has answered that question.. for now.


FYI, I also took a trip down to the local 4wd place. The first guy I talked to had no clue.. the second guy seemed to know what we was talking about and started showing me all about the two options. He was quite good really. He went through all the different accessories I would need for the two solutions ( I was the only person in the store... ) and came across as unbiased. He suggested the hand winch might be better for me, but it was really a personal choice, either would work. I think if I had a steel tray 70 series ute with steel bar with hi-lift points, he would have suggested the hi-lift. But for the Playdo with alloy and panel work which could get damaged... winch.
He also said that the hi-lifts rattle around etc.

D