Recovery Winching Do's and Don’ts
One of the most effective tools for vehicle recovery is an electric winch. While it’s a simple tool when you break it down, there’s a lot to know about how to use a winch. There are some basic do’s and don’ts when it comes to winches, some of which requires having the right off road recovery equipment as well as safety protocols.
Do: Learn how to use the winch before needing it
Having the right tool for the job is only half the equation; knowing how to use it is the other half. Before you need to your winch, know it works. This means reading the manual, familiarizing yourself with how it operates, and testing it out when not in an actual winching scenario. Get used to how it sounds, how it moves, and how it responds while under load. Also, be sure you install it per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t: Buy The Wrong Capacity Winch
While it’s tempting to cheap out on a lower-capacity winch than needed, ensuring you have the right tool for the job is extremely important. Some people will bolt on a low-capacity ATV winch to the front of a full-size truck because it’s less expensive than a 10,000 lb. or 12,000 lb. truck winch. However, they are asking for trouble. We recommend taking a rig’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and multiplying it by 1.5 to get a suitable capacity. This industry standard will ensure you get the right sized winch for your truck or SUV. This also will help from breaking the winch, damaging the vehicle, or possibly hurting someone in the winching process.
Do: Practice Safe Winching
There’s a lot of best practices when it comes to safe winching, some of which are common sense. First, be sure to read the winch’s manual. Always follow proper rigging procedures. Use the right winching accessories that are properly rated for your rig and the vehicle you’re recovering. You’ll always want to be out of harm’s way, so don’t stand in dangerous places, like directly in front of the winch or next to the winch line. Also be sure to communicate with everyone involved in the winching process, and get onlookers well out of the way. For example, if you have 50’ of line out, they should be farther than 50’ away. Mistakes are often made when going too fast or not using the proper rigging equipment, and that’s the case with winching. So slow down, make good decisions, and use the right equipment. Also, don’t forget to wear your winch gloves.
Don’t: Improperly Install the Winch
If you’re going to get a vehicle recovery winch, you need to have the right place to mount it. Most vehicles don’t allow you to simply bolt a winch to a stock bumper. Instead, you’ll need a bumper designed specifically for the stresses winching produces. Ironman 4x4 America offers a host of front bumpers that properly accommodate a winch. But even then, ensure you get the right winch bumper for your rig. When it comes to wiring the winch to the vehicle’s battery, be sure to follow the instructions implicitly and don’t take any shortcuts. Doing so can result in serious damage or even injury.
Do: Use The Proper Off Road Recovery Equipment
If you use a winch without the proper off-road recovery equipment, you’re not getting the winch’s full benefit. Items like snatch blocks can help change direction and double your winch’s pulling power. Shackles (steel or soft) and straps let you properly attach your winch to anchor points or other vehicles. Winch dampers help to keep things safe during the winching process. We recommend buying a winching accessory kit at the same time as your winch, so you get everything you need at once.
Winches Are Great Tools
Winches can be fantastic tools for vehicle recovery. But knowing some dos and don’ts can help protect you, your vehicle, and others in the area from being damaged or hurt. So, get out there, learn to use the winch before you need it, and you’ll be ready to tackle recovery situations when they arise.
