Feels great to be off-roading, doesn’t it? Discovering new places with your four-wheeled pride and joy is definitely amazing. But what if, amidst all the fun, something goes left?
Well, in situations like that, winches come to our rescue! Usually, winches are front-mounted. And sometimes, if the situation asks for it, you might have to use winch backwards.
Here, we'll explore how to winch backwards and how to remain safe while doing so.
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Why Should You Be Winching Backwards?
You are likely to find yourself in situations that might not just be a little uncomfortable for you but also life-threatening. So, the question is, how winching backwards save the day here?
When a car is stuck, a winch can be a lifesaver that works to pull you out of stranded landscapes. But if you try to winch backward, you might run the risk of damaging your winch, your car, and possibly yourself.
So, it is essential to know that a winch can be used both ways. Most people only learn ways to winch front-mounted. But for a safer, better driving experience, it is also important to lean winching backwards with a front winch!
There are most common two techniques of winching yourself backward, the one to start with is a basic manner. The other technique can get tricky and will call for numerous snatch blocks.
Method One
Step 1: Pull Through a Strong Anchor Point
Pulling your car free using a winch and tight spot requires a strong anchor point. Outside the winch, there is a disengaging lever that can be used to free the rope. The cable can be manually pulled out of the winch by disengaging the lever.
Then, the winch cable must be withdrawn from the winch, but caution must be exercised in order to prevent the cable from becoming slack.
Step 2: Move It to Engage Position
Using the winch cable, run it beneath the vehicle. The cable should not get tangled in any spots under the car. To stop the winch cable from escaping, move the lever to the "Engage" position.
Pull yourself in using the winch to the mooring point with the remote. These cables tighten as they are steadily dragged toward the winch in this manner. Be sure to follow the steps step-by-step.
Advantage
This has the advantage of eliminating the requirement for snatch blocks and reducing the number of anchoring points required to one.
Disadvantage
This method of winching has its drawbacks. Because you're running the winch cable under the automobile, which it wasn't built for, your car could be harmed. This strategy also generates numerous unhealthy commotion.
Method Two
Step 1: Work on Three Anchor Points
This time look for three support points around your vehicle that are strong enough to support the pressure that comes with winching trees. Look around for any trees you may utilize.
The lever to disengage the winch can be found on the outside of the equipment. Terms such as "free spool" and the other term "disengage" should be printed on labels that are attached to the lever.
You will be able to manually pull the winch cable once you turn the lever to the "disengage" position and select this option. Take the winch cable out of the winch, remember that you don't need to pull it so hard that it creates extra slack in the cable.
Step 2: Wrap, Attach Hook and Snatch!
A loop is attached to each end of a strap made of nylon to create tree trunk protection. It is essential that you equip each of your three anchoring points with protectors of tree trunk, as these are the only things that can keep a hold of the snatch blocks.
Put one end of a D-shackle through each of the triple straps you positioned. Then, the following step is to affix the D-shackle that is equipped with two snatch blocks, and is already fastened toward the tree trunk protection.
The very last but a highly useful anchoring point is an exception to this rule. It is recommended that our third snatch block be installed on the back of your car. Find a spot on the back of your car where you will be able to securely attach the snatch block and move on to the next step.
Step 3: And Start Winching!
Turning the screw that is situated on the side of the winch pulley case allows it to be opened. The casing can then be shut when the winch cable has been wound around the three pulleys. Following the instructions from the step before, you have.
After that, you just need to attach the D-ring that comes with the winch cable to the shackle that is attached to the third anchoring point. A label that reads "Engage" should also be on your winch.
Simply by moving the lever to the position marked "Engage," you may stop the winch wire from falling out any further. When you begin winching, your car should immediately move in the opposite direction.
Advantage
Snatch blocks, which are commonly used to boost pulling force, are clearly demonstrated in this example. Double-backing your lines to an anchor point gives you twice as much pulling force as a single line out of the winch.
As a result, you are being dragged backward. So, while you're reeling line from the front and back of the Jeep, it's rolling in the opposite way.
Disadvantage
During this process, if any mishaps occur, there might be some unwanted slack. Moreover, trees might break, and you don’t want that.
Some Tips You Might Need
Synthetic winch rope is recommended. It's lightweight and easy to spool. This kind of winch rope is just less likely to twist or spool incorrectly.
Before making heavy trail pulls, re-spool your cable or the rope under a load to ensure its strong and stacked appropriately.
Kinetic pull, or attaching your winch to the next vehicle and moving reverse to pull it, is terrible. So, a big nope!
Winch Backwards Now!
How to winch backwards you asked? Well, as we've learned, winches are incredibly useful and can be utilized in a variety of places and are available in a wide range of sizes, making them quite helpful in regular life.
You can use it to pull, move and relocate hard-to-reach objects into small spaces. So, reaching this equipment’s full potential is beneficial for us.
If you are still having trouble understanding the methods above, try seeking the help of a professional.
But it's better if you learn on your own. Because if you ever fell in a ditch underground, you might not find a helping hand to pull you up!
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