So I don’t have the money for a winch but I have seen a few people use the come along manual winches. I was wondering if anyone uses one of these and which ones will actually work well with a tj.
Come along manual winches?
- Thread starter Ejforan
- Start date
If you need a winch, and not everyone does, save your money and buy one rather than try to get by with a tool that is inadequate for the job, even if you have to save it by putting your spare change in a coffee can every evening when you get home. You will be happier in the long run.
I have used come-a-longs quite a bit in my job (fire and rescue) and they work very well for somethings but as Mr. Bills stated nothing works as well as the proper tool and a winch is the proper tool. With the price of the Smittybilt and others they have really come down in price and a quality come-a-long (Dayton is what we use at work) is only about $125 less than the previously mentioned winches....... Plus finding a come-a-long with the capacity to actually be useful for off roading a Jeep ups the price more......just my 2 cents.......
I'd agree with both of the above statements. To seriously consider a come-a-long, you'd have to invest in a decent quality one, which would put you in the price range that's just a hop, skip and a jump away from an affordable winch. Buy a cheap come-a-long, and it's almost instantly a regrettable purchase. They're just junk.
Do it the right, and safe, way. Engo has a good rep for budget winches. And Allen can take care of you. Add in an inexpensive winch plate and you are set.
https://www.xf_vendor_spam_management/winches-steel-synthetic/engo-electric-winches/engo-SR9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JS2LCPM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.xf_vendor_spam_management/winches-steel-synthetic/engo-electric-winches/engo-SR9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JS2LCPM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
In construction we often used cable come alongs, called Tirfors... They were spectacular but the ones with a Jeep like capability, over 5000 lbs, cost more than an electric winch and were a bitch to handle. They were awesome in an industrial, emergency setting. And the only way to put the winch where you need it.
The nice thing is they will winch forever. 5000' of cable? Just keep pulling the lever. You always set them up at the anchor point. Opposite of a winch. And the only "duty cycle" is your commitment.
The nice thing is they will winch forever. 5000' of cable? Just keep pulling the lever. You always set them up at the anchor point. Opposite of a winch. And the only "duty cycle" is your commitment.
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I’ve also carried a come-a-long and not enough power, I’ve used them with unreliable marginal success rescuing my vehicle. They have helped to preload a solid anchor point and helped me unnjam inches to give me space to make a power run so all I could say is they helped a little, absolutely nothing I could count on alone. ATV winch is tiny bit stronger the biggest ones have useful pull in very limited spots, none of those will replace an actual winch made for the job in my experience, in fact the winch on my jeep is 9k I’d go more next time.
If it were me, I'd immediately drop the thought of buying a come-along. Few are strong enough for a Jeep and those that are are expensive, enough so to justify just buying a winch. Not to mention come-alongs are not good for longer distance pulls as are often needed when offroading. Save up and buy a winch with a capacity of 8,000 lb. minimum to 9,500 lbs. max.
Xposure
TJ Enthusiast
If I didn’t have a winch and had no budget to spend and I was stuck and had no one to pull me out, I would probably go buy this....I’m not a fan of Harbor Frieght, I anything I’ve bought there I pretty much did so because I needed it once and never expected to need it again....however I will say my angle grinder from there has been great. Anyway, I’ve seen this do some good work, you’d probably want to attach to a tree then use something like a heavy duty ratchet strap or chain between the vehicle and hand winch so you can take the slack out as you winch. It would be a GIANT pain in the azz BUT if your stuck and only have $50 to your name and your buddy can’t pull you out....give this and a heavy duty chain/ratchet strap a shot...also maybe a pipe to put over the handle to extend it https://www.harborfreight.com/8000-lbs-cable-winch-puller-69855.html
BUT like everyone said....I’m not recommending this, but I’ve seen it work with a LOT of pita factor....when your buried in a 2 feet deep mud hole you really do need a good electric winch.
BUT like everyone said....I’m not recommending this, but I’ve seen it work with a LOT of pita factor....when your buried in a 2 feet deep mud hole you really do need a good electric winch.
I get what you're saying, and I don't want to sound like a jerk, but damn...if you're that broke (only have $50 to your name), what are you doing out wheelin' where your next broken part could very easily cost you way more than you can afford to fix?
Sorry, it's just the first thing that came to mind when I read your post. No offense intended...
Oh hell no. That thing is a Chinese made bomb waiting to explode, in your face.
OP
Now thats pretty fair ill just have to go with friends and i should be fine but one other thing i have ready is using a highlift with tow chains and stuff like that to be used horizontally instead of vertically
ohiopatriot
TJ Enthusiast
Forget about the bumper mounted winch, here's the way a real men do it.....
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/winch-sticks.12459/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/winch-sticks.12459/
Xposure
TJ Enthusiast
I hear ya...but I see it around here all the time. Someone with a old $1500 truck stuck in the mud. Or someone at the drag strip with a broke axle asking friends of friends of friends if anyone has a trailer they can use because they can't afford a tow truck. Heck I saw someone selling a old lifted up XJ because the mud tires are worn into slicks and they can't afford another set of tires so they are selling the vehicle. Sometimes people just don't think far enough ahead or they hope nothing breaks. Heck in my 20's I did plenty of stupid stuff that in order to do it I had to ignore the 'what if' factor.
Kind of like people buying a house and cars they can't afford, drowning in debt, can't maintain them, etc.
It happens. Not saying it's ideal but just trying to give him an option in case he needs it. Heck maybe his Jeep is already stuck out in a field somewhere and he just didn't want to say so. LOL
Xposure
TJ Enthusiast
Maybe but I've seen it work, it has decent ligit reviews of people using it for pulling cars without it exploding. Now to be honest if I personally had to use one of these under a lot of tension I'd probably throw it away after I was done or retire it to light duty work. Probably would be wise to use winch line blankets with it....heck maybe even throw one over the winch if you can keep it out of the gear lol
Yes a flip flop winch. I carry two 10ft posts strapped to the top of my rig with 200ft of strap. Those fancy electric winder things can break on you.
Xposure
TJ Enthusiast
That's really cool....probably not very practical unless you happen to have a saw with you....but it's still really cool.
ohiopatriot
TJ Enthusiast
Now you tell meI just carry a hatchet and the strap, unless I'm planning to get stuck.