Questions about "Come-A-Longs"

[ToeJam]

A winch isn't in my plans, but I'd still like to have a method available to extract myself or another rig in case of an emergency. I've seen the come-a-longs in the past and I know a couple of people in the PNWX club have talked about them, but does anyone have one?

Toss me your knowledge please. I don't know what brands are the best or even where to purchase one. I'm guessing a 8-10 ton model is the best to account for a safety factor.

[Kerensky97]

Don't get one.

I had one and used it once to get out of some mud.

Imagine having a winch line 4000 lbs taut and then grabbing it and pushing and pulling on it with all of your might.

After my one experience I was scared into not using it ever again.

A much better thing would be to bring some friends to yank you out, or if you're all alone bring a folding shovel and dig yourself out. A snapped line through the midsection could put a damper on your whole trip.

[O1SalsaX]

I had an experience using my Come-A-long. It wasnt with my X, but with my 1990 S-10 Blazer. We were playing in the sand near me when I hit some loose sand and the Enforcer M/T tires didnt help me out. They just dug, really well. I buried it to the framerails. After Several hours of jacking it up, putting stuff under a tire and driving a foot in reverse, we noticed that my 4 wheel wasnt worknig at all!! So, after a little crying, we hit the Home Depot and bought two tow straps and a come-a-long.
It took us a half hour of work to get the entire truck out. We spent about 3 hours digging, 3 hours jacking up the truck and putting boards under it, and a half hour with the Come-A-long. It worked fine for me. Its in the Back of my X now, Just in case the S*** really hits the fan, last ditch effort. It was $40 and saved me about $300 for a recovery/tow.
Well worth it when used properly...I stress properly..

[Kennedy]

Never heard of an 8-10 ton come a long...
Here's the one I reccomend, but be careful.

http://www.izook.com/reviews/mppuller/mppuller.htm

[coolerman]

If you follow the same rules for hand winching as you do for electric winching you will be safe. I have used a hand winch called a Red Devil for over 25 years. It is a 4000 lb unit with a snatch block. Cast Iron! It's heavy! I would never leave home without it. Even when I finally get my Mile Marker installed it will come with me. There are just too many uses for it.
A Hi-Lift Jack can also be used as a hand winch. I tried mine out. It does work but is very slow compared to the Red Devil. You can only winch about 4' (I have the 60' Model 604 Hi-Lift) then you have to reset. The Red Devil has 50' of cable on it

Other things to get: Tree saver strap, 3/4" shackel, gloves.

[Schludwiller]

I know a winch looks expensive, but having control of the line inside your truck, while you're maneuvering out of the situation is awful nice. There were a couple of times that I needed to be in the truck AND controlling the winch together to get out of some tight spots.

If I bought a come-a-long (and I still might) it would be to lock down (in an arcing motion)the rear of my truck to keep from sliding downhill or something while winching up front.

[rhombus]

I will be adding a More Power Puller to my list of recovery stuff.
Even with the winch up front I have had a few times that I have needed other methods.

Once was clearing a trail. There was a huge dead tree blocking the path and a combination of HighLift w/JackMates and chains made short work of it. There was no easy way to use a winch from one of the trucks.

[rrdstarr]

I am glad to see that someone else has invested in a "jack-mate" Very handy tool to have with your Hi-Lift! You can get a Jack-mate here at a good price.

http://www.central4wd.com/store/brandlist.asp?ID=862

[rhombus]

JackMates are awesome.
For the tree removal we used two of them.
They just make it so easy to work with chains.

I think that anyone that has a high-lift should consider getting one.
Yes they are expensive but to me worth it.

[Toy Man]

I have the 2 ton More Power Puller. Haven't had to use it yet but it is a very impressive piece of equipment.