Come-alongs. I don't care what you say ;)

[ShooterMcGavin]

I've looked at the chances of buying a front bumper and winch, and it is a long ways off for me. I bought a "4-ton" come along tonight; that is in quotes for a reason, because I'm not going to bet on it lifting my 4Runner out of trouble. My reasoning... Used wisely and sparingly, having a come along could save me from a night in the woods or from a long slip down an off-camber.

I know it is like bringing a screwdriver when the job really needs an ax, but in the end, I will take the small peace of mind. I imagine that, even if I did have a winch, I would still like to have a come along with me in the woods.

There will be lots of folks out there telling me "breaking cables...", "lots of work...", "tiny range of movement...", "snapping cables..."... I've heard it all and read it all. How about hearing from those who carry a come along, as a temporary pulling solution, or to supplement their winch's shortfalls (like placement)?

http://www.amazon.com/Maasdam-8000SB-4-Ton-Cable-Puller/dp/B00098188Q/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1424323005&sr=8-12&keywords=come+along

 

[ajonesnv]

I helped flip a K-5 back on its wheels with a come-a-long. I always have mine.

 

[Jeremy556]

I carry a similar come along, even with a 10K winch. I'll use the electric winch when I can, but when you are sliding off an ice covered shelf road and the only anchor point is 90 degrees, the come along is still very handy.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I helped flip a K-5 back on its wheels with a come-a-long. I always have mine.

That's putting it to good use!

I carry a similar come along, even with a 10K winch. I'll use the electric winch when I can, but when you are sliding off an ice covered shelf road and the only anchor point is 90 degrees, the come along is still very handy.

Have you had much chance to use it? Or, is it mostly a "just in case, one day"?

In the end, I figured that when/if I get a real winch, I will likely still want to have a decent come along onboard with me.

 

[nevada]

I've looked at the chances of buying a front bumper and winch, and it is a long ways off for me. I bought a "4-ton" come along tonight; that is in quotes for a reason, because I'm not going to bet on it lifting my 4Runner out of trouble. My reasoning... Used wisely and sparingly, having a come along could save me from a night in the woods or from a long slip down an off-camber.

I know it is like bringing a screwdriver when the job really needs an ax, but in the end, I will take the small peace of mind. I imagine that, even if I did have a winch, I would still like to have a come along with me in the woods.

There will be lots of folks out there telling me "breaking cables...", "lots of work...", "tiny range of movement...", "snapping cables..."... I've heard it all and read it all. How about hearing from those who carry a come along, as a temporary pulling solution, or to supplement their winch's shortfalls (like placement)?

http://www.amazon.com/Maasdam-8000SB-4-Ton-Cable-Puller/dp/B00098188Q/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1424323005&sr=8-12&keywords=come+along

that looks to be a quality piece of equipment, it should work just fine.


I do not carry one, but have used them in the past. I had an occasion with my 06 runner that I wish id have had one. I very nearly slid into a tree, about 3 weeks after I bought it...

I got lucky, and some strategic use of tie down straps got me back on the trail, but a come along would have been MUCH easier...

 

[JayRolla]

Come alongs are awesome. Its great for what it is. Its not a winch replacment but great in a bind and as a compliment to your winch. Like you said its a piece of mind thing and can/will come in handy.

 

[NHRunner]

I have a ton of experience with come-a-longs. I have 3 of varying quality. You're so much better off with a quality one like what you linked. You have to be pretty creative, and you will most certainly break a good sweat trying to free a stuck 4runner.

My biggest concern is that with all the work I have done with them, I've had 100+ ft of chain to use which allows you to leapfrog the come-a-long down a length of chain while you will be more limited if you only have straps to work with. But like you said, it's still useful and WAY better than nothing.

If you find yourself using it a lot, you may want to consider a 25ft length of chain to expand the functionality.

 

[MyHigh]

From your opening statement it sounds as though you were ready to take a barrage of attacks from come-a-long haters.

Truth be told it's a tool, and every tool has its place and purpose, yes they can be dangerous, but so can hi-lift jacks. Used for the right reasons both can be very useful and I'd say it will be a tool that gets the job done when it's needed. I've used them and will continue to use them even after I get a winch. If your not familiar with them I suggest you just do a couple practice pulls in a controlled environment before you really need it for a serious problem.

 

[D Farms]

quality is key on these things. i got stuck in a flowing river for 6 hours and all i had was a rusty old come along and it wasnt able to pull the truck out. i bought a highlift jack after that, the long 5' one to use in case i get into a similar situation. I plan on getting a winch eventually but id like to get a nice heavy duty come along first.

 

[Jeremy556]

Have you had much chance to use it? Or, is it mostly a "just in case, one day"?

In the end, I figured that when/if I get a real winch, I will likely still want to have a decent come along onboard with me.

I had 2 cases where I really needed one and didn't have one - sliding sideways off a shelf road. Carrying it, I haven't needed it.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I have one I carry sometimes, but wouldn't rely on it to get me unstuck. It also looks like a lot of work. Reminds me of an F350 I found in the woods a couple of years ago, stuck to the axles in mud with no one around. He had 2 come-alongs linked together, hooked to a tree. That F350 didn't budge with the come-alongs.

 

[Ol'Blue]

Wow. That sucks... Where was he at?

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Wow. That sucks... Where was he at?

Just west of Garrison in the MTNF. It had a temp tag that had expired 6 weeks before, but had fresh food wrappers around (so he couldn't have been gone long). I texted my wife a picture of his temp tag, and a screen shot of my GPS and said 'if you don't hear from me in an hour, give these to the sheriff'.

 

[Lenny33]

Come alongs can have a lot of uses, but this pic is not one of them! You might get it out, but WOW, that's a lot of work!
Might want to get some cable from somebody that has went to synthetic and learn about pulleys and mechanical advantage so you can really get the most from that come along. With one pulley you can double your pulling power.

I have one I carry sometimes, but wouldn't rely on it to get me unstuck. It also looks like a lot of work. Reminds me of an F350 I found in the woods a couple of years ago, stuck to the axles in mud with no one around. He had 2 come-alongs linked together, hooked to a tree. That F350 didn't budge with the come-alongs.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I have a ton of experience with come-a-longs. I have 3 of varying quality. You're so much better off with a quality one like what you linked. You have to be pretty creative, and you will most certainly break a good sweat trying to free a stuck 4runner.

My biggest concern is that with all the work I have done with them, I've had 100+ ft of chain to use which allows you to leapfrog the come-a-long down a length of chain while you will be more limited if you only have straps to work with. But like you said, it's still useful and WAY better than nothing.

If you find yourself using it a lot, you may want to consider a 25ft length of chain to expand the functionality.

Good info. I'm glad you think the one I got looks like quality. There is no way I would trust a $30 Harbor Freight come along rated at 4 tons!

I will look into getting a chain, however, I shy away from chains because of the manner in which they can fail. I'm also not sure how to place links along a length of chain in order to leapfrog. Do you use shackles? If so, what size chain and what size shackles?

From your opening statement it sounds as though you were ready to take a barrage of attacks from come-a-long haters.

Truth be told it's a tool, and every tool has its place and purpose, yes they can be dangerous, but so can hi-lift jacks. Used for the right reasons both can be very useful and I'd say it will be a tool that gets the job done when it's needed. I've used them and will continue to use them even after I get a winch. If your not familiar with them I suggest you just do a couple practice pulls in a controlled environment before you really need it for a serious problem.

Regarding your first statement, Yes

I agree with the rest of what you say. Any of these tools can be used improperly and any of them can be very dangerous.

quality is key on these things. i got stuck in a flowing river for 6 hours and all i had was a rusty old come along and it wasnt able to pull the truck out. i bought a highlift jack after that, the long 5' one to use in case i get into a similar situation. I plan on getting a winch eventually but id like to get a nice heavy duty come along first.

That's a rough situation. I have a Hi-lift as well.

 

[NHRunner]

I will look into getting a chain, however, I shy away from chains because of the manner in which they can fail. I'm also not sure how to place links along a length of chain in order to leapfrog. Do you use shackles? If so, what size chain and what size shackles?

I'm only talking about using standard 3/8" chain typical for logging use or tying down heavy equipment. I've spent loads of time around it in the landscaping and logging business, and the only time I've seen them fail is at the hook. It could be dangerous, but it only takes a little care to not get hurt. Just look at Hi-Lift winch recovery videos for a few simple safety points. You'll also get the idea of how to work the hook down the length of chain. :ballchain:

But the issue is, 3/8" chain is at least $4 a foot and about 1.5 lbs/ft. You would be looking at almost 40 lbs and $100 haha.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I agree, I only carry 3/8" chain now; nothing less. As it is, I think my 3/8" chain is rated at 5400 lbs WLL. I have about 4 feet in the 4Runner, just in case I need to loop a vehicle's frame for a recovery; it'll hopefully save my tow strap. I also have a couple screw gate links. I'd be pretty content with 20 feet.

I'll have to go out into the woods and play. I'm still not sure what I would need to leapfrog a bunch of links. The hooks I have now are pretty thick. They will not fit into a link in the chain I have.

ETA: BTW, NH is awesome!

 

[nevada]

I agree, I only carry 3/8" chain now; nothing less. As it is, I think my 3/8" chain is rated at 5400 lbs WLL. I have about 4 feet in the 4Runner, just in case I need to loop a vehicle's frame for a recovery; it'll hopefully save my tow strap. I also have a couple screw gate links. I'd be pretty content with 20 feet.

I'll have to go out into the woods and play. I'm still not sure what I would need to leapfrog a bunch of links. The hooks I have now are pretty thick. They will not fit into a link in the chain I have.

ETA: BTW, NH is awesome!

get a grab hook. its designed to hook onto a chain. get one that you can bring with, and just swap it over onto the come along when you need it.

 

[NHRunner]

I'm still not sure what I would need to leapfrog a bunch of links. The hooks I have now are pretty thick. They will not fit into a link in the chain I have.

ETA: BTW, NH is awesome!

They shouldnt necessarily fit INTO another link but rather slide over another link. There are larger round links but they're designed to slide and tighten around something like, say, a tree.

PS yes. NH = #1

 

[Andy in Pa]

I have had to use both a come-along AND a high lift jack for recovery in the past. Either one can be used, but the high lift typically has a longer handle, which = more leverage/pulling power.

I would advise against using chain/hooks for recovery though. Use snatch-straps and tress saver straps as needed. The one single time I saw the results of a hook that smashed through the back AND front window of a Cherokee was enough for me. I also saw a hook embed itself into the tailgate of a pickup truck once during a recovery. The problem with chains and metal hooks is it doesn't ever LOOK like it will break... until it does. At least with straps, if it is aged/dirty/frayed, you know to chuck it before it breaks. The Jeep clubs I belong to don't even allow other Jeeps to have chain or straps with metal hooks because of this.

For winches/come-alongs where metal hooks/cable is used, always use a heavy shirt/coat/blanket draped over the cable. This way if it does break, the cloth will catch it/drop it before it slams into the back/front of whatever is being pulled.