How about winches?

[Ozzie]

I had the pleasure of digging a rut up at the lake last holiday weekend with my truck and rv in tow. It had rained all night and the ground was greasy...and uphill doesn't work real well. I ended up with Good Sam Emergency Road Service sending a tow with a winch out and he drug the whole works right up the hill.

So...the question(s) would be...how much rolling resistance is there with a my truck plus a 10,000+ pound trailer? How much winch would it take to pull that...and if I needed extra length would tow straps work, or break. Maybe a spool of cable for an extension would be a better idea. Portable would be best...don't think I want to mount it on the truck.

 

[Ozzie]

It's looks like I found a link to edjumacate myself...

http://www.offroaders.com/tech/winches/Winch-Tech.htm

 

[ak diesel driver]

I'd put a reciever hitch on the front so you could mount it there.

 

[BudTX]

That is a good link; I have used it as a reference myself.

It is going to take a lot of winch (even with a snatch block) to move that truck and trailer.

 

[trouttrooper]

I had an 8,000 lb warn on a couple trucks a few years ago. While it's not big enough according to some guidelines, it did some pretty amazing things. Especially with a couple snatch blocks to change pulling angle and doubling the pull strength. It all really depends on how stuck you plan on getting. The serious mud boggers probably need to follow the guidelines more than someone who gets stuck on accident. As far as using tow straps, check the rating. First make sure they are tow straps and not recovery straps. Look similar but recovery straps are meant to stretch like a rubber band. Tow straps don't. You'd need a 20,000 lb working rated strap. For most cases you could probably get by with a 12,000 lb rated winch IMHO. Put a long cable on it and have some snatch blocks with you.

 

[Ozzie]

That was the area I was thinking too...I found a 12,500 winch and I was wondering if it was enough. I don't plan on getting stuck ever...LOL, but up at the lake when it rains all bets are off. It is a long hill, gets greasy, and lots of trees all over the place. The truck just about moves, but once those lugs fill up, it's goodnight Irene...

I really don't want to trash our place either...that is in the common area where we walk. A well placed winch could save me in a pinch...like being the last one to leave and no help. That's the price I pay to be right down next to the water...great being there, but hell to get out in the rain.

 

[Ed HD]

I think if you're just spinning a 12.5k will be enough, especially with a snatch block. If you're buried into the axles, you will need to call a tow though. :wink:

This just reminds me that I need to keep a recovery strap in our truck, lol.

 

[Joey D]

For what your doing, a warn 9500 would be fine. Your not 4 wheeling where the truck would be sitting in 2-3ft of mud. A snatch block doubles the capacity of the winch if you need it. Use a front hitch mount so you can use it in the back if needed.