How to winch yourself backwards

[Yabedude]

I took a stab at drawing the setup. I don't run cable under the truck, I run it to the side. As mentioned, you will most likely need a cable/rope extension. The setup pictured used 3 snatch blocks; 3 tree savers (if trees are the stationary points); and 4 shackles. If you use vehicles as stationary points, you can remove the tree savers.

While circles = trees or stationary vehicles;
red squares = snatch blocks;
yellow square = anchor point.

Pull the rope/wire in and you'll move in reverse.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff1/yabedude/WinchBackwards.jpg

3 snatch blocks enable you to pull yourself backwards out of a ditch that you went into head first (assuming the winch is on the front).

Unlike a snatch strap that stretches and "snaps" to tug you (or another) out of mud, snow, and sand, use synthetic or non-elastic material for the tree saver. You don't want it moving if it's acting as a solid support.

Synthetic is much easier to handle and is rated at a higher breaking strength. Light but costly and worth it, IMHO. Keep it clean.

[expat]

Nice drawing and explanation. Here's hoping that no-one has to use this technique.

[Photog]

I was just thinking about this for the past few days, and came up with the same system.

The more rigging you set up on the rear, the less load there will be on the winch, and the less strain on the frame (being pulled in two directions).

Great sketch to help folks understand the setup.

Edit: I just saw the "Winch thread" where you mentioned and removed this topic. Maybe you could just place a link in that thread, over to this one (in one of the empty posts). They are related topics.

[Mikestang]

I look at the picture and see that, as the line gets winched in the vehicle would move to the right - I don't see it moving backwards. You can test this with a piece of dental floss and any object to act as the vehicle. Since the winch line is pulling both on the front and rear of the vehicle it's not really going to go anywhere except to the right and end up in-line with the longest stretch of line.

[Joel]

http://home.off-road.com/~landy/scanbig/winch.gif
from http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=941481

[Mikestang]

Well, the 3 contact points in the rear change things a little bit, but IMO you're going to probably need more back there to provide enough "slack" line that winching would result in backwards motion.

[Joel]

Ok, someone build a model!

[Yabedude]

I look at the picture and see that, as the line gets winched in the vehicle would move to the right - I don't see it moving backwards. You can test this with a piece of dental floss and any object to act as the vehicle. Since the winch line is pulling both on the front and rear of the vehicle it's not really going to go anywhere except to the right and end up in-line with the longest stretch of line.

It works, no questions asked. The vehicle doesn't move sideways, it moves backwards. I guess you have to try it to believe it.

[Yabedude]

http://home.off-road.com/~landy/scanbig/winch.gif
from http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=941481

Holy crap. Talk about over kill. Maybe this setup is to move a train or other such monstrosity.

[Photog]

The reason it moves backwards, is because there is more than 1 line acting on the rear of the vehicle.

The line length is longer in the starting position, than in the final (rearward) position. So, as the winch makes the line shorter, it pulls the snatch-block toward the tree. The winchline will be drawn in faster than the truck will move backwards.

The more block & tackle that is attached to the rear, the more this is true. It also increases the mechanical advantage of the pull.

[Blowout]

Well thanks for the explaination guys...

So if I calculate correctly:

8 snatch blocks at $100 each = $800

extra 100 feet of synthetic line = $180

6 tree savers @ $40ea = $240

so for about $1200 in extra tackle, someone could winch backwards with their winch on the front. :eek:

Even 3 treesavers and snatch blocks would be $420.

Maybe my rig with a removable winch that can be used on the front or back isn't that goofy of an idea. At least I know for sure I'll be going backwards when I need to :rotflmao:

[expat]

Wouldn't there be a problem with pulling linked winch lines thru snatch blocks? ie you can't pull a shackle (joining two lines or straps) thru a snatch block. I guess ultimately it would work with a lot of slow persistance but as mentioned, that's a fair amount of recovery gear (assuming your solo). Great discussion tho and entirely possible. I'd like to try it out one day. I have enough recovery gear LOL.