What are you pulling with your Black Rat?

[KingCrabberCurry]

I've decided that a tirfor-style Recovery Winch is going to be the next addition to my truck, but I'm unsure of whether to get the 1750 lb. version or the 3500 lb. version.

I've read EW's writeup (found here: http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/general_equipment/black_rat_winch.htm), and he says the 1750 is stout enough for use with his Jeep.

What have you winched with your black rat/ARB magnum/tirfor winch?

Do you think I the 3500 lb. model is the minimum for a loaded 07 Tacoma?

Any other comments/observations are greatly appreciated!

 

[Scott Brady]

With proper rigging, you can do a lot with the 1,700 lb unit. I view it as a good solution for lighter rigs and as a secondary recovery device, like if you need to pull forward and sideways at the same time, roll-overs, etc.

 

[KingCrabberCurry]

I'm interested in the black rat as my primary means of recovery. I know that a winch/bumper combo is always the best choice, but I'm trying to build up the truck on a budget and can't justify $1800 for a bumper and winch.

Would the 1700 lb. work for an 07 Tacoma if you used a snatch block and doubled the line back?

 

[Scott Brady]

Would the 1700 lb. work for an 07 Tacoma if you used a snatch block and doubled the line back?

I just noticed you are in North Carolina, which means mud. I would recommend a proper electric winch for that type of terrain. The Tirfor style winches are great as an intermittent or emergency only recovery tool. Also as a backup or secondary unit.

A small, light vehicle in desert terrain is the perfect solution.

 

[I Leak Oil]

Back when I was in College my friend down the hall had a D90, one of the first ones to hit the docks here. One day we went to the woods to try it out and he got it stuck. Wasn't bad looking at it now but none of us knew what we were doing then that's for sure. He had a 2 ton come-along, which I know is different than the units you're looking at, but man was that a lot of work! Dangerous also as you're right in the death zone of all that rigging. And don't forget, when you need to use this it's never going to be in ideal conditions or on solid footing. It's tougher than it looks. My opinion, by the time you purchase the hand winch and all the ancillary equipment you need to make it work you're close to the amount that you would spend on a winch. Save up for an electric and let your friends pull you out for a while!
Jason T.

 

[big sky trapper]

I have a 3500, military one, have used it a few times. First time was a bust as the cable completly jammed in inside so make sure your cable ends are completly wrapped in somerthing to avoid the frayed end jam...so i could'nt call that a fault by any means of the winch, all mine.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12789&highlight=black+rat

I have used it to pull my FS chevy 1500 out of mostly high centered snow drifts. worked well for that with no snatch block. Havn't truly burried it yet and try'd to recover anything with it yet.....but spring is comming sometime here in montana .....

 

[leafsprung]

tirfor

I know this is an old post but I thought I would throw in my 2c. have two tirfors a 4000 and a 1500. They are awesome. I use them all the time. I have a pile of winches including PTO, hydraulic, warn 9500 ti, many 8274s and I still use the tirfors. They are far more versitile than an electric front mounted winch, they are really not that much work (far less than a come-along) and mine have been very reliable and trouble free and they were used when I bought them. Cant say enough good things about them. The TU series tirfors are better than the black rat style ones.