ARB winch Extension Vs. additional synthetic line

[SAR_Squid79]

Okay, Monday morning quarterbacks...

Is that winch extension rope doubled back around that shackle-pin? I can't see clearly, but if so, it's not good for the rope!

Bruce Elfstrom says it's okay, and that's good enough for me...

The winch extension is also being overly compressed by the tight turns around the shackle and possibly the bull bar. I don't see the point of the extension in this setup unless the tow line is very sort. In that case the winch truck could be moved back with the extension passing through the snatch block (and not doubled).
Without a proper harness I'd probably be pulling from one point.

In this recovery I initially positioned my vehicle to where I could attempt a single-line pull, with as much rope off the spool as possible - for maximum pulling power. You can't really tell from the pics, but our vehicles were 100' apart.

After I determined that the single-line pull was not going to work, I needed to rig for a double-line pull, utilizing a snatch block. I still wanted to keep as much rope off of the spool as possible, but I needed to double the line back to my vehicle, and also anchor the snatch block to the stuck vehicle.

So - I used my ARB winch strap for securing my snatch block to the stuck vehicle. I ran my winch rope through the snatch block, and then used my winch rope extension (doubled-back through a shackle) to go back to my vehicle. I used my ARB tree strap, and a 2nd tree strap to anchor my Tacoma to another Tacoma and a 4Runner - because the stuck vehicle far outweighs my truck. It would have been a pain in the butt to reposition the vehicles, plus it was completely unnecessary. When pulling through a snatch block on a double-line pull like this one, the winch line remains stationary. The snatch block (and whatever it's attached to) comes forward.

All-in-all, the recovery took us about 2 1/2 hours and required the following gear (all of which I had on my rig)

• 9,000 lb SuperWinch (with Viking Synthetic Combo Line & Safety Thimble)
• Winch Line Extension (Viking synthetic)
• ARB Winch Extension Strap
• ARB Snatch Strap
• ARB Tree Saver Strap
• Hi-Lift Tree Saver Strap
• ProComp Snatch Strap
• Superwinch snatch block
• 9 x Shackles
• Transit Cluster
• Hi-Lift Jack
• Shovel

We executed:

• 2 x Single line winch pulls
• double line winch pull
• dual-vehicle kinetic strap recovery
• single vehicle kinetic strap recovery

The recovery was safe and successful and resulted in no damage to vehicles or equipment. I'm proud of it. I can't see any better way to have accomplished it.

 

[dzzz]

Okay, Monday morning quarterbacks...

I like to think of it as living vicariously.

Actually what I said about one end of the extension doesn't make any sense.

 

[dzzz]

Back on the subject of a harness, I think what does make sense is two short chains. If one breaks the other chain constrains movement. The worst that could happen is the grill gets smacked. Although in my experience a short chain doesn't go anywhere when a link breaks.
A chain is probably best for a transit cluster, as it may touch part of the frame.

A second choice is two inexpensive poly tow straps. These are also good to lend out to the unprepared.

 

[michaelgroves]

Okay, Monday morning quarterbacks...

...

The recovery was safe and successful and resulted in no damage to vehicles or equipment. I'm proud of it. I can't see any better way to have accomplished it.

I'm not quite sure what a Monday morning quarterback is, but I guess it's supposed to refer to someone who doesn't play, but likes to critique those who do? Anyway, no-one is saying it wasn't a job well done, but there are interesting and useful things to analyse and learn from in any situation. That's mainly why I read this forum.

Bruce Elfstrom says it's okay, and that's good enough for me...


...
So - I used my ARB winch strap for securing my snatch block to the stuck vehicle. I ran my winch rope through the snatch block, and then used my winch rope extension (doubled-back through a shackle) to go back to my vehicle.
...
When pulling through a snatch block on a double-line pull like this one, the winch line remains stationary. The snatch block (and whatever it's attached to) comes forward.

I don't know who Bruce Elfstrom is. The only thing I know about him so far is that he's wrong - at least in principle

It's bad for ropes in general, and synthetic winch ropes in particular, to be used under load when they are wrapped around something of a small diameter (including being knotted). It's not about whether it slides over the shackle pin (though obviously that would be worse!). It's about the fact that the rope is under compression at that point, rather than in tension, and the rope fibres aren't designed for compression. The area in contact with the shackle pin will be permanently damaged if you pull hard enough.

I concede there are times to ignore every principle, but that particular aspect of your recovery wasn't "by the book", is all I was saying

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I like the idea of the ARB strap but I like the packed size of a synthetic extension more.