A close-up image of a Borne Off-road Winch

When things go wrong on the trail, few things are more useful than a winch. Whether you’re stuck in mud, snow, or facing a steep incline, a winch can save the day. But winches require preparation and careful operation to safely use. Improper usage can easily lead to injury or even death, so it's crucial to understand what you're doing before hitting the trail.

Essential Equipment

Before attempting a winch recovery, it’s important to have the right gear. Let's go over what you'll need.

Gloves

A must-have for protecting your hands. Ropes can fray and fingers can be caught. A good pair of loosely fitting gloves without wrist clasps protect your hands from getting cut or caught in moving parts.
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Protective Eyewear

Flying debris is always a concern when operating a winch. Keep your eyes safe with a pair of safety glasses or goggles.

Winch Dampener

Especially important for steel cables, a winch dampener prevents dangerous recoil if the line snaps. Instead of the line snapping and transferring all of that energy into a nearby vehicle or, even worse, a person, the dampener causes the snapped line to fall to the ground. Although synthetic ropes don’t store as much energy as steel cables, a dampener is still advisable.
An image of a winch dampener on a nylon line attached to a yellow Jeep JK.

Metal Shackles

Sturdy and reliable, metal shackles are often used for heavy-duty recoveries in high-load situations. It’s important to make note of the working load limit and breaking strength of each shackle, as metal shackles can be extremely dangerous if they break.

Soft Shackles

Lightweight and flexible, soft shackles are made of synthetic rope. They can handle heavy loads but unlike metal shackles, they won’t become a dangerous projectile if they fail.
An image of a soft shackle.

Tree Savers

A tree saver strap is a must-have for any recovery scenario when anchoring a winch line to a tree. Rather than wrapping a winch cable around the tree, which can damage both the tree and your winch cable, a tree saver evenly distributes the load to protect your winch line and the environment.
An image of a tree saver strap.

Snatch Blocks

A snatch block is a pulley system that helps to increase the pulling power of your winch or redirect the winch line when a perpendicular pull isn’t possible.
An image of a snatch block.

Recovery Rings

Recovery rings offer a similar function as snatch blocks by allowing you to redirect the winch line or add power through double-line pulling.
An image of a recovery ring in use.

By making sure these items are all in your recovery kit, you can be sure you’re prepared for a wide array of recovery situations and able to protect yourself and others while operating the winch.

An image of a Jeep stuck in the mud with a winch.

Before You Start

The circumstances will be different every time you operate your winch, meaning there are a few key variables to keep in mind before you start.

First and foremost is the weight rating of your winch. When recovering a vehicle you should consider the vehicle’s base weight plus any gear or modifications. Your winch should be rated to pull at least 1.5 times the weight of that vehicle.

Next, you should consider how and where you’ll attach the winch line. Are you using a solid, secure recovery point? Never attach the winch to non-structural parts of a vehicle like wheels or tow balls, as these can fail under tension and lead to damage and injury. If you’re using a tree to recover yourself, is it alive, healthy, and at least 12” in diameter? Do you have enough winch line for the job at hand? Evaluating the situation and asking yourself questions like these are crucial to a safe winch recovery.

Lastly, consider the terrain you’re dealing with. Mud, snow, and steep inclines can quickly complicate things. Deep mud can create suction that adds weight to the vehicle and makes your winch work harder, while snow and ice can cause sliding and make your winch path less predictable. Take a few minutes to evaluate your environment before you start pulling.

Before every use, be sure to inspect your winch for damage or wear. Be sure to keep an eye out for frayed cables or ropes. Ensure the winch motor and connections are secure and in proper working order.

An image of a yellow Jeep Wrangler stuck in the mud with its winch line out and the bed of a Toyota Tacoma in the foreground filled with recovery gear.

How to Safely Use a Winch

After making sure you have all the necessary gear and have taken the time to evaluate your situation, it’s time to begin winching.

Start by disengaging the winch’s clutch to allow the drum to free spool. This makes it easier to pull the winch line to the recovery point and prevents overheating the motor before pulling has even begun. If the line is tangled or twisted, be sure to straighten it out before pulling.

Once you’ve unspooled your line to the desired distance, be sure to check for at least ten wraps of winch line on the drum. Without these wraps, the line could slip off the drum under tension, leading to damage or injury.

Attach the winch line securely to the recovery point. If you’re recovering another vehicle, connect the winch line to a reinforced recovery point like a like a frame-mounted recovery hook or shackle mount using a D-ring shackle or soft shackle. If you’re recovering yourself using a tree, wrap a tree saver strap around the base of a live, healthy tree at least 12” in diameter. If you need to change the direction of the pull or increase pulling power, use a snatch block at the tree to create a double-line pull.

Before putting any tension on the line, place a winch dampener halfway along the winch line to absorb energy in case the line snaps and prevent dangerous recoil.

Whether you’re recovering yourself or another vehicle, it’s important to have the engine running. This prevents battery drain from the winch’s operation. For the vehicle being recovered, this keeps power steering and braking operable for the vehicle and allows the vehicle to be lightly driven, lessening the winch’s overall load. If the vehicle being recovered is not operable, put it in neutral so the winch can freely pull it.

An image of a yellow Jeep JK Wrangler with off-road lighting equipped to a modular bumper.

Re-engage the winch's clutch and begin pulling. Always begin with slow and steady pressure. Once you begin applying tension to the winch line, be sure that everyone is standing clear of the winch line. Never step over the winch line once it is under tension. If possible, use a spotter to help guide the process and provide an extra set of eyes on the situation.

Be sure to avoid shock loads, which occur when the winch line is suddenly jerked under tension. These sudden jerks can stress the winch and the recovery points, potentially leading to equipment damage or serious injury. A steady, gradual pull is always preferred for a safe winch recovery.

To avoid overheating the winch motor, it’s important to periodically take breaks and let it cool down, especially for long and difficult recoveries. Overheating can lead to motor failure and reduce the life of your winch. Pull a little bit at a time, not all at once. Slow and steady wins the race.

Once the vehicle has been recovered, engage the parking brake and put the transmission in park. Let some of the line out so the line can be safely disconnected from the recovery point but be sure not to disengage the clutch when the winch line is still under tension. Spool the line back onto the winch drum, ensuring tight and even layers. If the winch line got dirt or debris on it during the recovery, it’s important to clean it before long-term storage.

When the going gets rough, a winch can save the day. But if used improperly, it can just as easily ruin one. By making sure you have the right gear in your recovery arsenal and have the proper knowledge to operate a winch, you can be sure you're ready to safely recovery yourself and others out on the trail.