Opinions/experiences using a come along?

JPaul · **Posted:** Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:04 pm

Ok, So while I am not cheap, I am pretty broke right now, especially when it comes to getting stuff for my jeep. I've thought about using a hi-lift for winching until the day that I can afford a winch, but right now I cannot even afford a hi-lift.

With that said, I have wondered about using an 8,000lb come along for the rare occasion I would need to winch out. What is everyone's opinions and/or experiences using a come along for winching?

Don't bother with telling me how much work they are, I realize that since I've used a beat up lightweight come along before working around the yard, it was a PITA. I just want to know how useful they are.

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:08 am

I haven't picked one up since I saw the hook break loose on one and nail a guy in the jaw. Broke it in several places and I picked up at least 5 or 6 teeth. (I was an EMT who responded to the accident) The guy was in pretty bad shape.

I guess to answer your question. I would be very concerned about safety using a come-a-long. A wheeling buddy and a recovery strap are both cheaper and safer... well, depends on who your buddy is I guess...

Rescu2000

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:22 am

I have used come alongs in the past.
Like rescu2000 said, They can be dangerous. I has seen one break too and nail a guy in the shin and snaped it like it was a stick. Ever since I saw that, I my self would never use one to pull a jeep or suv out of anything!

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:59 am

I was stuck in my TJ a long time ago and the guy that tried to help me had one. We broke it, no one got hurt, but it sure didn't get me unstuck and then he wanted me to pay for the damage. I don't like em.

JPaul · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:02 pm

So the question is, what where the weight ratings on the come alongs that were used in the above examples? Were you guys using the 8k lbs or only the 4k lbs? If they broke trying to pull a 5k lb jeep then I'm guessing they were only 4k lbs models. No manufacturer in their right mind would claim a weight rating their product couldn't really handle when soemone's life is a potenetial risk.

The funny thing is, if a come along rated at 8k lbs breaks, then why would someone use a hi-lift rated at 7k lbs? it runs the same risks (even more if you consider the weight of a hi-lift dropping on your toes).

Guest · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:13 pm

it takes more than 5,000 lbs of force to un-stuck a well-stuck 4,000 lb Jeep.

JPaul · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:24 pm

but if a 7k capacity hi-lift is enough, why wouldn't an 8k capacity come along be enough?

I realize a jeep stuck in the mud is going to take more than 5k of force to unstick it, but it's clearly not more than 8k lbs since that is the typical winch size used on the kj's, unless people are breaking their winches and not telling.

I'm not planning on getting stuck in mud to my headlights, or even to my grill, but I do forsee myself getting stuck in several inches of mud someday without someone else to get me out and it seems that if a hi-lift is good enough for that then a come along rated hgiher than the high lift should be plenty.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:36 pm

Dude, the first two responses should be all you require to let the idea lie. Strap and a buddy is the economical way to go.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:43 pm

JPaul wrote:

but if a 7k capacity hi-lift is enough, why wouldn't an 8k capacity come along be enough?

I realize a jeep stuck in the mud is going to take more than 5k of force to unstick it, but it's clearly not more than 8k lbs since that is the typical winch size used on the kj's, unless people are breaking their winches and not telling.

I'm not planning on getting stuck in mud to my headlights, or even to my grill, but I do forsee myself getting stuck in several inches of mud someday without someone else to get me out and it seems that if a hi-lift is good enough for that then a come along rated hgiher than the high lift should be plenty.

Sounds like you have yourself convinced, so go for it!

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:55 pm

My 2 cents
a come a long may work in some cases
a winch may work in some cases
a hi lift may work in some cases

I have seen them all fail at some point, a lot depends on what , where , and how you got stuck.
Best is a friend with a strap as mentioned above since if they can not get you out at least you have a ride back to the home base.

Going out by yourself with any of the final three ( winch, come a long, hi lift ) can work at times but not always.
It looks like you would like to have an 8000 lb come-a-long like KJ04 said so buy it and see how well it does and report back! make sure you have plenty of straps etc incase there is not a tree/rock etc for 500 foot :lol:

Khaki-KJ · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:02 pm

Since you should not really be going off road by yourself in the first place, the answer is a friend and a recovery strap. It is the cheapest and safest possible way to go. Take a look through some of the old posts on LOST of people who have found out the hard way that going by yourself can be expensive.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:15 pm

Ive used them for many things besides pulling a Jeep out of a hole. From tightening up a cable to make a ride(pully with a tire, fun stuff) to moving a deck to build a room, they have there places.

I wouldnt rely on one if you were out wheeling alone but they work great if you need a quick pull. I couldnt imagine trying to pull a jeep out with one of those if its sunk up in a hole. :shock:

JPaul · **Posted:** Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:10 pm

I appreciate the responses guys.

mrkake · **Posted:** Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:34 am

I have seen a cable come along and a Hi-Lift winching both fail. The difference was the material that they are made of. The come along's cable whipped when it broke. It shattered a windshieild and embedded in the window post (it was rated at 8000 lbs). The Hi-Lift was using a tow strap (not a recovery strap) from the vehicle to the jack and a 3/8" chain from the jack to the tree. The pin on the shackle that attached the chain to the jack was what failed. There was a ping and the chain just dropped. I later found out that the pin in the shackle is rated at 5000 lbs for just that reason. I wheel alone from time to time and have a Hi-Lift with the winching gear. I am not counting on it getting me out of really hairy situations because I don't do crazy stuff when I'm alone. I have seen a guy use two come alongs (one on each recovery point on his bumper and hooked to a tree on each side of the trail) and he got his TJ out of about 8" of mud. It only took about 4 hours

. There is no easy answer. I can't afford a winch either and its a hard expense to justify at that. You can get a "farm jack" at Harbor Freight for under $50. They look the same as a Hi-Lift but I don't know anyone who has used one or how long they would last. My dad has a Hi-Lift that he used in construction for 35 years. It is beat to hell, but he has replaced the pins and springs a couple of times and keeps it lubricated and the thing still works like a champ. Your best bet for recovery is still a friend and strap (even if I don't always follow my own advice :oops:

).

michael_dba · **Joined:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:23 am **Posts:** 64

The rating is CRITICAL. I've used a come-a-long to square up a lifted house before. Also pulled a small crawler dozer out of a ditch after it threw a track....no probs. Even pulled an old GMC longbed back up a narrow logging road in some steep redwood canyon...a 4 hour job!

If you use a cheap one or an under-rated one, you're asking for trouble.

michael_dba · **Joined:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:23 am **Posts:** 64

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michael_dba · **Joined:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:23 am **Posts:** 64

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mrkake · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:45 pm

I guess it really comes down to the situation that you are using it in and the quality of materials that it is made of.

Anybody know if you can replace the cable in a come along with winch cable? It's still a compromise for sure but I'm just trying to brainstorm.

TAHOE · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:44 pm

I regularly use one as a "winch" to pull cars up on my flatbed. It's rated @ 4000lbs and does the job in a straight pull with only rolling resistance. I almost always hang a small weight on the cable to help reduce wcable whiplash if it were to break( do this on chains or pull straps too). Using one to pull a stuck vehecle out of the mud or over a rock maybe pushing the limits.

Opinions/experiences using a come along?

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