What is a "come-along"?

rlanda · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:15 am

Hello all

Again, reading and learning from the topics in this forum,
came across with the term "come-along".

From the comments, I found it´s a kind of manual winch (??????)

Could somebody tell me what exactly it is and if it's what I'm thinking,
where can I get one?

Very interested because I'm planning what to get for a very basic recovery kit.

BTW, are "slinges" and "straps" the same thing? I think it's one
of the first things I must get but don't know how long and how
strong it should be. Can somebody help with this too?

Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and experience.

s_allcroft · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:20 am

A "Come Along" is a device that can be used to extract a vehicle like a wench. Kind of looks like jack. You have to hand operate.

Watch out for the cheap ones. The will BEND before the pull much of anything...

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

http://www.mytoolstore.com/app/appindex ... WAodClU1RA. I'm not sure if this is a good brand, but it's a good picture of a come along.

Edwin · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:23 pm

Maasdam Power pull is a goot one.

PBrug · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:33 pm

All I think of when I see a come-a-long, are whose big hooks. Is there a danger of the cable snapping or the hook slipping it flying at you. I know you're not supposed to use tow straps with hooks, but are these different?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:38 pm

PBrug wrote:

All I think of when I see a come-a-long, are whose big hooks. Is there a danger of the cable snapping or the hook slipping it flying at you. I know you're not supposed to use tow straps with hooks, but are these different?

When you pull someone with a jeep, there is alot more pressure on the strap b/c you can get a run-a-go and "jerk" on the stuck vehicle. With a come-a-long, its just a slow steady pull. It can break if the cable becomes weak or you do something stupid with it. :wink:

gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:44 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

PBrug wrote:

All I think of when I see a come-a-long, are whose big hooks. Is there a danger of the cable snapping or the hook slipping it flying at you. I know you're not supposed to use tow straps with hooks, but are these different?

When you pull someone with a jeep, there is alot more pressure on the strap b/c you can get a run-a-go and "jerk" on the stuck vehicle. With a come-a-long, its just a slow steady pull. It can break if the cable becomes weak or you do something stupid with it. :wink:

but it shouldn't fly like if the hook on a strap comes loose

rlanda · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:55 pm

Well, let me say I'm amazed, I've seen the picture (thanks for that)
and hard to believe this relatively simple mechanism is capable of
pulling over 8000 lbs.

I'll go for one of these for sure as part of a starting recovery kit.

Not too difficult to realize how it works but out there in the trail,
should you have to use it, how can it be attached to something fixed?

Sorry for the ignorance but, if didn't know what it was, much less
how it works in practice.

Thanks again.

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:18 pm

Use a 48" Hi-Lift. Best money I have ever spent. Saved my rear a few times from having to fork out money to someone else to pull me out.

spyder · **Joined:** Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:58 pm **Posts:** 6

I agree with the Hi-Lift. If you are going to spend the money to buy the basic recovery gear, a hi-lift jack is a better buy. Far more versatile than a come-along. I've bought lots of toys over the years that have come and gone but my old hi-lift jack is still with me and I carry it under the seat of the Liberty all the time.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:14 pm

Ive never seen a "red devil" that can pull 8k pounds. Im sure they make them, but the biggest one I have is 2 tons(4k lbs). I like them to move trees and stuff like that. It would suck bad to try and pull a jeep stuck in mud. :shock:

spyder · **Joined:** Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:58 pm **Posts:** 6

Amen to that one. The only use I've found for the old 2-ton come-along is a side pull to keep my rig from sliding sideways on a slope and that is probably overloading it a bit.

Never heard them called a red devil, or is that the brand name?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:01 pm

spyder wrote:

Amen to that one. The only use I've found for the old 2-ton come-along is a side pull to keep my rig from sliding sideways on a slope and that is probably overloading it a bit.

Never heard them called a red devil, or is that the brand name?

For some reason most people have never heard them called that. Ive always called them that, I guess b/c my dad did. The 2 ton one I have is red? Maybe its just a brand or something? I have two other ones that are only one ton. I dont think thats strong enough for much, but did used it for a tree once.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:22 pm

s_allcroft wrote:

A "Come Along" is a device that can be used to extract a vehicle like a wench. Kind of looks like jack. You have to hand operate.

Watch out for the cheap ones. The will BEND before the pull much of anything...

I'd watch out for those wenches :shock:

.....if they can extract a stuck vehicle, then they can crush you when they give you a hug and kiss. :lol:

moose · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:36 pm

I've got a 4 ton come along (from harbor freight - yes, it's both cheap and inexpensive, but it works). I had my hitch-haul stuck in a 12" reciever extension and I tried to use it to break it free. Unfortunatly, it just moved the libby (parking break on! :shock:

).

The way to use (OK, they way I use it) it is to have a heavy log chain or 20,000# strap (never anything lighter) to go around the tree/rock/"SUV to be recovered's tow point"/etc., (ideally, use a "D" ring clevis to bring that strap's ends together - it makes a nice way to use a second strap to get to a better solid object). Then attach what I'll call the "floating hook" (hook on a pully on the cable - I know this has a real name, I just don't know it) to the Jeep's tow point (or better: a strap from the jeep's tow point) and the other two hooks back towards the clevis ring. Then get ready to put your back in to it!

PS - Never saw a wench that looked like Jack. None of them had 5 o'clock shadow...

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:40 pm

I know what you mean moose, my 2 ton has the extra pully on it.

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:59 pm

Well i have used mine to pull my libby out, Last year when i got my libby i took it out to initiate it, Had it three days, paper tags and all, burried it to the subframe across the ruts. sort of found a hole that required at least 38s no match for my stock 215s, got out the straps, gloves, chains and come along and winched it right on out, I think i was using a one ton the type that uses a strap instead of a cable, i carry with me in the jeep just in case, i have a high lift too but i havnet been able to figure out how to fit it under the rear seat just yet.

Steveybnj · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2015 10:04 pm

http://www.maasdam.com/144sb-6.html

I was looking at the above 2 ton come along, has 6ft of pull.
The 1 ton has the full 12 ft off pull. Obviously the kk weight is closer to 4000lbs.
Considering the weight of the vehicle is on the ground. Only looking to pull myself out.
Would the 1 ton w the full 12 ft pull be sufficient to get me out if a small bind ???
I learned this in high school physics but that's another post.

whitekj · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:27 am

I would think you would need base it more than on just the weight of the Jeep. You need to factor in the resistance of whatever you're stuck in. Most times you won't be on flat ground pulling it.

Steveybnj · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 5:50 pm

Good point , you need to overcome what you are stuck in and may be on an incline.
I guess at least 2 ton is safer..

What is a "come-along"?

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