I wheel in snow most of the year....Used a 9000lb HF winch to pull me out all last year (if/when I got stuck). Besides being slow it never was a problem.

Not saying anything HF is quality but as long as it gets the job done I am happy.

Some of you guys wheel on a entirely different level

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Snow is actually pretty extreme, as you are buried up to the frame or doors and put 10s of K of drag on the winch. Snow smokes em quick!

You mean like this?



My X and two young kids 15 miles back in with ZERO hope of anyone getting to us. I might mention that my Sport was STILL sinking when this picture was taken. Had I not been able to get it out at this point, I'm not sure what shape it would have been in had we had to abandon it for the few days it would have taken to walk out and get help. Had it flooded again in the meantime, there wouldn't have been anything left to go back and get.

Lloyd, I NEVER hammer on you about this one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I think this is the best advice you've given over the years and I'm right there with you.

On the 'some of you guys are more extreme wheelers' ... I heard a rumor a few years ago that some guy (family) lost their vehicle in Kane Creek trying to cross when flooded. Winch failed and the water went up. Time frame was '06-'08ish if I remember right. This is NOT extreme wheeling. Kane Creek is a two lane gravel county road where this was alleged to have happened and the vehicle wasn't a $100K crawler. I THINK is was a Cherokee or a 4-Runner, but don't quote me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Winches are like insurance. You pay and pay and pay and probably never ever need it. Until you need it - and then you REALLY need it, and you never know when that'll be. If you don't have it, the consequences can be, how do you say, 'unpleasant'. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Something else of note is the attitude changes taking place at the local and federal government levels regarding rescue and recovery. Feds and local governments are taking the attitude that if they have to come rescue you, you'll be responsible for the ENTIRE government inflated costs of rescue and recovery. That can be tens of thousands of dollars - and if you think you can get out of it, think again. Its just like getting out of paying the IRS. Good luck with that. Anyway, ran across posting(s) on the NPS website a few weeks ago stating that if they deigned to come get you (eventually) you were responsible for ALL costs incurred. Actually ran across a snapshot of a brand new park service sign that warned of this.

This isn't new or they're thinking about it. Already happened in CO to people.

Oh, and 90% of my winching isn't to get me out. Its to get the guy out that's stuck blocking the only exit of the trail or fire road. Not a safety thing, but an annoyance. There is nothing like being parked for hours (days) waiting for someone to come along to get the guy in front of you out so you can go home. I've had this happen more then I care to think about and it sucks all the fun out of your day. Thankfully, I'm the guy that comes along with the winch. But I've heard a LOT of b$*%&ing from the guys stuck behind the guy waiting for six hours for someone to show up. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Edward

Buy a fishing license. Especially in Colorado...that will cover the costs of your recovery if it came down to it.

A good quality winch is great insurance. Another vehicle traveling with you, with recovery gear is even better insurance. :-)

Side note...I got a second bubba rope and when needed I will put up the video of doing a bumper to bumper pull with 60 feet of bubba rope. Lost two winches last year on the same pull and the bubba rope is what go us out!

from my recent experience (past weekend) that harbor freight winch 12,000lbs didn't pull me out

Reference(s)?



Yep!

Edward

Uh, yeh Edward like that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

This is from Rocky Mountain rescue:
http://www.rockymountainrescue.org/history/faq.html#q6a

CORSAR Card: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA-Main/CBON/1251592090523

SAR FAQ Colorado: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA-Main/CBON/1251592098205

Nothing will cover the medical costs (Ambulance, flight for life...etc). Your fee for the license has a portion that goes to SAR. In Colorado SAR has never charged anyone a fee as long as you paid into the fund via a Fishing License, hunting license...etc. The local sheriff is another story....I would just hire a lawyer at that point.

I am a Colorado native and I have never seen or heard of a charge for SAR. Most SAR events are for hikers...exposed to the elements. I don't fish and I don't hunt...but I buy a fishing license just in case.

I usually don't buy most stuff from HF as their quality is iffy and random. Little things that you don't need to depend on are fine. Most of their stock (if not all) is from China, not the quality stuff from China.