Winch Rigging

Improvisation and lateral thinking often comes into play when recovering yourself or another vehicle with the winch.  Seldom are two 4WD recovery situations the same.

Eureka 4WD Training have a number of illustrations to show different types of rigging.  Please note that for clarity the “Air Break” (Blanket) which should be placed over the winch cables has not been shown in these illustrations.  They show rigging using an electric winch however the same principles apply to hand winches.  When using a hand winch, where practicable, I try to set the rigging up so that I’m near the vehicle with the winch rather than at the other end of the cable.

Remember an electric winch is only designed to pull you forward and maybe a little to one side.  The hand winch will pull you in any direction with the correct rigging.

Most people are fine with a straight 1:1 pull but get a bit mixed up when a snatch block needs to be used.  I always try to use a snatch block when I can as it’s less strain and gives you more control as it’s slower.  A recovery is always going to have a potentially dangerous element attached to it.  Keep all bystanders well clear.

The Pictures