RegularGuy

Just wondering what you all consider the best option for, er... emergency extrication.

Come-along? hand winch? hi-lift? ratchet strap and a cheater bar?

Ideally something that doesn't take up a crapton of space, doesn't cost a fortune, but can get you out of a decent amount of hangups without killing you in the process.

I'm guessing a Hi-Lift is going to be the most logical choice. But is it more efficient than a hand winch?

Martlor13

I've only used a hi lift whjen I was with my buddy in his jeep when we got stuck checking on his cows up in the mountains. Let me tell you, it worked but I'll be damned if i would want to do it again or have that as my main mean of getting me out. It was tiring and took a bit....to me, it makes you have to be extra careful where you go because it's like this; if I have a winch I can get out of this obstacle if I get stuck in a few minutes. If I have the hi lift, I'm getting tired as **** and I'm getting out in a longer period of time.

hi lift jacks have attachments for these purposes and my buddy has one, but still haha

thatXJguy

Almost anything can kill you in the process. You put tension on a line with any of the mentioned recovery methods. Personally, I think electric winches are the way to go. Hi-Lift is the #2 choice in my opinion because it can be used for so many different situations.

Rogue4x4

None of the above, at least at first...what you absolutely must have, is bumpers front and rear with properly reinforced extraction points.

If you're gonna do a front bumper, get one that can accommodate a winch.

For most situations, a tow strap is all you would need, unless you wheel alone (not recommended), then a winch. After that, a properly rigged hi-lift will do it, but as said above, it sucks.

Here's a link to a great thread posted by OutlawStar...

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/re...safety-233612/

JSJJ388

I carry a hi lift, but for the purpose of either sliding the jeep over or lifting it. I have always, and will continue to carry a come along. Its saved my hide a few times! they are slow, but work well and are relatively safe. dont take up much space, and with some straps can get you out of more situations than a winch. I once rolled my mighty max back over with a come along in a creek bed in the middle of nowhere. Also, living on a farm it has many, many uses, from stretching wire to moving fallen trees, to pulling calves.

WyoCherokee

Come-along rated for the weight and a ****** block. make sure the cables are in good condition just like a winch. i carry that and a Hi-Lift with the proper attachments in addition to my winch.

investinwaffles

I voted other in favor of traction mats. If I'm stuck bad, hand winching is truly a last ditch effort.

My other self recovery is a buddy with a 3/4 ton truck and some beefy tow straps

Martlor13

I'd be screwed. Where I usually go, heavy diesels typically can't get there haha.

andrewmp6

honestly save up and get a winch bumper and a winch,I have had to use a hi lift jack sideways once it took hours to pull myself 3 feet and my arms hurt for days.

RegularGuy

I will say that traction mats are really neat, especially the newer ones that you can use like ramps or bridges.

No love for hand winches, i see. Not that i cant see why. Ive used one before to open a 33-ton lock gate, which wasnt very fun, but it worked.

JSJJ388

Im not a big fan of the plastic mats. I had one to break and bust a tire on my mighty max. As for hand winches, they are slow, ya gotta be stout, but the do work. Come alongs give you more leverage, but have a fairly short pull and, for winching, are safer than a hi lift. obviously a winch is ideal, but many of us just dont have a winch.

tinytrax78

#1 go to is strap cuz i don't wheel alone (much) #2 would be come -along since i do not have a winch #3 would be hi-lift

RegularGuy

Just some of my personal thoughts on this subject.

Ipersonally would get a winch if I could afford it, but the winch combined with a bumper for it would quickly exceed the price I paid for my XJ. Maybe someday if one fell into my lap.

Even if I had a winch, I'd want something as a backup. I've grown leery of trusting things to work the way they are supposed to so having a sure-fire "in case" is how I personally like things.

A jack better than the factory screw-bottle jack would be very good to have, but it would appear that the Hi-Lift is better thought of as a multipurpose tool- since it doesn't seem all that well liked as an actual jack, but serves several other purposes like winch, pinch and spread (don't take that the wrong way)

I have no experience with come-alongs. My experience with hand winches is what I mention, whenere it was fastened to a post in concrete and attached to a 176 year old timber door.

As for wheeling alone, it's not something I think is a good idea, but needs can arise on the average day. Let's say you get stuck in a snow bank and can't wait on someone else to happen along to pull you out... Ect.

andrewmp6

A winch if taken care of and tested before you go out will never let you down in a pinch.A cheap but good winch bumper under 500 http://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/extr...erokee-xj.html a winch under 400 https://superwinch.com/collections/s...nd-suv-winches or a hair over 500 for rope on it.

bad_idea

I have used the hi-lift for winching. ONCE. That sucked. I plan to pick up a come along when one comes across my path cheap. A winch if I fall into some money.