Tirfor winch for self recovery
Discussion
I was looking at them before to keep in the car for if I ever slid into a ditch or similar and wasn't able to get out on my own but they were very expensive new and held their value well so never got round to buying one!
I suppose a high lift jack and a cable would do much the same but maybe take up more space?
I suppose a high lift jack and a cable would do much the same but maybe take up more space?
My experience of them is that they are very slow and laborious to use compared with an electric winch but its still easier and safer than using a hi lift jack for winching.
The problem with the Tirfor is that you need to clean and stow it properly after each use otherwise the next time you try to use it the cable will be kinked and the winch unit will be clogged with mud. In an ideal situation you would clean and stow it properly but after spending 45 minutes setting it up and sweating your nuts off moving the vehicle about 2 feet whilst knee deep in mud, its human nature to just gather everything up and chuck it in the boot and forget about it until the next time.
For very occasional use and peace of mind if you are off road on your own they are worth having but I bet once you have actually used one you will do everything you can to avoid having to use it again !!
The problem with the Tirfor is that you need to clean and stow it properly after each use otherwise the next time you try to use it the cable will be kinked and the winch unit will be clogged with mud. In an ideal situation you would clean and stow it properly but after spending 45 minutes setting it up and sweating your nuts off moving the vehicle about 2 feet whilst knee deep in mud, its human nature to just gather everything up and chuck it in the boot and forget about it until the next time.
For very occasional use and peace of mind if you are off road on your own they are worth having but I bet once you have actually used one you will do everything you can to avoid having to use it again !!
Could use a pull-along. Simpler than a Tirfor and not as big as a hi lift.
In most stuck situations you only need to move the car a few feet to get unstuck. The most important bit of kit might just be a decent shovel.
Having said that, I have an electric winch, a hi lift and a pull-along. Taking no chances lol.
In most stuck situations you only need to move the car a few feet to get unstuck. The most important bit of kit might just be a decent shovel.
Having said that, I have an electric winch, a hi lift and a pull-along. Taking no chances lol.
Test driver said:
Thanks for the replies, I’m debating a proper electric winch but the cost is hard to justify atm.
They’re hard to justify at all, regardless of cost.Have you ever actually got stuck to the point you needed a winch, or is it just an insurance policy?
I had one on my Defender for around ten years. Used it in serious anger once. Literally, once. The rest of the time it was a solution looking for a problem that simply didn’t exist and in the end the motor windings simply corroded to the point of uselessness despite regular maintenance. So it all came off and I’m back to a standard front end.
Regards a Tirfor (or similar) another big advantage is they aren’t attached to the vehicle so a pulling force can be positioned exactly where you need it be that forwards, backwards, sideways, upwards.
An electric winch in the front bumper (I presume that’s what you’re considering?) can only drag you pretty much in one direction and that’s usually even further in to the s
t.Crossflow Kid said:
Test driver said:
Thanks for the replies, I’m debating a proper electric winch but the cost is hard to justify atm.
They’re hard to justify at all, regardless of cost.Have you ever actually got stuck to the point you needed a winch, or is it just an insurance policy?
I had one on my Defender for around ten years. Used it in serious anger once. Literally, once. The rest of the time it was a solution looking for a problem that simply didn’t exist and in the end the motor windings simply corroded to the point of uselessness despite regular maintenance. So it all came off and I’m back to a standard front end.
Regards a Tirfor (or similar) another big advantage is they aren’t attached to the vehicle so a pulling force can be positioned exactly where you need it be that forwards, backwards, sideways, upwards.
An electric winch in the front bumper (I presume that’s what you’re considering?) can only drag you pretty much in one direction and that’s usually even further in to the s
t.Agreed, but when you need a front electric winch you really need one. I have one on my Defender and only used it a few times in anger, but without it it would have been very very stuck. It is more a peace of mind insurance policy.
When I rather carelessly put my bobtail Range Rover into a stream with a steep bank my Tirfor hauled it out albeit slowly. I couldn't be bothered with an electric or hydraulic winch as they are heavy lumps at the front of the vehicle.
It's been used for the odd lifting job and I tried pulling tree stumps with mixed success. I stored the cable coiled into a motorcycle tyre.
Mike
It's been used for the odd lifting job and I tried pulling tree stumps with mixed success. I stored the cable coiled into a motorcycle tyre.
Mike
A vehicle mounted winch is usually a big, heavy lump, mounted at the front of the car and is rarely used (if at all). To do it correctly, it costs a few £££, you need to change the spring ratings, get proper mountings, second battery, etc... Being mounted outside the vehicle, it's also exposed to the elements, salt, etc... and don't forget it also needs servicing.
On top of all of that, it can only drag your car in one direction, which is often further into the same st you're trying to get yourself out of. (OK, if you want to split hairs, you can set up an opposite pull but it's not easy and it assumes you have suitable anchor points!)
If you're exploring 'solo', you usually want to extract yourself the easy way, which is usually going out, the way you went in - i.e. Backwards. If you're with a group, a quick tug with a rope and having another go is far quicker than setting up a winch anchor.
Tirfors, albeit slow, are reliable, can pull in any direction and can easily be transferred from vehicle to vehicle. Unless you REALLY need a vehicle mounted winch, don't bother.
That said, right place, right time; A decent winch is worth its weight.
M
On top of all of that, it can only drag your car in one direction, which is often further into the same s
t you're trying to get yourself out of. (OK, if you want to split hairs, you can set up an opposite pull but it's not easy and it assumes you have suitable anchor points!)If you're exploring 'solo', you usually want to extract yourself the easy way, which is usually going out, the way you went in - i.e. Backwards. If you're with a group, a quick tug with a rope and having another go is far quicker than setting up a winch anchor.
Tirfors, albeit slow, are reliable, can pull in any direction and can easily be transferred from vehicle to vehicle. Unless you REALLY need a vehicle mounted winch, don't bother.
That said, right place, right time; A decent winch is worth its weight.
M
Edited by camel_landy on Friday 18th October 11:01
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