| If you're serious about ATV camping, then an | | | | the battery to recharge. |
| ATV winch is a necessary accessory. Every since | | | | 5. Apply the throttle lightly to assist the battery |
| I was little I have always tried to make my stuff | | | | during a pull. |
| better. Whether it was my bicycle, motorcycle, | | | | 6. During a pull, if possible the stuck ATV should |
| car, truck, or ATV, I had to modify it in some | | | | be driven in the direction of the pull using |
| way to make it better, faster, more rugged and | | | | moderate throttle until unstuck, at which time the |
| durable than stock. In doing this I then always had | | | | winch cable or rope should be disconnected. |
| to test my creations to find its limitations and | | | | 7. Whenever possible keep the winch cable or |
| since most of my toys were for offroad that | | | | rope perpendicular to the drum of the winch |
| usually meant driving it until it wouldn't go any | | | | during a pull and keep an eye on the drum to |
| further or in other words, until it was stuck! | | | | ensure the spooling of the cable or rope is even. |
| Having done this several times in all types of | | | | Pulling at an angle causes the cable to spool |
| situations I became very familiar with the | | | | unevenly which can lead to binding of the winch |
| advantages of having a winch. A winch is probably | | | | and damage to the gears. |
| one of the most important accessories to have | | | | 8. In the event a pull must be done with the cable |
| on your utility 4x4 ATV since a utility 4x4 ATV | | | | at an angle to the drum, turn the front tires in |
| can take you to some very extreme places | | | | the direction of the pull and pull in small amounts |
| especially if you are ATV camping. | | | | and reposition the cable often to prevent uneven |
| But having a winch does not guarantee to get | | | | spooling. |
| you out of a stuck situation. You must also have | | | | 9. When securing to a tree, always use a |
| the proper winch accessories, knowledge of | | | | minimum 3" wide tree saver strap with D-Ring |
| proper winch usage and a couple of friends with | | | | shackles. To prevent severe damage to a tree |
| cameras to ensure you make the best of a stuck | | | | never wrap the winch cable or rope around a |
| situation. A good pair of gloves, recovery strap, | | | | tree. Protect our environment! |
| snatch block, d-ring shackles, shovel, and a tree | | | | 10. When pulling the winch cable or rope out for a |
| saver strap are just some of the winch | | | | pull always inspect the line for kinks, frays, and |
| accessories you will need to carry in your rack | | | | worn areas. Always wear gloves when handling a |
| bags. I have put together a list of things I have | | | | winch cable. |
| learned over the years about proper winching | | | | 11. When using the winch to pull out another ATV, |
| techniques and accessories: | | | | secure the ATV with the winch to a tree or |
| 1. Make sure you have a good strong battery, | | | | other object using the appropriate accessories |
| preferably the largest ATV battery with the | | | | before beginning the pull. |
| highest "Cold Cranking Amps" to provide the best | | | | 12. If stuck in deep snow or mud, dig out around |
| initial pull of the winch. | | | | the tires and if possible find some rocks and/or |
| 2. Try to use as much winch cable or rope as | | | | branches to stick under the tires for traction |
| possible because the more cable that is off the | | | | during the pull. |
| drum (always leave a least one layer of cable on | | | | 13. After a pull always try to re-spool the cable or |
| the drum) the more pulling power the winch has. | | | | rope even and tightly. Unravel the entire spool if |
| The use of a snatch block helps increase the | | | | necessary and draw the cable back in maintaining |
| pulling power of the winch. Remember whenever | | | | pressure on the cable to ensure a tight spool. This |
| using a snatch block the speed of the pull is | | | | will help prevent a snarl in the cable on the spool. |
| decreased while the pulling power is increased. | | | | 14. Never exceed the strength limits of your |
| 3. Whenever possible have the front tires pointed | | | | winch and cable. |
| in the direction of the pull. | | | | 15. Never use a winch to tow another ATV, |
| 4. Never pull a heavy load with a winch for more | | | | always use a tow or recovery strap rated for |
| than 1-1/2 minutes at a time. Allow the winch to | | | | the load. |
| cool between pulls and this also allows time for | | | | |