Winching advise

[Jackie]

Looks like I'll get to use my winch for the second time. My husband got our mini van stuck in the driveway and up against a retaining wall (so reverse is not an option). It's very icey. He had to get someplace, so he left it there and took the Jeep. After he left, I tried to shovel and chop ice but I couldn't get it out either. As soon as he gets home with the Jeep, I'm sure we'll be able to winch it back up the driveway, but my question is (and I think I know the answer...but figured I'd check) is it best to try to hook it to the frame or the axle? Maybe try strapping it first??? I just can't picture how we're going to get the hook safely attached to the van.:redface::confused:

[fredrok]

Normally the frame Jackie, but it sounds like it may not be "stuck" as much as just on slick surface, right? If that's the case and you suspect it will come out easy, the axle would be okay. However, what kind of van? Is there an actual axle up front or just suspension components? You def. don't want to hook up to any of those.

[javaman34]

I would do the frame. Definitely the frame.

[Rick]

roll both windows down and run a strap through the cab then hook up the winch....JK!!!!! I wouldnt hook to the axle though:2c:

[Jackie]

I was right in my guess. The frame. It's a 2000 Honda Oddy. I'm guessing it is an axle. It is front wheel drive.

[Jackie]

roll both windows down and run a strap through the cab then hook up the winch....JK!!!!! I wouldnt hook to the axle though:2c:
Gee! Now why didn't I think of that??? :lmao:

[Rick]

Gee! Now why didn't I think of that???thats why we're here.......for good advice!!!lol:erm:

[javaman34]

roll both windows down and run a strap through the cab then hook up the winch....JK!!!!! I wouldnt hook to the axle though:2c:

For a minute there I thought Rick got dropped on his head, or at least dropped harder than usual. :smokin:

[Rick]

For a minute there I thought Rick got dropped on his head, or at least dropped harder than usual.LOL......just a couple times

[fredrok]

I was right in my guess. The frame. It's a 2000 Honda Oddy. I'm guessing it is an axle. It is front wheel drive.

Def don't hook to those. Is there a hook or loop just under the front bumper used to tie down for transport?

[94ToyBear]

I say frame and by frame I mean the sub frame not the actuall unibody.
Most mini van have a sub frame Up front.

[Patrolman]

Jackie, definately the frame. There should be some sort of tow hooks on front/back. Sometimes on newer cars the front hook actually threads in, and you have to get the hook out of the back with the spare tire. Your owner manual should show how it works.

If you need to pull it dead sideways, consider a strap going from front to the winch hook, and a strap going from the rear to the winch hook. Then you can more or less drag it sideways without and forward or backward motion. You may need to set up some sort of snatchblock to a tree with a tree protector. As I recall your driveway is narrow.

Here is another technique using 1 winch and 2 connection points, to pull forward and sideways at the same time. The strap on the back is forcing the Jeep to the left as the winch pulls it forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ8B4wGgH5U

[Jackie]

No, I don't think so. I have to warm up a bit before I go back out to try to dig. I can't even see under the front bumper right now. It should just need a light tug. It certainly won't be a big deal. I'm hoping to have it back up the driveway before Britton gets home just so I can smerk at him!!! The ladies here know how it goes... the hubs does something dumb and the wife takes the blame!!!:lmao: (And then of course he takes the wife's Jeep which is what she wanted him to do in the first place...DOH!)

[Patrolman]

Oh, yeah, that should be an easy pull from the front tow hook. Looks like the local came out to help! :)

[Jackie]

Yes - the "locals" are always trying to help!:lmao: We had at least 15 of them on the driveway this morning when it happened. We should have just asked them to give us a push!

We'll get it moved easy enough. It's just so blasted windy up here right now that it will rip your face off. It can just sit there for a few days for all I care.

[Jackie]

Thanks you guys for all the suggestions/advice (especially Rick! We hooked up to the rear view mirror and yanked it right out):D

Seriously though, Britton came home and dang near dumped the Jeep over the side of the driveway you can see in my picture. The driver side wheels were several feet off the driveway. So first we had to winch that out :erm:. Then, thanks to the advise given by Jeff, we looked to see if there was any kind of hook under the front of the van - and we found one! Easy pull and both vehicles are back in their parking spots.

Bring on the sunshine. This ice is not fun.

Thanks again for all the input. (Especially the "look for a hook" idea on the van). Probably saved us a bunch of time. :thumb:

[Chris]

This ice is not fun.

Mountain living = ice

Reminding you of Mn Jackie?

[Jackie]

Oh yeah! But in those days all had to do was hold a buck or two out the window and guys would stop to pull me out!:D

[Rick]

Seriously though, Britton came home and dang near dumped the Jeep over the side of the driveway you can see in my picture.Starting to think you guys are bored and doing this on purpose.....LOL

[Jackie]

Not a chance - I hate this cold. Nothing fun about it!:rolleyes:

[Rick]

Not a chance - I hate this cold. Nothing fun about it!Just kidding.....you guys get it all worked out?

[Jackie]

Yeah. The Jeep and the winch worked great. I knew it wouldn't be a big deal, I just wanted to make sure that I was right in my guess that we should NOT pull on the axle on the van, but go for the frame. Then Jeff suggested there might be a hook under there (and there was). Piece-o-cake. (Thanks again, Jeff)!

The only thing we did that I know was wrong, was when we had to winch the Jeep off the drop-off on the side of the driveway, we had to use my tow strap to wrap around a tree in order to have something to hook the winch to. I don't have a tree strap or snatch block yet. I wasn't worried about the tree because we plan to take that one down in the spring anyways, but I will have to closely examine the strap before we use it again.

A good learning experience. Mostly, I learned that I need to hide my husbands car keys!:lmao:

[The StRanger]

Sounds like you did everything right..
Still need a good tree strap..

[Chris]

I don't have a tree strap or snatch block yet.

Nobody will complain you do to your own tree Jackie! Watch CL for s snatch block.

[theluke19]

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2744-Universal-Snatch-Block/dp/B003CG9PIC
http://www.amazon.com/ProGrip-220400-Polyester-Webbing-Saver/dp/B006JY97GO/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1420587268&sr=1-1&keywords=ProGrip+220400+6%27+x+2%22+Polyester+Webb ing+Tree+Saver+with+Loops

I picked up these two items from amazon- good deals if you get Prime shipping!

[Patrolman]

Don't forget that you will need a shackle to use the tree saver and snatch block.

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-13048B-Powder-Coated-D-Ring/dp/B004K27DA4/ref=pd_sbs_auto_57?ie=UTF8&refRID=0WTV9XD6TN6BS0802BVA

[Jim]

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/Winches-Recovery-Gear/Recovery-Gear/Rugged-Ridge

20K kit
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/Winches-Recovery-Gear/Recovery-Gear/Rugged-Ridge/Rugged-Ridge/RECOVERY-GEAR-KIT-RUGGED-RIDGE-UNIVERSAL-APPLICATION

30K kit
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/Winches-Recovery-Gear/Recovery-Gear/Rugged-Ridge/Rugged-Ridge/XHD-RECOVERY-GEAR-KIT-30000-LB-RUGGED-RIDGE-UNIVERSAL-APPLICATION

[Jackie]

Being unemployed now, I have to watch my budget very closely. Hoping to make it through the winter without all the above listed items. But they are all "on the list". I've been looking at the kits that look like they come complete.

[Jackie]

Thanks Lucas - those look like good buys.

[Jackie]

Thanks, Jeff. I have shackles - but the kits I've seen also come with shakles, so I think that will be covered.:thumb:

[Jackie]

Thanks, Jim. I frequent that web site!:thumb: