Im getting my liscence next week,and i have 99'f250 and i want to go wheelin in the woods up my road. I dont have a winch yet, so im thinking maybe just a come-along type hand winch? I will probably be wheeling sometimes alone, just with a friend inside my truck, or with friends with like stock jeeps and stuff. I have a rear hitch , i want to put a clevis in it, should i buy one big enough to slide the pin through the hitch hole, or should i buy a reviever mount with a clevis on the end? Also, my front tow hooks, are they strong enough? I want to buy a good strong recovery strap also. how would i connect the come-along from my truck to a tree? I want to be safe out there, and not have a clevis ram thorugh my window and stuff like that, so what are some good things to get to recover from a good mud hole - ALONE without an electric winch(for now lol) Thanks guys :mr-t:

for what it's worth, don't go wheeling ALONE!!!!!!!!!! always have a second vehicle. Better to have a snatch strap too big then one too small. Maybe try little mud holes until you get you skills/courage up or learn your trucks abilities and weak points. Most worst-case scenarios (sp?) happen when someone's by themselves.... My opinion, a buddy with a four-by beats a winch anyday...

Im getting my liscence next week,and i have 99'f250 and i want to go wheelin in the woods up my road. I dont have a winch yet, so im thinking maybe just a come-along type hand winch? I will probably be wheeling sometimes alone, just with a friend inside my truck, or with friends with like stock jeeps and stuff. I have a rear hitch , i want to put a clevis in it, should i buy one big enough to slide the pin through the hitch hole, or should i buy a reviever mount with a clevis on the end? Also, my front tow hooks, are they strong enough? I want to buy a good strong recovery strap also. how would i connect the come-along from my truck to a tree? I want to be safe out there, and not have a clevis ram thorugh my window and stuff like that, so what are some good things to get to recover from a good mud hole - ALONE without an electric winch(for now lol) Thanks guys :mr-t:


Not sure where you live but make sure the place you plan on wheeling up the road is legal. Just because you see tire tracks dont mean its ok.

As for a come-a-long, dont think it will help much if you are stuck in a 99 F-250. That rig is probably 7500lbs plus depending on eng. Mine is around 8k with the V10.

Ford tow hooks(actually hoops) are strong enough to pull from.

clevis on the rear is a good idea. If you have a hitch get a reciever and mount the clevis on it.

Last resort is wheel alone. I've done it but then there have been times I had a nice long walk back.

Also make sure you get at least a 3" strap and NO hooks. Make sure each end is looped.

Also make sure you get at least a 3" strap and NO hooks. Make sure each end is looped.

x2 on this, ill never use a hook or chain again after my last episode, the chain snapped and flew thru the back of the guys truck trying to pull me out, coulda cost someone their life...

and again dont wheel alone if you dont have to... take smeone with you atleast 5 or 6 times before you wheel alone till you get the feel for what the truck will and wont do and then only wheel to impress the woman and maybe get the ford rockin :flipoff2:

I'm sure there is a thread about good, SAFE recovery somewhere on this site, but here is one I know of.

LINK 1 (http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=78575)

LINK 2 (http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=12168)

I'm sure there is a thread about good, SAFE recovery somewhere on this site, but here is one I know of.

LINK 1 (http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=78575)

LINK 2 (http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=12168)

Yep, right here (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/).

As for anchoring to a tree, a "tree saver" is used. Basically it's a short strap, 2 or 3 feet long, that goes around the tree. Use a clevis to connect the two ends and connect the winch or recovery strap to the clevis. Search "tree saver".

As for the remark about the come along for a winch... You would be a lot better off to keep a highlift jack on your truck. I have used mine as a winch a few times now...