Georgia Trail Riders Forum

MEMBERS DISCUSSION AREA => General Discussion => Topic started by: Michigunman on October 27, 2014, 08:09:47 PM

Title: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: Michigunman on October 27, 2014, 08:09:47 PM
From what I have read and been told I always thought that the open/clasp end of the winch hook should face up.  This way if it were to fail/break it would send the cable down not up.

On a recent ride I was connecting a winch cable to a strap and another member said I was doing it wrong and the open end of the hook should be facing down.  I don't care who is right or wrong but I'm kind of a safety advocate and want to make sure myself and others are properly educated in the matter.

What say you fellow Off Road experts?
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: cru9 on October 27, 2014, 08:24:04 PM
Good question but not sure there is a correct answer. Just looked up Warn site and in owners manual it shows hook being used both directions
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: cru9 on October 27, 2014, 08:25:24 PM
Best solution in my opinion is a saftey thimble
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: Michigunman on October 27, 2014, 08:43:47 PM
Best solution in my opinion is a saftey thimble

Can't argue that but at a 3 digit price point hard to justify.  I've never really heard of a hook failure, but anything can happen.
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: cru9 on October 27, 2014, 08:49:51 PM
Best solution in my opinion is a saftey thimble

Can't argue that but at a 3 digit price point hard to justify.  I've never really heard of a hook failure, but anything can happen.
Very true! Another reason to use synthetic rope instead of wire and to use a line weight on really hard pulls
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: Big Dave on October 27, 2014, 08:53:05 PM
You could swap the hook for a D ring.
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: Michigunman on October 27, 2014, 09:08:44 PM
I know I can change attachment device.  There are lots of people in the club running a hook.  Just wanted to make sure we all know the safest way to use them.
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: kvom on October 27, 2014, 10:00:43 PM
I have a safety thimble available for $25.
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: Mortalis5509 on October 28, 2014, 12:34:10 AM
It was me and I was taught to hook it facing down. If it was facing downward it would want to go the ground vs facing upward it would want to go up. Spent a while researching that theory and came up dry. Might try again after while.
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: clark123456 on October 28, 2014, 12:39:15 AM
I heard/read the same thing as Tripp.  I thought it was in my Warn documentation, but my memory could be failing me.
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: Michigunman on October 28, 2014, 11:19:43 AM
It was me and I was taught to hook it facing down. If it was facing downward it would want to go the ground vs facing upward it would want to go up. Spent a while researching that theory and came up dry. Might try again after while.

Yeah, I was taught the exact opposite.  My Google Foo is weak, having trouble finding anything to say either way.  Will check my Warn books when I get home.
Title: Re: Winch hook orientation and safety concern.
Post by: 94xjsport94 on October 28, 2014, 11:29:28 AM
This warn manual thing is hard to read on my computer. It looks like they just use a D ring instead:
http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/TechGuide_PN62885-A2.pdf (http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/TechGuide_PN62885-A2.pdf)

This says up:
http://www.driveoffroad.com/4wd-school/recovery/hooking-up-the-winch/ (http://www.driveoffroad.com/4wd-school/recovery/hooking-up-the-winch/)


That's all I got.