20/12/2025
The members of Cozzie Four Wheelers attended a winch training event that was put together by the club. We were lucky enough to learn from two members who used to compete in winch challenges themselves, bringing forth their wisdom and knowledge to ensure we keep ourselves, our trucks, and everyone around us safe.
It was a fantastic turn out with spaces for members to try new and different winching techniques as well as test out equipment they haven't had to use yet!
Some of the things we discussed were:
✨Steel vs soft shackles
Soft shackles are lightweight, flexible and often safer to use. While steel shackles are more durable - they pose a projectile risk when under tension.
✨Pulley blocks vs winch rings
Winch rings are compact and lightweight, even handling similar load ratings to a pulley block.
✨Double and triple line pulls
As you can see in the video, our members had the opportunity to practice these. Double and triple line pulls use double the rope but they increase a winches pulling power.
✨Safety controls and risks
Safety measures to be aware of include checking the cable for fraying or damage before winching, wearing gloves when handling the cable, using a dampener to reduce recoil if the cable fails, and most importantly keeping a safe distance to the side of the rope - 3 meters!
Happy and safe winching everyone!
