kinetic energy recovery rope or winch?

[chester rides again]

so KERR is about 1/10 the price of a winch, but am i better off getting the winch instead? searching on the net i've seen some bad examples of a KERR failure (mostly truck parts). Or do I say the heck with both and just the least expensive option of soft straps?

What is more useful? Thinking back to the 'Gods must be crazy' movie, makes me want the winch even more.

I'm not doing serious off roading, heck, i'm probably not doing much off roading at all. And I certainly don't want the KERR/Winch allowing me to get into dangerous situations.

Jeff

[leafsprung]

Kerr

Maybe Im missing something. You cant recover yourself with a KERR. Im not sure how you can compare the two. A KERR is just a fancy strap . . . .

Other self recovery tools:

-come along/more power puller
-tirfor/blackrat
-highlift

[galen216]

I'd like to see the references you are writing about that KERR's have caused vehicle damage. Kinetic rope is so much better than a normal strap as there is no "snap" in the pull. I've pulled and been pulled by them and it is a great tool.

But like Ike said, it's apples and oranges.

[chester rides again]

http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/Driving%20techniques/Broken_strap.jpg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEtuO-Mh9Lg

I'm not saying that their dangerous, these are just a few images I saw.

Now back to the question. I'm refering more to recovering others as I understand that KERR isn't for self recovery. A winch will recover self/others so perhaps it is the best to start out with?

The come-along is just a simple winch in my eyes

I've got the hi-lift.

[yorker]

This is kind of like asking "should I wear shoes or pants?" If you can't afford a good winch maybe a Tirfor or something would be in order- however you should be able to find a good used winch for a good price. I think I paid $150 for a used Warn 8274. Keep looking in www.Wantaddigest.com

[chester rides again]

sometimes i wear my shoes without pants

so are you saying that i should get both?

i was just wondering if i need both, or if one would do. i don't see the point of a KERR if i'm going to need/want a winch once summer rolls around. however, if i NEED both, then so be it. if i can save myself the price of the KERR and just put it towards the winch then all the better.

maybe i should have asked - do you have both?

[greenmeanie]

The best advice I havce is that no matter what you buy make sure you understand correct, safe recovery methods with that kit BEFORE you go.

If you don't four wheel much then the cheapest form of recovery equipment is to make sure you go with someone else who is well equipped.

I know this sounds facetious but I have always been told never four wheel alone and in every group I've ever encountered there is always someone who is the kit monster who is just dying (poor use of words?) to use it.

My most useful piece of recovery kit on those occasions I have been out exploring on my own has been a good shovel.

Cheers
Gregor

[leafsprung]

Recovery

Seems like you have a handle on what they do, you can probably decide which you need

[jbb94952]

Hi Lift

Have you though about a winch kit to use with your hi lift? That, some straps, and a Pull Pal work pretty well for me. Lot of work though.

[Jeff Aronson]

The adivice given already is quite good. If you're new to off roading, you should travel with another Rover until you learn your Rover's capabilities. If your companion does not have a winch, you need to be certain that you have a flat strap or a KERR; either way, the companion vehicle must have strong attachment points and your car needs them too.

The advantage of a KERR is that the thrust of pulling you out is magnified by the expanding/contracting rope. The flat strap has more give than a chain, but not to the point where the strap is actually assisting with the recovery. The KERR is quite amazing to see in action.

If you must travel alone, or want to be more self sufficient, get a high lift, a length of chain and a strap, and some shackles [you'll need them anyway]. Most of the time, the high lift can either lift you out of a problem [high centering] or move you a short distance. A comealong won't lift a wheel out of a hole or deep rut, but it also does not require a major installation job.

A winch kit is a great accessory to a car, but it's not essential for entertaining off roading or even expeditions. And as noted, at every Land Rover event there's someone with a winch to help someone like me who cannot afford to outfit his Rovers with a winch .

Jeff

[leafsprung]

thrust of pulling you out is magnified by the expanding/contracting rope

how can a spring release more energy than it stores?

[LaneRover]

how can a spring release more energy than it stores?

If I understand the kinetic energy recovery correctly when the 'spring' is releasing its stored energy the unstuck truck is still pulling. Thus at peak pull you would definitely be pulling with more energy than just a pull with a static line. It is not that the kinetic rope thingy is releasing more than energy than was put into it but the combo of releasing the stored energy while still pulling.

Brent

OR maybe they ARE magic - but only if a unicorn is pulling....

[leafsprung]

Exactly

[scott]

i've used both before. wish we video taped it. my iia stuck in peanut butter conssistancy mud up over the floor boards. a heep w/his winch cable doulbed backed hook to me. a f250 with a kenetic hooked to the jeep. big error was the pulley for doubling back the winch cable was secured to my ball hitch. snap the ball off and sent it flying over the jeep 40 feet behind me, over the f250 20 feet behind the jeep and never again to be seen

[JimCT]

recovery points

Recovery points , recovery points, recovery points......those are what usually become fatal missles when they fail. If you dont have any really good ones wrap a big chain around your frame and attach to that. Trailer hitches are a no no unless the pintle type. And the bumper in the front isn't strong enough either. Safety first.