How to Perform a Slingshot Winching Recovery

If you love getting out onto the tracks for a tough low range 4WDing session, then having a quality 12,000lb winch on hand is one of the best bits of 4WD gear you can ever carry! An electric 4WD winch means the ability to self-recover if you get stuck, giving you the confidence to tackle big bogholes or hardcore hillclimbs.

And even if you’re not the kind of 4WDer who actively seeks out the toughest tracks, having a quality 12000lb winch on your 4WD is security for those ‘just in case’ moments – even if it’s not you that is stuck, you’ll be equipped to help other people!

One of the most advanced winch recoveries you can perform is called a “Slingshot Winch Recovery”. That’s where a vehicle is stuck on the track ahead of you, but you can’t get your 4WD around them to winch them forward, and winching back isn’t an option. Here’s how to perform a Slingshot Winch recovery using your 12000lb 4×4 winch in that scenario.

1. SECURE BOTH VEHICLES SO THEY WON’T MOVE

Safety is the number one priority of any 4WD winch recovery, so before you unspool your 4WD winch, make sure that both vehicles – yours and the stuck vehicle ahead of you – are secured and won’t move for the moment. Chock each vehicle’s wheels if necessary, and once you’re sure they won’t move, you can then unspool your 12,000lb electric winch.

2. RUN YOUR WINCH UP TO A TREE IN FRONT OF THE STUCK VEHICLE

Unspool your electric winch synthetic winch rope out with enough slack to run the winch rope past the stuck vehicle and to a tree you’ve selected to use as an anchor point approximately 10 metres ahead of the stuck vehicle. Make sure to also let your 12000lb winch out enough to then bring the winch hook back down to the front of the stuck vehicle.

3. CONNECT A TREE TRUNK PROTECTOR AND SNATCH BLOCK

Next, use a snatch block and a tree trunk protector to form a proper anchor point around the tree you have selected to winch off. Wrap the tree trunk protector around the tree, attach the snatch block and ensure that your 12000 4×4 winch has the clutch engaged and is ready to be used.

4. LOOP THE WINCH ROPE BACK TO THE STUCK VEHICLE

Take your synthetic winch rope and feed it through the snatch block, before then taking the winch hook on the end of the rope back to the front of the stuck vehicle. You may find that you need to unspool your 4WD winch a little more to give you enough length to reach the front of the stuck vehicle. Don’t forget to put a winch damper on both lines of the synthetic winch rope for safety.

5. WINCH THE STUCK VEHICLE FORWARDS

Now is the time to perform the 4×4 winch recovery to get the stuck vehicle free! Make sure that the clutch is engaged on your 12,000lb winch, and then get into your car. Start your engine so that your electric winch has plenty of power from your alternator, and then when both vehicles are ready, spool in your 4×4 winch. If all goes well you’ll quickly pull the stuck vehicle free! If not, then release the tension on your 4WD winch and re-assess the situation, and build up the track with rocks and logs if necessary to lower the stress and strain on your 12,000lb winch.


To see the full range of recovery gear available head to www.4WDSupacentre.com.au or call our expert team on 1800 88 39 64 or visit our showroom to see the whole range in person!