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How do you use a winch?

 

1. Stretch the winch line
2. Protect yourself
3. Choose an anchor point
4. Set up the winch
5. Recover the vehicle
6. Pack up the winch

 

There are times when you’ll find yourself stuck on the trails when going on an overland trip. That’s why having a winch is the best thing you can do for your 4WD. When your tires fail you, you can rely on your winch to recover your vehicle. But winches are not something you can operate without any know-how. You need to learn about them properly, so you can recover your vehicle safely when needed. Below, you will learn how to use a winch. Keep on reading!

 

Stretch The Winch Line

 

If it’s your first time using your winch, you must stretch the winch line first. This is necessary to prevent it from sinking between the rope layers and destroying the line. This is a must whether you have a steel or synthetic rope. 

 

If you don’t have a winch yet, you can check out the Adventure Kings Domin8r Xtreme 12,000 lb Winch! It comes with a re-engineered brake and high-strength silver synthetic rope. The 7.2 HP motor and 218:1 gearbox reduction can offer strong and reliable pulling power. 

 

Protect Yourself 

 

 

Before you use a winch, make sure that you first assess the situation you’re in. Think of all your recovery options. It’s important to spot the risks prior to winching to prevent accidents. While a winch is useful in recoveries, it is also powerful enough to harm bystanders that are in the way. 

 

Make sure that there’s only a handful of people that will perform the winching — preferably the ones with experience in doing it. Bystanders should always be a rope’s length away from the vehicle doing the winching. 

 

Wear thick gloves before handling a winch cable. Never perform a winching without it as the rope can cut your hands. If you don’t have gloves yet, you can take a look at the Adventure Kings Recovery Gloves. It has a universal fit, thanks to the adjustable velcro straps. It will make handling winch ropes safer due to the reinforced palm. 

 

Choose An Anchor Point

 

Find something located in front of the car where you can anchor your winch to. You need to choose something that is heavy and sturdy enough to recover your vehicle. You can winch to a large tree trunk or a large rock, but make sure that they’re strong enough to support the weight of your vehicle. 

 

If there’s nothing to winch to, it’s also possible to winch to another vehicle. Just make sure that their rig is similar in size or larger to yours. Other than that, make sure that this vehicle has strong recovery points. 

 

Set Up The Winch

 

 

Once you found something to winch to, it’s time to set up the winch. Release the winch cable by using the disengage lever. This way, you can pull out the rope from the winch. Pull it out all the way to the anchor point. Use a tree trunk protector and wrap it at the bottom of the anchor. Then hook a D-shackle through the 2 loops of the protector. Attach the winch hook to the D-shackle, making sure that the tip is facing up. 

 

After that, put the disengage lever back to engage. Pull the rope taut using the winch remote. You’re now ready to pull your vehicle out. 

 

Recover The Vehicle

 

If you’re recovering your vehicle alone, you will need to operate the winch and drive the vehicle out yourself. This has its advantages because you can match the speed of the tires to the speed of the winch. If there’s someone with you, they can help spot problems from a distance and alert you of any obstacles.

 

Winch the vehicle slowly but surely using the remote control. It’s best to work at a steady pace to prevent the rope from going too fast. You should release the button every few seconds before resuming again. This will also help you reevaluate the situation from time to time. 

 

Gently press on the gas pedal to help your 4WD move forward while winching. If you’re having trouble achieving a straight pull, it’s beneficial to use a snatch block to change the direction of the pull. Take your time and remember to never take any unnecessary risks.

 

Pack Up The Winch

 

 

Once your vehicle is recovered, you can now unrig the winch. Unhook the winch cable and rewind it carefully using the remote control. Remove the D-shackle and the tree trunk protector. Then pack away everything you used before leaving.

 

Key Takeaway

 

By knowing how to use a winch,  you can perform a recovery whenever your vehicle gets stuck on the trail! It’s one of the basic safety gear that you need to have when going overland. Aside from a winch, make sure that you also have a complete recovery kit, which contains everything you need for off-road recoveries — including a snatch block and a tree trunk protector.

If you’re interested in buying a winch for your 4WD, you can send us a message here at Overland Kings Philippines!

What are some tips on glamping this summer season?

 

1. Wear the right attire
2. Be prepared for sun and rain
3. Make sure there’s enough ventilation
4. Set up protection from insects
5. Keep food and drinks cold

 

One of the best summer activities you can do is glamping, which is short for glamorous camping. Whether you do it on the beach, riverside, or mountains — there are plenty of activities to do with your families and friends. But because of the change in temperature, you also have to be extra prepared before going on your trip. Keep on reading for some tips for glamping this summer season.

 

Wear The Right Attire

 

The first order of business is to choose clothes that are comfortable to move in, even if it’s hot, sticky, and humid outside. Look for fabrics that are light-colored and breathable. To protect your skin from the sun, you can wear long-sleeved tops. Don’t forget a hat, shades, and also sunscreen.

 

If you’re looking for a summer camping shirt that you can wear on multiple occasions, you can check out the Adventure Kings Outdoor/Fishing Shirt. It’s lightweight and breathable, but also has long sleeves and fabric that features UPF 30+ to protect you from the sun and heat. 

 

To refresh, reshape, and de-wrinkle your summer outfits, it’s also advisable to have the DFNS Apparel Launder! It’s a clothing deodorizer that can neutralize odors, so you can lessen your laundry while on long glamping stays.

 

Be Prepared For Sun And Rain

 

Aside from your clothing, you’ll also need to prepare camping gear that can protect you from sun and rain. Look for a gazebo that has a UPF50+ rating, which means that only 1/50th of UV transmission is permitted.

 

If you are glamping somewhere sunny, rainy, and windy, then you will benefit from the Adventure Kings 6x3m Portable Gazebo. It’s rated UPF 50+, 100% waterproof, and also windproof! It’s the perfect option for big groups, long glamping stays, and even backyard BBQs.

 

Make Sure There’s Enough Ventilation

 

Staying inside a tent during summer can be unpleasant, especially if there’s not enough ventilation. This is the case especially if your tent is made from synthetic materials that are not as breathable as natural fibers. Look for tents with mesh windows and other features for added ventilation. 

 

For instance, the Poler 1 Man Tent has a mesh body and a waterproof seam-taped rain fly, so you can feel comfortable sleeping at night without worrying about getting soaked. 

 

If you’re looking for a roof top tent that can provide breathability, the Adventure Kings Tourer Rooftop Tent is also suitable because of its huge opening mesh windows. It also features a high-density open-cell foam mattress that allows air to circulate through the foam — so any sign of moisture will quickly dry.

 

Set Up Protection From Insects

 

During summer, you also have to expect there to be more mosquitos because it’s their prime breeding time. You also don’t want flies to hang around your food, so it’s important to set up protection from various insects.

 

If you want to relax without worrying about the heat and the insects, consider purchasing the Adventure Kings Gazebo 3x3m Mesh Tent. The see-through mesh offers protection from mosquitos without stopping the breeze from coming in. You can simply tie the mesh to the frame of the gazebo and peg out the bottom corners during setup. 

 

Keep Food And Drinks Cold

 

With the temperatures rising, food and drinks can spoil easily and become dangerous to consume. To avoid food poisoning during your glamping trip, make sure to keep your food and drinks cold. 

 

You can cook your meals in advance and pre-freeze them before your trip, so they can stay cold longer. This also makes it easier for your portable fridge, especially since it’s forced to work harder during summer when there’s a higher ambient temperature.

 

If you’re looking for a portable fridge, you can check out the Adventure Kings 35L Entry Fridge/Freezer with cover. Because it’s a real compressor fridge/freezer, you can expect it to be fast cooling and efficient. The temperature can be set between +10°C to -18°C. To help you visualize the capacity, it can fit 51 cans of drinks.

 

If you need more capacity from your portable fridge/freezer, this Adventure Kings device is also available in different sizes — 20L, 65L, and 75L.

 

Key Takeaway

 

Summer is the perfect time for glamping. You can bask in the beauty of nature, spend time with your family, and enjoy peace and quiet. It’s a good opportunity to visit the beach and enjoy water activities. But because of the sweltering temperatures you need to make preparations when it comes to your camping gear.

Follow these tips for glamping this summer season to make the most of your trip! If you’re looking for more camping products, feel free to check out our online shop here at Overland Kings. We feature some of the best brands for campers, glampers, and overlanding enthusiasts, so you don’t have to worry when it comes to quality. For any questions and inquiries, you can send us a message here.