{"id":6420,"date":"2021-03-25T05:57:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T05:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/?page_id=6420"},"modified":"2021-04-21T15:56:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T15:56:37","slug":"dead-man","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/dead-man\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Winch Without Trees (Dead Man Anchor)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\">If you\u2019re an avid off-roading enthusiast, you may come across a situation where you get stuck. But no problem, you just find a tree or a rock to attach your <a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">winch<\/a> to. But what if these anchors aren\u2019t available?<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Well, you\u2019re in quite a pickle. Fortunately, you have another alternative: the dead man anchor, also known as a ground anchor.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you ever have to winch without trees, this could be a potentially disaster-saving technique. Here\u2019s how to do it.<\/p>\n<p><span><img alt=\"\" data-id=\"6810\" width=\"500\" data-init-width=\"1280\" height=\"281\" data-init-height=\"720\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mk0winchcentrallaoar.kinstacdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/winch-without-trees.jpg\" data-width=\"500\" data-height=\"281\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/L9Jm-Gcv-og\/maxresdefault.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">youtube.com<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Quick_Questions_Before_Starting\">Quick Questions Before Starting<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Items_Needed_to_Winch_With_a_Dead_Man_Anchor\">Items Needed to Winch With a Dead Man Anchor<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_to_Winch_Without_Trees\">How to Winch Without Trees<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tips_and_Safety_Considerations_When_Winching_With_a_Dead_Man_Anchor\">Tips and Safety Considerations When Winching With a Dead Man Anchor<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Dont_Be_a_Dead_Man_Practice_Ahead_of_Time\">Don\u2019t Be a Dead Man; Practice Ahead of Time<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#People_Also_Ask\">People Also Ask<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#More_Winch_Guides\">More Winch Guides<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><span id=\"Quick_Questions_Before_Starting\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Quick Questions Before Starting<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Before you create a dead man anchor, make sure you know what you\u2019re getting yourself into. In most cases, you\u2019re probably miles from civilization, so you\u2019ll have no other option. But here\u2019s what it entails.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">How Difficult is This to Complete?<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you\u2019re in decent shape, a dead man anchor isn\u2019t outrageously difficult. The only problem is that you\u2019ll need to shovel quite a distance into the ground. If you\u2019re out of shape, you may have to work in short bursts and take a break as necessary. As a result, this technique lies somewhere in the medium to hard difficulty range.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">How Long Does it Take to Complete?<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Depending on the terrain and the hardness or softness of the soil this could take anywhere from three to 10 hours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">How Much Do Materials Cost?<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The only things you really need to execute a dead man anchor are a shovel and some sort of anchor to put in the ground \u2014 typically a spare tire. That brings the cost to around $130 to $250.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">You may also want to consider the Deadman, which is a product made specifically when you need a dead man anchor. This product retails for about $250.<\/p>\n<p><span><img alt=\"\" data-id=\"6855\" width=\"500\" data-init-width=\"678\" height=\"217\" data-init-height=\"294\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mk0winchcentrallaoar.kinstacdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/deadman-feature-678x381-1-e1616236418945.jpg\" data-width=\"500\" data-height=\"217\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.offroaders.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/deadman-feature-678x381.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">offroaders.com<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><span id=\"Items_Needed_to_Winch_With_a_Dead_Man_Anchor\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Items Needed to Winch With a Dead Man Anchor<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">To winch with a dead man anchor, you don\u2019t need many items: just a spare tire or heavy object and a shovel will do. Just make sure you always have a shovel in your vehicle when you\u2019re off-roading for these scary situations.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Shovel<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you buy a small telescoping shovel, it may cost you around $30 whereas a quality full-size shovel maybe around $50.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Spare Tire<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you\u2019re off-roading, chances are you already have a spare tire that\u2019s the same size, make, and model as your current tires. In this case, it probably costs around $200. But if you\u2019re working with a donut-style spare, you probably only spent around $100.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Note: Since you may have these items already, the cost is negligible. However, you should spring for the shovel as soon as possible and make it part of the emergency survival kit for your vehicle.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><span id=\"How_to_Winch_Without_Trees\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">How to Winch Without Trees<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Winching without trees is quite the undertaking. It requires patience, resilience, and perseverance. But desperate times call for desperate measures. So here are the steps to take to ensure your hours of digging aren\u2019t in vain.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">1. Exhaust Every Other Resource<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Before you decide to try a dead man anchor, try reversing, accelerating, or digging out the tires as much as possible. With some luck, this may help your vehicle become unstuck.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">2. Start Digging<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If your attempts to extricate your vehicle don\u2019t work, it\u2019s time to start digging. But before you start to dig, make sure the hole is in a straight line with your vehicle, if possible.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">You may also want to pull the cable out to where the hold should be, giving yourself plenty of length in the process.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The soil is a huge factor in how deep you\u2019ll need to dig.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span><img alt=\"\" data-id=\"6820\" width=\"433\" data-init-width=\"1500\" height=\"288\" data-init-height=\"1000\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mk0winchcentrallaoar.kinstacdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/deadman-anchor.jpg\" data-width=\"433\" data-height=\"288\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/adventurecurated.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/DSC03011-2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">adventurecurated.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In soft soil, you\u2019ll need to dig deeper while hard soil doesn\u2019t require as deep of a hole (although the digging might be far more strenuous). Make sure to dig straight down because if you angle the holes, the anchor could slip out.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">3. Select an Anchor<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Search for the heaviest item you can find to serve as your anchor. This is usually a spare tire, but if that\u2019s not a possibility, look for a larger-sized rock or a log.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">4. Attach the Cable and Bury the Anchor<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Once you\u2019ve dug the hole and selected the anchor, hook your cable around the anchor.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If possible, angle it away from your vehicle, as this will make the anchor more steady and durable. Fill the hole back up with soil and pack it down as tightly as possible.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">5. Engage the Winch<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After putting the dead man anchor in place and packing the soil, engage your winch. This should pull your vehicle out of its stuck position.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But if the anchor comes out, you\u2019ll need to start back at the beginning. This time, bury the anchor even deeper than before.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">6. Retrieve the Anchor<\/h3>\n<p><span><img alt=\"\" data-id=\"6849\" width=\"433\" data-init-width=\"1280\" height=\"243\" data-init-height=\"720\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mk0winchcentrallaoar.kinstacdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/maxresdefault-2.jpg\" data-width=\"433\" data-height=\"243\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/Oq-vnlIGGro\/maxresdefault.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">youtube.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">After you\u2019ve pulled yourself out, don\u2019t forget to retrieve the anchor that\u2019s buried in the ground. This may take some extra effort, but when you can look back upon the situation with a smile, you\u2019ll be glad you grabbed your spare tire.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><span id=\"Tips_and_Safety_Considerations_When_Winching_With_a_Dead_Man_Anchor\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Tips and Safety Considerations When Winching With a Dead Man Anchor<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">As with any <a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/techniques\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"outline: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">winching<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to follow proper safety considerations unless you want to make a dreadful situation even worse.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Stand Clear of Danger<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">When you\u2019re engaging the winch, don\u2019t stand near the winch itself. If the line snaps or the anchor becomes uprooted, it can hit you with enough force to do some serious damage.<\/p>\n<p><span><img alt=\"\" data-id=\"6815\" width=\"513\" data-init-width=\"1024\" height=\"340\" data-init-height=\"679\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mk0winchcentrallaoar.kinstacdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/winch-without-tree.jpg\" data-width=\"513\" data-height=\"340\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1803\/9605\/products\/Coming_Up_v2_RY2FV00ZHDSD_1024x1024.jpg?v=1544989006\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">nzoffroader.co.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Take Breaks While You\u2019re Digging<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Digging requires you to exert a ton of energy. If the temperatures are hot or humid, this can exacerbate the problem and put a lot of stress on your body. Plus, this digging will probably take a minimum of three hours. As a result, you should take frequent breaks while you\u2019re digging. If you\u2019re traveling with a partner, switch every five to 10 minutes or whenever one of you starts to tire. And like with any type of strenuous exercise, drink plenty of fluids and eat food to replenish your energy levels.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Always Tell People Where You\u2019re Going<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">To avoid having to create the makeshift dead man anchor, take precautions before you go off-roading. Always tell someone where you\u2019re going and when you intend to return home. If you aren\u2019t home by that time, this friend or family member can sound the alarm and get help on its way.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Wear Gloves<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">When you\u2019re winching, especially with a steel cable, you should always wear thick, durable gloves. This will prevent you from metal splinters or jagged edges on the cable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Besides, wearing gloves is a necessity when you\u2019re shoveling that much dirt.<\/p>\n<p>A cubic yard of dirt, which is roughly how much you\u2019ll have to dig out, weighs 2,200 pounds. When you\u2019re shoveling out a pound or two of soil at a time, that means you have to repeat the motion 1,000 times.<\/p>\n<p>Such a repetitive motion can cause blisters on your hands in no time at all, making a bad situation even worse. That\u2019s why you should always have a pair of gloves in your truck or SUV.<\/p>\n<p><span><img alt=\"\" data-id=\"6822\" width=\"500\" data-init-width=\"1000\" height=\"334\" data-init-height=\"667\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mk0winchcentrallaoar.kinstacdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/wear-gloves.jpg\" data-width=\"500\" data-height=\"334\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><span id=\"Dont_Be_a_Dead_Man_Practice_Ahead_of_Time\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Don\u2019t Be a Dead Man; Practice Ahead of Time<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Like the Boy Scout slogan says: \u201cBe prepared.\u201d When you\u2019re off-roading in remote areas, these are words to live by. Not only should you always keep a shovel, gloves, water, and provisions in your vehicle, but you may also want to practice the dead man anchor. By attempting it ahead of time, you\u2019ll know just what you have to do. Without the added worry and panic, you can get back to civilization and have one crazy story to tell your friends and family.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><span id=\"People_Also_Ask\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">People Also Ask<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Used almost exclusively in life or death situations, the dead man anchor raises a lot of concerns. So if you\u2019re feeling inquisitive, and you probably should be, here are some of the questions people also ask about how to winch without trees.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">What Are Dead Man Anchor Stakes?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Dead man anchor stakes are a type of metal or wooden stake that can be driven into the ground to act as an anchor. Some of these may also be an auger, which you can twist into the ground for an even sturdier anchor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Should You Wheel Alone?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">As a general rule, you should never wheel (off-road) alone. But sometimes, you just want to get out there by yourself. If you decide to wheel alone, just make sure to tell your spouse, friend, or family member where you\u2019ll be and when you decide to come back.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span id=\"More_Winch_Guides\"><strong>More Winch Guides<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>                    <span><span data-sheets-formula=\"=HYPERLINK(R[0]C[2],R[0]C[1])\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:4737,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;arial,sans,sans-serif&quot;}\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Synthetic Winch Ropes&quot;}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/synthetic-rope\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"outline: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">Synthetic Winch Ropes<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>                    <span><span data-sheets-formula=\"=HYPERLINK(R[0]C[2],R[0]C[1])\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:4737,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;arial,sans,sans-serif&quot;}\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Winch Batteries&quot;}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/batteries\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"outline: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">Winch Batteries<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>                    <span><span data-sheets-formula=\"=HYPERLINK(R[0]C[2],R[0]C[1])\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:4737,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;arial,sans,sans-serif&quot;}\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Come Along Winches&quot;}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/come-along\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"outline: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">Come Along Winches<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>                    <span><span data-sheets-formula=\"=HYPERLINK(R[0]C[2],R[0]C[1])\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:4737,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;arial,sans,sans-serif&quot;}\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Electric Winches&quot;}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/electric\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"outline: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">Electric Winches<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>                    <span><span data-sheets-formula=\"=HYPERLINK(R[0]C[2],R[0]C[1])\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:4737,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;arial,sans,sans-serif&quot;}\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Boat Trailer Winches&quot;}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/boat-trailer\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"outline: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">Boat Trailer Winches<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>                    <span><span data-sheets-formula=\"=HYPERLINK(R[0]C[2],R[0]C[1])\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:4737,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;15&quot;:&quot;arial,sans,sans-serif&quot;}\" data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Boat Trailer Winches&quot;}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/hand\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"outline: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">Hand Winches<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re an avid off-roading enthusiast, you may come across a situation where you get stuck. But no problem, you just find a tree or a rock to attach your winch to. But what if these anchors aren\u2019t available? Well, you\u2019re in quite a pickle. Fortunately, you have another alternative: the dead man anchor, also &#8230; <a title=\"How To Winch Without Trees (Dead Man Anchor)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/winches\/dead-man\/\" aria-label=\"More on How To Winch Without Trees (Dead Man Anchor)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":26,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"generate_page_header":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6420"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6420"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7202,"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6420\/revisions\/7202"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/winchcentral.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}