I quit caarrying a come-a-long some years ago andreplaced it with the
Z-drag sruff I take on semi-remote whitewater trips.  It consists of
a long piece of static climbing or rescue rope(100' or better),
climbers pulleys, carabineers, and enough prussick loops to handle
the braking and traveling functions.  Having a long tublular 1'
webbing loop tied with a water nknot further increases your flexibity
for getting out of trouble.  It all fits neatly in a gym bag and
weighs less than the come-a-lo0ng usually.  I'm sure there's a
website somewhere with a diagram on how it works.  We've winched some
mightily pinned canoes off huge rocks on whitewater streams with this
set up.  I read somewhere that a 16' canoe pinned on a rock or tree
upstream in a 4 mph current(ie not much current sped for whitewater)
exerts over 8000# of force on that rock.

I agree on the chains issue, and the shovrel and sand tubes are
always in fashion here in Iowa.

DM&FS

>Having worked at a ski area for 5 years, I have seen the best and the worst.
>
>
>The best is real chains, hands down. Like Jonathan said, keep a pair of
>gloves w/ you, you'll be glad you do. Also, keep a few spare bungees, the
>thick black rubber kind, they really help tighten up the floppy chain
>syndrome, if needed. I have had the original bungee fail on me and wished I
>had a spare.
>
>The cable chains, in my opinion, are usually of a lesser quality, which is
>why they are so cheap. They flop around, harder to put on, and I've seen
>countless amounts of them on the side of the road. Yes, they may get you
>through a couple sticky situations, but more than likely they won't last.
>Splurge for the real thing. I had a pair of real chains that lasted me for 6
>years and I eventually gave them to a friend when I bought a 4x4 truck
>(pre-van years).
>
>Chains on top of snow tires: Winning combination
>
>my .02
>
>Chris
>
>On 8/30/07, Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I keep cables in my van at all times as they can be very useful in mud,
> > snow, ice, wet grass,, etc.  Even though they aren't as good as chains
> > they
> > are more than adequate in my experience and also a bit easier to handle.
> >
> > If you start carrying cables or chains I recommend that store a pair of
> > thick gloves with a long cuff near them.  Wearing good gloves can allow
> > one
> > a more humoured perspective when hugging a wet and dirty tire while
> > kneeling
> > in deep snow.
> >
> > Along with my tire cables I also keep a strong come-along a length of
> > tow chain and some tow rope (along with mechanic tools etc etc) in my van
> > at
> > all times.  Without all of these rarely used items I doubt that I would
> > have
> > much peace of mind exploring the remote or rugged areas that I sometimes
> > visit.  These tools are sometimes essential for getting yourself out of
> > trouble, but I have used them more in helping other people or to clear a
> > road etc.
> >
> > Jonathan Poole
> > '82 ac westy
> >
>
>
>
>--
>Chris
>88 Vanagon GL
>02 Golf GLS TDI (SOLD, looking for a Westy, now that I know what I really
>like to drive)