We’ve all been stuck before on the ATV. Or side-by-side. If not, you haven’t challenged yourself enough, and perhaps you’re also missing out on all the fun. The offroading trails less taken are usually the pretty ones. They are also the ones most likely to get you into trouble. Therefore, there is an importance in getting a winch in Buying Your First ATV. But what happens when there are no trees or solid objects to hook up to? Introducing the grappling hook, a little-known secret amongst ATVers to get out of almost every winching situation!
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Lessons From an Argo Driver
It was either New Year’s Day or shortly after. You know, the days when there’s nothing to do, and that scenic drive seems like a great idea. Whizzing by an Argo on top of a parking lot’s snow mountain (the massive one left by the plow), I just had to do a quick U-turn and catch up before they vanished into the woods. It was a chance to show the kids a tracked Canadian vehicle that goes anywhere, an Argo.
As it turns out, the Argo was stuck. Here’s a machine that crushes trails and crosses icy rivers, and yes, it floats. And yet, somehow, as it crowned the peak of that snow pile, it bottomed itself out and got stuck. Only to have its mighty tracks spin in the air. Naturally, I pulled them out, and we got to chatting.
The Ruipoo Grappling Hook
My newly found Argo friend said he had something cool to show me and pulled out a Ruipoo brand grappling hook. Bewildered, one would assume that the grappling hook is strictly for mountaineering. He told me to take a picture and remember it as it’s the most phenomenal recovery tool he’s ever used.
Upon looking into the grappling claw, the manufacturer says: “This climbing claw is good for wilderness outdoor climbing activities (tree, rock, ice, mountain), outdoor adventure activities, grapple falling objects, fixed fishing boat, and, also rescue vehicle traction.”
Ok, so the English isn’t the greatest, but you get the point. “Rescue vehicle traction,” what does that even mean? Luckily, my Argo friend explained it.
One person in the vehicle is operating the winch. On the other end, instead of connecting the winch to a tree saver that’s hugging a tree, the winch is connected to the grappling hook. The grappling hook is pressed into the ground. One of the spikes goes into the ground. And, of course, someone is stepping on it from the top to keep it there. I suppose that’s the caveat – it’s a two-person operation. But most often, ATV trips are not done alone anyway.
Further Reading: Can-Am Storage Box: Energize Your ATV With More Space!
Will a Grappling Hook Hold an ATV?
Why not? I recently got stuck in some pretty nasty water. You know, the muddy, stinky variety. I was going slow as the water crossing was deeper than usual, and the machine had bottomed out over a culvert pipe on the bottom of the trail. Granted, it was under 2-3′ of water, which means I forgot it was there. Usually, you attack these with a little oomph.
Now everyone knows it takes a bit of force to get an ATV off something like this, force unavailable thanks to all wheels aimlessly spinning in the air. There were no large trees, and I forgot the Ruipoo claw at home that day. So we hooked up to a little sapling. Yes, it got knocked over, but it provided enough to get the machine winched out!
There’s a lesson in the above. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of a little extra push or pull to get things moving again. And that sapling could only hold so much. In other words, we didn’t need too much force to get winched out. That brings us back to the Ruipoo Grappling Hook.
The Ruipoo’s claws are made from ASTM 1050, which looks like carbon steel, making sense, as its teeth don’t lose bite over time. All other parts are constructed from SUS304 stainless steel, which is great as it has fewer pieces to rust.
All in all, the Grappling Hook is rated to hold 880 lbs. While I am NOT ever endorsing putting a heavier load on something at a max rating, generally speaking, there is some safety net built into these ratings. The point is it’s pretty darn strong either way.
Adjustable Grappling Hook Arms
I can’t speak to other grappling hooks, but the Ruipoo does have one cool, if not vital feature for recovery. You can rotate the upper part that holds the claws as it’s threaded. It allows you to fold the claws in for storage. Rotating the upper part back then locks them in place nicely. Conversely, it can “lock” the claws in an open position when put into service.
Let’s Get Back to Stepping on the Grappling Hook
Each claw will have 4″ of reach, and just like winching off a sapling, the 4″ of reach will have plenty of bite in the ground to get out of many situations.
I don’t know about you, but I’m extra careful when winching anything!!! You may already know, but you don’t want to be behind the winch, as the line can torque up and snap, sending it flying right back at you. For this reason, I usually duck when pushing that winch button.
This risk is greatly diminished when you’re not using a steel cable, and partly why I prefer a synthetic winch line. One would ask, why are you asking me to step on a grappling hook? It’s something I’ll stress that you must do at your own risk, and I can’t assume liability for it.
For the winching scenarios in the context of this post, it’s assuming there is absolutely nothing else (trees, other machines and so on) around to hook up to. Ie. It’s a final and desperate resort!
The saving grace of the Ruipoo Grappling Hook and its “vital” aspect lies in its adjustable claws that we mentioned earlier. I can set it so that only one claw is in the open position, and that claw goes into the ground. Then, when I step on it, my foot is never between the path of another claw and the machine itself! Otherwise, I would refuse to do it myself. I’ll also stand off to the side and as upstream as possible on the grappling hook. If it is to come loose, it’s travelling away from me.
Other Uses for the Ruipoo Grappling Hook Folding Claw
I’m not a climber by any means, so the purpose of the grappling hook (mountaineering) is out for me. I do LOVE IT for my canoe trips or even with the 12′ or 14′ aluminum fishing boats. It’s a great security anchor on shore for mooring, especially when there are no trees close enough to tie up to. Technically, it can be used as an underwater anchor, but I like mine too much to do that!
The grappling hook also comes in handy when roping trees. If trying to get control lines higher up for timber, the grappling hook toss makes an easy job of it. Other times, there may be that gnarly dead branch that’s hung up somewhere and needs to come down. After all, it is a hook, and it has some weight. A little engineering goes a long way from having to order a man lift for a lesser job.
Further Reading: Un-Storing Your ATV: A 10 Step, How to Guide
Maintenance / Accessories
As silly or even overkill maintenance may seem on a grappling hook, it’s not. Just like anything, there is maintenance involved. I’ll generally wipe mine down after use and remove any dirt. Periodically, I will rotate the top and lube the threads and will also wipe the claws with oil to help with rust. I don’t know about you, but I try to take care of my things. It’s working as two years into ownership, and my Ruipoo claw has a couple of tiny rust stains on the claws, but otherwise, it looks brand new.
And yes, there is an accessory that can make your life easy. Your ATV’s winch cable has a hook, but that doesn’t mean it fits into the Ruipoo’s attachment hole. It is a bit small in size. You will also use the grappling hook with rope at some point. I usually like working with dock line just because it’s strong, has some stretch and has a nice hand in general. So, a strong carabiner of suitable strength makes all the rigging that much easier.
Where Can I Buy the Ruipoo Grappling Hook?
Other than Amazon, the Ruipoo Grappling Hook is not exactly the easiest thing to find. The gentlemen who recommended the Ruipoo Folding Claw bought his in Orillia, Canada at a local outfitter. We searched our local outdoor equipment retailers with no luck.
Let’s put the Ruipoo brand aside for a minute. Now stop and think for a second – when was the last time you saw a grappling hook in store??? As much as we like to purchase locally, my wife ordered mine online as a gift.
Let’s bring the Ruipoo brand back into context and the fact that it’s a product under $100. It’s not a professional grappling hook for climbing. But I’m guessing a pro climbing hook only needs to hold a couple hundred pounds and is meant to be on the lighter side by nature.
What the Ruipoo does do well is provide more than enough strength. It also has a form factor excellent for winching. All at a price that is cheap insurance for those rarer moments we may need out in the field. That is a definite winner in my books.
Disclaimer
The Ruipoo weighs about 1 lb and has four 4″ steel claws. If you are using it to winch, you must consider the tension winching applies and understand it can become a deadly projectile. It’s also not rocket science that what goes up must come down, and extreme caution is warranted when tossing this up into a tree!
I’m here to tell you what it can do – and you need to use it at your own risk, with extreme caution, as per the manufacturer’s instructions in observance of its technical limitations. I’ll also stress that winching anything whatsoever should be done by people with experience.
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