It hasn't happened to me yet, but the cable on my truck is only 100 ft long, with 5-6 wraps plus the length of the boom, drop down height, I only have an average of 80' to work with.
I have never needed all of it yet, but at some point I may need more to reach a casualty.
To all of you seasoned pros, what can I do that is safe and economical?
Thanks in advance
AW Direct carries wire rope extensions, they come in 50' lengths. Cost is $70.
For a little more money you could load a new 150' cable onto your truck if there is enough room on the winch. What I found with my old wrecker was that 150' was a little too much (it started popping up out of the tensioner) but if I cut off the last 15' it would have worked good.
Thanks, I did see that once. Have you used it?
You need this...
http://www.itow.org/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=33;t=443
I've not used the extenders, we don't have any mountains or hills here so there's no reason for someone to be far off unless they were off-roading, and then they are beyond reach of a 2wd truck.
I drove off of hard pavement ONCE to do a recovery. Never again. I found out the hard way 2wd wreckers will back up OK but the front tires dig in when trying to go forward again. Took me probably an hour and a half to winch myself back out.