Selecting A Winch For An Off-Road Vehicle

What Makes A Winch Install Necessary?

No matter how well-built your car is, there are times when you can get stuck because your tires just lose grip. Large, aggressive tires and front and rear differential lockers won't stop you in your tracks, but a pesky tree stump or particularly treacherous hill climb will. In these circumstances, a simple winch pull can make all the difference and let you easily go over the obstruction.

This is particularly true if you choose to explore on your own and no other cars are there to help you, whether it be with a tow strap or not. Being trapped in the bush or making it safely home can depend on having a winch. A tow strap pull from another car causes a jerking action and results in a far less controlled recovery, even when there are other cars around to help you. This may cause either car to slide unintentionally, and it might even leave both of them in a worse situation than when you started! A winch makes it possible to recover the car in a much safer way because it pulls slowly and deliberately.

It might not be able to get another vehicle in a position where it can retrieve you with a tow strap on tight trails where passing is challenging. Snatch block pulleys on a winch can be utilized to reroute your winch line and rescue you from almost any circumstance. Just keep in mind that a winch's primary drawback is that it needs to be attached to a nearby anchor point!

What Kinds Of Winches Exist For Purchase?

Fortunately, makers of off-road vehicle winches have mostly standardized their products. Offroad winches nowadays are completely electric and attach straight to your 12V battery, unlike winches that were once powered by hydraulics, crankshafts, or even hand cranks. The dimensions of all winches in the 8–12,000 lb capacity range are quite similar, with all using the same 10x4.5" bolt pattern. This reduces the options to a few more elements, which are discussed below.

Which Winch Is Best For My Truck?

Considering everything mentioned above, how would you pick a winch for your vehicle? Take into account the following elements to help you select the best winch for your needs.

The Abilities

To begin with, consider the maximum load your selected winch must be able to manage. This primarily relies on the weight of your truck. A winch with a capacity at least twice that of your car's entire weight is what you should select. For instance, you need a winch with a minimum 8000-pound pull rating if your car weights 4000 pounds. Don't forget to account for the extra persons and things you plan on carrying when figuring out how much weight your automobile can hold. When loaded, a weaker winch will stall, and if you are particularly stuck, it could not have the pulling power to free you.

For optimal results, a midsize truck with a 9,000–10,000 pound capacity, like a Tacoma or 4Runner, is recommended. Use 12,000 lbs or more for full-size 1/2 ton trucks. Think about getting a winch with a 16,500 or even 18,000 pound capability if your bigger diesel 3/4 or 1 ton vehicle has huge offroading tires and accessories.

Characteristics

Even while an entry-level, simple winch will usually be adequate in an emergency, more expensive models do have some functions that are quite helpful if you are the kind of person who frequently uses the winch and pushes your car.

We have to say that our very preferred feature on a winch is a wireless remote. Your recuperation period will be prolonged if you use wired winches since you have to manually plug your in/out control remote into the winch solenoid box. Finding your winch controller and plugging it in before starting the recovery can be particularly unpleasant if the car is locked in an unstable wheel stand or on the verge of rolling over. Whether you're 80 feet up the path, locating the ideal anchor point to winch off of, or just inside the car, a wireless remote makes it easy and quick to use the winch from anywhere. Some winches even allow you to engage and release the winch clutch from the comfort and security of your wireless remote, taking convenience to a whole new level.

Waterproofing is yet another important requirement. Certain winches are more compliant with IP68 waterproof standards, so you can submerge them in mud holes and river crossings without fear of damage.

Line speed is the last element that has to be considered. Typically, higher-end winches have faster free spooling line rates. While it might not seem like a huge concern at first, spooling a slow winch in and out several times a day can get very tiresome! Once more, if the winch is only being used in certain emergency scenarios, this feature might not be crucial. But if you use your winch frequently, you'll value a faster line speed.

Steel Rope Or Synthetic Rope

Steel or synthetic lines are available for winches. The conventional choice is steel. Although it is more affordable and abrasion-resistant than synthetic rope, it is heavier.

Although they are a little more recent, synthetic winch lines have been in use for a very long time. Although synthetic lines are more expensive and more vulnerable to abrasion damage, they are lighter and safer to use. What makes synthetic lines more secure? Steel lines have a lot of energy, which when they break causes them to recoil like a whip and can cause significant injuries to anyone in its path. Synthetic lines present much less risk than steel since, in the event of a break, they will just fall to the ground. Another reason synthetic ropes are safer is that they won't get jagged burs from wear and tear. Steel cables have the potential to tear, producing incredibly sharp steel fibres.

If money is no object, always go for a synthetic rope. A steel rope will work just fine if your winch will only be used for emergency recoveries and you have limited funds. Just make sure you are aware of the associated safety measures.

Length

Remember to take the length of your winch line into account before mounting a winch on your front bumper. The majority of winches have 80–100 foot long lines. Even though it seems like more length than one might ever need, in situations where there aren't many strong anchor points close by, it runs out very soon. Adding a longer rope to your winch is usually not possible due to the drum size of typical winches. Rather, we advise keeping extra recovery straps in your car, which you may later join with your winch line if more length is required. Just make sure the tow straps are rated high enough to match the draw capability of your winch.

How Can I Use A Winch On A Recovery Safely?

Make sure you are familiar with how to operate the winch you select for your truck. If you are alone, begin by locating a reliable anchor. A tree with a tree-saver strap is your best bet. Alternatively, you can use a winch anchor or bury an extra tire. You can use the other person's truck as the anchor if you are travelling with them.

During a recovery operation, never stand between the vehicle and its recovery anchor point, whether you are using a synthetic or steel line. I prefer to operate with the presumption that the winch line might break at any time and respond appropriately. Failures like the winch hook or a shackle slipping off under tension can still happen, even with synthetic lines that are less prone to slingshot when they break.

Perhaps much more crucial is to speak up if you witness someone else acting dangerously near winch recoveries. The passengers in your group might not be aware of the possible risks associated with winching, particularly if they are offroading for the first time. Remind them politely to keep a safe distance from the winch line; it would be preferable if they could stand behind a car or other obstruction. If you don't believe me, check some movies of winch accidents, and I guarantee you will have a whole newfound respect for a winch line with less than 12,000 pounds of tension!

With the right safety measures in place, a winch may be one of the most beneficial accessories for an off-road vehicle. Having a winch can mean the difference between being stranded in the woods without cell coverage or other support systems and making it home safely. Utilizing your winch to assist other people who are stranded also feels fantastic. They will be really appreciative of your assistance and most likely have decided to install a winch by the time you see them again!