Is a winch really necessary?

[sceraul]

I know everyone has an opinion and comfort level with this subject. But for someone starting out and hoping to get into overlanding, is a winch one of the first mods I should make? How often have you all used your winch?

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[Sandevino]

Short answer, no.

Long answer, it depends on what you plan to do, where you go, who you travel with, their recovery gear, etc…. If you’re going alone, you need to plan for the unexpected.

 

[A 2]

Necessary or necessity. It is necessary when you are stuck. I have never gotten stuck to need my winch. That said, it’s good insurance if you plan on going deep off road.

 

[Sandevino]

Necessary or necessity. It is necessary when you are stuck. I have never gotten stuck to need my winch. That said, it’s good insurance if you plan on going deep off road.

Have you tested your winch? I pull out the inexperienced but nicely equipped quite often.

 

[Gvsukids]

I know everyone has an opinion and comfort level with this subject. But for someone starting out and hoping to get into overlanding, is a winch one of the first mods I should make? How often have you all used your winch?

This is like an oil thread, everyone has their opinion. Adding a winch requires a different bumper and weight on the front of your vehicle, which changes your ride.
Are you off-roading in places where there are trees? Are you off-roading in snow or by yourself?
For my wife, a winch is an added comfort factor when we go by ourselves.

 

[Chuck]

If you get stuck and have to be winch out, you screwed up. If you do it a second time, you should buy a winch. That said, I have a winch on my ‘13 JKU that I’ve used one time for being stuck and multiple times for odd jobs. It has ARB’s front and rear, 37’s and 5.13’s. My Gladiator does not have a winch. I did get a winch bumper but planning to cover it until I decide it needs a winch

 

[drewcnit]

So from personal experience, I'm a Yes, get a winch if you plan to go offroad.
Been off-road a total of 4 times, and used my winch on the 4th outing on my own truck.
Hit the transmission coolant line and the truck went limp but with the help of the winch I was able to basically do a 3 point turn and get turned around. Now another Jeep had to tug me down the mountain with a strap (get one of those too), but the winch was definitely helpful with that situation and many others that are a lot more mundane.

 

[Orange01z28]

I have one

I've never used it (besides to move felled trees)

 

[Lunentucker]

I can't see me ever needing one.
No plans to go on any trails that would lead me to needing one. I've been stuck and needed outside assistance just once in my life, and that took two wreckers and snapped a 1/2" steel cable.
I'm well past being that stupid again.
It was fun though ?

 

[Divided_Wood]

Do you ever wheel alone? If so, get one. Usually you can get by with reverse or a strap but if you’re leading a group, there are times it’s sure nice to have. I don’t “need” mine often but it’s saved my skin a few times. Most recently out in Moab by myself. There are certain situations it’s super helpful and I personally wouldn’t wheel without one.

 

[Alans17]

I have one mostly for the unexpected. I don’t intend to ever push my luck and intentionally put myself in compromising situations, but I could totally see myself being in unfamiliar territory and encountering an obstacle I didn’t know was there. It’s insurance.

 

[A 2]

Have you tested your winch? I pull out the inexperienced but nicely equipped quite often.

I can see that happening. Tested? Yes but not real world testing. Just screwing around In the yard. Hopefully you are around when I need you ?.

 

[John in the Woods]

I have one, and do almost all my trails and overlanding solo. I’ve pulled myself out three times in 8 years (never with the gladiator in the past 2), and regularly help extract folks I find along the way.

If you plan on making extended remote driving part of your life, then for you and for the community, it’s table stakes. Just part of being a smart off-road citizen.

 

[Jefe1018]

I personally have one.

It will take some research on the right one in your budget and modification or replacement of your OEM bumper. Really that’s just money most of us do that anyways.

You’ll need to do some maintenance and inspection from time to time to make sure none of the electrical bits have been corroded, broken or are otherwise not functioning.

If you get it, you’ll think it’s cool.

However, ultimately what you really need is a friend with a winch. Kind of like a friend with a swimming pool or a friend with a boat.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

I know everyone has an opinion and comfort level with this subject. But for someone starting out and hoping to get into overlanding, is a winch one of the first mods I should make? How often have you all used your winch?

I overland and I'm a kind of a weight weenie. No winch. I do have a butt load of self recovery equipment. More Power Puller (hand winch kinda thing), 100 ft synthetic rope, pulleys, soft shackles, X Lock, tow strap, tree saver, a lot of other shit, bla bla bla. If a trail turns to absolute shit I'll do a work around or bail out completely and reroute. I have lived solo out of the Jeep for months at a time, the Jeep as my only support, I try to avoid putting a monkey wrench in the middle of a journey, keep it fun. So it really depends on you, what you plan on doing. My biggest thing is trying to keep the weight down. The less weight the better it handles on and off road, easier on the Jeep components, better milage, braking shorter, it's all win win. The More Power Puller is good for pulling you 10-20 ft at a time to get unstuck, you're not going to winch up a steep grade for 85 ft or anything like that.

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