Should I get a winch? Please school me on them.

[GrubbyBaja]

I've just begun the winch shopping process myself and had many of the same questions. I don't do any heavy off-roading but have found that having a winch would open up some options (just in case). Also, I just bought a steep lot on a lake and need to pull some downed trees around. I'll be looking to keep it light in the 10K range, mounting on the OEM steel bumper.

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[Blue Ridge]

MC’s customer service is top notch… Will and the guys will get you squared away.

I’m sure those 4 choices are :
Roller fair lead fixed (steel wire)
Roller fairlead offset
Or
Synthetic fairlead fixed
Synthetic fairlead offset.

Like I said most winches are fixed( which means middle).

Good luck sir!

Called them this morning to explain my error and need to add a fairlead and they were fantastic to work with. They're adding a fixed fairlead to my bumper and didn't even charge me! I'm going synthetic, but still undecided on brand and particulars. Seeing as this is likely to be used once a year or so this https://smile.amazon.com/ZEAK-12000lb-Electric-Synthetic-Waterproof/dp/B07MXBXV44/ looked like a well-reviewed option at a good price. But I don't want to skimp if I'm going to hate it. This Warn https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SJHVQTJ/ is over twice the price, and both have mostly 5 star reviews with a handful of concerning one star reviews. If Amazon sellers are sketchy to buy from, happy to go from another source. But I've had Extreme Terrain send me used items before, so I'm not sure any of them are 100%.

 

[sass JT]

Called them this morning to explain my error and need to add a fairlead and they were fantastic to work with. They're adding a fixed fairlead to my bumper and didn't even charge me! I'm going synthetic, but still undecided on brand and particulars. Seeing as this is likely to be used once a year or so this https://smile.amazon.com/ZEAK-12000lb-Electric-Synthetic-Waterproof/dp/B07MXBXV44/ looked like a well-reviewed option at a good price. But I don't want to skimp if I'm going to hate it. This Warn https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SJHVQTJ/ is over twice the price, and both have mostly 5 star reviews with a handful of concerning one star reviews. If Amazon sellers are sketchy to buy from, happy to go from another source. But I've had Extreme Terrain send me used items before, so I'm not sure any of them are 100%.

Thats great that MC took care of you… those guys are awesome!

On the warn winch, I hear ya on sellers. You can always try to get a shop to match their price or find a deal like this.

https://www.autozone.com/towing/winch/p/warn-winch-103253/1076049_0_0

 

[BaliMawr]

That was my initial thought. I even bought the hitch winch mount to do it - then got to running through all of the scenarios in my mind........... if I'm out somewhere and get stuck - will I be able to heft 80+ pounds of winch plus the mount into a receiver and plug it in easily? IF it's in the back, how easy would it be to pull it out and hook it up? And what if - like happened with me, I left it in the garage and ran across the guy needing help? Am I going to store it and heft it around? Will I put it in the front or in the back of the truck until I need it and then hope I can easily access the receiver - or will the front receiver be buried in snow or mud? That's a lot of weight to move around in snow or mud or weeds.

Honestly, I'd mainly use it for trees on my property, and, as I think you mentioned, maneuvering a trailer. The weight penalty of the bumper and winch isn't worth tome, considering how I use my trucks. To each his own. I don't forsee doing anything other than logging roads without another vehicle.

 

[ArmyMP]

Some nice winches and even a few warn winches on mercari

 

[Blue Ridge]

You know you're getting old when you've never heard of an online marketplace! Didn't see one with synthetic rope, but their search engine is a bit wonky. Searched winches and got a couple of winches, toy trucks, and leotards.

 

[montechie]

My 2 cents around the "I don't do heavy wheeling thoughts", I've had winches on all my 4x4s for ~25 years. I do a lot of snow, solo (rarely team up), severe roads, trails, etc and here's my experience:

• The vast majority of my winch use has been "in town" or in the front-country to pull a sedan/mini-van/etc safely out of a bad situation. Including several within a block of my house (that's what I get for being the jeep guy in the neighborhood ). Most of those a tow strap would've been dangerous or potentially damaging to the stuck vehicle. Winches are also better for pulling out a much heavier vehicle, like that HD 350/3500 truck.
• Your Jeep might not have problems getting up a road, but that car coming in behind you might get stuck and still be there when you want to go home.
• Tow straps are great for yanking parts off, get a dynamic rope if you opt for towing instead of a winch. A static tow strap is fine, but requires finesse, or really strong attachment points and definitely decent traction for the situation. I haven't always had all those options.
• Going cheap on a winch is probably okay, it's a simple mechanism and most of the "innovation" is for marketing sake or to shave off a few seconds. DO spend the extra money to get a synthetic line, it's worth it to keep the weight off the front springs, MPG, safety, etc. Just make sure the line isn't sitting in the sun a lot (use a rope sleeve or a winch cover).
• I've never used Warn, I'm sure they're great, but have never regretted not owning one. I've had Milemarker and Smittybilt and have been totally happy. Smittybilt provides a great warranty and everything needed (rope sleeve, fairlead, great manuals for install & maintenance).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Tow straps are great for yanking parts off, get a dynamic rope if you opt for towing instead of a winch. A static tow strap is fine, but requires finesse, or really strong attachment points and definitely decent traction for the situation. I haven't always had all those options.

An old episode of Ice Road Truckers years ago - Alex comes across a vehicle that slid off the road into deep snow. He gets out of his rig to help, hands the driver the end of a chain (or maybe it was a strap, it was a looong time ago) and says "here, hook this on something you don't care about" and laughs as he walks away, gets into his truck and backs up, pulling the other vehicle out.

 

[Rusty PW]

An old episode of Ice Road Truckers years ago - Alex comes across a vehicle that slid off the road into deep snow. He gets out of his rig to help, hands the driver the end of a chain (or maybe it was a strap, it was a looong time ago) and says "here, hook this on something you don't care about" and laughs as he walks away, gets into his truck and backs up, pulling the other vehicle out.

I watched a front bumper/grill guard get yanked off of a old Ford F150 using a Bubba rope. Hooked the Bubba rope to the tow hooks on the grill guard and the other end to the receiver hitch on the other truck. The truck backed up and then nailed it. The front bumper and grill guard came off in one piece. LOL

 

[Just Mark]

Mostly think I need a winch 'cause I spend too much time on these forums. But, like BaliMawr, I'm concerned about the weight sitting on the front of my Jeep. I really can't even think of a reason I would need one. My off roading is in the sand and every time I've been stuck, a shovel and traction boards do the job.

My thoughts are to go with something like the ARB Magnum hand winch. I could keep it in the bed for the just in case times.

 

[FrankFrqnkFrank]

Mostly think I need a winch 'cause I spend too much time on these forums. But, like BaliMawr, I'm concerned about the weight sitting on the front of my Jeep. I really can't even think of a reason I would need one. My off roading is in the sand and every time I've been stuck, a shovel and traction boards do the job.

My thoughts are to go with something like the ARB Magnum hand winch. I could keep it in the bed for the just in case times.

It’s covered in another thread, but that’s why I’m going to mount my winch on a receiver hitch plate. Doing so will also serve to keep the synthetic rope out of rhe sun and the winch itself out of the elements and road debris

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It’s covered in another thread, but that’s why I’m going to mount my winch on a receiver hitch plate. Doing so will also serve to keep the synthetic rope out of rhe sun and the winch itself out of the elements and road debris

Just remember to always use a snatch block and double-back with the line to split the load because a front receiver is rated for 9,000 pounds tops.

None of my line is in the sun except for the very very end where the hook is. It's fully covered/enclosed in the winch and the bumper so I'm not really worried about that.

 

[Geoarch]

I just ordered Metalcloak bumpers, and I'm torn between getting a piece of sheet metal fabricated and powder coated to cover where the winch would go, or just buying a winch. I don't plan on any severe wheeling until this truck has been beat up by life a little. But the prepper side of me thinks it would be a reasonable purchase and one of those things you'll be really glad you had even if just once in a blue moon.

A little about me/my driving. I live very close to work, and take occasional road trips. Live in the NC mountains, and do get some snow and ice. I deer hunt in the winter and turkey hunt in the spring; both of which mean driving out in the sticks. Usually hunt with a buddy, but only one (my) vehicle. Unless I pick up the wheeling bug, I don't see a winch getting used often, but want it to work if I need it.

We had nearly a foot of snow this winter and this Gladiator climbed right through it. I easily pulled a Honda out of it using my rear tow hook and a strap. The more I write this out, the less I think it's something I need but if I get one, I'm trying to make the right purchase. Buy once/cry once and all. Is there a drastic difference between 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 pound pulls? Is synthetic line worth the cost increase? How much mileage loss should I expect? Will the front droop noticeably? Any brands to be looking at besides Warn Evo that are in the $6-700 range? Do fairleads and hooks typically come with them? I ordered my bumper without fairleads added, thinking they should, but could probably change this seeing as it will be several weeks before it ships. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

You never need it until you need it. Driving 4X4 since 1968, I've had winches on three of my vehicles. I've only had to recover my vehicle three times, but others many times. I even had one guy insist on giving me a 100 dollar bill - paid for part of my winch. Just be sure to keep the cable cleaned and pay it out once a year, and drag something heavy back in to set the tension. Other than that, it just sits there looking cool.

 

[Blue Ridge]

https://www.autozone.com/towing/winch/p/warn-winch-103253/1076049_0_0

 

[cotnballs2000]

winch < traction boards, get a winch anchor in place of traction board just incase you don't have anything to pull on.

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