How big of a winch do I really need?

[ShadowsPapa]

Again, doesnt matter what the size.. It matters what it is used for,

OK, are we talking winches?

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[WILDHOBO]

The problem with aftermarket bumpers is that the winch mounts to where it is directly in front of the Grill blocking airflow to the cooling system. Not all mind you but most do! I ran into that on my JK that I traded in for the Gladdy.

There as SO MANY aftermarket bumpers with sunken winch plates. So many. Some are designed for top mount, but certainly not close to all.

 

[John in the Woods]

Just adding my use for some added intel …

I have a JTRD that spends half the year set up for travel camping with a rack, RTT, fridge and kitchen. I use a 10k Smittybilt with synthetic line because that’s what I had in my previous rig and I just moved it over. Mopar steel bumper. Mopar winch plate. I’ve never had a problem, but I’ve never had to pull myself out of anything. I do a lot of trail rescues for folks who get in over their heads, and pull a lot of downed trees off remote trails. So far, no issues. Snatch blocks at the ready just in case.

That said, given my weight, I’ll likely nudge up to 12k when it’s time for a new winch. Size and weight aren’t too different, and I’ll sleep better with the extra margin for error.

 

[Blade1668]

I've read / skimmed though 3 pages of respondents. So I'm not trying to piss in anyone's wheaties but forewarned.
Yeah a 8k or 9k winch is capable of recovering a JT and the "Old standard of 1.5 times weight of" is fully within a 8k or 9k winch ability. But, a 10k or 12k isn't as much effort lower electric load on vehicle and the winch. Maximum capacity for a winch is the first wrap of line / cable then decreasing about 20-25% per layer. Snatch blocks will double or redirect direction of pull (do factor in 10% friction loss) "Army recovery manual".. I have 3 "donut rings" and HD snatch block in my JT, for other Jeep(s) two swing open Warn snatch blocks that I've had for over 25 years I used with cable. Now, for the price point for a winch the 10k and 12k are not really more expensive than 9k. On my 05 Wrangler I originally bought a 6k short drum Mile-Marker winch for it (I wanted compact model). For most part it was fine with snatch blocks. But that type of locked / freespool is a failure point in some situations and did. It was replaced with a 9.5k Quadratec winch it totally failed. Now my old Ramsey is on it. The Mile-Marker is on hitch mount. The 12k on my JT is a total off brand Amazon special. In use off and on for 5 years no failures including some interesting jobs. If it does it will be replaced likely with Badlands 12k. Heck I've had a half dozen at least most have been working without a problem and most have been submerged uncountable times.

The brand names...
I've been out on trail with dozens of fellow "Jeeper's" that if it's not "Brand X it's crap. Then when a winch was needed everyone of them were not functioning. But a 8k Ramsey and a "cheap H.F. 8k did. The rest were lipstick on a pig. I'll not rehash the brand, I actually like certain ones and would like to have it. But I've seen so many of them fail or flat-out inoperable. Decorations.

 

[bill61]

I have heard that removing power to the winch until the winch is needed helps to prevent corrosion and thereby increases the likelihood of reliability.
Is this a major concern?
My BIL has a winch on his Bronco and I was mentioning this to him. We looked and sure enough one of the sockets in the connector had quite a bit of corrosion. He bought his Bronco used earlier this year and has not had the opportunity to use the winch. I suggested he install a cutoff to remove power until actually using the winch.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have heard that removing power to the winch until the winch is needed helps to prevent corrosion and thereby increases the likelihood of reliability.
Is this a major concern?
My BIL has a winch on his Bronco and I was mentioning this to him. We looked and sure enough one of the sockets in the connector had quite a bit of corrosion. He bought his Bronco used earlier this year and has not had the opportunity to use the winch. I suggested he install a cutoff to remove power until actually using the winch.

Don't know how that would matter.....unless there was actually a bimetal connection. Otherwise, some things simply corrode unless protected. I always use dielectric grease on all sockets or plug in connectors. But for just a socket sitting there, it was simply unprotected cheap connector.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Don't know how that would matter.....unless there was actually a bimetal connection. Otherwise, some things simply corrode unless protected. I always use dielectric grease on all sockets or plug in connectors. But for just a socket sitting there, it was simply unprotected cheap connector.

I think protection is a big part of it. I doubt many folks run grease, and most don't cover their winch because it doesn't look cool. Water, dirt, road grime, road salt, all that crap will work it's way in eventually.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I think protection is a big part of it. I doubt many folks run grease, and most don't cover their winch because it doesn't look cool. Water, dirt, road grime, road salt, all that crap will work it's way in eventually.

I’ve always covered my winch. I personally love it. After three years mostly parked outdoors, this is how my winch looked when the old cover came off. Cover looked terrible, but winch looks brand new. So new cover when it went on the new bumper. And it keeps the sun completely off of the synthetic line.

 

[Flyin6]

I have an Arcus bumper with the Badlands 12K winch, and all I can say is that it all fits quite well. I just haven't gotten my AEVJTR stuck where I need it. So I end up doing things like winching my neighbor's riding mower out of their pond and little else.
As for the argument of 10K, is it good enough? I'd say probably, but what does it hurt to go to a 12K threshold? The only reason I would consider a 10K winch over a 12K is if it were significantly lighter, which it is not.
Better to have and not need than to need and not have...

 

[Blade1668]

I’ve always covered my winch. I personally love it. After three years mostly parked outdoors, this is how my winch looked when the old cover came off. Cover looked terrible, but winch looks brand new. So new cover when it went on the new bumper. And it keeps the sun completely off of the synthetic line.

I try to keep covers on my winches too. Or at least synthetic lines. Being the tightwad that I can be I've stitched up them myself. A few out of marine vinyl and others from canvas. The latter get very stiff over years.

Having a power disconnect could possibly cut down on corrosion, but likely not on a level most of us wouldn't be able to detect. More likely "I don't want a direct ground from the battery in crash or from a positive wire chafing."

 

[WILDHOBO]

I try to keep covers on my winches too. Or at least synthetic lines. Being the tightwad that I can be I've stitched up them myself. A few out of marine vinyl and others from canvas. The latter get very stiff over years.

Having a power disconnect could possibly cut down on corrosion, but likely not on a level most of us wouldn't be able to detect. More likely "I don't want a direct ground from the battery in crash or from a positive wire chafing."

Agreed. My positive wire is in corrugated tubing, and is connected to a cutoff solenoid. My negative goes right to the battery, but with the positive protected I’m ok with that.

 

[Blade1668]

I was actually

Agreed. My positive wire is in corrugated tubing, and is connected to a cutoff solenoid. My negative goes right to the battery, but with the positive protected I’m ok with that.

Responding to other post but tacked it on this one.

 

[nanook12]

I just installed a Zeon 10S on my JTRD. Lots of really crappy roads /trails in the North country. So the winch is for getting me unstuck in the middle of nowhere…we also have 7months of snow/ice covered roads. The 10S was a tight fit! Didn’t have to remove any material but it was close. I think the new 10S HD is slightly smaller. 10S is plenty of winch for this truck. If I’m stuck with my 7 X 16’ enclosed trailer full of snow machines or ATVs…I will probably need something more than a 12K winch.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I just installed a Zeon 10S on my JTRD. Lots of really crappy roads /trails in the North country. So the winch is for getting me unstuck in the middle of nowhere…we also have 7months of snow/ice covered roads. The 10S was a tight fit! Didn’t have to remove any material but it was close. I think the new 10S HD is slightly smaller. 10S is plenty of winch for this truck. If I’m stuck with my 7 X 16’ enclosed trailer full of snow machines or ATVs…I will probably need something more than a 12K winch.

You reminded me the other reason I wanted a 12. I want to be able to recover the Jeep, while connected to the roughly 3,500lb (loaded) offroad trailer, without disconnecting it. Disconnecting a trailer in a recovery is no bueno of it can be avoided.

 

[nanook12]

My big trailers are all aluminum, 2200lbs empty…drive the ATV/Snogos off & winch the whole works out.

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