I need a winch, but why?

[Summitsearcher]

I’m really struggling with this purchase. Original thought was I needed a winch for my homestead here on the river for pullin logs, stumps, out on the trails with friends and other utility things. I just can’t pull the trigger when I see adding a winch plate, new bumper, leveling kit to the mix. The 1970’s version of myself kicks in and all the tools of farm work come to the front decision making process for something I may need rarely.



When I trail ride I always have another vehicle and 99% of the time they have a winch and more than happy to use it if needed. Most instances if an obstacle looks winch worthy, I generally go around it. Out west I never encountered a winch ready event with my rig and hit some knarly trails. So, here’s what I’m doing. I’m getting all the tools for half the cost of a winch and see how far it gets me. 80’ Synthetic Rope, 2 D rings, 2 snatch blocks, tree strap etc. these are the same things we used on the farm with no issues.



$280.00 seems like a wise choice for me. Or am I flat trippin, throwing deuces like my first Meatloaf album after rollin a hooter?

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[Rahkmalla]

Honestly, if you can use it around your property, you'll use a winch about 27 times more often than you will offroading.

 

[Sparty]

Over the years I have found a winch to be indispensable. This includes offroading, but also certain situations on our 10acres.

If you're just into pulling shrubs, logs, etc, just flip the Jeep around, put it in 4WD, or 4WDLo and pull it out.

 

[Summitsearcher]

Over the years I have found a winch to be indispensable. This includes offroading, but also certain situations on our 10acres.

If you're just into pulling shrubs, logs, etc, just flip the Jeep around, put it in 4WD, or 4WDLo and pull it out.

That’s my point. I’m sure the investment x use = return would be spent more wisely on gear/block/tackle for me In my situation. I could spend the savings on a side of beef for the freezer.

 

[Gvsukids]

That’s my point. I’m sure the investment x use = return would be spent more wisely on gear/block/tackle for me In my situation. I could spend the savings on a side of beef for the freezer.

You'll look cool with the winch. The winch pays for itself the one time the need it.

 

[rr11]

I have had a winch on my F250 for 19 years, I have never managed to stick my 250 any where that I had a place to winch to. That said it has been worth every penny I paid working on my land. Pulling stumps, logs, encouraging trees to fall in the direction I want. That said I just mounted one on my JT because I mainly ride by my self so I will need to self recover if I bury my JT somewhere.

 

[HooliganActual]

A winch is just like flood insurance, you may never need it but when you do...

I have had a winch on every offroad vehicle I've owned since my first '81 CJ7. Ranking the number of times I've used my winch over the years, I'd guess it looks something like this:
#1 - Pulling cars out of the snow (when I lived in Idaho)
#2 - Helping others that I've happened upon on trail that were stuck
#3 - Yard work
#4 - Getting myself unstuck (only twice...ever...in 40 years of offroading...same trail, same spot, 2 different vehicle)

On paper, it doesn't seem like a smart investment; but I've found it indispensable.

BTW...why would you buy a synthetic winch rope without the winch? Buy a snatch rope instead.

EDIT: my wife pointed out that I needed to detail the "Getting myself unstuck" part because it happened in the same spot on the same trail in both my JTR and JKUR. That obstacle just has my number; however, I have actually cleared it as many times as I've been high-centered on it as well.

 

[OldFloridaMan]

I have a couple acres that the prior owner used for a very poorly designed and planted orchard. Cut down most of the trees (as they were dying anyway), and pulled the stumps using a chain and the tow hook on the back of the Jeep. However, there were a couple stumps that were too strong, and the Jeep didn't have enough traction to pull them out.

Installed a winch on the Jeep, used a tow strap to secure the back of the jeep to a sturdy tree, and used the winch to pull the stump. Came out with no problems.

Main reason I got the Gladiator was to help manage the property, and it has proven time and time again to be the right choice. Adding the winch to the front has made it even more useful.

 

[Lunentucker]

Similar situation here. I use the winch on my Polaris ATV for all kinds of things, but I have never needed one on my pickup, and I've had pickups for some four decades.
If you're into the trail rides and you get into some gnarly stuff then it probably makes sense, but around the property the Polaris gets it done for me. Mostly I pull out the zero turn when I get it stuck on the two miles of trails or when I get too close around the pond. LOL

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I just used mine to pull out 3 large bushes from the front yard. Saved the grass from getting mess up by pulling them out in 4WD backwards. If deep in the woods and can't get out and have to call and have someone come out and pull you out then you will be glad it's on there. That one time will make you wish you had it. My buddy was in it for close to a $1000 and the guy had him out in 40 minutes. He was about 6 miles off the road deep up in the woods.

 

[Gvsukids]

I just used mine to pull out 3 large bushes from the front yard. Saved the grass from getting mess up by pulling them out in 4WD backwards. If deep in the woods and can't get out and have to call and have someone come out and pull you out then you will be glad it's on there. That one time will make you wish you had it. My buddy was in it for close to a $1000 and the guy had him out in 40 minutes. He was about 6 miles off the road deep up in the woods.

You might be able to connect with a local off-road recovery club that would do it for free but then you'd be on their time schedule.

 

[Gvsukids]

I

Also, don't use soft shackles with snatch blocks. Seeing that you are in Northern Michigan, there are some Facebook groups for recoveries and rusted u. P. for the U. P.

 

[Jefe1018]

Because you’ll look the the badass off-roading jeep bro… that’s why! Just think of all the chicks you can pull with that thing.

 

[kevman65]

You don't have to mount a winch on the JT permanently at all.
You don't have to buy a bumper, winch plate or put in spacers for the weight of the winch.

Buy a winch receiver cradle, buy a winch, mount winch to cradle. When winch is needed, install into rear towing receiver and go winch the stuff out of the ground. When done, remove the entire assembly and store until needed again.

 

[The Welsh Griffin]

Before I had the winch I went down to the local shop that supplies local logging contractors with cables and snatch blocks , they were considerably cheaper than the fancy straps shackle and ropes that sell mainstream. They also handle 3 times the load. Mind you they might be a little heavier and cumbersome but I will never ever break them.

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