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

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

I'm aware of the Badlands winch but are there any other budget winches that typically get recommended along with them?

I paid about 350 for a synthetic line 13000lb. Zeak winch and it doesn't look bad either.
It has great reviews and I've done some light duty with it. The thought of putting 13k on the cast aluminum mounting points and hardware makes me shudder so I invested in a few pulleys to divide the load and invested time in learning various winch techniques.

Sponsored

 

[mx5red]

Nobody said smittybilt, another decent option.

 

[u-joint]

- Many, including myself, opt for synthetic because it doesn't stretch like cable. If the line breaks it's far less likely that gear will go flying. It's easier to unwind & spool which is great when performing load maintenance on the unit and nowadays the price different far less making it a great option. The downside with synthetic is it can be cut fairly easily and it picks up debris easier than I like but thats really nit picking.

This needs repeating. 100% go with synthetic.

If/when your line breaks synthetic will drop, whereas steel will recoil and do damage to anything in it's path - which is hopefully not yourself, someone else, or a vehicle. This is why you'll see people place towels, etc., over a steel line when it's loaded.

 

[Rusty PW]

This needs repeating. 100% go with synthetic.

If/when your line breaks synthetic will drop, whereas steel will recoil and do damage to anything in it's path - which is hopefully not yourself, someone else, or a vehicle. This is why you'll see people place towels, etc., over a steel line when it's loaded.

Synthetic does not drop, it will recoil. BUT not like a steel cable will.

 

[u-joint]

Synthetic does not drop, it will recoil. BUT not like a steel cable will.

Is that right?

I've (thankfull) never had one, or seen one, break. Just going off what I was told. Guess I was wrong.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Is that right?

I've (thankfull) never had one, or seen one, break. Just going off what I was told. Guess I was wrong.

Yes there is still crazy tension and a certain amount of "stretch". That's why you put blankets over the rope. They'll whiplash but without the force and weight of steel.
Because it's light, the recoil is FAST.
IF it's a strand-by-strand break then the energy is released for the most part before the final strand or strands - then it would likely drop.
But - who knows........ and if something else breaks or slips off, then say there's a steel shackle at the end - WHAM.

 

[Rusty PW]

I was watching this the other day.

 

[u-joint]

I was watching this the other day.

Thanks for sharing. That was very interesting to watch.

 

[BaliMawr]

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.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

If it helps any, I'm planning a front hitch with a hitch-mounted winch plate, so the thing can live indoors 95% of its life, when it's not needed, then hauled out for tress or if I ever plan an off-road trip. Also, I'll be able to put it on either the front or the back, so extra bonus.

 

[Haywire]

I went with a Warn Evo 10k, but had I known more about Badlands I would likely have gone that route. Happy with it, have used it to pull dune buggies out of tequila-induced mishaps in Baja & misc utility tasks. That's all I bought it for, but I like that it's there should I screw up on the mild wheeling I do.

It dropped the front end 3/8", & I (barely) noticed the added weight. I haven't upgraded the battery & has been fine so far. As others have stated, definitely go with synthetic line. Hope this helps.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

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.

 

[Rusty PW]

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.

You didn't want to blow your back out. The older you get, the longer it takes to heal.

 

[wanderer]

Yes a winch is a tool very very useful. When you need it there is no real substitute. Think of trying to change a wheel with a box wrench it can be done but what a pain
When I didn’t have a winch I got stuck when I do have a winch I have never gotten stuck but I pull numerous people out maybe it’s like a good luck charm or something I don’t know as for me I went with a super winch 10k
Exp.
That I had on my wrangler before I bought my truck otherwise I will go with 12 K I’m just super winch got bought out by I can’t remember who but they are incredibly good winches unlike other tools you get what you pay for I heard very good things about Smitty built however snd warn.
I have plans from day one to put a winch on it so I ordered the factory bumper and got the winch plate it’s a beefy operation and it looks good and so far I really haven’t had to use it for too much like I said maybe good luck charm

 

[sass JT]

Hey op,

here’s my take… yes on the winch, go synthetic and do a 10 or 12k. (you want your base number to be around double what your gross weight is & don’t forget you add you and all your stuff too). Get one that is at least a IP67 rated or higher. Also a wireless controller too. ( you’ll thank me for that)

but for the not so good news… you got the MC bumper but didn’t get their fairlead right??? Then you better order that up if you want a winch, unfortunately MC opts to have a non conformingwinch spec fairlead… they make theirs huge from bolt hole to bolt hole. Most winches will be a fixed fairlead style.

Lots of great choices out there. Good luck

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You didn't want to blow your back out. The older you get, the longer it takes to heal.

My back is already bad from decades of lifting heads and intakes and blocks and transmissions and differentials and bending over fenders and then countless hours in a tractor seat bouncing around.

Sponsored