I am very tired of hearing about equipment that catches the ire of fellow hobbiests. Sticking a warn sticker over another brand of winch, people giving others a bunch of bs over smittybilt bilt winches, etc. Run what you want or can afford. Surround yourself with others who have respect for you and when something fails, they are there to help you get out of a pickle, not to scorn you over some particular piece of equipment. We all have some sort of resource limitation-mechanical ability, financial ability, etc. just help others, is that so hard?
I can’t afford expensive I bought cheap 9500lb zesuper for 249 works fine on my sport gladiator. Can’t afford rubicon but built my sport almost as good as rubicon for 1000s less
I have an 03 TJ and a 12K Badlands winch. I also carry a high lift Jack and some other recovery gear. I have a young son who likes to ride trail with me. I rarely have to use it but if I need it to get us home? I have it. Out on the trail, I’d be the first person to help someone in need. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s a great lesson for our kids. Anytime someone spends much time off-road, it’s a just a matter of time before you’re gonna need help too. (Lol speaking from experience) Bottom line, get out there and make memories with your kids on the trail, in the woods or just in nature and don’t forget to be a good steward when the opportunity arises.
I’m runnin the 12k badlands winch on my 93’ XJ and 100% regret not getting one on every 4x4 rig I’ve ever owned, I’ve used it to pull almost a dozen rigs from being stuck over this last winter alone. I’ve used it for my own rig several times of getting stuck or needing just a little extra support to not break stuff. The best investment I’ve ever made by far.
I have cheaper vehicles so I think I'm gonna get a badlands and a mount that goes on a trailer hitch receiver. I'm gonna add a front hitch receiver too I think.
@@Zoroaster4 that’s what I have as well now, it’s worth every penny. Winch hitch mounts are amazing, I build an upper tube receiver off my tow hitch that i can haul a trailer an use the winch to pull rigs onto the trailer. I’ve switched my hitch winch between my truck, van, and xj all in one day I love it. I do plan on having a dedicated front winch on my off-road XJ’s and swap the hitch winch between the backs when needed.
From plucking zero turn mowers out of ditches on Saturday mornings to dragging a pickup truck back on the road that bottomed out turning around almost backing off the cliff, my winch always saves the day. It’s an incredible tool. Of all mods, I recommend getting a winch first. You’re better off thanking God for having a winch than praying someone comes along that does. I would go so far as to say that if you’re a homeowner that rarely goes offroad, a winch is still money well spent. These new-fangled synthetic setups really save on weight as well. Add a treesaver and a snatchblock and we now have a party. Safety is the name of the game.
It's one of the reasons I'm adding a winch mount on my truck. I live on a 20 acre ranch, so there's a LOT of things a winch is better for than a come-along. Also I have yet to see a hand-winch method that exceeds the capability and efficiency of a 30,000lb winch bolted to a 1-ton truck.
This makes me feel better about adding a winch to our family adventure vehicle. We have the money, so went with a WARN Axon 55-s. Our vehicle isn't really designed to have a winch on the front (Subaru Ascent), but Rallitek has done a bunch of them (welded to the crash bar I believe). I can think a few other uses for the winch when out overlanding/camping too. Could use the line to hang a tarp over, hang clothes, etc...if needed in a pinch. Or moving stuff off the road when way out in the woods/mountains, perhaps after shopping a fallen tree, stuff like that.
As a guy who is 100% new to 4x4 vehicles and wheeling, beyond driving a humvee in the military, I really appreciate these videos. There’s a lot of new things to learn about and it can be a bit overwhelming. I bought my Gladiator in December and it’ll be a slow process modding it out, as I have limited disposable income. But I’m excited about the possibilities.
That vehicle has amazing capability stock. Focus on getting experience driving and don't worry about buying all the cool toys. As long as you have a buddy with a rope or possibly a winch you'll be good to go.
I went 8 years without a winch, didnt really need one, as soon as I did get one I used it probably 6 times within first year, 4 times helping mates and twice for myself. Recovery could of been done other ways but it was always safer and easier to just use the winch. And with budget options available it is a no brainer fitting one especially if you do technical tracks
Really counts where and how much you wheel Really. East coast gets nasty. I used mine constantly on my first jeep when I was younger. Now I don't go out as much cause I hate the mud now 😂
I have a winch on my jeep, I've never needed it to get unstuck, but I have used it a ton of times. It's great for helping to redirect the way a tree falls when clearing them. The biggest use I've had for it so far has been getting animals out of gullies and valleys, I work with animals and it's amazing how many animals decide it's great to have a baby in the middle of a snow storm in the bottom of a valley and leave it or they go down there to die. Throw it in a sled and pull it up the hill with the winch rather than drag it up by hand
When I was much younger ie; 30years ago a hilift is all I had and I quickly learned how how to use it 😅. I don't know if I'm any wiser but I am alot older so...... you can have my winch when you pry it from my cold dead hands!🤣🤣🤣
I ran without a winch for 7 years, been running with them for the last 10. Getting out of precarious situations was difficult without a winch. I have used a a highlift jack as a winch, it sucks. If there is any stretch in the rope/strap you hook it to it doesn’t work, you will burn up the whole length of the jack without rescuing your vehicle. They don’t give much control either. It sounded like a great idea until I did it a few times and realized it’s not. I have a bubba rope and I have pulled/been pulled out tons of times with it. Great tool as are most “stretching” recovery straps. They are useless unless you have a second vehicle and can’t be used with a manual jack to pull your vehicle out. A winch is a must if you plan on wheeling alone at all or want to be self reliant. This past weekend I went wheeling for 4 days and had to use my winch 3 times for myself and 2 times for others. What took 5 minutes to recover would have been hours by hand. Not to mention I have been stuck in situations before where I couldn’t be recovered by a snatch strap, and if I didn’t have a winch I wouldn’t have been able to get out. I wheel harder trails than probably 99% of people so my needs are obviously different, but if you off road you will be glad you have a winch the first time you need it.
Having a winch is a life saver! Especially when you have front and rear lockers. Adding lockers to your rig is almost an invitation to try to get your rig stuck haha Good times :) Proper recovery gear is paramount. Don't be a hero - just be amazing. I would NEVER hit a trail by my self or with friends without having a winch or proper recovery gear and tools. Here in the PNW, you can start the day in the high desert, run into some deep mud, rock fields, hill climbs and some tight, technical trails all in the same day. You never know what lies ahead of you if you are not familiar with the trails. Be ready for anything.
I have a built Jeep and an off-road teardrop. And I solo travel. I've made use with just about anything available you get me out of predicaments. I found the winch to be a awesome peace to my kit of recovery. 12,000-pound Warn with a snatch block can pretty much get me out of anything. And yes, I have used it many many times. And it's not just for myself it's for my fellow Travelers I run across on the off-road.
My friends and I used a hammer, T-post, and tow strap wrapped around a driven wheel and anchored to the t-post more than once when we were too poor for a winch.
I put a Harbor Freight 12000 on a brand new Gladiator. I was going to buy something else but it was the height of covid shortages and that was the only one I could get locally. Loved it. Used it for a ton of stuff never ended up needing it for getting myself unstuck. Now I traded for a one ton. I feel like I am going to be spending a ton more.
When i put a winch on a vehicle, it's not just for self recovery or to help others. I use a winch to pull down "widow makers" when i am falling trees that hang up on other trees, as well as many other uses. I do use a "rope along" to pretension trees that are difficult to fall. I also have a chainsaw winch which is a good way to get exercise!
I live in an area where all my offroading is literally dirt roads and puddles, that’s why I haven’t tried modding my jeep too far cuz Ik it’s a waste, it’s almost all stuff a stock wrangler sport could do, but when I installed a winch it did give me a sort of mental freedom to actually go looking for something that risks me getting stuck and actually caused me to need the winch once or twice, my mindset is even if you never use it, it’s still is there just incase and it gives you a sort of drive to find something gnarly to drive over
Alaskan here, heavy duty winches are used often, and are just a way of life here. Yes if you get one, make sure its mounted to a proper reinforced high quality steel bumper. Seriously, make sure the steel is of the proper grade for a winch and can be properly installed in the first place. A LOT of vehicles are not designed for steel bumpers to be installed in the first place, like basically any vehicle from Europe. European vehicles are rolling digital accessories designed for cities, except a number of older European vehicles, just none of the new ones.
Thing about 4 wheeling is... the unexpected seems to Always happen ! Having a winch is one of the Best ways to be able get yourself or others out of a Real jam.
We get 2-5 feet of snow at a time depending on the storm here in the Tahoe/Sierra area. Moving a downed tree or just getting out of the driveway can be an exercise requiring heavy equipment. A winch is just a good insurance policy.
Thank you for a great video like all your videos!!! I do have a winch it's a harborfreight 12000lb and I am no ashamed of it is the other way around, those few times I when offroad with my sons and a dog and have a recovery system that can get myself out of most of the situation it's great... you feel a little more confident on your trip I believe it's a great upgrade!!!
I wheel alone most of the time in the canadian rockys and the first things i got was a hi lift and a smitybilt winch, straps & 6' 3/8 chain. I've been stuck to the frame in thick bog, but i got out on 12 hrs. The key is to know how to utilize the equipment.
I have a Wyeth Scott come along (great come along) and just got back from a hunting trip where I had to move 8 trees off the path. Come alongs have got me out A LOT of bad situations but the older I get the more I'd like it to be electric. Especially when I'm by myself.
Got a warrior bumper and APEX 12000 winch. Which has become a huge help in recovery and keeping myself out of trouble. Always keep a 20k pound tow strap that I use as a tree saver and a recovery tool to pull people our depending on the situation. Have not gotten myself stuck in my FJ Cruiser with lift and 33 KM3. Did 20+ snow recoveries within 2 days because a really bad snow storm. I use my rig for overlanding,ruff offroading with mud and pretty crazy terrain. No issues with the APEX winch
The very first day i put a winch on my jeep, i needed to use it 3 times. Not for me, but for other people on the trail who didn't have a winch. And before i had a winch, i had to make use of other people's winches. In short, if you think you don't need a winch, you aren't actually wheeling. You are just driving on dirt roads. And yes, you CAN use other methods like a hi-lift and straps. But that takes time. A lot of time. And sometimes the hi-lift isn't strong enough to do the job. They are only rated to 7000 pounds.
I don’t go off road unless I’m hunting but I just started purchasing recovery gear, kinetic rope, D rings, soft shackles straps. I have a 4 x 4 truck and just paid it off and can finally afford to upgrade it. I’ve pulled out people from ditches with straps and figured I might as well buy the real gear in order to do it safely if I am able to help. I do plan on looking at a hidden hitch for the front of my ram 2500. I think what’s important is having recovery points I at the front and rear of your vehicle. Going to find out my truck doesn’t have any recovery points from the front bumper area.
started with the HiLift and straps. After a few self recoveries put the winch on the jeep. The excuse that "U will spend the $$$ on the up grades and not need the winch" is just a lie you tell yourself and everyone on the trail knows it. All the up grades do is get you even more stuck in bigger badder places. I just couldn't go the Harbor Freight cheap so I put a Mile Marker on the jeep. Used it lots all over the place and even a couple times on the trail pulling me or others out of a jam.
I've have never used a Winch on ANY of my 4x4 vehicles I just carry a Long heavy duty tow strap and 2 short straps with D-Rings. I hook 1end to an object I know won't move and then use the short straps with the D-ring to attach the other end of the tow strap to my tire like you do with snow chains then just drive slowly letting the strap wind up around the tire center. It will get ANY vehicle out of a stuck situation without all the wheel spinning you see them do using a winch. it works going forward from front tires or backwards using rear tires NO digging needed. The tow strap will always wrap from the bottom as you go so it even helps lift the vehicle up out of deep holes as it's being wound around the tire. Just connect and slowly follow the line till your out.
I have had a winch on at least one vehicle for the last ten years. We live on 10 acres, and we get stuck from time to time also we have a Bronco that we explore trails in the Sierra Nevada's. When you get stuck and there is no cell service you will be happy you have a winch. Great Video. Thank you.
The only bad thing about the high lift jack or come a long as I’ve always called it puts you in the danger zone. And if you have to call a tow company to get you out then more than likely the winch is gonna cost the same as 1 recovery.
I’ve never used my winch on myself, however I have used it lots on others. With that said. We have a name for people who go wheeling and don’t have a winch. We call them “Pedestrians”!!!
i'm running a 09 Jk. I have a 9500 on the front bumper and an 8000 on the rear. They both have been life savers, I don't think I would do without the dual winches again.
I have a Warn Industrial Series winch in a removable configuration for the front of my truck. I use it constantly, although never off road. You’ll be surprised how often you use it around your house/town
Having a winch is like having insurance... you hate paying for it, you *hope* you never need it, but you are sure darn glad when you do. I've had three Jeeps each with a different "tier" of winch, and even used the poor-man's winch (come-along) until I got a proper one installed... if you are going to be off-roading on any sketch trails at all, I always recommend having one.... especially if you are solo (something I do a lot). If you go with a buddy (especially if he has a winch lol) you can get by with out one for a while.
I put a winch on all 4x4 I own not just for hitting the trail but to help local people in my community if they end up in a ditch or one case a landscaper stuck in a medium on a major road.
I do majority of the time rock crawling or playing in the mud a little bit, I haven't gotten a winch yet but the people I go with have winchs. I do have kinetic ropes, hi lift, and straps I'm just waiting to get a new bumper then gonna buy winch. I got a 2015 jku Rubicon! You guys are awsome Jeep up the good content!
To me a winch gives you the ability to have more fun, I was throwing my jeep into icy mud pits I knew I might not be able to get through last winter because I had a winch and plenty of trees, without one you and maybe your friends cant have as much fun because you dont have that security
I threw a Warn VR-EVO 10S Warn on my Wrangler JK and its saved me a twice already while wheeling solo. It sits underneath a cover most of the time, but it's great for the peace of mind and has paid for itself already.
2020 Escape 1st high centered 3 times on snow 1st time payed $$$ to get out now i have better tires and a 20 foot strap saved me , I am going to start carrying a come along ramps thanks
In my youth I had a rig with a winch and I got stuck more often. I took more risks because I knew i could winch myself out. Today I am much more mature and in the past 40 years I have only had to be towed out twice. Both times I just screwed up. I do carry considerable self recovery tools but the best recovery tool is to know what your rig can do and NOT GET STUCK!
Wife's xj got the apex 12k with synthetic... Tracker might get the apex 5500 long drum, only a 3200 vehicle... "Budget" winches die because of a poor voltage supply, lower voltage means more amps for the same pull annd loads more heat... good battery (or two) and good wiring goes a long way
Great info, but in this day and age the availability of so many "budget" winches, it kinda makes it hard not to go ahead and just buy an inexpensive ($200) winch and have a snatch block or two. Sure beats the manual labor and saves ALOT of time. In addition, it's probably safer given that to use a manual extraction method especially if traveling alone, means having to be out of the vehicle that's not in park or someone holding the brake. Imagine being on a hill trying to "hi-lift" winch your vehicle and the strap or rope breaks and no one inside to hold the brake. Yikes!.
And you don't need "aftermarket support" like he said. There is no need to purchase some fancy bumper to have a winch. They make receiver hitch plates, so all you need is a receiver mounted on the front and back of your vehicle. And as a bonus you can store the winch out of the elements so it lasts longer.
Personally for me I have the receiver style because I can switch it from vehicle to vehicle and use on the trailers. Was also the most cost effective way for me even though there is huge aftermarket support for my truck
Great video. I have a old 3/4 ton suburban with a G80 locker. I Mainly disperse camp on forest roads in my area. The forest roads do get pretty bad some times and the snow can get to 10"s in that area. That being said I carry tire chains, recovery straps, highlift snatch blocks and a chainsaw. I don't go out to go wheeling or test my vehicle but I have been stuck a number of time and my gear has got me out. When I get stuck I normally double back and camp elsewhere. Since I normally turn back I need to winch from the rear and mechanical gear is just me just fine for now. Great video and thank you
If you go off road and get stuck then the "do I need a winch" question become a rather silly question. If you get in a situation where a winch will save your ass and you dont have one then thats a good sign that you should get one.
My winch is a lot like my pocket knife. People don't understand why I have it, yet somehow I always find that I need it for something (whether that's opening amazon boxes or something more serious), and when I do need it, it's the most efficient tool for the job.
I have a Bad Land apex on mine, it's more than paid for it's self. I have used it to pull trees out of the road, I have used it once to keep from turning over backwards and one time to finish getting up a trail! It's the peace of mind of knowing you get out!
Winch is super important to me. Put it on my JT Rubicon before lift and wheels and tires. I do a lot of solo though. In addition to getting me out I’ve used it to move a tree across the road and a boulder in middle of road. Of course have to look for winching attachment points if about to enter an obstacle where you might get stuck, or it’s as useful as tits on a bull. Traction boards, shovel, straps etc are standard equipment too. Did the Hi-Lift poor man’s winch for years also, but man an electric winch sure is nice.
As a guy with decades of experience overlanding and off roading in North America, Europe, and Africa, a winch is usually not necessary. In fact, if you have one you will usually spend more time rescuing others than yourself (not that that is a bad thing!). But the weight penalty is real if you are planning on crossing 1000km or more before being able to refuel. Traction boards, a good jack (Hi-Lift, air bag, etc) to get solid stuff under your wheels, go a long way to self rescue. If you are a rock crawler, serious mud dog, etc., then yes, you need one. If you are an adventurer/overlander and exercise some good judgement, then you don't. Well, that's my tuppence worth anyway!
Shamelessly use the harbor freight 12000lb winch with synthetic line… it’s saved my ass on several occasions and helped a buddy of mine make it home safe as well. For what it is, I’m very pleased with the $400 purchase
My club offered great advice in the order of things to do first. A winch was last. Never go out alone. My order stock size mud tires. Skid plates, lift new tires and then bumpers and a winch. This all took about three years little by little and scoring some wicked good deals on marketplace 🎉
Winches plainly look cool. Install it and don’t look back. I used mine to pull myself out a few times. Most of the time I was called to pull other people out.
I have a receiver mounted winch. As I have a receiver mounted in the front and the back and installed a power connection at both places,i both do not need to have the winch with me all the time. I also have more options when winching. When you are afraid to get stuck, you have the winch in the receiver before the attempt.
I live in the mountains in Colombia. I've been all over the country off-roading. I've had to use my winch for days, not rare times. I got a Warn Zeon. It's been perfect. Zero problems. I had a cheap, old, ChyNA winch on it before. It worked well until it didn't. If you're a normal Amazon American Jeep overlander buy a quality cheap one. If you're alone off-roading or in actual severe conditions and going to beat and beat and beat on one, I'd get a better one. But as long as it pulls you out thats all that matters.
The video clips you used are great and all but one thing you should REALLY stress on is that anytime you are using a winch, you ALWAYS attach a sandbag to the cable/rope. I specifically carry a nylon g bag full of "sugar sand" that weighs about 15-20 lbs for this purpose. should the cable/rope snap, the attached sandbag will absorb the energy of the cable/rope thats under tension, thereby lessening the chance for it to 'whip' and kill someone or tear up whatever it hits. Just a suggestion from someone thats for a few decades of wheeling.
All the above usages .. for many years didn’t run winches, but relied heavily on friends .. but the last 25 plus years everything has winches.. once discovered kinetic ropes.. I was hooked..
I’ve used my little Warn drill winch, along with a few snatch blocks, to get myself out of a few sticky situations. I just picked up two offset rings from Yankem, that have really simplified my drill winch setup too. An arborist 3/4T rope come-along is my backup for the drill winch.
We run a winch on our 392 Wrangler. I'm not a young man anymore. Walking out really isn't a fun activity and with children getting out is the utmost importance
I am the kind of guy that doesnt really go anywhere that might need a winch. Call me boring, fine, but I cant afford to tear up my daily driver. I do have a winch on my truck, though, for all the idiots out there that do dumb shit and get stranded somewhere, and need recovery. I also have it because I live in northern Canada. We get some nasty weather up here. When the highways turn into hockey rinks, people slide off the road real easy! The last time the highways froze like that, I just cruised up and down the highway and pulled people out of the ditch because the tow trucks were running flat out and it was gonna be hours before they got rescued. Some of them would run out of fuel before then and freeze to death. Not gonna let that happen on my watch... Everyone I pulled out was incredibly grateful for me being out in such shitty weather, and everyone of them asked if they could give me some money for it. I gave them my email address and said they could etransfer whatever they liked. No one sent less that $50. My winch paid for itself several times over the first winter I had it. Ive lost count of how many vehicles Ive recovered in the last few years, including ambulances and police cars.
The first time you need to use a come along or hi lift jack to get out of something terrible you'll understand why having a winch makes sense. No reason to take a terrible situation you could be in and add more work to it, Especially when reliable winches can be found for $400-600.. and honestly I've seen more people trapped with non working Chinese Warn winches than other brands.
I was in military vehicles for 30 years and never used a wench. Only if the vehicle broke down did I see recovery gear used. Been all over the world in jeeps and 998s.
I've been driving 4-wheel drive vehicles since April 1964. I've owned mostly Land Rovers, the series vehicles, both 88" & 109". I've also owned two Jeeps, a JK Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and a Grand Cherokee Overland diesel. The ONLY one of these vehicles I didn't have a winch on was the Grand Cherokee. Who drives a Grand Cherokee into rough areas when he or she also has a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon? My wife and I didn't! I used PTO winches on my Series IIA & Series III Land Rovers. The Koenig PTO winch was my winch of choice. My Wrangler Rubicon has a Warn electric winch. I would not drive off road without a winch. Andy McKane, 23 May 2022, Molokai, Hawaii.
Look up Prodigal Offroad, he takes his Grand Cherokee where ever Wranglers go,with no problem, the stock Grand cherokee Trailhawk actually has more clearance than a stock Wrangler
There are 5 or 6 winches on the market that are all built at the same factory in China. They are the same. Just a few cosmetic changes. Spend some time. Look for yourself. I bought the 13000lb firey red unit. I can buy 5 of these for the price of 1 warn unit. Buy 2 and keep a spare in the back of your rig. What a cool idea.
I decided on the X-Bull 13,500 lbs winch. Looks just like the Warn and performs just as well... Only time will tell if it will pass the test of time but for $400 on Amazon I'm willing to take a chance.
The idea that adding more lift, bigger tires, lockers etc. will keep you from getting stuck, and therefore you won't need a winch is ridiculous. If 40 years of off-roading has taught me anything it's that the more you build your rig the further, deeper, steeper, crazier you will go into the unknown. Building up a rig and hitting the trails increases your need for a good winch, recovery gear and the know-how to use it properly and safely.
Newby here but starting to do more trails in the last year or so that are just hairy enough to require the occasional recovery. Right now we're using straps or kinetic rope but a winch and snatch block are next on the list. Just last week I needed to be winched a few feet back onto the trail due to ice. No one in my group had one so we were lucky that other folks on the trailer did.
But my Fiat.... I mean Jeep looks so good with the High-lift jack and 12 ton winch on the front when cruising the mall. (mall-crawling) Great vid. Old ski rope woven through the spokes/openings on your rim/tire works just like snow chains. Temporary fix to get you out.
I own a silverado 4x4 and on certain off-road trips in Utah i often carry a wyenth--scott hand winch that has 35 feet of blue rope plus I carry some straps, a diy ground anchor etc. Its lighter and cheaper then a custom bumper and elec winch.
You completely over looked a manual chain hoist. Ample lift length range and unlimited (almost) tonnage ....they get big over 10 or 20 tons. Little ones are very handy :)
I live in Idaho 5000 ft. elevation central Id. I use my f150 4x4 for hunting, fishing etc. I carry a few stout tow straps 20/30 feet each. I and a buddy got stuck 3 times on an unplowed road in snow. The straps got both on our 4x4s out.
I don't have a winch at this time and don't have immininent plans to do so. I always roll with at least one other vehicle when doing any serious off-road travel. I do carry a snatch strap, a tow strap, soft shackles, a tire plug kit, a shovel, and axe and fire extinguisher, and tools at all times. When going off road, I bring traction boards air pump and tools for airing down. Actually the air pump is usually in the car anyhow.
Exploring, no winch. WJ Overland, OME suspension and Cooper Discoverer ATs, never got stuck, never went into a situation where I could get stuck alone.
I've run Warn winches on every 4x4 I've owned and will continue to do so. Gotta pay to play. That being said, I won't shame anyone who buys a cheaper winch. Everyone has a different budget, but we all have the same love of offroading.
at a minimum have a couple of recovery traction boards, and at least a snatch strap and shackles. There are trails or beaches that require you have shovel, traction board, tow strap, and able to air down or you could get a ticket.
I put a cheap Tungsten 12V 12000lbs synthetic winch with wireless controls on my 80 series about 8 yrs ago it cost me nothing as i had eftpos cards that came with a phone plan. I didn't expect much from it or it to last very long its gets used about 15 times a year tops and still going strong. Before that i always spent big money on warn winches or had pto winches this winch I've been using is maintenance free fully sealed and if it dies I can grab another for under $400aus. Also cheap recovery tracks work as good as the expensive maxtrax I use xbull recovery tracks and paid $120 for a set of 4 and if you are using recovery tracks chance are your bogged in mud or sand and will loose them, do you want to spend 3 hours digging your expensive maxtrax out or just leave your cheapo recovery tracks in the mud and buy another set.
If you alone and stuck ,you can use a elektric Winsh from the Driversite and also drive the car yourself .With a Jack or somthing you need a other Person for Suport !
I run two rough country winch on my jeep gladiator when I go out cause I most the time either on my own or with a few ppl and this way I can get my self out of a spot or to help out someone with out having to turn my truck around or whatnot
If you're going to buy a winch. Learn how to use it. The first law of holes states, "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." If you have no traction and find your giant hummer in a hole, a winch can pull the vehicle back on solid ground, unless you keep spinning the tires and dig the hole deeper and longer. There are far too many videos out there showing all four wheels digging deeper holes while trying to recover with a winch.
I enjoyed your video. Only an FYI, I am not familiar with any locations in Canada requiring 4WDs/SUV to use chains by law or regulation during winter. Province of BC does mandate that large transport trucks utilize chains during treacherous conditions in the mountains. Deploying chains can be a real pain. I do it every winter season for a tractor (trygg chains studded).
I bought my "CARBON," Brand wi nch. N go out on my own n Saved me from a hillside bog 1st trip out ,I was FREE in 10 mins,def saved me beimg stuck on muddy hill side ,,paid for itself i thimk from 1st trip, Qld,,Australia,
While hiking in NM we found a Dodge Power Wagon stuck in a dry wash He had a winch and had run out the cable but hadn't found anything to tie onto 😞 Us Boy Scouts had to teach him about burying a deadman.
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I am very tired of hearing about equipment that catches the ire of fellow hobbiests. Sticking a warn sticker over another brand of winch, people giving others a bunch of bs over smittybilt bilt winches, etc. Run what you want or can afford. Surround yourself with others who have respect for you and when something fails, they are there to help you get out of a pickle, not to scorn you over some particular piece of equipment. We all have some sort of resource limitation-mechanical ability, financial ability, etc. just help others, is that so hard?
FACTS!!!
That’s right, we are all out there to have a good time with our fellow 4x4er’s and to help each out of a jam, if we can.
I can’t afford expensive I bought cheap 9500lb zesuper for 249 works fine on my sport gladiator. Can’t afford rubicon but built my sport almost as good as rubicon for 1000s less
I have an 03 TJ and a 12K Badlands winch. I also carry a high lift Jack and some other recovery gear. I have a young son who likes to ride trail with me. I rarely have to use it but if I need it to get us home? I have it. Out on the trail, I’d be the first person to help someone in need. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s a great lesson for our kids. Anytime someone spends much time off-road, it’s a just a matter of time before you’re gonna need help too. (Lol speaking from experience) Bottom line, get out there and make memories with your kids on the trail, in the woods or just in nature and don’t forget to be a good steward when the opportunity arises.
Harbor freight has came a long way 🤷🏼♂️
I’m runnin the 12k badlands winch on my 93’ XJ and 100% regret not getting one on every 4x4 rig I’ve ever owned, I’ve used it to pull almost a dozen rigs from being stuck over this last winter alone. I’ve used it for my own rig several times of getting stuck or needing just a little extra support to not break stuff. The best investment I’ve ever made by far.
I've my eye on that one
And get a snatch block and an extra long wrap strap while you're at it.
I've also had my eye on this one for my TJ. Still running it and still loving it?
I have cheaper vehicles so I think I'm gonna get a badlands and a mount that goes on a trailer hitch receiver. I'm gonna add a front hitch receiver too I think.
@@Zoroaster4 that’s what I have as well now, it’s worth every penny.
Winch hitch mounts are amazing, I build an upper tube receiver off my tow hitch that i can haul a trailer an use the winch to pull rigs onto the trailer.
I’ve switched my hitch winch between my truck, van, and xj all in one day I love it. I do plan on having a dedicated front winch on my off-road XJ’s and swap the hitch winch between the backs when needed.
From plucking zero turn mowers out of ditches on Saturday mornings to dragging a pickup truck back on the road that bottomed out turning around almost backing off the cliff, my winch always saves the day. It’s an incredible tool. Of all mods, I recommend getting a winch first. You’re better off thanking God for having a winch than praying someone comes along that does. I would go so far as to say that if you’re a homeowner that rarely goes offroad, a winch is still money well spent. These new-fangled synthetic setups really save on weight as well. Add a treesaver and a snatchblock and we now have a party. Safety is the name of the game.
It's one of the reasons I'm adding a winch mount on my truck. I live on a 20 acre ranch, so there's a LOT of things a winch is better for than a come-along.
Also I have yet to see a hand-winch method that exceeds the capability and efficiency of a 30,000lb winch bolted to a 1-ton truck.
Totally agree man my dad helped a lot of people with his winch and if you own land it's one of the best tools to have.
This makes me feel better about adding a winch to our family adventure vehicle. We have the money, so went with a WARN Axon 55-s. Our vehicle isn't really designed to have a winch on the front (Subaru Ascent), but Rallitek has done a bunch of them (welded to the crash bar I believe).
I can think a few other uses for the winch when out overlanding/camping too. Could use the line to hang a tarp over, hang clothes, etc...if needed in a pinch. Or moving stuff off the road when way out in the woods/mountains, perhaps after shopping a fallen tree, stuff like that.
As a guy who is 100% new to 4x4 vehicles and wheeling, beyond driving a humvee in the military, I really appreciate these videos. There’s a lot of new things to learn about and it can be a bit overwhelming. I bought my Gladiator in December and it’ll be a slow process modding it out, as I have limited disposable income. But I’m excited about the possibilities.
Thank you for your service.
I learned to wheel 8n HMMWVs and LMTVs. My XJ isn't much different.
That vehicle has amazing capability stock. Focus on getting experience driving and don't worry about buying all the cool toys. As long as you have a buddy with a rope or possibly a winch you'll be good to go.
Just like my conceal carry id rather have a winch and never use it then not have one when I need it.
Exactly
perfectly said!!
I went 8 years without a winch, didnt really need one, as soon as I did get one I used it probably 6 times within first year, 4 times helping mates and twice for myself. Recovery could of been done other ways but it was always safer and easier to just use the winch. And with budget options available it is a no brainer fitting one especially if you do technical tracks
Similar for me - only difference is that i used mine 6 times in my first week 😂
a witch saved my butt in two situations where there were no other recovery options
Really counts where and how much you wheel Really. East coast gets nasty. I used mine constantly on my first jeep when I was younger. Now I don't go out as much cause I hate the mud now 😂
I believe it's better to have it and not need it vs. needing it and not having it. Great video!
I have a winch on my jeep, I've never needed it to get unstuck, but I have used it a ton of times. It's great for helping to redirect the way a tree falls when clearing them. The biggest use I've had for it so far has been getting animals out of gullies and valleys, I work with animals and it's amazing how many animals decide it's great to have a baby in the middle of a snow storm in the bottom of a valley and leave it or they go down there to die. Throw it in a sled and pull it up the hill with the winch rather than drag it up by hand
When I was much younger ie; 30years ago a hilift is all I had and I quickly learned how how to use it 😅. I don't know if I'm any wiser but I am alot older so...... you can have my winch when you pry it from my cold dead hands!🤣🤣🤣
lol
Haha same here!
Lol. Right there with you. Still carry the Hi-Lift too.
@@dadventuretv2538 😆 yeah I still own the same one I started with 👍
😅 So.. any day now? I’m just kidding sir.
Bonus tip for a winch. If you are a deer hunter it makes hanging one up a lot easier
That's a fact! 😂
I ran without a winch for 7 years, been running with them for the last 10. Getting out of precarious situations was difficult without a winch. I have used a a highlift jack as a winch, it sucks. If there is any stretch in the rope/strap you hook it to it doesn’t work, you will burn up the whole length of the jack without rescuing your vehicle. They don’t give much control either. It sounded like a great idea until I did it a few times and realized it’s not. I have a bubba rope and I have pulled/been pulled out tons of times with it. Great tool as are most “stretching” recovery straps. They are useless unless you have a second vehicle and can’t be used with a manual jack to pull your vehicle out.
A winch is a must if you plan on wheeling alone at all or want to be self reliant. This past weekend I went wheeling for 4 days and had to use my winch 3 times for myself and 2 times for others. What took 5 minutes to recover would have been hours by hand. Not to mention I have been stuck in situations before where I couldn’t be recovered by a snatch strap, and if I didn’t have a winch I wouldn’t have been able to get out. I wheel harder trails than probably 99% of people so my needs are obviously different, but if you off road you will be glad you have a winch the first time you need it.
I run alone a lot so I got a winch. I’ve only used it to help others in the past 4 years but am glad I have it.
Having a winch is a life saver! Especially when you have front and rear lockers. Adding lockers to your rig is almost an invitation to try to get your rig stuck haha Good times :)
Proper recovery gear is paramount. Don't be a hero - just be amazing. I would NEVER hit a trail by my self or with friends without having a winch or proper recovery gear and tools. Here in the PNW, you can start the day in the high desert, run into some deep mud, rock fields, hill climbs and some tight, technical trails all in the same day. You never know what lies ahead of you if you are not familiar with the trails. Be ready for anything.
More true words have never been spoken. 😂
I have a built Jeep and an off-road teardrop. And I solo travel. I've made use with just about anything available you get me out of predicaments. I found the winch to be a awesome peace to my kit of recovery. 12,000-pound Warn with a snatch block can pretty much get me out of anything.
And yes, I have used it many many times. And it's not just for myself it's for my fellow Travelers I run across on the off-road.
My friends and I used a hammer, T-post, and tow strap wrapped around a driven wheel and anchored to the t-post more than once when we were too poor for a winch.
I put a Harbor Freight 12000 on a brand new Gladiator. I was going to buy something else but it was the height of covid shortages and that was the only one I could get locally. Loved it. Used it for a ton of stuff never ended up needing it for getting myself unstuck. Now I traded for a one ton. I feel like I am going to be spending a ton more.
Yeah, for a 1-ton you're looking at a 30,000lb winch. Quite a bit heftier. And VERY MUCH not something you can put on a hitch-caddy. Too heavy.
When i put a winch on a vehicle, it's not just for self recovery or to help others. I use a winch to pull down "widow makers" when i am falling trees that hang up on other trees, as well as many other uses. I do use a "rope along" to pretension trees that are difficult to fall. I also have a chainsaw winch which is a good way to get exercise!
I live in an area where all my offroading is literally dirt roads and puddles, that’s why I haven’t tried modding my jeep too far cuz Ik it’s a waste, it’s almost all stuff a stock wrangler sport could do, but when I installed a winch it did give me a sort of mental freedom to actually go looking for something that risks me getting stuck and actually caused me to need the winch once or twice, my mindset is even if you never use it, it’s still is there just incase and it gives you a sort of drive to find something gnarly to drive over
Alaskan here, heavy duty winches are used often, and are just a way of life here. Yes if you get one, make sure its mounted to a proper reinforced high quality steel bumper. Seriously, make sure the steel is of the proper grade for a winch and can be properly installed in the first place. A LOT of vehicles are not designed for steel bumpers to be installed in the first place, like basically any vehicle from Europe. European vehicles are rolling digital accessories designed for cities, except a number of older European vehicles, just none of the new ones.
Thing about 4 wheeling is... the unexpected seems to Always happen ! Having a winch is one of the Best ways to be able get yourself or others out of a Real jam.
We get 2-5 feet of snow at a time depending on the storm here in the Tahoe/Sierra area. Moving a downed tree or just getting out of the driveway can be an exercise requiring heavy equipment. A winch is just a good insurance policy.
Using high lift jacks is incredibly dangerous , make sure you know what your doing
Thank you for a great video like all your videos!!!
I do have a winch it's a harborfreight 12000lb and I am no ashamed of it is the other way around, those few times I when offroad with my sons and a dog and have a recovery system that can get myself out of most of the situation it's great... you feel a little more confident on your trip I believe it's a great upgrade!!!
Fkn winch is a work horse
that harbor frieght winch saved atleast 10 stuck rigs on my homies 4runner!! its legit
I wheel alone most of the time in the canadian rockys and the first things i got was a hi lift and a smitybilt winch, straps & 6' 3/8 chain. I've been stuck to the frame in thick bog, but i got out on 12 hrs. The key is to know how to utilize the equipment.
I have a Wyeth Scott come along (great come along) and just got back from a hunting trip where I had to move 8 trees off the path. Come alongs have got me out A LOT of bad situations but the older I get the more I'd like it to be electric. Especially when I'm by myself.
Got a warrior bumper and APEX 12000 winch. Which has become a huge help in recovery and keeping myself out of trouble. Always keep a 20k pound tow strap that I use as a tree saver and a recovery tool to pull people our depending on the situation. Have not gotten myself stuck in my FJ Cruiser with lift and 33 KM3. Did 20+ snow recoveries within 2 days because a really bad snow storm. I use my rig for overlanding,ruff offroading with mud and pretty crazy terrain. No issues with the APEX winch
One thing you forgot…..
A dead man sling anchor for when no trees are available.
And let me tell you…it saved my butt multiple times!!
The very first day i put a winch on my jeep, i needed to use it 3 times. Not for me, but for other people on the trail who didn't have a winch.
And before i had a winch, i had to make use of other people's winches.
In short, if you think you don't need a winch, you aren't actually wheeling. You are just driving on dirt roads.
And yes, you CAN use other methods like a hi-lift and straps. But that takes time. A lot of time. And sometimes the hi-lift isn't strong enough to do the job. They are only rated to 7000 pounds.
You don’t need a winch until you need a winch. Kinda like that spare tire thing.
I don’t go off road unless I’m hunting but I just started purchasing recovery gear, kinetic rope, D rings, soft shackles straps. I have a 4 x 4 truck and just paid it off and can finally afford to upgrade it.
I’ve pulled out people from ditches with straps and figured I might as well buy the real gear in order to do it safely if I am able to help. I do plan on looking at a hidden hitch for the front of my ram 2500. I think what’s important is having recovery points I at the front and rear of your vehicle. Going to find out my truck doesn’t have any recovery points from the front bumper area.
started with the HiLift and straps. After a few self recoveries put the winch on the jeep. The excuse that "U will spend the $$$ on the up grades and not need the winch" is just a lie you tell yourself and everyone on the trail knows it.
All the up grades do is get you even more stuck in bigger badder places.
I just couldn't go the Harbor Freight cheap so I put a Mile Marker on the jeep. Used it lots all over the place and even a couple times on the trail pulling me or others out of a jam.
Better to have it & not need it then to need it & not have it !
I've have never used a Winch on ANY of my 4x4 vehicles I just carry a Long heavy duty tow strap and 2 short straps with D-Rings. I hook 1end to an object I know won't move and then use the short straps with the D-ring to attach the other end of the tow strap to my tire like you do with snow chains then just drive slowly letting the strap wind up around the tire center. It will get ANY vehicle out of a stuck situation without all the wheel spinning you see them do using a winch. it works going forward from front tires or backwards using rear tires NO digging needed. The tow strap will always wrap from the bottom as you go so it even helps lift the vehicle up out of deep holes as it's being wound around the tire. Just connect and slowly follow the line till your out.
When I was young and broke, I often got out of trouble with a cheap come along from Harbor Freight...
Traction boards are amazing. Literally crawled up a soft sand hill with them. Just feel the grip, then off the board truck sank.
I have had a winch on at least one vehicle for the last ten years. We live on 10 acres, and we get stuck from time to time also we have a Bronco that we explore trails in the Sierra Nevada's. When you get stuck and there is no cell service you will be happy you have a winch. Great Video. Thank you.
Happy it was helpful!
The only bad thing about the high lift jack or come a long as I’ve always called it puts you in the danger zone. And if you have to call a tow company to get you out then more than likely the winch is gonna cost the same as 1 recovery.
That's way I look at it, tow truck probably cost more then a good winch
I’ve never used my winch on myself, however I have used it lots on others.
With that said. We have a name for people who go wheeling and don’t have a winch. We call them “Pedestrians”!!!
i'm running a 09 Jk. I have a 9500 on the front bumper and an 8000 on the rear. They both have been life savers, I don't think I would do without the dual winches again.
I have a Warn Industrial Series winch in a removable configuration for the front of my truck. I use it constantly, although never off road. You’ll be surprised how often you use it around your house/town
Having a winch is like having insurance... you hate paying for it, you *hope* you never need it, but you are sure darn glad when you do. I've had three Jeeps each with a different "tier" of winch, and even used the poor-man's winch (come-along) until I got a proper one installed... if you are going to be off-roading on any sketch trails at all, I always recommend having one.... especially if you are solo (something I do a lot). If you go with a buddy (especially if he has a winch lol) you can get by with out one for a while.
I put a winch on all 4x4 I own not just for hitting the trail but to help local people in my community if they end up in a ditch or one case a landscaper stuck in a medium on a major road.
I do majority of the time rock crawling or playing in the mud a little bit, I haven't gotten a winch yet but the people I go with have winchs. I do have kinetic ropes, hi lift, and straps I'm just waiting to get a new bumper then gonna buy winch. I got a 2015 jku Rubicon! You guys are awsome Jeep up the good content!
To me a winch gives you the ability to have more fun, I was throwing my jeep into icy mud pits I knew I might not be able to get through last winter because I had a winch and plenty of trees, without one you and maybe your friends cant have as much fun because you dont have that security
I threw a Warn VR-EVO 10S Warn on my Wrangler JK and its saved me a twice already while wheeling solo. It sits underneath a cover most of the time, but it's great for the peace of mind and has paid for itself already.
2020 Escape 1st high centered 3 times on snow 1st time payed $$$ to get out now i have better tires and a 20 foot strap saved me , I am going to start carrying a come along ramps
thanks
In my youth I had a rig with a winch and I got stuck more often. I took more risks because I knew i could winch myself out. Today I am much more mature and in the past 40 years I have only had to be towed out twice. Both times I just screwed up. I do carry considerable self recovery tools but the best recovery tool is to know what your rig can do and NOT GET STUCK!
Wife's xj got the apex 12k with synthetic...
Tracker might get the apex 5500 long drum, only a 3200 vehicle...
"Budget" winches die because of a poor voltage supply, lower voltage means more amps for the same pull annd loads more heat... good battery (or two) and good wiring goes a long way
We carry kinetic ropes too, pulled a TON of people out this past winter with kinetic rope and blizzaks.
Great info, but in this day and age the availability of so many "budget" winches, it kinda makes it hard not to go ahead and just buy an inexpensive ($200) winch and have a snatch block or two. Sure beats the manual labor and saves ALOT of time. In addition, it's probably safer given that to use a manual extraction method especially if traveling alone, means having to be out of the vehicle that's not in park or someone holding the brake. Imagine being on a hill trying to "hi-lift" winch your vehicle and the strap or rope breaks and no one inside to hold the brake. Yikes!.
And you don't need "aftermarket support" like he said. There is no need to purchase some fancy bumper to have a winch. They make receiver hitch plates, so all you need is a receiver mounted on the front and back of your vehicle. And as a bonus you can store the winch out of the elements so it lasts longer.
Personally for me I have the receiver style because I can switch it from vehicle to vehicle and use on the trailers. Was also the most cost effective way for me even though there is huge aftermarket support for my truck
Great video. I have a old 3/4 ton suburban with a G80 locker. I Mainly disperse camp on forest roads in my area. The forest roads do get pretty bad some times and the snow can get to 10"s in that area. That being said I carry tire chains, recovery straps, highlift snatch blocks and a chainsaw. I don't go out to go wheeling or test my vehicle but I have been stuck a number of time and my gear has got me out. When I get stuck I normally double back and camp elsewhere. Since I normally turn back I need to winch from the rear and mechanical gear is just me just fine for now. Great video and thank you
If you go off road and get stuck then the "do I need a winch" question become a rather silly question. If you get in a situation where a winch will save your ass and you dont have one then thats a good sign that you should get one.
My winch is a lot like my pocket knife. People don't understand why I have it, yet somehow I always find that I need it for something (whether that's opening amazon boxes or something more serious), and when I do need it, it's the most efficient tool for the job.
I have a Bad Land apex on mine, it's more than paid for it's self. I have used it to pull trees out of the road, I have used it once to keep from turning over backwards and one time to finish getting up a trail! It's the peace of mind of knowing you get out!
Never go with out a winch, we do a lot of riding during the week when everyone is at work
Winch is super important to me. Put it on my JT Rubicon before lift and wheels and tires. I do a lot of solo though. In addition to getting me out I’ve used it to move a tree across the road and a boulder in middle of road. Of course have to look for winching attachment points if about to enter an obstacle where you might get stuck, or it’s as useful as tits on a bull. Traction boards, shovel, straps etc are standard equipment too. Did the Hi-Lift poor man’s winch for years also, but man an electric winch sure is nice.
As a guy with decades of experience overlanding and off roading in North America, Europe, and Africa, a winch is usually not necessary. In fact, if you have one you will usually spend more time rescuing others than yourself (not that that is a bad thing!). But the weight penalty is real if you are planning on crossing 1000km or more before being able to refuel. Traction boards, a good jack (Hi-Lift, air bag, etc) to get solid stuff under your wheels, go a long way to self rescue. If you are a rock crawler, serious mud dog, etc., then yes, you need one. If you are an adventurer/overlander and exercise some good judgement, then you don't. Well, that's my tuppence worth anyway!
Shamelessly use the harbor freight 12000lb winch with synthetic line… it’s saved my ass on several occasions and helped a buddy of mine make it home safe as well. For what it is, I’m very pleased with the $400 purchase
The 12,000lb they have is looking pretty good too me
My club offered great advice in the order of things to do first. A winch was last. Never go out alone. My order stock size mud tires. Skid plates, lift new tires and then bumpers and a winch. This all took about three years little by little and scoring some wicked good deals on marketplace 🎉
Winches plainly look cool. Install it and don’t look back.
I used mine to pull myself out a few times. Most of the time I was called to pull other people out.
I drive a semi I can confirm tire chains are useless on any vehicle better off buying a winch
I have a receiver mounted winch. As I have a receiver mounted in the front and the back and installed a power connection at both places,i both do not need to have the winch with me all the time. I also have more options when winching.
When you are afraid to get stuck, you have the winch in the receiver before the attempt.
I live in the mountains in Colombia. I've been all over the country off-roading. I've had to use my winch for days, not rare times. I got a Warn Zeon. It's been perfect. Zero problems. I had a cheap, old, ChyNA winch on it before. It worked well until it didn't. If you're a normal Amazon American Jeep overlander buy a quality cheap one. If you're alone off-roading or in actual severe conditions and going to beat and beat and beat on one, I'd get a better one. But as long as it pulls you out thats all that matters.
The video clips you used are great and all but one thing you should REALLY stress on is that anytime you are using a winch, you ALWAYS attach a sandbag to the cable/rope. I specifically carry a nylon g bag full of "sugar sand" that weighs about 15-20 lbs for this purpose. should the cable/rope snap, the attached sandbag will absorb the energy of the cable/rope thats under tension, thereby lessening the chance for it to 'whip' and kill someone or tear up whatever it hits. Just a suggestion from someone thats for a few decades of wheeling.
All the above usages .. for many years didn’t run winches, but relied heavily on friends .. but the last 25 plus years everything has winches.. once discovered kinetic ropes.. I was hooked..
I’ve used my little Warn drill winch, along with a few snatch blocks, to get myself out of a few sticky situations. I just picked up two offset rings from Yankem, that have really simplified my drill winch setup too. An arborist 3/4T rope come-along is my backup for the drill winch.
We run a winch on our 392 Wrangler. I'm not a young man anymore. Walking out really isn't a fun activity and with children getting out is the utmost importance
I am the kind of guy that doesnt really go anywhere that might need a winch. Call me boring, fine, but I cant afford to tear up my daily driver. I do have a winch on my truck, though, for all the idiots out there that do dumb shit and get stranded somewhere, and need recovery. I also have it because I live in northern Canada. We get some nasty weather up here. When the highways turn into hockey rinks, people slide off the road real easy! The last time the highways froze like that, I just cruised up and down the highway and pulled people out of the ditch because the tow trucks were running flat out and it was gonna be hours before they got rescued. Some of them would run out of fuel before then and freeze to death. Not gonna let that happen on my watch... Everyone I pulled out was incredibly grateful for me being out in such shitty weather, and everyone of them asked if they could give me some money for it. I gave them my email address and said they could etransfer whatever they liked. No one sent less that $50. My winch paid for itself several times over the first winter I had it. Ive lost count of how many vehicles Ive recovered in the last few years, including ambulances and police cars.
The first time you need to use a come along or hi lift jack to get out of something terrible you'll understand why having a winch makes sense. No reason to take a terrible situation you could be in and add more work to it, Especially when reliable winches can be found for $400-600.. and honestly I've seen more people trapped with non working Chinese Warn winches than other brands.
My 😅 have I come a long way. I remember when my emergency kit was a can of beer under the seat . Now I’m watching this video
I was in military vehicles for 30 years and never used a wench. Only if the vehicle broke down did I see recovery gear used. Been all over the world in jeeps and 998s.
It's better to have it and not need it, than not have it and need it!
My rig: stock Jeep WJ, a backpack, and a tent.
I've been driving 4-wheel drive vehicles since April 1964. I've owned mostly Land Rovers, the series vehicles, both 88" & 109". I've also owned two Jeeps, a JK Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and a Grand Cherokee Overland diesel. The ONLY one of these vehicles I didn't have a winch on was the Grand Cherokee. Who drives a Grand Cherokee into rough areas when he or she also has a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon? My wife and I didn't! I used PTO winches on my Series IIA & Series III Land Rovers. The Koenig PTO winch was my winch of choice. My Wrangler Rubicon has a Warn electric winch. I would not drive off road without a winch. Andy McKane, 23 May 2022, Molokai, Hawaii.
Look up Prodigal Offroad, he takes his Grand Cherokee where ever Wranglers go,with no problem, the stock Grand cherokee Trailhawk actually has more clearance than a stock Wrangler
There are 5 or 6 winches on the market that are all built at the same factory in China. They are the same. Just a few cosmetic changes. Spend some time. Look for yourself. I bought the 13000lb firey red unit. I can buy 5 of these for the price of 1 warn unit. Buy 2 and keep a spare in the back of your rig. What a cool idea.
I decided on the X-Bull 13,500 lbs winch. Looks just like the Warn and performs just as well... Only time will tell if it will pass the test of time but for $400 on Amazon I'm willing to take a chance.
If there aren't aftermarket options to mount a winch on your vehicle, just build a winch mount. It isn't difficult.
The idea that adding more lift, bigger tires, lockers etc. will keep you from getting stuck, and therefore you won't need a winch is ridiculous. If 40 years of off-roading has taught me anything it's that the more you build your rig the further, deeper, steeper, crazier you will go into the unknown. Building up a rig and hitting the trails increases your need for a good winch, recovery gear and the know-how to use it properly and safely.
I dont even go off-road. I just want a winch for my truck when im taking down trees or pulling stumps snd hell I also just like them.
Newby here but starting to do more trails in the last year or so that are just hairy enough to require the occasional recovery.
Right now we're using straps or kinetic rope but a winch and snatch block are next on the list.
Just last week I needed to be winched a few feet back onto the trail due to ice. No one in my group had one so we were lucky that other folks on the trailer did.
Don’t forget wheel hub winches 😜
But my Fiat.... I mean Jeep looks so good with the High-lift jack and 12 ton winch on the front when cruising the mall. (mall-crawling)
Great vid. Old ski rope woven through the spokes/openings on your rim/tire works just like snow chains. Temporary fix to get you out.
I own a silverado 4x4 and on certain off-road trips in Utah i often carry a wyenth--scott hand winch that has 35 feet of blue rope plus I carry some straps, a diy ground anchor etc. Its lighter and cheaper then a custom bumper and elec winch.
A winch is a good thing to have. Some groups require one on every vehicle depending on the difficulty of the trail.
You completely over looked a manual chain hoist. Ample lift length range and unlimited (almost) tonnage ....they get big over 10 or 20 tons. Little ones are very handy :)
I live in Idaho 5000 ft. elevation central Id. I use my f150 4x4 for hunting, fishing etc. I carry a few stout tow straps 20/30 feet each. I and a buddy got stuck 3 times on an unplowed road in snow. The straps got both on our 4x4s out.
I don't have a winch at this time and don't have immininent plans to do so. I always roll with at least one other vehicle when doing any serious off-road travel. I do carry a snatch strap, a tow strap, soft shackles, a tire plug kit, a shovel, and axe and fire extinguisher, and tools at all times.
When going off road, I bring traction boards air pump and tools for airing down. Actually the air pump is usually in the car anyhow.
Exploring, no winch. WJ Overland, OME suspension and Cooper Discoverer ATs, never got stuck, never went into a situation where I could get stuck alone.
I've run Warn winches on every 4x4 I've owned and will continue to do so. Gotta pay to play. That being said, I won't shame anyone who buys a cheaper winch. Everyone has a different budget, but we all have the same love of offroading.
We agree!
Winches are essential in KY.
If you have 4wd. Put a winch on it if you plan to go out bush. Easy as.
at a minimum have a couple of recovery traction boards, and at least a snatch strap and shackles. There are trails or beaches that require you have shovel, traction board, tow strap, and able to air down or you could get a ticket.
I put a cheap Tungsten 12V 12000lbs synthetic winch with wireless controls on my 80 series about 8 yrs ago it cost me nothing as i had eftpos cards that came with a phone plan. I didn't expect much from it or it to last very long its gets used about 15 times a year tops and still going strong. Before that i always spent big money on warn winches or had pto winches this winch I've been using is maintenance free fully sealed and if it dies I can grab another for under $400aus. Also cheap recovery tracks work as good as the expensive maxtrax I use xbull recovery tracks and paid $120 for a set of 4 and if you are using recovery tracks chance are your bogged in mud or sand and will loose them, do you want to spend 3 hours digging your expensive maxtrax out or just leave your cheapo recovery tracks in the mud and buy another set.
If you alone and stuck ,you can use a elektric Winsh from the Driversite and also drive the car yourself .With a Jack or somthing you need a other Person for Suport !
I run two rough country winch on my jeep gladiator when I go out cause I most the time either on my own or with a few ppl and this way I can get my self out of a spot or to help out someone with out having to turn my truck around or whatnot
Using a farm jack instead of a winch is a fantasy for all except the most macho experienced off roaders.
If you're going to buy a winch. Learn how to use it. The first law of holes states, "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." If you have no traction and find your giant hummer in a hole, a winch can pull the vehicle back on solid ground, unless you keep spinning the tires and dig the hole deeper and longer. There are far too many videos out there showing all four wheels digging deeper holes while trying to recover with a winch.
I enjoyed your video. Only an FYI, I am not familiar with any locations in Canada requiring 4WDs/SUV to use chains by law or regulation during winter. Province of BC does mandate that large transport trucks utilize chains during treacherous conditions in the mountains. Deploying chains can be a real pain. I do it every winter season for a tractor (trygg chains studded).
I bought my "CARBON," Brand wi nch. N go out on my own n Saved me from a hillside bog 1st trip out ,I was FREE in 10 mins,def saved me beimg stuck on muddy hill side ,,paid for itself i thimk from 1st trip, Qld,,Australia,
5:42 Commenting from WA, USA. There are certain WA roads/highways that require you to have chains in your car during winter or you get fined.
While hiking in NM we found a Dodge Power Wagon stuck in a dry wash
He had a winch and had run out the cable but hadn't found anything to tie onto 😞
Us Boy Scouts had to teach him about burying a deadman.