Why should I need a winch?

WHY SHOULD I INSTALL A WINCH?

No matter how built your vehicle is, there are situations where your tires simply run out of traction and you can find yourself stuck. Even with large, aggressive tires and front and rear differential lockers, an inconvenient tree stump or especially slippery hill climb can stop you in your tracks. In these situations, even just a light pull from a winch can make all the difference and allow you to overcome the obstacle with ease.

This is especially true if you like to explore by yourself, where there are no other vehicles to assist you with a tow strap or otherwise. A winch can make the difference between getting home safely and being stranded in the bush. Even in situations where there are other vehicles around to assist you, a pull from another vehicle with a tow strap involves a jerking motion and makes for a much less controlled recovery. This can lead to unwanted slipping of either vehicle and potentially even put both vehicles in a worse position than you started in! With a winch, the pulling motion is slow and controlled and this allows you to recover the vehicle in a much safer manner.

On narrow trails where passing is difficult, it may not be possible to get another vehicle into the right position to recover you with a tow strap anyways. With a winch, Snatch Block pulleys can be used to re-direct your winch line and get you out of nearly any situation. Just remember the main limitation of a winch: It does require a nearby anchor point to attach it to!

How Will I Know If A Winch Is Compatible with My Vehicle?

You should factor in your vehicle`s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVRW) or Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). This includes all the load that the vehicle will carry like the passengers, camping gear, fuel, other tools, and the mods that you have installed. The stock GVRW is stated in the Owner`s Manual that came with your vehicle. If you`ve installed modifications, determine its weight to calculate the additional weight. You can also use GVRW calculators found online if you`re not really in the mood for solving maths problems.

After you determine the GVRW, choose a winch that is rated 1.5 or 2 times more. This is the industry standard and doing so will ensure that you will easily recover your vehicle. However, you can always purchase one that has a considerably higher rating or buy a smaller one if you often travel light.