Information on a Winch

[MesaJohn]

Vote the poll. But also share your opinions and thoughts regarding the necessity of a Winch, or why you think you don't need one.

Currently, my FJ Cruiser doesn't have one. One the other hand, my Jeep Wrangler has one, but I have never needed to use it.

The build on the FJ will be completed in the next month and I am trying to decide if I need to blow a couple grand on a front bumper and Winch.

Just curious what you all have encountered over the years.

 

[genocache]

Winches depend on where you go. I used to know a guy who would drive around in 2 wheel drive until he got stuck and then put it in 4x4. To him that was four wheeling.

 

[MesaJohn]

Winches depend on where you go. I used to know a guy who would drive around in 2 wheel drive until he got stuck and then put it in 4x4. To him that was four wheeling.

That is certainly how my Ram truck is treated. It has just over 160,000 miles on it and I bet less than 5,000 miles are with 4x4 engaged. I do not put it in 4x4, unless I absolutely must have it. At 100,000 miles I drained and changed the differential oil. The rear was BLACK... the front looked brand new.

Anyway, back to winches.

 

[Russell Peters]

It really depends on where you drive and what kind of trails you’re on. Driving on paved roads and compacted fire trails in the summer wouldn’t necessitate the need for a winch as opposed to driving in sand, mud and snow year round. Also, for me, a winch is something I would rather have and not need then need and not have. But, we do have a wide variety of trails and weather out here in Utah.

 

[smritte]

I did Adopt a trail for about three decades. We wore out winch's and cables. It was a must running Rubicon, Dusy and the Hammers. Today I still have one but I haven't needed it in years

 

[North American Sojourner]

I use my winch almost every week. I do a lot of work outside. Moved a 300lb log just yesterday. I've done 2 recovery's on vehicles in 4 years. So I'm mostly using it for other reasons.

 

[El-Dracho]

As some have already written here, it depends on what you do with your rig. We travel a lot, even in remote areas. The winch is like an insurance - hopefully you won't need it, but if you do, it's good to have one. So for me, a winch therefore belongs on an overlanding rig.

Good maintenance is important, as always. Especially if the winch is not used very often, you should from time to time unwind it, rewind it, check it, etc. If it is only exposed to the elements and never used, there is a high probability that it will fail of you need it one day.

 

[MOAK]

Without a winch up front we would have turned around a lot more often and never had gone to some of the most remote places in the country over the past 22 years, 11 years with a Jeep and 11 years with an 80 series more often than not, alone. Now I am considering whether to spend the money on a winch for our full time, full size F350 with a 4WC on its back. Is it really needed? Will we still go to remote areas to camp? Will I be quicker to turn around in a 22ft rig? I think if I were younger and more daring, the answer would be easy. Of course, spend the buck and a half and be done with it, cause, you never know. Now? I still haven’t made up my mind.

 

[MesaJohn]

...... I think if I were younger and more daring, the answer would be easy. Of course, spend the buck and a half and be done with it, cause, you never know. Now? I still haven’t made up my mind.

The wife and I are both 57 years old and getting to the rough and crazy isn't on our list, so I tend to think a winch and new bumper is off the expenditure list for now. As you say, if I were in my 30's, I would probably have a different perspective.

 

[MOAK]

The wife and I are both 57 years old and getting to the rough and crazy isn't on our list, so I tend to think a winch and new bumper is off the expenditure list for now. As you say, if I were in my 30's, I would probably have a different perspective.

True, but we were full bore hard core until last summer- I’m 71 now and am still tempted! LOL