DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Yeah, no one ever needs a bull bar until you do. That block of ice would have certainly taken out my headlight and probably the fender, but there wasn't any damage I could find other than a few more chips in the windshield and few spot I have to touch up in the A-pillar now. There's a scar on the bumper powdercoat.
Same with a winch I suppose. I've only ever had to use my winch in anger once to unstuck myself when I ended up driving down a snowy driveway (used conservatively, it was a two-track that the owner used maybe last hunting season) that I shouldn't have while looking at land listings. It was shown as going through on the map but it did not. I didn't intend to get stuck but it happened. Did end up ruining some pants but at least we didn't have to get a tow truck a week later to get it out.
Otherwise it's been used a few times when I intentionally did something stupid, e.g. recreationally as a choice. That's sort of like deciding to ride the blue downhill trails at Winter Park because I'm wearing arm and leg guards. "Sure, I'll try that run" knowing that if push comes to shove I can winch through a climb.
We've talked about this, the truck supports other habits and I feel a winch is like a second battery in this context, a back-up so that I don't have to worry about traveling alone. If all I did was group 4x4 runs then I don't think I'd care much either way. Same with a bull bar. If I'm driving down a secondary road alone and hit a deer or a tree I'd like some insurance that I'm not going to damage anything critical (radiator, steering, suspension) and be able to get back. In a round-about way I spent money on a bull bar & winch so that I don't need a sat phone. ;-)
Same with a winch I suppose. I've only ever had to use my winch in anger once to unstuck myself when I ended up driving down a snowy driveway (used conservatively, it was a two-track that the owner used maybe last hunting season) that I shouldn't have while looking at land listings. It was shown as going through on the map but it did not. I didn't intend to get stuck but it happened. Did end up ruining some pants but at least we didn't have to get a tow truck a week later to get it out.
Otherwise it's been used a few times when I intentionally did something stupid, e.g. recreationally as a choice. That's sort of like deciding to ride the blue downhill trails at Winter Park because I'm wearing arm and leg guards. "Sure, I'll try that run" knowing that if push comes to shove I can winch through a climb.
We've talked about this, the truck supports other habits and I feel a winch is like a second battery in this context, a back-up so that I don't have to worry about traveling alone. If all I did was group 4x4 runs then I don't think I'd care much either way. Same with a bull bar. If I'm driving down a secondary road alone and hit a deer or a tree I'd like some insurance that I'm not going to damage anything critical (radiator, steering, suspension) and be able to get back. In a round-about way I spent money on a bull bar & winch so that I don't need a sat phone. ;-)
. Along with some of the other "expo required" equipment. If I start down the "what if" scenarios, I'll be loaded down with 2 spares, full armor, CB, HAM, Sat phone, 20 gal of water--more in fuel, and a dirt bike in tow. That's 2,000lbs I don't need 99.9% of the time. I still carry recovery/emergency gear: first aid, tow strap, d-shackles, air pump, tire plugs and shovel. I'll probably add a hi-lift soon. But that's good enough for me. Again, my personal comfort level.
