Winch or alternative options

[daveh]

I'm looking for thoughts on options other than a winch for recovery. I'm wondering if I should drop the $1200 plus accessory gear and the added front end weight and battery issues or go another route. I realize a highlift will also mean added weight and cost such as accessories and mounting points. Would something like maxtrax be a viable alternative? No other costs or added weight? Vehicle is a 2012 Rubicon with AEV lift and bumpers. Terrain is mostly East Coast forrest roads.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

There are times nothing else will do, a winch is the only viable option. Maxtrax are fantastic, high end hand winches rock in certain situations, etc. Ideally you have each but work up to it. Don't think you need a $1200 winch, there are plenty of great winches under the $1k mark, even a Warn (my preference) M8000 (a little on the light side for a loaded JK but manageable) can be had for sub $500 on occasion.

 

[LR Max]

How often are you by yourself? If you are by yourself often, then yes, the winch is extremely nice. Especially if you encounter muddy hill climbs. That is when the winch really saves the day. Also nice in water because you just hook up and get out.

You'll use a hand winch once...then you'll be going and getting an electric winch. No, seriously, it can get scary especially when it starts making noises.

In rocks, I've had great luck with a hydraulic jack and blocks of wood. Best way to get free if you are bottomed out (especially on the diff).

If you wheel with a group/others, then just make sure you keep your tow strap handy. Especially if they have winches. I've winched/strapped plenty of vehicles in the past. I prefer a strap over a winch, just easier.

 

[Pedro]

as much as some people on here will frown upon it, the Smittybilt 10k lb winch is somewhere in the way of $400 and has a synthetic rope option. Just go that route. I have not had an ounce of trouble with mine in 3-4yrs of New England winters and such. Just hose it down with WD-40 every so often and you will be fine. I also tossed on a fairlead license plate mount to keep the road slop out of the cable.

 

[daveh]

Most of my exploring is solo. I'll look into the smittybilt just need to see of it will fit AEV bumper.

 

[LR Max]

Most of my exploring is solo. I'll look into the smittybilt just need to see of it will fit AEV bumper.

Try to find a used winch. Its just that everyone I know who has a Smittybilt can't wait to replace it with a Warn.

A winch will give you a good piece of mind while traveling solo.

 

[madmax718]

a 1500lb single line atv winch is better than NO winch. It sounds ridiculous but it really isnt.

Realistically, you have to compute your needs. If your simple high centered, your tires cant get traction. It doesn't mean that you need a 8000k or 12000k winch to get free. This is why often times even a person pushing behind the truck when stuck is helpful to get the vehicle out. And a person isn't exerting 1500 lbs.

Likewise, if your stuck axle deep in mud- even 12000 may not be enough to break free.

Slippery clay? if all 4 wheels are on the ground, 1500 single line will crank you up that area. Double line it if you need 3000.

a 1500lb winch is still better than.. you pushing.

dug yourself down to your frame in sand and got a 1500 lb winch? Start digging. Lol. Shoulda got a bigger winch!

 

[Pedro]

The smittybilt will be a decent safety net. The 8000lb unit is about the same form factor as the warn. It will not be a superstar performer, but it will work when you need it if you test and maintain it. I find them to be a bit slow, but I don't use it every day and didn't pay $900 for it. I am quite satisfied considering the price.

 

[I Leak Oil]

Not really sure what you're asking. Are you asking if a set of Maxxtrax will suffice or are you asking if they will be a suitable substitute for a winch? If you're asking if they will be adequate then only YOU can answer that based on where you drive and how you drive. If you're asking if they will make an adequate substitute then the answer is no, they won't. Traction devices mostly do what they do well, but they don't make a good winch.

These types of discussions come up more and more frequently and all I can say is if you feel you need a winch then the only question is how much do you have to spend??????

The electrical argument...The electrics involved with hooking up a winch are far less complicated than most of the systems on a modern vehicle. Usually it's 2 cables and done. A modern alternator and battery will handle most casual usage without issue.

Weight, yes its extra weight but so are all the bumpers and armor and other junk we bolt on. Why worry about the weight of something as functional as a winch when we don't think twice about bumpers, tire carriers, roof racks and 20 gazillion candle power lights?

A winch is something you either need or do not need. If you haven't needed it yet then why do you think you might want one?

 

[Antichrist]

No idea where in PA you're located, but there are a lot of used winches on craigslist. Here's one from somewhat central Harrisburg.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/tls/3990045015.html
An excellent used 10,000lb winch for $600 (I got lucky and paid $200 for the same model).

There are good deals out there on used winches.

 

[daveh]

I luckily haven't needed a winch yet but I've also not YET needed a highlift or maxtrax type device. I guess I'm just thinking about being prepared. I've read plenty of stories of explorers crossing the Congo or traveling the world mostly off road who have never included a winch and managed without one but I've now built my jeep to the point where I am able to go to places that I'd need some method of recovery should I ever get stuck especially while traveling solo.

 

[Buliwyf]

Winch or alternative options? Hahaha. Those alternative options are something you should already have a supply of long before youre hardcore enough for a winch. Winches are self explanatory, but often there is nothing to winch to. And burying a tire as a winch point....ain't going to happen in summertime heat.
-Maxtracks
-4x4 lumber
-extra bottle jack
-Highlift with tire grabber
-Shovel, and another shovel
-something to chop a tree down with
-cargo ratchet straps, the types semis use. Excellent improvised tree straps, tow straps etc. etc.
-30' of chain and hooks and binders
-tire chains
If you have all that and still need a winch, then get a winch. But a winch DEOS NOT replace a shovel, unless you like getting most your truck unstuck, and leaving your axles behind.

 

[Bolles]

MAXTRAX Vegas to Reno

Were running MAXTRAX in the upcoming Vegas to Reno off road race. Aug 16 2013. Hoping we dont have to get them out but feel better about having them in the #1797 Jeepspeed.

http://www.bitd.com/best-in-the-desert-races/general-tire-vegas-to-reno.html

 

[urbex]

I spent over a decade running midwest mud, and never once NEEDED an electric or hydraulic winch, despite burying a truck on 44s to the frame several times. More often than not, a shovel was all that was needed, and a few hours of time. Since getting my first winch about 10 years ago, I think I've used it on myself maybe 3 or 4 times that wasn't the result of goofing around and pushing harder and harder on an obstacle until I hit the limit of my rig, and that was from sheer laziness more than anything else. Though I will also say that after getting a winch, I quit carrying a Hi-Lift, as I used the Hi-Lift as a winch more than anything else. As another mentioned, I find the bottle jacks and scissor jacks to be far more useful for lifting a tire, and with far less chance of being injured by the jack (not to mention, I don't have to get creative in securing the axle up before lifting from a bumper, lol).

I find the same thing to be true in the southwest desert - the Warn on the front of my Jeep is a convienence, not a need. I have never once found myself in a situation that the winch was my _only_ option, but frequently it's the easiest and/or quickest option.

 

[zimm]

I luckily haven't needed a winch yet but I've also not YET needed a highlift or maxtrax type device. I guess I'm just thinking about being prepared. I've read plenty of stories of explorers crossing the Congo or traveling the world mostly off road who have never included a winch and managed without one but I've now built my jeep to the point where I am able to go to places that I'd need some method of recovery should I ever get stuck especially while traveling solo.

where havent you been going, that you have never needed anything?

sign up for the vermont overland expo in october. i bet it'll be a great education for you, and you wont second guess the winch you end up buying.