On a side note, 4x4 parts like tires, lift kits, and lockers can sometimes even be worse, as they inspire a fearlessness that might compel you to take unnecessary risks on off-road trails, thereby increasing the odds of a recovery situation.
But before your dive headfirst into getting that king-sized, ultra-tough Warn winch you stumbled upon online, take a minute to check out our quick rundown of winches and accessories.
Go Electric
A first-timer looking for winches will be presented with a plethora of types, including hydraulic, electric, ATV, utility, and more. But let's get to the point and just say that for off-roading, you want to stick with electric winches.Hydraulic winches are good when you're planning on doing a lot of winching, such as with farm, ranch, or commercial use but for off-road recovery purposes an electric winch should do just fine.
Now, deciding which electric winch is the next question to address. The truth is, there are several factors to consider before buying one so let's just get going with the important ones.
A Quick Lesson in Physics
The winch you ultimately choose should have a weight capacity that is one and a half times the gross weight of your vehicle.
To calculate this, simply multiply the weight of your vehicle by 1.5, and the resultant number is the minimum capacity of your winch. For instance, if your particular vehicle weighs 5000 lbs, then the weight capacity of your winch should be at least 7,500 lbs.
A Few Useful Accessories
To help maximizing your winches efficiency, power, and safety there are a few accessories that come highly recommended. They are :
1. Winch Mount
Whatever winch you have, the strength and effectiveness of it is only as strong as the foundation it lies upon.
Factors to Consider:
- Universal mounts allow you to mount winches to virtually any flat surface
- Bumper mounts offer both off-road protection and winch accommodation
- Look for mounts with easy drum access for cleaner rope re-spooling
- Be wary of winch and mount weight. Too much can cause a loss in performance
2. Synthetic Rope
While some have already come to realize the effectiveness of synthetic winch rope, they are still one of those somewhat unknown, yet still important winch parts. While pricier than standard wire rope, synthetic winch ropes are definitely worth investing in.
Factors to Consider:
- Stronger than equivalent diameter wire rope
- Substantially lighter than wire rope
- Synthetic winch rope is easier to splice and tie knots into
- Rope can be damaged by excessive heat - a common issue during winching
3. Pulley Block
For an easy way to add Jeeps parts that instantly boost pulling power and winching efficiency, a Winch Pulley Block allows you to execute a double-line straight pull which doubles the power of your winch through the magic of physics.
Factors to Consider:
- An inexpensive way to increase the effectiveness of winches
- Easy to use and set up with formidable results
- Available from a number of major name brands
This is all just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to winching, but hopefully this provides you with a stepping stone into more technical aspects of winching as you prepare for your off-road expeditions.
Billy Han is a Web Copywriter for Transamerican Auto Parts.
Carrying a full line of winches and winch accessories, including Mile Marker, T-Max, Smittybilt, and Warn Winches Transamerican Auto Parts is a leading retailer in the off-road industry.
