Winch Purpose?
10-31-2017, 12:51 PM
#22
Senior Member
If you don't go off-road, to me I can think of a lot of other things more justified. I can pull people out of a snow bank just fine (the once every 5 years I do it) with my strap and related hardware.
Rnlcomp has a very nice looking truck and a very nice looking winch. He lives in Louisiana. You live in Minnesota. You know what that winch will look like after a winter of snow and ice and salt and brine? Not like Rnlcomp's...
Rnlcomp has a very nice looking truck and a very nice looking winch. He lives in Louisiana. You live in Minnesota. You know what that winch will look like after a winter of snow and ice and salt and brine? Not like Rnlcomp's...
10-31-2017, 12:57 PM
#23
I've done a ton of winching, but it was on ATV's....so a lighter vehicle. We used to see who could get the most stuck and we also had guys that liked to see how deep in the mud they could get and still get out without a tow.
While you are correct that you need enough traction to pull the stuck vehicle when using a tow strap.....if the traction isn't available, you pull the tow vehicle toward the stuck one with a winch. So, an advantage of the winch is that you can use a second cable/strap to anchor the winching vehicle.j
Also, ****** blocks are easier to use with winches since they utilize steel cable. That can half the force applied to the pulling vehicle....or double the force applied to the stuck vehicle. Note, if you carry steel cable in your vehicle...but no winch...can't you attach the ****** block to the stuck vehicle and anchor the cable to a stationary object...then pull the remaining end with your truck? That will greatly increase your pulling power.
10-31-2017, 01:06 PM
#24
Doesn't a winch provide an added safety factor for pulling out a stuck vehicle, though? With 4Lo and a tow strap, you need enough traction to keep moving the tow vehicle with the resistance of the stuck vehicle pulling against the tow point. With a winch, you can keep the recovery vehicle stationary and apply (I think, not exactly sure where the physics come down on force applied via recovery strap vs force applied via winch rope) a greater amount of steady force to the stuck vehicle rather than having to dynamically load a recovery device.
The one time last winter I got my XTerra high-centered was attempting to pull out a thoroughly stuck Wrangler. If I'd had 50' of recovery strap (or 90' of winch rope) rather than 20', I'd have been able to do it from dry pavement rather than needing to maintain traction in deep snow and getting myself stuck in the process (even after applying cable "chains"). The other time I would've loved a winch, I was able to pull a full-size rig out of a snowbank downhill from the road, but I had to chain up to get enough traction (tried it without the chains and just spun on the packed snow). Using a winch would've been a lot quicker and not involved laying on the ground.
And yes, I spent the money and took the payload hit to put a winch and bumper on my F-150. I figure I only need to use it for my own benefit once to be happy to have spent the money, and I spend a fair amount of time driving in snow by myself. YMMV, and it's probably true that if you can't say, "Man, I wish I had a winch when....", it's a bit hard to justify one.
The one time last winter I got my XTerra high-centered was attempting to pull out a thoroughly stuck Wrangler. If I'd had 50' of recovery strap (or 90' of winch rope) rather than 20', I'd have been able to do it from dry pavement rather than needing to maintain traction in deep snow and getting myself stuck in the process (even after applying cable "chains"). The other time I would've loved a winch, I was able to pull a full-size rig out of a snowbank downhill from the road, but I had to chain up to get enough traction (tried it without the chains and just spun on the packed snow). Using a winch would've been a lot quicker and not involved laying on the ground.
And yes, I spent the money and took the payload hit to put a winch and bumper on my F-150. I figure I only need to use it for my own benefit once to be happy to have spent the money, and I spend a fair amount of time driving in snow by myself. YMMV, and it's probably true that if you can't say, "Man, I wish I had a winch when....", it's a bit hard to justify one.
Winches are slow to operate, reeling in 90' of cable takes a long time vs rolling up your tow straps and throwing them in the toolbox. When I'm out with my buddies in their side-by-sides they almost always use a strap when someone's stuck vs a winch just because of the time it takes to deploy and then put away.
I guess the big thing, as far as wheeling, is if you're going to be out alone or not. If you've got buddies along in their rigs, there's less need for a winch. If you're alone, you probably should have a plan to get unstuck should the need arise. The OP however has no intention on wheeling and just wants a super expensive accessory to sit unused on his bumper.
The following users liked this post:
chimmike (10-31-2017)
10-31-2017, 01:28 PM
#25
Senior Member
Tell your wife to walk out to the curb, turn around and see what you have provided for her. Then order the winch.
If I still lived at the top of Minnesota, I would have one. I drove plenty of logging roads/trails I shouldn't have and got lucky. I wouldn't take that blind chance today.
I would find a use for it in central Minnesota but it wouldn't be a necessity. There's a range of quality and strength. You're not likely to drop a grand. I vote for you to get one and enjoy it.
If I still lived at the top of Minnesota, I would have one. I drove plenty of logging roads/trails I shouldn't have and got lucky. I wouldn't take that blind chance today.
I would find a use for it in central Minnesota but it wouldn't be a necessity. There's a range of quality and strength. You're not likely to drop a grand. I vote for you to get one and enjoy it.
PS : No, I'm not whipped. I just don't like seeing sexist comments.
The following users liked this post:
Ricktwuhk (10-31-2017)
10-31-2017, 03:31 PM
#26
Senile member
Either way you need traction. I've seen a truck with a winch try to pull another truck out of the mud but instead ended up getting dragged towards the stuck truck. Straps actually have a slight advantage here because not only are you relying on the momentum of the pulling truck, you also have a slight amount of stretch in the straps which helps gently yank the stuck vehicle out once it starts moving.
Winches are slow to operate, reeling in 90' of cable takes a long time vs rolling up your tow straps and throwing them in the toolbox. When I'm out with my buddies in their side-by-sides they almost always use a strap when someone's stuck vs a winch just because of the time it takes to deploy and then put away.
I guess the big thing, as far as wheeling, is if you're going to be out alone or not. If you've got buddies along in their rigs, there's less need for a winch. If you're alone, you probably should have a plan to get unstuck should the need arise. The OP however has no intention on wheeling and just wants a super expensive accessory to sit unused on his bumper.
Winches are slow to operate, reeling in 90' of cable takes a long time vs rolling up your tow straps and throwing them in the toolbox. When I'm out with my buddies in their side-by-sides they almost always use a strap when someone's stuck vs a winch just because of the time it takes to deploy and then put away.
I guess the big thing, as far as wheeling, is if you're going to be out alone or not. If you've got buddies along in their rigs, there's less need for a winch. If you're alone, you probably should have a plan to get unstuck should the need arise. The OP however has no intention on wheeling and just wants a super expensive accessory to sit unused on his bumper.
Whenever I wanted to a part for a vehicle, i'd tell the wife it's for 'safety' and then justify it by giving a scenario of some sort.
6 piston front caliper upgrade? "I have substantially more power than stock, and these will bleed off power without generating too much heat and prevent the fluid from boiling".
be creative.
10-31-2017, 04:08 PM
#27
Winch is better for self recovery
Strap is better for assisting in recovery
My take on it anyways....
Strap is better for assisting in recovery
My take on it anyways....
The following users liked this post:
bassJAM (11-01-2017)
10-31-2017, 04:12 PM
#28
Senior Member
It can provide a safety factor if used correctly.
...
While you are correct that you need enough traction to pull the stuck vehicle when using a tow strap.....if the traction isn't available, you pull the tow vehicle toward the stuck one with a winch. So, an advantage of the winch is that you can use a second cable/strap to anchor the winching vehicle.
...
While you are correct that you need enough traction to pull the stuck vehicle when using a tow strap.....if the traction isn't available, you pull the tow vehicle toward the stuck one with a winch. So, an advantage of the winch is that you can use a second cable/strap to anchor the winching vehicle.
Obviously, it's possible that you can get by with slow and steady application of 4Lo if you have consistently good traction, but that's rarely the case in snow and ice. The end result tends to be two vehicles attached by a 30k-pound-rated strap both sliding in a semi-controlled manner in a direction created by combining the pull vector, the stuck-vehicle-resistance vector, and the slope of the ground (because it's usually not in flat spot). Being able to keep one vehicle (hopefully) stationary, relying on static friction rather than hoping to regain traction after breaking loose, seems to involve a lot fewer very heavy objects in motion. But that may also be me justifying the winch (the bumper I was able to justify based the local deer population).
Also, ****** blocks are easier to use with winches since they utilize steel cable. That can half the force applied to the pulling vehicle....or double the force applied to the stuck vehicle. Note, if you carry steel cable in your vehicle...but no winch...can't you attach the ****** block to the stuck vehicle and anchor the cable to a stationary object...then pull the remaining end with your truck? That will greatly increase your pulling power.
10-31-2017, 04:38 PM
#29
Given the choice of identical vehicles to go off-roading, one with a winch and one without a winch....I'll always select the one with a winch. It gives you options you don't have without a winch.
97% of my winching has been pulling something out of the mud. 2 times I've rescued friends stuck on dangerously steep inclines and 1 time I pulled an old downed tree over to camp for the fire.
I've never used one on ice or snow...
11-01-2017, 09:04 AM
#30
So use a strap, anchor your truck to a tree, then winch
Whenever I wanted to a part for a vehicle, i'd tell the wife it's for 'safety' and then justify it by giving a scenario of some sort.
6 piston front caliper upgrade? "I have substantially more power than stock, and these will bleed off power without generating too much heat and prevent the fluid from boiling".
be creative.
Whenever I wanted to a part for a vehicle, i'd tell the wife it's for 'safety' and then justify it by giving a scenario of some sort.
6 piston front caliper upgrade? "I have substantially more power than stock, and these will bleed off power without generating too much heat and prevent the fluid from boiling".
be creative.
) and she can't get upset, and she can buy shoes and clothes and I can't say anything about it!