A truck winch is arguably the best modification you can make to your truck or SUV if you go off-roading. Big tires give you more traction, and locking differentials will get you places you might not get without them, but if you end up getting stuck, a winch can get you out safely.
This article focuses on winches with the ability to pull a lot of weight, and that’s what’s necessary when you have a big truck or SUV.
What Is A Winch?
A winch is a piece of equipment that winds wire or cable around a drum while keeping it under steady tension. Winches can be used for many things, but they’re most commonly used by tow trucks and off-road enthusiasts. Heavy-duty winches like the type discussed here are winches that can pull the full weight of a larger truck or SUV.
When you’re using a winch for this purpose, the winch needs to be rated 1.5 times higher than your vehicle weight. This is for a few reasons.
One, when you get stuck, there’s often some manner of drag that adds to your vehicle’s weight.
Two, winches are rated for maximum pulling power based on the first wrap of the cable over the drum. Each additional wrap increases the drum’s diameter, which results in 10% less pulling power per layer.
How To Use A Winch
Using a winch safely is very important. Winches can generate a huge amount of force, which isn’t surprising considering they’re designed to pull out thousands of pounds of stuck metal, but they won’t care if your limb or something else is in the way when spooling in.
Always take a pause and assess the situation before jumping in. Ideally, you should only need a few people to help in the recovery. It’s common for other off-roaders to eagerly jump in to help when they see someone stuck, but sometimes this can do more harm than good.
There are some extra items you should bring to assist your winching endeavors. These include gloves, shackles, a snatch block, a tree saver, a tow strap, and a winch damper. You may not need them for simple recovery situations, but more complex ones could require every single one.
It’s important to winch on something with plenty of mass and weight to it. Generally speaking, this is often another vehicle you’re on the trail with. This assumes that the other rig is a similar size to yours and has strong recovery points. If that isn’t the case, then a large tree or rock can work with your tree-saver strap. Ensure that either object has enough mass to support your vehicle and won’t be pulled toward you during winching.
If you only remember one thing about winching safely, it’s to take your time. Don’t rush through the job and don’t take unnecessary risks. Winches are very powerful tools and it’s up to you to make sure they don’t cause damage to your vehicle, yourself, anyone around you, or the land.
What Size Winch Do I Need?
As previously mentioned, a rule of thumb in choosing a winch size is to get one that is rated 1.5 times higher than the weight of your vehicle. The next step is to figure out which brands and models fit your budget. Winch prices can vary widely from an inexpensive $200 to well over $1,000.
Big brands like Westin Automotive, Superwinch, and WARN have several models to choose from. The differences between them are usually varying features and construction. You might be choosing between synthetic cable, steel cable, aluminum fairleads, and other features.
You’ll generally be looking at an electric winch for your truck or SUV as hydraulic winches are mostly only for commercial uses.
One common choice you’ll have to make is choosing between synthetic and steel cables. The first thing to understand is that neither is 100% better than the other overall, but each can be better than the other in certain situations. For example, steel cable is better for off-roaders who spend a lot of time in the mud and dirt.
Synthetic cable is susceptible to damage in rough terrain. On the other hand, the synthetic cable is better for frequent winching with slower winches. Steel cable is the best choice for emergency winching as it can move heavy objects quickly.
Popular Winch Brands
There are many winch brands on the market, but some are definitely more popular than others. WARN winches are probably the most popular overall. Let’s take a look at some of what’s available.
WARN
The top-rated WARN winch according to Forbes Wheels is the VR EVO 12 due to its high-quality construction, load capacity, easy installation, and good value. If where the winch is made is important to you, the WARN winches not in the VR line are made in Oregon with parts sourced around the world. The WARN VR line is fully constructed in China.
Westin Automotive / Superwinch
Westin makes a few different winch models, including the Talon series, the SX line, and the LP line. Between these lines, you’ll have a choice between synthetic and steel rope, as well as weather-sealed and even a submersible solenoid. Westin winches range from very affordable to well over $1,000.
Smittybilt
Smittybilt covers the middle of the market. The XRC line runs 9,500, 12,000 and 12,500 pounds and the X2O line covers 10,000, 12,000 and 17,500, so there is a rating for anything from a Wrangler to a three-quarter ton. Both lines come with either steel cable or synthetic rope, and both use a sealed series-wound motor with a three-stage planetary gear system. The X2O adds a waterproof 500-amp control box that can be mounted in either of two positions and a controller that works wired or wireless.
Two other recognizable off-road brands are Rough Country and Rugged Ridge. These brands have a smaller product line than the ones mentioned above, but they do have some affordable options.
Add the top off-road accessory to your truck or SUV with winches from H&H Truck Accessories. You can find a wide selection of popular winches and winch parts on our online shopping portal, or you can visit a local H&H store for more options and professional installation.
