Winch Size

Thanks. May have to save up a little and get the bigger winch and yes that is always a problem with winching backwards, detachable is a good idea. I have shackles, snatch blocks, tree protector and long chains but be a good idea to look at the synthetic ropes instead of the cable.

What does your OKA weigh?
(I'm jealous, I always wanted an OKA)
:)

Will have a look at the Premier brand.
My bus is a Hino with just under a 10 tun GVM. It is the Hino FD truck chassis with Tost bus body on it, the Coaster in a bit lighter. It's hard to know what the towing rate is when towing a bogged vehicle.

I had a Hilux with a 9,000 lbs on it (Warn) and I took that through some serious play and worked that winch hard, it never failed me so I am thinking a 12,000lb should move 10 tun slightly stuck but I guess the bigger the better.

I would like a 20,000lbs :)

Exactly what Dingo says. You don't have to put tricity to it and can be used in any direction.

Like to see a 4 ton hand winch pull 9.8 tons...... your a gamer and fitter man than me!

The type of hand winch I have used for over 30 years are similar to the Supercheap Rydge Ryder. Mine, I have a 1 ton, A 2 ton and a 4 Ton, are a lot better quality than what is available today. The 4 ton one was always in the back of the S3 Landrover and was used to extricate the beast on more than 1 occasion. I mentioned a snatch block as you can effectively double the capacity of whatever type of winch you're using but be very careful about overloading any component in the system. I'm one of the old school with a mistrust of most electrically powered gizmos but unshakeable faith in muscle tearing, hernia inducing mechanical devices.

There has been 3 times when we have used our winch....... 2 of the times you would of not be able to use a hand winch and the other time you could of....... except it took us about 40 minutes to get our selves out of trouble.... and that was with a electric winch and 50m of cable.

The problem with a snatch block is it also halves your line speed.

Allan - agree - even a set of MaxTrax (albeit they're overpriced IMHO) would be cheaper than a winch.....

throwing the cat amongst the pigeons ... I wonder if someone did a survey of winch owners and found out how many of them have actually used the thing in a genuine situation..... wonder what the % would be???

Oh-oh, You may well have put the cat into the pigeon roost Scott. I wasn't game to go there, even though I think you are correct. Let me just say that sometime, for some people, a winch may be helpful or even necessary. But other times they are an expensive display of manhood!! LOL But I doubt that you would obtain a valid outcome from a survey.


I include MaxTrax in 'traction aids' and in fact carry a pair. Never even needed those (touch wood) but they were very successful on a couple of other vehicles on Fraser Island. And yes Scott, they do seem overpriced. There are some cheaper alternatives available now.

hear you Allan .... also a very heavy and expensive display of manhood!!

Seriously though .... if someone gave the the choice to spend a set amount of $$ on either a winch or a set of diff locks, I'd go the latter every time...

Correct tyre pressure, a snatch strap, diff locks, and a shovel will get you out of more situations than a winch will. Unless you're into near vertical forest tracks or getting your jollies on in mud holes.....

yes I know how hard it is getting trucks and buses out. I have had semi- trailers, loaders and buses sunk to there belly.

I am considering getting two 12,000lbs Iron Man winches (front and rear), but won't be taking my motor-home in places I use to (and still do) take trucks and loaders into. Will run separate 12 volt batteries for the winches with a step down charger.

How does the 12.000lbs winch go on your truck/bus. Is it strong enough to pull you off wet soft grass. I did consider getting a hand winch but my arthritis is not liking that idea. Also motor-homes space is limited so have to find somewhere to put the winch and cable.

Scott M suggested traction treads which I thought of as well. I went to the caravan and camping show on Saturday (Perth) and asked sellers what weight they could handle, not one of them could tell me.

I guess I probably don't really need a winch as the times I would use it would be minimal but considering the overall cost I am putting in to build up my old bus, adding a winch for security would not be much more as I do like to get a little adventurous.