winches.....

I have a port-a-winch , which is an electric winch in a cradle, with leads like jumper leads that attach to the battery .

We bought this when we went around oz alone, and after doing a 4wd course and seeing a hand winch recovery , a guy at work said he had done many recoveries up the Cape in one day and I dont think I would have it in me with a hand winch.

Can winch the vehicle in any direction

Luckily have never used it in anger !

these were advertised in many 4wd mags

hope this is what you are after

Glenn.

Big Haul is a good hand winch at far less than electric winches. However, they take some getting used to (practise) and you'd have to be a lady of...err...considerable physical resources...assuming that it's not the token male's job :)) And if it is he'd better be pretty fit.

The Porta-Winch will cost you just about as much as a bull bar mounted job, after all it's a normal electric winch mounted in a portable cradle, so if you can't stretch to a normal setup then I don't see the Porta-Winch being an option.

If you can afford the winch then I'm sure you could pick up a second hand bull bar for very few dollars, allthough then you don't have the other advantages of the portable job.

Better off getting something like the Mud Mauler. It's much lighter to carry, much smaller and hence takes up less room, uses chain rather than steel rope (much easier to handle, can also be used as a drag chain), can pull about twice as much as a big haul, and is cheaper.

G'day Laura,

As already mentioned the hand winch option is hard work BUT you'd be asking the question "how often do you think we'll be using one of these?". Not often I hope, so whilst the electric winch sounds great and we all would like one of those, if you are looking at a just in case situation then one of the handwinches should do.

I have one and it has been used once in 1994. It always comes with me on a trip but I have found that there is usually someone around when I get into trouble (doesn't happpen often) to lend a hand by way of a strap. A mate has an electric winch and it has never been used and I doubt it will actually work when the time comes. They can be more trouble then they are worth unless you use them all the time and keep them well maintained.

Kind regards

Hi Laura

Don't go spending mega dollars on any kind of winch. Those handwinches are bulky and cost more dollars than they are worth. And when are you going to use one?

Carry two good bottle jacks(you truck has one and buy another from the wreckers) and/or a small trolley jack(about $50). Buy a good long handled shovel and a snatch strap ( so that if someone comes along they can help you out ).

I have had a number of winches over the years and when living in Northern Australia they were used in anger a number of times during each of the wet seasons. My current electric winch is 3 years old and has been used 3 times....to winch others out of trouble!

Cheers