Winch - what size to buy?

Submitted: Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 11:26

ThreadID: 71496 Views:7797 Replies:5 FollowUps:6

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Winches

All travellers should be capable and equipped for winching so in this article we will discuss the various winching methods and equipment on the market.

Member - Gary J (NSW)

We got back from the Cape a couple of weeks ago. Apart from a few bolts that loosened or fell off the side steps, the D40 Navara did all that we asked of it.
The only other equipment failure was the Nissan supplied nudge bar. The support brackets couldn't handle the constant corrugations and subsequently snapped.
So, now I'm doing what I should have done all along, I just ordered an Ironman steel bull bar.

If I'm going to put on a bullbar, why not include a winch?

My question - is a 9500lb winch sufficient for the Navara, or should I go for a 12,000lb model?

We will probably be buying a camper trailer in the next 6 months, so maybe the bigger capacity winch is warranted.
For economic reasons I'm leaning towards Ironman. Anyone have any experience with their winches?

cheers

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Reply By: Rod W - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 11:44

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 11:44

Get yourself a tirfor type winch, they're cheaper, will never have an electrical fault and are more versitile in that you are not restricted to winching from the front only.

AnswerID: 378957

Follow Up By: Member - Gary J (NSW) - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 11:49

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 11:49

As Pauline used to say, please explain!

FollowupID: 646346

Follow Up By: Rod W - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:11

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:11

Explain what Garry. If you mean Tirfor then Tirfor is a brand/maker (and probably the industry standard) of the come-a-long type winches better known as the tirfor.

Do a search on this site an a general internet search and you will find a plethora on info on this type of winch.

FollowupID: 646348

Follow Up By: Member - Gary J (NSW) - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:15

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:15

Thanks RW. I had not heard of a Tirfor before, but was aware of hand winches . I've learned something new today!

FollowupID: 646350

Reply By: Member - Alan John C (WA) - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:06

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:06

Garry I have hylux and run a 9000 so you should have no problem with 9500 it all comes down to maintainance and not overheating make sure you add an extra earth to it to help keep overheating to a minimum regards Alan.

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AnswerID: 378960

Reply By: Travelling Pixie - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:11

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:11

I may be wrong or you may have already considered this but I believe that a steel bullbar and winch will necessitate revised front springs and the winch will necessitate a second battery system.

Just something to consider

AnswerID: 378963

Follow Up By: Member - Gary J (NSW) - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:13

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 12:13

Thanks TP,
We already have upgraded the suspension.
I would think it best to run the winch from the cranking battery.
Gary

FollowupID: 646349

Reply By: warfer69 - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 13:38

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 13:38

Hiya Gazza

Glad you had a good trip not like the Navara D22 (one month old) while down in Deep Creek No1 Walhalla on Sunday he bottomed out on a rock (not hard with these models).On the way home the car rattled its titties off over 80kms..Took it into Nissan the next day and he bent the drive shaft,estimated replacement cost $2800...

Anyway i have a 2004 SR5 T/D Hilux,I wasnt able to put anything higher than a Warn 9.5,you sure you can hav 12000lbs...

AnswerID: 378970

Follow Up By: Member - Gary J (NSW) - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 15:21

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 15:21

Hi W69,

I'm looking at Ironman winches that I believe are low mount, ie mounted behind the bullbar, not on top. From their website, overall dimensions for the 9500 and 12000 are identical.
I guess it's possible Warns may be physically larger than the imported winches.

Did you or your mate in the D22 walk the crossing beforehand? Bad luck in any case.

FollowupID: 646371

Follow Up By: warfer69 - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 17:02

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 17:02

***I guess it's possible Warns may be physically larger than the imported winches.***

Looking at the 1200lb on display at ARB is was a lot bigger from memory..

This link will give you an idea what deep creek no1 track looks like,its not under water but i guess on a heavy downpour it would be..

http://picasaweb.google.com/warfer69

Click Walhalla Link..

FollowupID: 646385

Reply By: Member - Gary J (NSW) - Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 16:24

Friday, Aug 14, 2009 at 16:24

G'day all,
I rang Ironman and have decided to go for a 9500lb winch.
Reasons are it is slightly cheaper and lighter than a 12000lb one, and if stuck with a camper, it is likely the terrain will not be as bad as when we are running the tow vehicle only. Doubling the cable will help out if stuck with a camper too.
Thanks for your input everyone.

AnswerID: 378996