4wd winch

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 14:01

ThreadID: 90703 Views:3137 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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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.

david w17

want to purchase winch for patrol anyone recomend brand other than warn was looking at ironman or any type around the same price

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Reply By: Member - Tezza Qld - Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 18:06

Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 18:06

Hi

Some or your size and choice may be limited depending on the bullbar type and brand.
For example a standard Nissan winch bar won't accept some winches owing to the length of the winch.

Also check where the control box has to be mounted. This is usually the first area any problems will be encountered. If you have a Nissan bar the controller is usually
recessed into the bar. This is a real pain and is best mounted high so that you can remove the cover to get to the electrics etc. A winch controller mounted into the bar means you have to remove the winch to then get the controller out.

For the number of times that you will probably require the winch most brands will fit the bill. Decide on rope or wire as that will also contribute to winch choice.

Cheers Teza

AnswerID: 472816

Reply By: Life Member Dick B - Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 18:24

Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 18:24

David

Unless you do a lot of very remote area travel alone, you probably don't need a winch. I have had one on my Troopy for years and have never needed it. I plan to remove if before my next winter travel. I carry a high lift Jack and MaxTrak's and that will solve most problems, plus I seldom travel alone. If you travel in any mountainous ares, perhaps a winch has some benefit.

Winch's add a lot of weight on the front of the vehicle that you could well do without. Have a look at the vehicles that live in the outback and you won't find many winches.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers
Dick

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AnswerID: 472819

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 20:17

Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 20:17

I agree with Dick. They do have their uses, but I've used ours once in 20 years and a fair bit if remote area travel, and it wasn't really needed then. Depends on your activities, but good company, common sense and a snatch strap (and knowing how to use it safely!) will handle most situations. Carrying a heavy lump of ballast up front is bad for fuel economy too.

Cheers

John

J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 21:51

Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 21:51

And on the other side of the coin from John (Hi John) we have not done a lot of travel and have used the winch three times in the last 2 years. But then again we travel on our own so it has been beneficial. We purchased the winch second hand from very a reliable source and then had it totally overhauled..

But then again you may get away with some Maxtracks and no winch.

Whether you use wire or rope is a judgement call on how many times you expect to use the winch, if at all. If you are into sole travel and want the more extreme trips where you are more likely to get stuck, then maybe rope is the way to go. We do not think changing to rope is worthwhile for the expected few times that we may use the rope. Its a crystal ball judgement.

It also luck. In the early to mid 60's, I used to go surfing to a lot of places that had tracks almost as rough as the 4WD stuff we go on now in the Toyota. That was in a Kingswood on my own and no passengers. I NEVER got bogged in 10 years on intensive surfing. You never know.

Phil

FollowupID: 747667

Reply By: Member - nick b - Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 23:13

Sunday, Dec 18, 2011 at 23:13

Hi David : I have had an ironman 9.5t for about 12 months ,used it twice 1st time to lift large gum tree off a fence & 2nd time to pull a water tank into place . just can't wait to pull myself out of a bog etc .....

I guess you could say that the cheaper ones are built to a price & the top of the range are built to last !!!!

4wdaction magazine did a comparo on winches No 159, but ironman was'nt in it ...but worth a read anyway.... and endless in the search options...

Good luck cheers nick