Departments | Wrench Bench
Don’t think you need an ATV winch? Many of the bigger ATVs weigh 800 pounds. If you can move that much weight from a place like this, you can pass on the winch and we’ll call you “Sir!” Photo courtesy Warn.
Which Winch?
Sooner or later every recovery winch becomes a hero. Like insurance, it takes only one recovery incident to make you glad you made the investment.
Winches are all similar in what they do and how they do it. They differ most notably in their power sources. There are three types: electric, hydraulic and mechanical PTO (Power Take-Off). Electric is the easiest to fit, and has the most recreational vehicle applications, so that’s where we’ll focus.
courtesy Warn
Step One is to match the unit to your vehicle. The minimum winch capacity is 1.5 times the GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) for 4x4 trucks and SUVs. For UTVs and ATVs, you want about double the loaded weight of the rig. Remember that the rated winch capacity is for the first, or innermost, layer on the drum. The rating decreases with each successive layer.
Line capacity is another specification that warrants special consideration. The intuitive rationale is that more line is better, yet while more line will allow you to reach out farther, it’s a mixed blessing. The more line you have on the drum, the farther you are away from that maximum rating on a short pull. Also, more line is easier to get snarled up. Many winch users prefer less line on the drum, but carry an extra length separately as an extension.
Speaking of line, nowadays we have a choice of steel or synthetic rope. Synthetic is stronger and 80 percent lighter than traditional wire line, but it is a bit more vulnerable to damage. Some types of synthetic are vulnerable to heat from winches with brakes in the drum (most winches) when they are used improperly—namely by lowering the vehicle under load in increments longer than 20 feet. Synthetic is less dangerous when it breaks than wire because it doesn’t snap back much, if at all. Synthetic line is especially useful in UTV and ATV applications because of its light weight. On the downside, it’s about double the price of wire line.
- Winching Extras
- A few extra tools are necessary to complete your winch system. A good winching kit will contain the following:
- Tree Strap — Primarily used to protect trees from “girdling” and early death when they are used as winch anchors.
- Choker Chain — This is used on rough hookups where sharp edges might damage a strap or the winch line.
- Snatch Block — This heavy-duty pulley is used to either double winch capacity or change the direction of the pull.
- Bow Shackles — At least two are used for general hookups. They should have a Safe Working Load (SWL) equal to the maximum capacity of the winching gear.
- Gloves — Individual strands in wire rope will break in service and protrude from the rope, ready to make a nasty cut.
- Line Extension — Optionally, if you winch a lot or have a winch with a small amount of line, a 50-foot extension can be useful.
We won’t promote any particular look or style regarding winch mounts (and there are several to choose from), but the mount must be able to handle the capacity of the winch. After that, the weight of the assembly (winch and mount) becomes an issue. Too much weight may cause the front suspension to sag lower and possibly bottom out on a hard bump. This can be cured by heavier springs.
How the winch mount affects your approach angle and the accessibility of the winch line are two other considerations. Easy access to the winch line is both a cost and safety issue. If you can’t properly respool the cable, it may be damaged on the next pull. Damaged line may break and cause serious injury to you or someone else, so any damaged line should be replaced pronto.
Mounting an electric winch requires an evaluation of the vehicle’s electrical system. If used only occasionally under relatively light duty situations, you can get by with your OE charging system and battery so long as you keep the winching duration short.
The first upgrade is to install the biggest battery that will fit under the hood—either a deep-cycle or marine type, both of which can better withstand deeper discharges without failing than a standard starting battery. An isolated dual battery system can be installed if necessary, and a high output alternator will extend winching time and recharge the battery faster.
There aren’t many upgrades beyond some specialty HD batteries in UTV/ATV applications, so too large a winch can be a liability.
Winches are extremely useful upgrades to 4x4s of all sizes, and when used properly can significantly extend your range in the backcountry. By keeping in mind the above tips you can ensure a well-matched winching system that will last for years to come.
—Jim Allen