Thread: How much use does your winch really get?

Mate - Its just me but I would get a high lift, max tracks and a handheld HD winch and have change before going for a fitted one.

Cheers

PS. Didnt Bush Tucker man Les Hiddons say that having ETC on a D2 was like having a winch on every tyre...so you already have them if you have traction control...

I've only recovered myself once, and at the time the winch was priceless.

Without it the vehicle would have been a write off.



This was a very hard pull...

Tombie - what were you recovering? Did you use a sand anchor on that?

I reckon if you know how to use a really good quality manual portable winch with blocks you cant go far wrong. Might require some effort but they work really well...and they work if your battery is flat too

Cheers

Hi Simon,
We're in relatively similar positions with our vehicles and off-road experience. In my limited experience...the important first bits to get are an air compressor, recovery points/shackles and a snatch strap. These are the items I have used most-the compressor every trip! At this stage you will travel with others or if alone turn back at the first sign of mud/rock steps etc.
Go for a few drives...
Second stage on the list is things like appropriate tyres, UHF, shovel, high lift jack and snorkel/raised air intake. A toolbox with appropriate tools and a workshop manual to suit your vehicle would come in here somewhere too-not so much use if you can't/won't use a tool though.
Another couple of drives and you are getting confident...
Then devote a bit of funds to gear that'll make using the vehicle more fun-camping and adventure gear; and gear to make the vehicle more comfortable/safer/long lasting. A wagon owner might consider a cargo barrier, swing away tyre carrier and drawer system for example, driving lights, sliders and second battery might be for every vehicle whilst rear work light, ladder rack, canopy or equipment boxes might suit a ute better. This is more or less where I am up to. This is also the time to think about suspension changes, remembering that if you later get a winch you may have to change front springs again.
Some overnighters, long weekends, maybe a week touring or some more difficult tracks...
By now you'll have driven a few easier tracks alone and hopefully plenty more with other people, so you'll have a better feeling for your car and your own ability. Then you'll know if lockers or a winch suit your driving style more or if both are needed/desired. This is also the time to do your suspension changes.

You may also pick up things for bargain prices well before they are needed, which is how I came to have three winches in boxes (now 2, not for sale, and not fitted)

Of course, this is only how I see my County evolving, I'm sure others, particularly ARB, will tell you to load up your vehicle with accessories from the day you get your car but that isn't my style so I'll only tell it how I see it

I havent read the whole thread but I think you answered your own Q in the OP.

There are more useful things to buy first.

A snorkel is a definite.
Lockers will get much more use than a winch.
A water tank is good if you do longer camping trips.

Thanks all and further to the discussion ...

Basic recovery gear is a given, it's on the list as is and will be got regardless of other things. My major concern here is rather one of getting the most important things now ...

# 1 - While I have the lump sum ... with a home renovation it's going to be quite some time before I have this amount to splash again so I need to make it count right now.

# 2 - While there is a window of opportunity with the Aussie dollar being strong, if I can get expensive things now, and get bang for my buck, that makes sense to me.

# 3 - Lockers seem to be a smart move right now, I can do smaller jobs as time passes but having the scratch to afford lockers without saving for a while is a far off dream right now.

Those are my considerations ... sometimes it is a false economy to hold off buying something major, hang on to the money and then fritter it away on minor things that don't really make much difference. A snorkel would be a great thing to have but I have a dual fuel vehicle and it is going to take some setting up ... is it a major necessity right now? Hmmm, not sure ... I have raised diff breathers for now and don't foresee any major river crossings in the near future.

Air compressor is pretty cheap and I can pick that up any time ... I am playing devils avocado to my own arguments here also ... it's all swings and roundabouts. What I want to avoid is not getting something like lockers and then regretting it later saying " ... gee, wish I'd got em when I had the money"

I want to take my wife touring up to the cape, and I want to have a capable vehicle if and when we get remote ... in that sense lockers seem to be a very practical and sensible way to go. it also seems that lockers may in some cases negate the requirement for a bull bar mounted winch, since if you don't get stuck, you won't need one. I am not suggesting people with lockers don't ever get stuck but make the point in the context of usage vs the law of diminishing returns.

Not sure how much satisfaction a Snorkel will afford me over the next year or more if I fit one ... I'll be looking at an expensive bit of plastic asking myself if that plastic helped me get further off road or not ... lockers would make me feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing they are there should I need them. My questions then turned towards lockers vs suspension upgrades ---> Q2 - Articulation & Footprint vs Lockers?

Simon.

I have seen/heard this discussion in a myriad other forums, bars, campfires et al. Debate always seemed to revolve around the circuitous argument of...

...lockers you can drive the same terrain with ease or over more difficult terrain with additional skill but if you get stuck with lockers, the lockers are not going to get you home, a working winch will...

but then again, horses for courses, if you wheel with others then lockers will most likely allow you to keep up or ahead... horses for courses.

Already a million replies but......

If you are solo 4WDing in difficult / hard terrain then spend $$ - at least get hand winch.

2 or more vehicles usually a snatch will get you out of 90% of situations, unless you in very hard steep wet terrain when you would prob need a winch regardless of how many vehicles.

I have used mine many times. As already mentioned, they are useful for other things as well. (moving logs etc)

To me a winch is like insurance. Thank god you have it when you need it.