Quote Originally Posted by johonda55 View Post
Agree Owens comments, I have had a similar situation in mud up on the cape with my defender. It took a 12000lb winch a couple of pulleys and lots of sweat to move as the suction force of the mud was incredible. For me the choice of a larger winch for the d4 is driven by the fact I intend to tow a trailer. If I wasn't towing offroad I would stick to the 9500 winch. I think the conventional wisdom is that the winch capacity should be 1.5 times the vehicle GVM. So for a loaded d4 at around 3000kg that's 4500kg or 9920lbs. Add a trailer of say 1t (avg loaded camper) and the GVM goes up to 4000kg. Using the rule that requires a winch rated to 13227lbs. Of course there are lots of other dynamics involved, gradient, ground surface, other aids like pulleys etc but for mine if your towing consideration should be given to the larger winch.
I tow a 1.5t camper also, already winched myself up Cassilas Track and Davies Plain Tr in the Vic High Country with the camper on, both steep, but using the car power to help.

I figure as long as you have assistance from the vehicle, it should be fine with the 9500lb winch, shock load is what you need to look out for and reduce as much as you can.

Baz.