SUV pulled out of the mud
Allen Brown
Nothing can compare to the feeling you get while hitting a tough terrain on a 4x4 rig running off of a monster engine. But before going out, it’s important to take a close look at your ride, make a few adjustments, and perhaps give it an upgrade. This could include a few tune-ups to the engine to maximize its efficiency, ensuring that suspensions are in check, and seeing to it that the tires mean business. Primarily, an upgrade doesn’t have to be all that fancy, but you can expect a smooth ride no matter what challenges you face while on the terrains.
Now, regardless of the terrain you choose or the horsepower your engine puts out, you’ll most likely require some help to get you through some major ruts. The combination of all the accessories mounted on your rig may at times be not as helpful in such situations. This is why you need to equip your rig with a winch. To ensure successful off-road exploits, a winch will come in handy, especially when dealing with unfriendly weather conditions, shifty surfaces, and rocky terrains. As a passionate off-roader, you understand the variables associated when off-roading and how a smooth experience can drastically and easily be put off. Question is, do you know anything about winches before heading to your purchase (in case you don’t have one)? If not, you’re looking at the right page.
Without further ado, here’s what to look out for when picking a winch.
1. Winch Type
If you operate a sports utility vehicle or a truck, there are so many ways that a winch will come in handy. If you’re a boat owner, on the other hand, you would need a winch that is strong enough to help lower or lift your boat off or up into your trailer during those days when you need to get some boating experience. In that case, you would want to look for a winch type that is specifically meant for boats and trailers, which, according to Steve from HoistNow.com, a renowned expert in lifts, hoists, jacks, cranes, winches, and anything in between are available in manual and electric versions. To get the best winch that is suited to your needs, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the various types of winches available on the market today. Below is a list of some of the most common types of winches.
Electric winches – These are the type of winches powered by the car battery or independently running on a separate battery. The latter are most preferred as they do not interfere with other systems of your car.
Mechanical winches – There are two types of mechanical winches namely the mechanical drum winch and the mechanical capstan winch. Mechanical drum winches are powered by the power generated by a running engine. Power is transmitted from a turning shaft via the transmission. On the other hand, the mechanical capstan winches draw power from the truck’s engine via the crankshaft. This is achieved by connecting a dog clutch to the crankshaft’s pulley. The only difference between these two winches is the winch assembly.
Hydraulic winches – As the name suggests, these are winches that operate on a hydraulic mechanism. A hydraulic pump is connected to the engine and it then powers the hydraulic motor. The best thing about this type of winch is that it can still run even when completely submerged underwater.
Hand operated winches – This is a type of winch that is operated by releasing a series of clamps. It has no connections whatsoever to the engine and is operated mechanically by hand.
2. Operational Mechanism
Though this is an often overlooked aspect, it’s very important to consider how a winch is operated. Different types of winches are either operated manually, mechanically or electrically and needless to mention, this can have an impact on the winch’s efficiency. One thing to note is that battery operated winches may drain your rig’s battery. The starter battery is only meant to start your car and serve other auxiliary purposes such as the radio, wipers, lights, and that’s it.
Anything more could cause your battery to degrade rapidly. In addition to this, the battery can overheat and add more woes to your sorrows. This is where life kicks you while you’re down and out! To avoid this, if you’re considering an electric winch, it’s imperative to upgrade your battery to a dual-purpose one because of the high draw associated with winching activities.
3. Synthetic Rope vs Steel Cable
Steel winch cable
Until recently, steel cable has been the standard issue in winches. Thanks to advancements in technology, you now have the synthetic rope option that is much lighter, which is a big plus for the vehicle’s dynamics. Synthetic ropes are also easier to work with because they are easy to untangle and are safe on the hands. On the other hand, steel cables are durable and their functions extend beyond vehicle recovery tasks. It allows you to handle tasks such as dragging and pulling roots and tree stumps. And in addition to this, steel cable is not susceptible to abrasion and UV wear.
4. Non-Integrated vs Integrated
Integrated winches are bulkier because the control box of the solenoid is part of the winch. This means that it may be hard to mount it on an after-market bumper. On the other hand, non-integrated winches are more versatile and regardless of the type of bumper you have, they’ll fit easily.
5. Safety
Whatever the type of winch you choose, it’s very important to consider your safety while operating a winch. Consider winches that are easier to operate and go for manufacturers who include a winch line dampener. This prevents a snapped cable from whipping. Simply buying a winch isn’t enough. Rather, it’s very important to learn all the safety rules required when operating a one.
6. Brand
It all boils down to what you value most. Are you more inclined to the brand, the cost, or performance? But then again, the price tag on the winch may not be as per your budget needs and it’s most likely that if you had it in you, you’d go for premium options. There are so many brand names in the market today and you’ll be surprised that nearly half of these winches are from the same manufacturer but labeled and customized differently. To find the best brand of a winch, consider manufacturers who do not outsource their products from other manufacturers. Authenticity is key when selecting a winch.
Winch hunting can be a daunting task for anyone but if you’ve read this article, not anymore! With the above tips, you’re now armed with the fundamentals of shopping for the right winch. You now have every reason to take up on that off-roading vacation trip you’ve been planning for so long.