Whether you want to crawl over boulders, cruise down the beach, or play in the mud, you can go anywhere in a sturdy and reliable Jeep Wrangler. Designed for off-road driving, you can get away from the everyday grind and explore new worlds off the beaten/paved track. From mild to extreme, off-roading can get your adrenaline pumping and your heart racing as you tackle dirt roads, rocks, sand, mud, and snow. It’s a whole lot of fun until you get stuck and, unfortunately, getting stuck is an inevitable element of off-roading. Having a winch will enable you to get your jeep out of any difficult situation and back to the fun. Here are four reasons why you need a winch on your jeep.
One: It levels the playing field between you and the terrain.
Every gritty off-roader needs a winch to be able to hold their own in the great outdoors. Wherever you want to go and whatever the hills and trails can dish out, you can confidently attack the toughest terrain. When the unthinkable happens, a winch will help get your jeep out of a ditch, through thick mud, slippery snow and ice, and even right a jeep that’s flipped on its side or roof.
Two: You lose the worry of being stranded.
Off-roading with friends increases the fun as well as the safety factor but if you like to get away, just you and the solitude, having a mounted winch is like having a best buddy nearby. If you find yourself in a recovery situation far from any ordinary highway help, you’ll be able to overcome whatever obstacle you face without it becoming a serious problem. In the company of other jeepers, your winch can come in handy for someone without the forethought to have their own winch, so it’s no man or woman left behind!
Three: It’s more efficient than other recovery methods.
A winch is one of the most trusted tools for making a bad situation better and the best option when a vehicle needs to be towed, anchored, or lifted. A winch’s capacity is measured in thousands of pounds, typical sizes for jeeps are 8,000 pounds (two-door) or 10,000 pounds (four-door). With at least 100 feet of cable, you have more options for finding something to anchor to in the surrounding area. Most straps are 50 feet or less and could fall short out in the rough. A winch operates with smooth, controlled movements to protect your jeep from further damage that jerking with straps or chains could cause. A winch makes quick work of self-recovery, the anchored winch pulling your stuck jeep to safety, or rescuing another vehicle with your jeep acting as the anchor and the winch used to move the second vehicle.
Four: Help to traverse hills and trails where traction is at a minimum.
Although the Jeep Wrangler looks like it can take on any challenge, a winch is helpful any time you’re in a situation with limited traction. Up a steep hill, in deep mud, or on slippery or icy terrain, a winch can make the trek safer until you’re back on solid ground with good traction. A winch lets you conquer treacherous terrain before it conquers you. A winch gives you more leverage and pulling power in a tricky situation than your vehicle alone.
Tips for buying the right winch
· If the standard bumper on your jeep won’t accommodate the winch you need, an aftermarket front bumper provides more options for jeep bumper styles that can accommodate a winch. Some are available with built-in winch plates or have provisions for mounting recovery winches. If you don’t have a winch but plan to add one, ensure that the model you are interested in is compatible with your bumper.
· Electric winches are some of the most popular winches on the market. They are less expensive than hydraulic winces, are easier to install, and will still work if your engine is dead, something a hydraulic winch can’t do. However, if you spend a lot of time winching your way out of trouble, the heavy-duty hydraulic may be your best investment.
· One caveat, an electric winch requires your jeep’s battery as its power source and will only pull as much as the vehicle’s electrical system allows. Make sure your battery and its connections are in excellent condition, so it has the necessary power to operate the winch at top efficiency.
· It’s a good precaution to buy the most powerful winch you can afford but, at the very least, make sure any winch you buy has a capacity at least 1.5 times your Jeep's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), available in your owner’s manual, on the door jamb, or you can look it up online. Be sure to factor in any customization add-ons that add weight to your jeep’s standard weight such as steel bumpers, hard top roof, or oversized tires. The larger a winch's pulling capacity (8,000 or 10,000 pounds as mentioned above), the less chance that it will become overworked when in use.
· And finally as with any tool, learn how to use your winch before you need it. Experts recommend also having necessary accessories such as D-ring shackles, tree saver straps, snatch block, tow hook, and heavy-duty gloves to operate your winch safely and efficiently.
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