Best winch size?

[Boomshaw]

I have a 2006 4x4 2500. I am concerned with being able to get out of two-lane highway drainage ditches and heavy snow conditions in mountainous conditions. How does one go about selecting the proper winch size that one needs without just getting the biggest one that you can afford? Thanks!

 

[16919]

Usually I think its 1. 5 times what the weight is... so say the truck is around 8,000 go for the 12,000. I think anyways thats sort of what the rule of thumb is.

 

[JCrockett]

Depends on what you are going to do with your truck off road. If you are just worried about being stuck in snow then a 8 or 9000 lb winch will be fine. I have an 8k Multi mount and it has always got the job done.



Yes the "rule of thumb" is 1. 5 times the weight of your rig, but I think that is for serious wheelers who rock climb and mud bog.

Light duty stuff like snow, ditches, etc a smaller winch will suffice. I would reccomend a Warn 9500. That is what I will buy when my 8000 takes a crap, but it has been in service for 12 years now and no problems. It does not get used heavliy though.



Just my . 02

 

[JVantreese]

Remember that the ratings are based on the first wrap around the drum of the winch and your pulling power decreases with each succeeding wrap. If you are pulling a rolling truck through the snow you will do find with an 8K winch. If you are down to the frame in soft stuff you will need all of the pull of a 12K winch and might need a snatch block if you are pulling on any angle.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Which battery do you connect the winch to? Left? Right?r Or run feeds from both?

 

[DWeiler]

Just connected it to the closest one on my ride---- Warn 16. 5 TI here,probable never need it,but just in case out hunting---i"v had a few close calls i thought i would never be able to get through. Now their is a little piece of mind. Only problem now is that if someone see's that you have one they want you to offer help/bail them out-----no problem for the older fella,but some(not all) of these young punks/showoffs tend to get themselves into trouble trying to impress there friends before they think-- i just drive buy/watch or it will cost them some of their weekend beer:-laf:-laf:-laf. Sorry for being so negative but the last guy i pulled out did not even say thanks:-{}---kind of screwed it for the rest of the people out there--my 2 cents. PS---- UPS arrived yesterday with the PA Performance 200AMP alternator for the Cummins that should help out a bit when winching.

 

[Boomshaw]

Ya, I know just how you feel DW! We have had those same young punks/showoffs try to 4x4 their empty bed trucks up the snow laden road to our family cabin. They do great until both axles are in the snow and then they dig three foot deep wells for their tires to reside in. After offering to help a couple of them out years ago, and hand digging out their trucks with the frame sunk to ground level, and then not even getting a thank you, a $%#& you or a kiss... I have stopped being the good samaritan for ignorant and reckless off-roaders. Those that legitimately make a mistake or get caught off guard still get assistance though!

It is amazing how those who don't prepare for the worst sometimes just expect you to loan out your insurance to make up for their mistakes. I will have to hide the winch hook behind my license plate I guess. Good point!

 

[wcjp]

I agree with some of the others. The 1. 5 weight rating is for when you're really stuck. A 9500lb winch could be sufficient if you always had a snatch block and the nearest winch point wasn't too far away. On my Jeep, I rarely use the winch for myself. Usually to help others. When I see idiots heading up a trail under equipped I go elsewhere. I know I'll spend all day extracting them. I know of one particular owner locally who goes out of his way to get stuck just to see how many people he can con into helping.



On the trail I normally help others, unless obvious they're drunk or out for attention.

 

[Jeepstang]

Don't waste your money on a 9. 5 winch unless you only drive on pavement and mud that will not go over the tire depth to the bottom of the rim. I have had atleast 10 winches on my personal vehicles and sold hundreds of winches. at times a Warn 9500 TI connected to a Optima yellow top would not pull my little Wrangler out of situations in hard core rock crawling.

I run cheap junk mile marker 12,000 winches on my car trailers to pull dead Jeeps on to them. I have seen them break while pulling chevy blazers which ended up costing the guy hundreds of dollars to get it out of the woods with a HUGE loader for me to winch it on his trailer. I would only run a Warn winch on my vehicles. I have a 16. 5 TI for my new truck I did not want to chance it not pulling me out with a 12,000 it would be at it's max rating on an 8,000 lbs truck. The larger winches are not that much more money and are a piece of mind. What's the point of owning a winch if it will not get you out when you need it most. I also had a Warn 12000 Winch on a Ramcharger that overheated and failed on long pulls that were not very rocky

I have seen a Warn 8000 lbs winch Catch on fire on a less than 3500 lbs Wrangler

I like to double the weight of the vehcile as my rull of thumb

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I discussed winches in Issues 47, 51. A 9000 lb winch may suffice (I have one on the rear), and will be better but slower with a snatch block. I have the Warn 16. 5ti on the front because the truck can weigh over 8000 lb and could get very stuck.

 

[AH64ID]

Depends on what you are going to do with your truck off road. If you are just worried about being stuck in snow then a 8 or 9000 lb winch will be fine. I have an 8k Multi mount and it has always got the job done.



Yes the "rule of thumb" is 1. 5 times the weight of your rig, but I think that is for serious wheelers who rock climb and mud bog.

Light duty stuff like snow, ditches, etc a smaller winch will suffice. I would reccomend a Warn 9500. That is what I will buy when my 8000 takes a crap, but it has been in service for 12 years now and no problems. It does not get used heavliy though.



Just my . 02

I agree... Both dad and I have multi mount 9000's... . My 9000 started life as a winch on my toyota for crawling, 1. 5 rule, but has now moved to a basket... its perfect as an "oh poopy" winch for even a 8K truck, it can double to 18000... And unless your in some stuff you really shouldn't be in it will suffice for most situations.

 

[Boomshaw]

I discussed winches in Issues 47, 51. A 9000 lb winch may suffice (I have one on the rear), and will be better but slower with a snatch block. I have the Warn 16. 5ti on the front because the truck can weigh over 8000 lb and could get very stuck.

New member to TDR here. I wasn't aware of that Joe. I have access to those volumes through another member so I will check them out. Thanks!