Anyone who loves off-roading or overlanding adventures needs to become effective and skilled in using a 4WD winch. Being skilled in handling a 4WD is incredibly valuable for your safety while on your off-road adventures.
Yet, choosing the right 4WD winch is the first step before mastering using it. The right 4WD winch is always an important consideration.
Choosing the Right 4WD Winch
The max load the vehicle is expected to put on the winch is the smartest way to help choose the right winch. The selection of the winch should show an adequate capacity or line pull to meet varied recovery situations. The kind of winch line meeting your needs should also be part of the equation.
With this, selecting the right winch include:
GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight
The GVW or gross vehicle weight is determined by packing all your family, equipment and gear, and fuelling up to capacity. A Certified CAT Scale should be used for accuracy.
Multiplying by 1.5 the GVW of the Vehicle
The minimum capacity of a winch is approximated when you multiply the GVW of the vehicle by 1.5. A winch being capable of a rated line pull between 1.5 and 2 times the vehicle’s GVW is highly recommended.
Here’s how to get an idea about what it should look like:
- A 5000 lbs GVW vehicle multiplied by 1.5 gets you 7500 lbs.
- The 7500 lbs is the minimum winch capacity to consider.
- Multiplying 5000 GVW twice gets you 10000 lbs.
- A winch is considered adequate when it shows a rated line pull between 7500-10000 lbs
Choosing between Steel Winch and Synthetic Winch Line
One of the critical parts of the 4WD winch to consider is the choice of the winch line. It is because a winching recovery bears the vehicle’s full load.
The importance of the choice between steel and synthetic winch lines has been a highly debatable issue since the inception of the synthetic winch line. The pros and cons arguments of the synthetic winch line make it a tough decision for many 4WD owners.
However, what you need, its purpose and your budget is the determinant for your choice of winch line.
The steel winch line made of braided steel cable has become the standard equipment before the creation of the synthetic winch line. It is less expensive, does not need a lot of maintenance, and is resistant to UV rays. Being highly resistant to abrasions makes it the best choice for rocky, sand, and mud terrain.
The synthetic winch line, on the other hand, is easier to spool because it doesn’t kink. It can easily be repaired and spliced when breaks happen. Its floating capability makes it a handy choice for mud or water-crossing recoveries.
Fundamental Safety Winching Guidelines
The most important thing to consider during off-road winching is safety. Some of the safety routines are by being methodical and knowing to stop when in doubt. Here are some winching safety guidelines to start you on the right road:
- Tightly respooling the winch cable around the winch drum is the first step. However, respooling should only be done when the vehicle is under load. Going this route ensures that no gaps show in the spooled cable, preventing them from being bound or pinched.
- A tree-saver strap should always be used when anchoring to the base of a rock or tree. The winch should never be directly wrapped around the anchor point.
UV4x4 offers 4WD winches. Call us if you are planning to purchase one.