What to Consider Before Investing in a Winch

We understand that choosing the right winch to keep you safe and moving can be an important and well-thought out decision. There are many factors to consider before making a purchase, which is why we have created a list to make things easier for you.

Compatibility

When looking at a winch, the first thing you must consider is whether it is compatible with your vehicle's make and model. This is because the mounting system is different depending on the vehicle's structure. The wrong winch system on your vehicle may also have faulty electrics so even if the winch looks right from the outside, please make sure it is actually compatible with your vehicle on the inside.

Capacity

Winches come with different capacities such as 9,500lb, 10,000lb, 12,000lb and 15,000lb. You must make sure the winch you purchase has enough capacity to pull your vehicle. The general rule of thumb is that a winch should pull at least 1.5 times the weight of your vehicle, but obviously the more weight it can pull, the better.

It is also handy to note that most 4WD's can carry a load of around 500-800kg, however you should consider checking the weight your vehicle can hold, as well as how much weight can be held on the front-end of it.

Rope

Make sure the rope length you choose is sufficient, this again depends on the weight of your vehicle but should be more than 6 meter and ideally reach the 25-30 meter mark. There are online calculators that can help you figure this out. You should also investigate the material the rope is made from, which is often steel, kinetic rope or snatch straps. We recommend synthetic ropes as they are engineered to be very safe, durable and stretchable.

Ease to install and operate

No one wants to invest in something that will be a hassle to set up. Make sure that the winch you install is not only easy to mount to your vehicle, but will also be easy to operate in high-suspense situations. This includes the consideration of electrical set-up as well. Some brands over-do the features of a winch, making it too expensive and too complex to understand in a stressful situation. Keeping it simple, effective and high-quality is the key.