Do NOT Buy an Off-Road Winch || Watch First

Before you buy an off-road winch, make sure guys watch the full video! Many people think that you need to drop a decent amount of money on a winch to have a proper way to recover your vehicle, but here are a few other ways you can do so without a winch. Let us know if you guys have on your recovery a vehicle WITHOUT using a winch and which way you would recommend others using!

#offroadwinch #offroadrecovery #trailbuilt

[michaeltuggle]

I am very tired of hearing about equipment that catches the ire of fellow hobbiests. Sticking a warn sticker over another brand of winch, people giving others a bunch of bs over smittybilt bilt winches, etc. Run what you want or can afford. Surround yourself with others who have respect for you and when something fails, they are there to help you get out of a pickle, not to scorn you over some particular piece of equipment. We all have some sort of resource limitation-mechanical ability, financial ability, etc. just help others, is that so hard?

[SuperDad]

I’m runnin the 12k badlands winch on my 93’ XJ and 100% regret not getting one on every 4x4 rig I’ve ever owned, I’ve used it to pull almost a dozen rigs from being stuck over this last winter alone. I’ve used it for my own rig several times of getting stuck or needing just a little extra support to not break stuff. The best investment I’ve ever made by far.

[stephenwilliamson]

As a guy who is 100% new to 4x4 vehicles and wheeling, beyond driving a humvee in the military, I really appreciate these videos. There’s a lot of new things to learn about and it can be a bit overwhelming. I bought my Gladiator in December and it’ll be a slow process modding it out, as I have limited disposable income. But I’m excited about the possibilities.

[justinsmith]

From plucking zero turn mowers out of ditches on Saturday mornings to dragging a pickup truck back on the road that bottomed out turning around almost backing off the cliff, my winch always saves the day. It’s an incredible tool. Of all mods, I recommend getting a winch first. You’re better off thanking God for having a winch than praying someone comes along that does. I would go so far as to say that if you’re a homeowner that rarely goes offroad, a winch is still money well spent. These new-fangled synthetic setups really save on weight as well. Add a treesaver and a snatchblock and we now have a party. Safety is the name of the game.

[J-P]

I went 8 years without a winch, didnt really need one, as soon as I did get one I used it probably 6 times within first year, 4 times helping mates and twice for myself. Recovery could of been done other ways but it was always safer and easier to just use the winch. And with budget options available it is a no brainer fitting one especially if you do technical tracks

[JinxBlueRay]

I believe it's better to have it and not need it vs. needing it and not having it. Great video!

[makingmistakeswithgreg]

I ran without a winch for 7 years, been running with them for the last 10. Getting out of precarious situations was difficult without a winch. I have used a a highlift jack as a winch, it sucks. If there is any stretch in the rope/strap you hook it to it doesn’t work, you will burn up the whole length of the jack without rescuing your vehicle. They don’t give much control either. It sounded like a great idea until I did it a few times and realized it’s not. I have a bubba rope and I have pulled/been pulled out tons of times with it. Great tool as are most “stretching” recovery straps. They are useless unless you have a second vehicle and can’t be used with a manual jack to pull your vehicle out.

A winch is a must if you plan on wheeling alone at all or want to be self reliant. This past weekend I went wheeling for 4 days and had to use my winch 3 times for myself and 2 times for others. What took 5 minutes to recover would have been hours by hand. Not to mention I have been stuck in situations before where I couldn’t be recovered by a snatch strap, and if I didn’t have a winch I wouldn’t have been able to get out. I wheel harder trails than probably 99% of people so my needs are obviously different, but if you off road you will be glad you have a winch the first time you need it.

[TheSamuraieater]

I have a winch on my jeep, I've never needed it to get unstuck, but I have used it a ton of times. It's great for helping to redirect the way a tree falls when clearing them. The biggest use I've had for it so far has been getting animals out of gullies and valleys, I work with animals and it's amazing how many animals decide it's great to have a baby in the middle of a snow storm in the bottom of a valley and leave it or they go down there to die. Throw it in a sled and pull it up the hill with the winch rather than drag it up by hand

[jameshuggins]

When I was much younger ie; 30years ago a hilift is all I had and I quickly learned how how to use it 😅. I don't know if I'm any wiser but I am alot older you can have my winch when you pry it from my cold dead hands!🤣🤣🤣

[sierramantrvlnus]

I have a built Jeep and an off-road teardrop. And I solo travel. I've made use with just about anything available you get me out of predicaments. I found the winch to be a awesome peace to my kit of recovery. 12, 000-pound Warn with a snatch block can pretty much get me out of anything.
And yes, I have used it many many times. And it's not just for myself it's for my fellow Travelers I run across on the off-road.

[JEEP-N-DIRT]

Great info, but in this day and age the availability of so many "budget" winches, it kinda makes it hard not to go ahead and just buy an inexpensive ($200) winch and have a snatch block or two. Sure beats the manual labor and saves ALOT of time. In addition, it's probably safer given that to use a manual extraction method especially if traveling alone, means having to be out of the vehicle that's not in park or someone holding the brake. Imagine being on a hill trying to "hi-lift" winch your vehicle and the strap or rope breaks and no one inside to hold the brake. Yikes!.

[bobvedder]

When i put a winch on a vehicle, it's not just for self recovery or to help others. I use a winch to pull down "widow makers" when i am falling trees that hang up on other trees, as well as many other uses. I do use a "rope along" to pretension trees that are difficult to fall. I also have a chainsaw winch which is a good way to get exercise!

[jamesmazurstudios]

#1 Reduce your tire pressure - This can get you out of most small situations.
#2 Bring a shovel - Combined with nicely placed rocks your shovel and manual labour can get you out of most situations.
#3 Talk to the approximately FIFTY 4x4 owners that I have winched out of bad situations over the years.

[gab]

Just like my conceal carry id rather have a winch and never use it then not have one when I need it.

[tomandhistruck]

Having a winch is a life saver! Especially when you have front and rear lockers. Adding lockers to your rig is almost an invitation to try to get your rig stuck haha Good times :)

Proper recovery gear is paramount. Don't be a hero - just be amazing. I would NEVER hit a trail by my self or with friends without having a winch or proper recovery gear and tools. Here in the PNW, you can start the day in the high desert, run into some deep mud, rock fields, hill climbs and some tight, technical trails all in the same day. You never know what lies ahead of you if you are not familiar with the trails. Be ready for anything.

[Soothsayer-rsnb]

I’ve had winch for several years… absolutely love it. Pulled me out when wheeling alone and pulled out my trail mates also when wheeling in a group. Don’t leave home without one !

[tugdrivinj]

I put a Harbor Freight 12000 on a brand new Gladiator. I was going to buy something else but it was the height of covid shortages and that was the only one I could get locally. Loved it. Used it for a ton of stuff never ended up needing it for getting myself unstuck. Now I traded for a one ton. I feel like I am going to be spending a ton more.

[JT_Adventures]

I run alone a lot so I got a winch. I’ve only used it to help others in the past 4 years but am glad I have it.

[redneckwithajeep]

Bonus tip for a winch. If you are a deer hunter it makes hanging one up a lot easier

[joealuise]

I live in an area where all my offroading is literally dirt roads and puddles, that’s why I haven’t tried modding my jeep too far cuz Ik it’s a waste, it’s almost all stuff a stock wrangler sport could do, but when I installed a winch it did give me a sort of mental freedom to actually go looking for something that risks me getting stuck and actually caused me to need the winch once or twice, my mindset is even if you never use it, it’s still is there just incase and it gives you a sort of drive to find something gnarly to drive over