Adding a Winch to Your Self-Recovery Kit

Not to Mention Your Jeep

By Jerry Smith

Your new (or new to you) Jeep is out in the driveway calling you to take it out Jeeping.  Even in stock condition a Jeep Wrangler is a very capable wheeling machine.

But all machines have their limitations. If you have never had a 4-wheel drive stuck, count your lucky stars.  Self-Recovery can be a serious situation… or if you are properly equipped, not such a big deal.

You’ll likely be going out before a lift kit and tires are installed.  So what would be a great addition to your Jeep that would make sense?

         Well… you aren’t going to have a lot of ground clearance until the suspension and larger tires are in place.  What does that tell you?

         Do you think you might get stuck more than the guys who have their rigs lifted and shod with the big rubber?  That would be a “Yes”!

         Taking that thought to the next level, where do you think you might go when you get the lift and big tires?

         Did you just see yourself on a class 6 or 7 trail?  How many times do you think you’ll have an opportunity to get into a jam on a class 7 trail? 

         Let me tell you… “A Whole bunch of times”!  You are going to be high centered on large rocks or off the side of the road many times if that is where you wish to go. 

And you will find some obstacles just plain won’t allow you over without some assistance.  Here your Self-recovery kit can be used simply for forward progress.

In 40+ years of wheeling, the learning curve has not curved downward yet.  I get into “circumstances” and have “issues” all the time.  Half the fun is pressing the envelope. I know of nobody who has “done-it-all”.

         In fact, if you don’t occasionally push the limits, you are just a “looky-lou”.  Enjoy the view!

So where would that assistance come from?

         Well, you should have a brand new shiny Hi-Lift Jack that will “assist”.  That would do it, BUT!

         Come on… let’s get real!  That jack is for emergency use… Got that?

         In every Self-Recovery kit, what we really need is a good winch.  What do I mean by that you ask?

         Well I could tell you some stories about winches and winch wanta-bes.  (I hate wanta-bes, don’t you)  Let’s leave those stories for another day.

Let us begin with a “good” winch.

Recovering from a roll-over almost always requires a winch.

         A “good” winch will work whenever called upon.  After all, when you need a winch, it’s almost a given that you are in some kind of a bind.

         Now you have to take into account that the perfect piece of machinery has yet to be built, but we are looking for “reliable”.

There are a number of cheap winches out there.  Unless they are from a known brand name winch company, my advice is to stay away from the cheapest winch you can find.  Having watched the super cheap winches in the field, it is easy to say that they will often let you down when you need them the most.

Bottom line; buy the best winch you can afford. Don’t waste your money on something that is likely to fail and need replacing anyway. (and you are still needing to be extricated)

Look at it like this.  Wheeling is more fun than you can measure.  You should have fun when you go out and you can challenge yourself and your rig while doing it.

But you must always remember that there are dangers lurking out there too.  If you do any kind of serious wheeling, you will eventually become a victim of those dangers.  Often, a winch is the only way out of the situation.  A burned out electrical motor or switch on a cheap winch is just dead weight.  You absolutely need a reliable winch!

Do your research before buying a winch.  Your life could actually depend on that decision.

Happy Trails to you.

Remember this, when you come to a fork in the road, take it!