How often do you use your winch?

Hello everyone,

As the title says, how often you use your winch after mounting it, what's the downside of having it mounted permanently? will it degrade by the element? did the bill got bigger with more things to add to your truck? I understand there is a reason to go through all these modification and cutting to mount a new bumper, and now add a winch.
I guess the question for fellows who did this project already, what advice do you have for someone following your footsteps?

Thanks in advance

 

winches are one of those things... you dont have it you need it, you do have it you never use it.

 

I installed mine in April and have needed it twice. First time I put myself in a vulnerable spot knowing I had it if I needed it. The other time was unexpected and I was able to save a neighbor a recovery bill in the thousands when he tried to drive his Bronco off the side of a mountain. If you are out working or playing where people can get stuck, it’s the best tool you can have assuming you can operate it safely.

 

That’s good to know, thanks guys. Is the current battery good enough to supply the winch? Did anyone have issues with truck warranty?
Also, I think warn and badland are good options but price wise very far apart

 

I already had upgraded to a high quality AGM before I added the winch and was out of warranty so I’m not much help in those issues. Heavy winching is hard on the electrical system but no way I’d want to winch with the truck off just using a battery if I’m relying on that battery to get me home.

 

wait you what? Did you get another truck?

 

It can rust away....its all Plastic

 

I’ve had my winch for maybe three years and used it once to rescue a 4Runner. But the peace of mind is invaluable when I’m offroad, which is a lot. Quick test before I go out and it’s all good. Badland 12K. Only thing I have to replace soon is the synthetic line which replaced the included steel line. It is exposed to the sun at the hook and doesn’t look as trustworthy as I’d like.

 

I’ve used mine 2 times since installing it back in March 2023. Both times were due to snow on the trail, the second time it was over 3 hours to move 100 feet through a tough section. If you off-road you need a winch, unless you want to be dependent upon others and walk out. I decided to try out the Badlands synthetic and it worked like a champ for my tough section. I have the CBI Covert bumper and I have just the stock battery but you always keep the engine running when winching.



Winches can be dangerous, I put the hood up in case the line broke and a pulley came back at me. I had to use extensions and the pulley, line, winch, front of the truck was creaking under the strain till finally the truck launched 6 feet forward in less than a second like a bomb went off. It was nuts.

 

Congrats! I look forward to the new truck tales