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Winch or recovery strap?

3K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  Flipper 
#1 ·
So Friday my yearly Chrysler bonus hits and I'm buying jeep toys. I've been eyeballing the RRO bumper for months now, and as usual, my train of thought went as follows:

-RRO bumper? **** yeah!
-Well, the pre-runner plate isn't that much more, I should get that too
-Hmm...it says it isn't as strong without the winch kit, I should upgrade
-It doesn't really make sense to buy the winch kit without the winch, so I might as well get a winch. The VR8000 is fine
-Well, the fairlead on the VR8000S looks nicer, and it's a nicer system, and it's only a small upgrade

And before you know it, in a predictable fashion I've walked myself from option to option and I'm up a thousand dollars in equipment and go woa, let's take another look lol.

Do I really need a winch? I already have a strap, shackles, and recovery points front and rear of my vehicle. What can a winch do better than what I already have, other than giving my car a badass look? I don't wheel alone, because part of the fun is going with friends Unless you count the beach, which I do to alone, but even if I got stuck, it's not like I have any trees to get myself unstuck with. So a winch would be no more beneficial than my recovery strap I already have.

I don't know the pulling limit of the Trailhawk strap off the top of my head, but I know it is more than what the VR8000S is capable of pulling. A winch would put a strain on the electrical system, and takes longer to set up than a strap does. However, a winch can be used at varying lengths, while a strap's length is fixed.

What other benefits and drawbacks am I missing to both the winch and strap? Basically, give me a winching 101. Money isn't an issue, I'm prepared to spend the money, but I don't want to spend needlessly either.
 
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#2 ·
That's my decision making process. I usually start looking at the base model, and before you know it I'm at the most expensive tier having walked myself up one step at a time. By the way, did you ever get my message? I had some questions about your switch panel.
 
#3 ·
I think in the end its the same answer for everything - your money, your car, your happiness.

Personally, outside of looking cool I can't think of a time I'd need a winch with what the KL could do. Sure, there might be times it came in handy, and would give the KL some cred, but nothing a standard strap and a good friend on the trail couldn't do. I thought about getting one, but decided to just save my money for a really nice winch setup on a Wrangler one day, that I know I'll use.

If you want some versatility, you could get a nice WARN and a multi-mount. Then you could just move it around as needed. If you are on a tight trail you can really only help the folks directly in front of you with a set winch (think Peter's Mill. If that Lexus hadn't had a winch, it would be some car kung fu to get one in place). So just because you have one on a ride, doesn't mean it is always useful. And if you are on a trail where you can maneuver around, why not just use a strap?

If you really want an expert opinion, head up to Rausch and take Kyle's basic recovery class. If I hadn't taken it, I probably would have gotten a winch. Afterwards, I realized I probably didn't need it and built out my recovery kit with his advice instead. (http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/66-off-road/203434-off-road-kl-recovery-kit.html). Kyle suggested the multi-mount option if I really wanted one. Either way, if you do get it, I'd recommend his advanced recovery where you take your winch out and hammer it to see what it can do. Then you can rescue me! :)
 
#4 ·
Thanks. Other than looks, it's turning out to look like I would never use one, as a strap is stronger, more versatile, and most importantly, already in my car lol.

@myfirstcherokee, pm???
 
#6 · (Edited)
@IRSmart
Well it seems you posted this at the exact right time! I was just looking at the RRO winch mount and the 8000 winch they recommended... I was sitting here, trying to justify buying it! (Lol, I may still do it at some point, but I don't like their brush guard!)

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
There are many times a quick tug with a recovery strap is all that was needed. However, there has also been times on the trail where only self recovery was possible. All it takes is a muddy off-camber and it becomes impossible for someone to assist without also pulling themselves into harm. A winch and snatch-blocks are often the fix. IMO, a winch is a requirement for trail riding even though it sits unused for most of it's life. It's like insurance....
 
#8 ·
Well, after further reflection, I have decided against a winch at this time. I just don't see myself in a situation where I would ever need it. I just placed an order with RRO (who is presently 6-8 weeks out for anyone interested at this time) for the bumper and pre-runner plate. However, thinking ahead, I ordered the bumper with the winch mount so I can upgrade in the future. Per the gentleman I spoke with on the phone, I was required to order the bumper kits FOR the winch, even though I wasn't going to be adding a winch, because the non-winch bumpers bolt up differently and everything needs to "match" when ordering. So I ordered the winch bumpers and also the fairlead hole blocking plate. This way I can always upgrade later if I want for just the cost of the winch, and I can get a rockstar deal on a VR8000S through one of my venders at work if I ever decide to upgrade.
 
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#9 ·
However, thinking ahead, I ordered the bumper with the winch mount so I can upgrade in the future.
That's smart. I didn't think I would need a winch but the more solo overlanding trips I do, the more scared I get about not being able to self rescue with the sand tracks. Now I'll have to get a whole new bull bar -- but at lease we're supporting RRO. :)
 
#12 ·
None, actually. I decided that I never wheel alone unless I'm on the beach, and even then a winch wouldn't help me since there are no trees around to self-recover with. I reallocated the funds for a set of rock rails which should be here tomorrow. Had I gone the winch route, I would have done the VR8000S
 
#13 ·
We were on a beach and bogged with no one else around and a winch fitted. We buried the spare tire and used that as the anchor point, it worked.
 
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