4000 lbs winch enough?

[ArmArak]

Hey guys,

I have a question about the best option for a winch. I don't wheel very often or hard but I like the utility of having a winch. I'm stuck on how strong of a winch I need. It seems like most people are using 8000lbs +.

My question is... will a 4000-5000 lbs winch be enough? My plan is to keep a snatch block handy (to double my power when needed) and a winch rope extender to compensate for the lost length. The reason I want a low power winch is because of their compact size, weight, and cost.

Or should I just buy a 8k winch lol.

Let me know your thoughts,
thanks!

 

[3bears]

the smitty built 10k with synthetic is a very good wench.

 

[WeakSauz]

the smitty built 10k with synthetic is a very good wench.

+1. Yes, the Smittbilt is a Chinese manufactured winch, but I think it is possibly the best bang-for-buck winch out there. 10k w/ synthetic line is plenty, or 12k if your budget allows and your bumper can fit it (it's not that much more)

Edit: OH YEAH, and a lifetime warranty on smittybilts

 

[ArmArak]

Yup for sure the smittybilt winches look really good but It looks like if I put a 4000 lbs winch instead of a 10000 lbs ill save over 50lbs of weight.

Also I should have mentioned that I'm planning to put it under the stock bumper, so compact size is also an important factor. Do you think 4000lbs + snatch block will be enough?

 

[WeakSauz]

Yup for sure the smittybilt winches look really good but It looks like if I put a 4000 lbs winch instead of a 10000 lbs ill save over 50lbs of weight.

Also I should have mentioned that I'm planning to put it under the stock bumper, so compact size is also an important factor. Do you think 4000lbs + snatch block will be enough?

Maaan you really need to look up Albert Pigman on Facebook (AMP'd UP, LLC)

He makes a great winch plate for the stock 99-2002 bumper.

People have put a Smittybilt 12k behind the stock fat-lip bumper, easy with his plates

 

[calimobber]

I have owned many winches and pulled out/dug out more cars that I rememer. It all depends on what your stuck in.

If your stuck in deep mud a 5k winch may struggle but 3/1 pully system would help for sure just take more time( wit will get you out of 99% consdition also).

I honestly do not carry a winch anymore as I mostly drive dry desert /sandy conditions and I just drive smart and im good. The only time I have ever needed one was in the mud and im just smarter now. Most times I needed one I never had enough cable/rope to reach anything anyways.

( yeah I know I can make a dead man or somthing but I was never in super need and just callled for help)


My advice is is forget the winch unless your planning to really pushing the conditions in mud. A simple bottle jack and some rocks can get you out of any sand. Or better yet but some max tracks.

I just dont want to carry all that weight all the time for very little use.

 

[stuckinthemud]

I built and installed a front tow hitch on my 97. I carry a 5000 lb harbor freight winch in a large tool bag that I through in the back when I'm going anywhere near a mountain or trail. I can put the winch on the front or the back. I've used with and without a snatch block several times pulling other vehicles out without a problem. You have be careful not to overload it.
I probably should have bought the 9000 lb, but I did not want handle the extra weight when installing it on the tow hitch.

 

[rideexileex]

Unless you have the extras already, I'm sure that a 4k winch + snatch block + line extender is going to cost more than just a simple 8k winch...

 

[4runnin4mylife]

Unless you have the extras already, I'm sure that a 4k winch + snatch block + line extender is going to cost more than just a simple 8k winch...

I'm definitely on the same page as this guy here. If you have none of the other items, I would just go 8k winch and be done with it. By the time you got the other gear you really aren't saving any money. If weight is the main factor, then figure out what your threshold for weight is and get the biggest winch that fits that criteria. I am just picturing being stuck, having my 4k winch to use, and it still won't get me unstuck from my situation when the time comes. It's your call, but I would go 8k or better everyday!

 

[sleepydad]

Hey guys,

I have a question about the best option for a winch. I don't wheel very often or hard but I like the utility of having a winch. I'm stuck on how strong of a winch I need. It seems like most people are using 8000lbs +.

My question is... will a 4000-5000 lbs winch be enough? My plan is to keep a snatch block handy (to double my power when needed) and a winch rope extender to compensate for the lost length. The reason I want a low power winch is because of their compact size, weight, and cost.

Or should I just buy a 8k winch lol.

Let me know your thoughts,
thanks!

I just put a 10K smitty on the front of my truck. have not had a chance to test on her yet. I have owned a couple of cheaper lesser powered winches before. don't under rate your winch and think you can make up for the loss with force multipliers. if your running the winch at it's limit it will overheat and or wear out much faster. been there done that.

1997 Sketchy SleepyDad build

mounting them and getting it all setup is a pain but it's worth it to size the winch to the truck outright. IMO. as an extra if possible get one with the wireless remote it's the bomb.

 

[Sky]

My plan is to keep a snatch block handy (to double my power when needed)

A single snatch block does NOT double your pulling power.

 

[JZiggy]

A single snatch block does NOT double your pulling power.

But it doubles the pulling force minus minor frictional losses. Just takes twice as much line to do the same work.

 

[3bears]

Maaan you really need to look up Albert Pigman on Facebook (AMP'd UP, LLC)

He makes a great winch plate for the stock 99-2002 bumper.

People have put a Smittybilt 12k behind the stock fat-lip bumper, easy with his plates

what....wait....he makes a plate to put a winch behind the fat limp...wow...wait...i need more info like ...now as this could change my plans big time

 

[ArmArak]

A single snatch block does NOT double your pulling power.

I fully understand the physics behind it. A single snatch block WILL double the pulling force because it provides a mechanical advantage. Obviously the winch isn't getting more powerful!

 

[3bears]

Maaan you really need to look up Albert Pigman on Facebook (AMP'd UP, LLC)

He makes a great winch plate for the stock 99-2002 bumper.

People have put a Smittybilt 12k behind the stock fat-lip bumper, easy with his plates

sorry ...not meaning to thread jack, but the facebook listed above replied and has no idea what we are talking about'
its kind of related as it deals with winch stuff

edit: there is a Amp'd llc...not amp'd up llc...the first makes t shirts....my error

 

[sleepydad]

sorry ...not meaning to thread jack, but the facebook listed above replied and has no idea what we are talking about'
its kind of related as it deals with winch stuff

edit: there is a Amp'd llc...not amp'd up llc...the first makes t shirts....my error

I was totally ready to build my own plate just like that one and keep my stock bumper maybe 2 weeks ago. then I order an addicted offroad front tube bumper so... that happened.

still the basic winch mounted plate thing looks great and it only adds minimal weight + winch. I like it.

 

[DBT4R]

I was just in the market for a budget winch and snagged up the prior model (gen 2 ) Smittybuilt 9500 for $260 off amazon.

As a general rule, you want your winch rated at at least 1.5x the gross weight of your vehicle, but doubling it is ideal. Remember they are rated at 0% grade pulling weight, so if pulling out of mud, over rocks, or just uphill, will add strain. At a 10% grade, most winches pulling power is reduced by half!

Sure a snatchblock will help, and effectively double the power (while cutting speed in half), but there are situations you may need a snatchblock with a larger winch because it's not quite enough. Just imagine climbing a ledge, needing your winch, and that little 4k snaps half way up...could be nasty! I'd rather have the security of a properly sized winch, than save a couple lbs, it's not like we are building race cars here.

 

[Sky]

But it doubles the pulling force minus minor frictional losses. Just takes twice as much line to do the same work.

I fully understand the physics behind it. A single snatch block WILL double the pulling force because it provides a mechanical advantage. Obviously the winch isn't getting more powerful!

Ok- I am puzzled- if one uses a single pulley to, say lift a 100lb load, it still takes 100 lbs of force to do it. IOW if 2ft of line is pulled in the load still moves 2ft.

It does seem places like Warn's site says it double pulling power so I'll have to agree I was wrong. I still don't get it though!
Off to study.....

 

[JZiggy]

Ok- I am puzzled- if one uses a single pulley to, say lift a 100lb load, it still takes 100 lbs of force to do it. IOW if 2ft of line is pulled in the load still moves 2ft.

It does seem places like Warn's site says it double pulling power so I'll have to agree I was wrong. I still don't get it though!
Off to study.....

Start by clarifying the difference between force, work/energy, and power.

I hate it when marketing folks use the wrong mechanical term. Sounds like that's what Warn did here. This would be like saying shifting into 4LO gives you 2.7x the *power* as 4HI (hint: it don't).

 

[ArmArak]

Ok- I am puzzled- if one uses a single pulley to, say lift a 100lb load, it still takes 100 lbs of force to do it. IOW if 2ft of line is pulled in the load still moves 2ft.

It does seem places like Warn's site says it double pulling power so I'll have to agree I was wrong. I still don't get it though!
Off to study.....

Why Snatch Blocks are AWESOME (How Pulleys Work) - Smarter Every Day 228 - YouTube

This video should clear it up. This guy's really good.