When is a winch a good investment? and what other mods are useful?

[mudmancrash]

Don't buy one to build your confidence. Many have learned the hard way that recovery gear is often used after an avoidable situation has already happened. We almost ended up in the same "boat" on a risky stream crossing. We were overconfident because we had some gear... duh.

We subsequently bought our winch with two things in mind: (1) we might be in a position to help someone else out, and (2), self-recovery in an unforeseen extreme situation. So far, we haven't used it, and we hope it is never used as our last resort.

 

[Tonyl11]

I'm in the same boat. 2 month old trd prem. already did lift, falken atw3 tires, rci skids and sliders. have all the recovery gear (ropes, tow, tree saver, traction boards, etc) but so far have only gone off road with people. i did need a small tug Saturday and it was super easy to just run the strap tot eh guy in front of me but.....having a winch just in case is worth it.

i don't want to add another 100-150 pounds on top of what I've already added (this is my DD) so looking at hidden as well. SDHQ seems to be one of the best options out there. its light, reasonable lead time, and decently priced. that and a smittybuilt x20 and I'm into it for around 1k. doing the install myself.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

I'd be all over that BUT -
BudBuilt says the hidden mount only fits up through 2013, will NOT fit 2014+

then -
HWMS – Hidden Winch Mount Specialist – Toyota 4Runner – 2014+


In 3 years I have used my winch to pull myself out 5 or 6 so times. Another 2x I have used it to attempt to pull others out.

It's key if you wheel/explore by yourself.

 

[Whoknows]

Keep in mind that when you rock a winch you will also have a much larger recovery bag as you'll need a tree protector, shackles and Snatch Block etc. so that too will eat some space..

Had such a funny moment. My teenage daughter was shoulder surfing and read the above sentence and said, “what ARE you reading about!

 

[Yfz54]

I just put a winch on my 4runner.

I often go into the mountains to play in the snow and mud in the winter months. I have been stuck twice over the years, where I couldn't self recover and was very lucky that someone happened to cross my path. (no service and not many friends that can get to where I can and also pull me out).

This is what I went with after I got stuck a few weeks ago in about 20" of snow, truck was sliding sideways into a tree, and the sun was going down fast.

Toyota 4Runner 5G Venture Series Bumper

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-9...H7N9EQ1CB6P&psc=1&refRID=6P47MZXZBH7N9EQ1CB6P

I already had clevices, short and long tow straps in my recovery bag.

 

[Yfz54]

They have special going on this month for that bumper.

It was $575 shipped with some free a-arms skids and couple stocking stuffers.

 

[nevada]

my situation is probably the exact opposite. many trees in run down forest roads with snow/mud and no one around for miles. Especially in the winter. Not many, if any people are out there camping in 20 degree to negatives typically. I enjoy the cold though. I think my biggest concern is that because there is no one around and there is no cell reception either, not having a winch or recovery gear could end up a big problem for me. But a good winch to work with hidden setup would be about 1700 + the mount.

yes, get a winch. but $1700 could get you several. haha.

there are a ton of great budget winches out there. $350 will get you a good one. for your prescribed use, there is no reason to get a $1k+ winch.

 

[jdm-v35]

yes, get a winch. but $1700 could get you several. haha.

there are a ton of great budget winches out there. $350 will get you a good one. for your prescribed use, there is no reason to get a $1k+ winch.

Only problem is without the remote clutch system, using hidden winch, you need to cut holes somewhere.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

Only problem is without the remote clutch system, using hidden winch, you need to cut holes somewhere.

The hole you have to cut is out of sight since it is in the giant plastic piece under the hood - right up front over the radiator area. Hole saw takes care of this nicely.

Super easy to reach in to plug in the remote and/or flip the spool/unspool switch.


You need a winch, I can tell, now when you say "hold my beer, watch this," you know if you get stuck you can get out.

 

[Drobs]

I've used my Warn winch twice since buying it over the summer to help others.

1st time was to pull a huge AC unit off back of my buddy's pickup.
2nd time was to winch another friend's 2wd pickup back onto his driveway.

I say get it. You don't want to be that guy living off of Taco Bell Sauce trapped in your 4Runner. We will laugh with/at you...

Oregon man survives off taco sauce while trapped in vehicle with dog for 5 days - CNN

In regards to the traction boards. In your case, I'd look into a ladder on the rear of your vehicle. I want one just to mount fuel cans to but it would also work for mounting traction boards.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

I've used my Warn winch twice since buying it over the summer to help others.

1st time was to pull a huge AC unit off back of my buddy's pickup.
2nd time was to winch another friend's 2wd pickup back onto his driveway.

I say get it. You don't want to be that guy living off of Taco Bell Sauce trapped in your 4Runner. We will laugh with/at you...

Oregon man survives off taco sauce while trapped in vehicle with dog for 5 days - CNN

In regards to the traction boards. In your case, I'd look into a ladder on the rear of your vehicle. I want one just to mount fuel cans to but it would also work for mounting traction boards.

Just think what that guy could have avoided with a winch. But then again even a shovel would have helped him out.

Pre- winch we used to do some snow wheeling in the spring on forest service roads that are open to snowmobiles all winter. By this time there would be a hard packed base from use all winter. You could air down and stay up pretty easily, except when you strayed off the packed base and fell thru into soft snow many feet deep. This would require digging out underneath the entire rig all the way down to dirt. Plus make a run up/ramp back up onto the packed snow again. My worst stuck was 6 hours. I'll take a Winch please

 

[Bumbo]

I didn’t read this entire thread but I had random thoughts regarding recovery gear from my own experiences…

I always think recovery gear is expensive until I actually need it. If you spend the money and invest in it, and have an opportunity to use it, it usually pays for itself on the first use.

If you have ever got a quote for specialty off-road tow services it will leave you with sticker shock. I did once, long story short, I just kept digging.

Bottom line, I learned it’s like insurance, it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

With a limited budget it is difficult to prioritize what to get first. Only you can answer that question as it changes based on where you go, what you like to do, who you go with, and how crazy you like to get.

 

[Globetrotter78]

my situation is probably the exact opposite. many trees in run down forest roads with snow/mud and no one around for miles. Especially in the winter. Not many, if any people are out there camping in 20 degree to negatives typically. I enjoy the cold though. I think my biggest concern is that because there is no one around and there is no cell reception either, not having a winch or recovery gear could end up a big problem for me. But a good winch to work with hidden setup would be about 1700 + the mount.

Might I also recommend looking into a personal HAM radio (BaoFeng units on Amazon are well rated and inexpensive). They DO require you learn how to use them and get a "license" but in remote locations at dangerously low temps like yours they could be a critical last line of defense. Just my $0.02

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - once you have a winch, you'll never have a 4x4 without one. It just makes life easy and low stress. It's rare that you can get stuck in a way a winch can't get you out of.

The first steps of going off road are making sure your vehicle is safe and reliable. If you have a 5th gen - you're most likely already there. I would choose a winch as my first mod. Before a lift, before tires, etc. Especially if you go out alone. It's true that you can get un-stuck a lot of different ways. But a winch is as close to a universal tool for getting unstuck as there is. It's not cheap. And many people will never use it. But I'd take a winch over almost any other option for my typical off road travels.

 

[Bumbo]

Might I also recommend looking into a personal HAM radio (BaoFeng units on Amazon are well rated and inexpensive). They DO require you learn how to use them and get a "license" but in remote locations at dangerously low temps like yours they could be a critical last line of defense. Just my $0.02

Being a licenced HAM, I don't disagree with what you said, but a much better tool for emergency use is a 2-way satellite communicator.

I use a Garmin inReach mini, it runs off the iridium satellite constellation which is badass in its own right. It's an amazing tool and substantially easier and less stressful to use than a HAM radio in a true emergency or as a general purpose safety device.

The main reason I own and maintain a SAT com device in addition to HAM radio for is:

Speed in a true emergency
Global coverage without needing to know radio repeater data in your area
SOS function is monitored by GEOS (its like a satellite 911 center)
My location is automatically sent on all messages and SOS
Family can keep track of me via a web portal
You can use it as a SAT modem for texting via my smartphone when no cell service is available.
I have paid insurance for search and rescue as part of the service
I can get paid insurance for medical transport
Its affordable (compared to a satellite phone)
Its reliable and great for non-HAMS

 

[mrblah]

1. snatch strap
2. tow strap
3. shovel
4. cheapo recovery board
5. cheapo shittybuilt winch
6. cheapo air compressor.

will get you out of most situations, as long as your rubber side is facing down.