Winch alternatives? Input needed

[Hippestguyever]

Hello! Hope all is well in the 4runner world! I was looking into getting a winch since I typically go alone on my expeditions however I was wondering if there was any portable variants of it or something that can simply be hooked on to the frame in case I needed to be pulled out. I understand it will never be as strong as a traditional winch but any ideas/input you guys have will be much appreciated. I know there's winch mounts that go on stock bumper but I'm looking for something much more simpler than that. Thanks!

- Portable, where I can attach it to the frame
- fairly inexpensive
- long enough to where I can attach it to a nearby tree
- Goal: if I'm stuck, I can attach it to the frame and to a tree and pull myself out

 

[JSparky]

Not really, you’d be looking at a hand winch, or something that works like a hand winch (like a hi lift jack). I’d take a low-profile smittybilt or other economical winch over those options any day. Otherwise you’re stuck with traction devices or pure manual labor, no pun intended.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Wyeth-Scott More Power Puller
Turns out these guys are about 45 mins up the road from me. I went to the factory and they gave me a sweet deal on a blemished model (if you call ask for "special"). They were very helpful. I've not had a chance to use it yet, but after watching this I've no doubt about whether it can handle what I need.
Crossing the Darien Gap

 

[jhguth]

look at tirfor style hand winches

I'm still reviewing options but leaning towards the ARB Magnum Hand Winch
about $400 with cable, 5,300lbs pull capacity, 65' cable (with the ARB cable, this could be as long as you want to carry)

i also like the ^more power puller if you have the space, it's a little bulkier.

 

[nglayton]

Hello! Hope all is well in the 4runner world! I was looking into getting a winch since I typically go alone on my expeditions however I was wondering if there was any portable variants of it or something that can simply be hooked on to the frame in case I needed to be pulled out. I understand it will never be as strong as a traditional winch but any ideas/input you guys have will be much appreciated. I know there's winch mounts that go on stock bumper but I'm looking for something much more simpler than that. Thanks!

- Portable, where I can attach it to the frame
- fairly inexpensive
- long enough to where I can attach it to a nearby tree
- Goal: if I'm stuck, I can attach it to the frame and to a tree and pull myself out

Warn makes a nice portable unit xd9i-multi-mount-winch

However, the problem is "fairly inexpensive"

You are not going to find anything "fairly inexpensive" that will actually pull the T4R out of a sticky spot.

Also where do you store it, while waiting for a need?
I'm guessing it's pretty heavy to lug around........

 

[Jetboy]

https://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1...keywords=portable+winch&qid=1547740384&sr=8-2

$285.

Or

Winch https://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1...36?keywords=winch&qid=1547740437&sr=8-36&th=1

~$400
+

Mount https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KCHE43O/ref=psdc_15737591_t2_B008JCW9GY

$60

+ Wiring https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Countr...+kit&qid=1547740581&s=Home+Improvement&sr=1-9

$65

+
Front Hitch https://www.amazon.com/CURT-31367-F...ront+hitch&qid=1547740663&s=Automotive&sr=1-1

$170

=

Portable winch for ~ $700 that's a bit more capable. If the budget allows - get a winch with synthetic rope. It's a lot lighter weight to move around. Also I'd suggest getting the long wiring set so you can put the winch in either front or rear receiver hitch if you're going that route. A 4500lb ATV winch would probably work in most situations, but may not have enough grunt in extreme stuck situations.

 

[JPOVS]

Wyeth-Scott More Power Puller
Turns out these guys are about 45 mins up the road from me. I went to the factory and they gave me a sweet deal on a blemished model (if you call ask for "special"). They were very helpful. I've not had a chance to use it yet, but after watching this I've no doubt about whether it can handle what I need.
Crossing the Darien Gap

I bought one of these More Power Puller from a vendor during the Christmas sale. Very nice quality product. With this I can pull from any side of the vehicle and I can also use it with my trailer. I did buy the handle extension for easier pulling.

 

[Bumbo]

I keep a hi-lift with winching accessories with me... but I've been wanting to add a come along winch per a friends recommendation as well.

 

[MossJenks]

I've had a Wyeth-Scott for close to 30 years. They do work but can be a lot of work. When it's time to pull with my electric winch it's "woo hoo, winch time!". When it's time to pull with the hand winch it's "ah crap, guess we have to break out the hand winch".

 

[phillyd2]

Honestly, if you need a winch then get a proper winch. I did a hitch mount for my F250 since I don't need it with me 24/7.

 

[Hippestguyever]

Not really, you’d be looking at a hand winch, or something that works like a hand winch (like a hi lift jack). I’d take a low-profile smittybilt or other economical winch over those options any day. Otherwise you’re stuck with traction devices or pure manual labor, no pun intended.

Thanks for the input! Is there any particular Hand winches you like?

 

[Hippestguyever]

Wyeth-Scott More Power Puller
Turns out these guys are about 45 mins up the road from me. I went to the factory and they gave me a sweet deal on a blemished model (if you call ask for "special"). They were very helpful. I've not had a chance to use it yet, but after watching this I've no doubt about whether it can handle what I need.
Crossing the Darien Gap

This is great! Do you lug this in your 4runner? How heavy is this/ THanks!!

 

[Hippestguyever]

Thanks for the input! Have you had a chance to use it?

 

[Hippestguyever]

Thanks for the suggestion, Have you had any experience with something like the second option? I'm assuming you just bolt on the mount then bolt on the winch when you need it

 

[Hippestguyever]

Yeah I was debating just forking up and getting a traditional winch but my wife refuses (I know i shouldn't even be asking haha) but since its my everyday car the portable/hand winch might better suit my need?

 

[MossJenks]

A Wyeth-Scott weighs about 25lbs. I keep mine in a Rubbermaid Mini (8 gal) ActionPacker that still has plenty of room for other recovery gear. I have a frame mounted winch so I don't always carry it so now I have a separate case for my recovery gear. It comes with it's own snatch block so you can double it up on itself, and you'd definitely want to carry a winch extension rope. Here's mine in it's tote - business card for scale. It's nearly 30 years old and I am debating sending it back to them for a synthetic line and the new hardware.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

It's certainly lighter with the synthetic rope. Right now keep it in the truck in the original box in case I need it with the snow forecast. Need to pre-load the spool and find a proper case for it, but haven't had a chance yet.

 

[MAST4R]

What you get depends on what you need a winch for. Not for extreme rock crawling, apparently. Not for the obligatory spring mess because you are in CA. So, presumably you need it only as just in case. But where do you fear to be stuck in a 4Runner? Deep sand? There are other options. Rocks on normal difficult trails? Not happening with a Trail Edition. And if there is a rock slide blocking you, you can always go back. Mud? Easy to avoid really deep mud in the SW.

And what would you use as an anchor? Are you really be burying that spare tire? An artificial anchor setup will be an absolute pain to set up in the desert. And is heavy. Or you can buy an anchor but it will cost a few hundred dollars. And be bulky and heavy.

Finally, do you really want to take a 1-year old vehicle on trails where even a Trail/Offroad Edition may need a winch, like Montana in spring? They are tight trails with trees in ambush everywhere. The paint can be hard to protect on those in the best of weather.

If you really feel you want something, then the Power Puller is what I would get with a synthetic line. At least this unit has many uses beyond pulling a decently heavy vehicle by hand. You can pull stuff out of the way or use it with trailers, or whatever.

If I really expected to winch the 4R out of trouble regularly, I would get a hidden front mount and a winch in a cradle and switch it around.

The winch in a bag is a great concept but too light duty.

Again, if you do not fool around or choose obviously awful weather, getting a Trail Edition stuck in the Southwest will be an accomplishment. Low tire pressures and a shovel are extremely important for soft stuff and traction mats should help in sand too (can double as huge shovels). An air jack (with aftermarket skids) or a high-lift jack (with sliders) plus throwing stuff under the wheels are other, more "serious" options if it comes to that.

 

[Industrialwrench]

A come along or hand ratchet device will be wasted money. Hi lift jack will work but what a pain in the butt. In 05 with like 200 miles on my brand new rubicon TJ I got it stuck up to the frame in a muddy/boggy obstacle alone on the trail. 3 hours of digging and a couple hundred mosquito bites I gave up and left the thing there and hiked out. My daily driver, no top or doors, left over night in some freaking forest in Wisconsin. I bought 3 10,000 lbs hand ratchets like what’s pictured above and 5 20’ straps. I broke all of the ratchets pulling that thing out. I got it out but it took breaking all 3. My next purchase was a bummper and winch. I’ll never do that again. Aside from all of this, if you go out with multiple vehicles a simple tow strap will do the trick for less than $50.

 

[MAST4R]

A come along or hand ratchet device will be wasted money. Hi lift jack will work but what a pain in the butt. In 05 with like 200 miles on my brand new rubicon TJ I got it stuck up to the frame in a muddy/boggy obstacle alone on the trail. 3 hours of digging and a couple hundred mosquito bites I gave up and left the thing there and hiked out. My daily driver, no top or doors, left over night in some freaking forest in Wisconsin. I bought 3 10,000 lbs hand ratchets like what’s pictured above and 5 20’ straps. I broke all of the ratchets pulling that thing out. I got it out but it took breaking all 3. My next purchase was a bummper and winch. I’ll never do that again. Aside from all of this, if you go out with multiple vehicles a simple tow strap will do the trick for less than $50.

Thanks for sharing this spot-on experience. I have not had to experience anything like that, but it is textbook:

--it is forested areas in muddy season where a winch is a good idea;
--ratchets can easily brake and cause more than annoyance in the process.

Do you still have that TJ Rubie?