Off-road driving can sometimes be fun, especially for those that want to try something new besides driving fast cars on the road. However, driving off-road can also be troublesome occasionally, as you may encounter mud and other types of terrain that would be difficult for your vehicle to get out of.
Fortunately, there is one particular device that drivers can utilize in order to get their vehicles out of the mud and rough terrain. This device is called a winch, which has a hook that is attached to a durable cable that can be lengthened or shortened via a rotating drum. Once you hook the winch and wrap some portions of the cable to a sturdy location, like a large tree, you can then shorten the cable so that the winch can pull you out of the mud while you are driving forward.
The winch is a very useful device for off-road driving, so it is important for every 4×4 vehicle to have it. If your off-road truck doesn’t have one, then you are probably reading this guide in hopes of buying a winch soon. To help you choose the correct device, here are some tips for buying a winch.
Types of Winches
Before we get into the intricacies of truck winches, we must first discuss the types of winches that you can buy so that you won’t accidentally buy the wrong type of winch for your truck. The most common type is the electric winch, which gathers power from your car battery in order to operate properly. While they are still reliable, electric winches are usually built using cheaper materials and thus are more affordable than the second type of winch. In addition, electric winches would typically have a cooldown period, so you will need to turn it off every now and then since they cannot be utilized for longer periods of time.
The other type is the hydraulic winch, which utilizes the vehicle’s hydraulic fluid and to run. The biggest advantage that hydraulic winches have over electric winches is that it is made with more durable materials. However, because of their relatively pricey parts, hydraulic winches are much more expensive than electric ones. However, investing in a hydraulic winch is recommended by many experts, as it can be used even if the tool is submerged in water and it doesn’t overheat.
Pulling Capacity
An important tip that you should follow when buying truck winches is to determine the pulling capacity of both the winch and your truck. The winch should be able to pull at least two times the weight of your truck. So, if your truck weighs about 6,000 kilograms, then the winch should be able to pull 12,000 kilograms of weight. This pulling capacity ensures that the winch will be reliable to pull you out of the mud and rough terrain with ease.
Types of Cable
Winches can come with different kinds of cables, and two of the most popular types are made of steel and synthetic materials. Steel cables are the most durable out of the two popular types, and it is much easier to replace since it is fairly common in automotive supply stores.
Synthetic cables are made of artificial materials like plastic, so they may not be as durable as steel cables. However, synthetic cables are much lighter than steel ones, so they don’t add too much weight to the winch, as the cables being too heavy may damage or cause problems for the tool.
Gear System or Pulling Speed
The next aspect of the winch that you need to take a look at is the gear system, which is responsible for actually pulling the cables back to their original position. There are currently two types of gear systems that you can buy, and these are planetary gear and worm gear. Planetary gear pulls faster than the worm gear, but it often suffers from overheating, so it is not recommended for long pulls that would often take more than 20 minutes.
On the other hand, the worm gear doesn’t have any overheating issues, so it is great for long pulls. But, the downside to the worm gear is that it has a slow pull, so it may take you longer to pull your truck out of the mud compared to utilizing a planetary gear system.
Controls
The controls of the winch determine how easy it is to use, so it is important for you to get a closer look at how to control the winches that you are considering buying for your truck. The most abundant type of controls is the wired version, wherein the controller of the winch should be connected to your car in order to operate. The other version is the wireless controls, which allow you to control the winch even if you are a few meters away from the vehicle and the winch.
Reviews
The last tip that we can give you is to always read or watch reviews of specific winches that you are eyeing before making a purchase. Through reviews, you wouldn’t make a mistake in buying winches, as you will be sure that what you will be getting is already approved and trusted by multiple reviewers online.
Choosing the most suitable winch for your truck is not that easy, as there are several steps that you need to do it properly. Always remember to don’t rush your purchases when it comes to your vehicle, as one wrong product, tool or accessory may just cause more damage to it. Follow the tips we provided above so that you can have a better idea of what you will need for your truck.