Top Recovery Picks for your Rig

While off-roading and overlanding have noticeable differences, they might best be described as two sides of the same coin. One side is a little more interested in testing mechanical limits and carefully strategizing the way through (or over) obstacles; the other side is looking to test personal limits and consciously experience every moment of the journey. Both, however, are looking for adventure – and both will test the laws of physics along the way.

Whether you’re trekking into the Outback for a month, or climbing the rocky face of a mountain on a Saturday afternoon, you will get stuck. Personally, we think that’s half the fun, but eventually you’ll want to get back on the road (or trail). In that case, here are our top picks for winches and related recovery gear accessories.

WINCHES

In our experience, veteran off-roaders and overlanders are generally friendly and helpful folks. They relish in using their knowledge and equipment to get the stuck unstuck. But relying exclusively on the assistance of others is a dangerous game, and self-sufficiency is a virtue out in the wild. A capable and reliable winch ensures you can perform self-recovery when needed, as well as pay it forward and help others when stuck.

WARN VR EVO

Despite branching out into the lighting, bumper, accessory and tire markets in the past few years, WARN is and always will be primarily a winch company – and for good reason. The brand’s products consistently rank high on quality and performance, showcasing some of the newest technology and features seen in the recovery market.

WARN winches break down into a good-better-best arrangement for shoppers. And while the premium offerings will deliver some impressive add-ons like advanced wireless control and a high-speed motor, the standard-duty VR EVO line is more than qualified for most off-roaders or overlanders.

Available in 8K – 12K pulling capacities, VR EVO features the lowest amp draw and fastest line speed under load of any previous generation of standard-duty WARN winch. It comes out of the box offering an IP68-rated waterproof construction for performance in all conditions and a hand-held corded remote with 11.5′ (3.5m) lead.

WARN VR EVO winches also come covered by a limited lifetime warranty – the best in the industry, and they’re available at a price that won’t destroy your budget.

TrailFX Reflex 2.0

TrailFX first introduced its Reflex series of winches in 2017, unveiling a piece of recovery equipment with what we believe was the best-looking housing in the market. Our original sentiment holds true for the 2.0 version as well.

Introduced in early 2021, the Reflex 2.0 upgrades the prior generation with lower amp draw, faster line speeds, a load indicator warning light, automatic braking system and LED auxiliary light. Both wired and wireless remote options are available, and that stylish housing is IP68-certified for water and dust resistance. Reflex 2.0’s mechanical parts come backed by a limited lifetime warranty, with limited 6-year coverage on electrical parts.

Modern, durable, and available in 9500-lb. and 12000-lb. pulling capacities, with steel or Dyneema synthetic rope, this winch makes a great addition to any rig. And since it starts at under $600, you’ll be able to splurge on a whole slew of recovery gear to make your pulling much more efficient and safer.

RECOVERY ACCESSORIES

Factor 55 UltraHook

The folks at Factor 55 preach “Closed System Winching,” a winching technique using rigging comprised entirely of closed link hardware. Any active winch-user knows that standard hooks work better with chains rather than rope. But hooks are common weak points in winching since conventional safety latches are often crudely constructed. Load shifts during winch pulls are a common factor in failure and breakage, which can leave you stuck or even injured.

The Factor 55 UltraHook features a shackle mount hole machined into the body of the hook, providing the ultimate in convenience and safety on the trail. Once a shackle screw pin is installed, the common screw pin shackle becomes a continuous closed link that securely contains the winch load until the pin is unscrewed and removed.

Other features of the UltraHook include a titanium double shear pin, EPDM rubber pads for fairlead protection, and a unique finger grip feature which helps the user properly line the hook up in the correct direction. When not in use, the UltraHook can be stored against your fairlead, eliminating direct metal to metal connection. No wonder they call it “The World’s Safest Winch Hook.”

Bubba Rope Gator-Jaw Shackle

Steel is stronger than rope, right? Well, you may have to revisit that thinking when discussing recovery. Bubba Rope’s Gator-Jaw synthetic soft shackles offer INSANE breaking strengths – with numbers ranging from an average 11,000 lbs. on Mini 1/4″ shackles to an unbelievable 125,000 lbs. on the 5/8″ Mega model.

Constructed of vinyl urethane-coated Plasma rope, which is the highest strength synthetic rope available, Gator-Jaw shackles offer maximum strength and abrasion protection. Unlike metal applications, Gator-Jaw shackles feature a one-piece construction with no pins to fasten and are extremely flexible, making them easy to wrap around even the most difficult pulling points. With a button knot and self-tightening loop, there’s no need to worry about slippage during pulls. Plus, they FLOAT. No more losing shackles in water or muck!

As an extra measure of quality control, Bubba Rope tests every shackle before being packaged and shipped. Offered in a variety of colors, you’ll no doubt have a soft shackle to match your rig.

Body Armor 4×4 Mega D-Rings

Available in a squared-off contour with black or machined finishes, Body Armor 4×4 Mega D-Rings will surely turn some heads on the trail. These guys start out life as a chunk of 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum and end up as piece of bulletproof recovery gear that add some serious rugged style to your rig.

Their two-sided nature appeals to our love of customization, allowing you to run them with the riveted or smooth side facing forward. Additionally, with a 7/8″ stainless steel pin and 18K lb. capacity, these aren’t just made for show. Backed by a limited lifetime structural warranty with 3 years on the finish, these are sure to look good on any bumper.

Bubba Rope Power Stretch Recovery Rope

If you’re in a situation where winching isn’t ideal or even possible, kinetic recovery straps are what you want on hand.

Traditional tow straps have their place among recovery gear, but sometimes you need more elasticity than they can offer. Kinetic straps offer a great solution, as they provide more stretch and let you harness a little kinetic energy to aid your pulling endeavors. (Think of it like a beefed-up rubber band.)

Bubba Rope takes things a step further, as its Power Stretch is the only snatch rope with a vinyl rope armor coating that protects against UV rays, water, mud, sand and abrasion, making it stronger than traditional kinetic energy ropes and recovery straps.

Power Stretch stretches uniformly, allowing more power to be transferred to get your truck unstuck with less jerk. The result is a powerful but soft dynamic pull. Moreover, only Bubba Rope has and uses the original US Military Specs of this Power Stretch rope and only Bubba Rope actually certifies the breaking strength of their completed product. Attractive and affordable, with the highest breaking strengths available, this is a piece of recovery gear that belongs on your rig.

Sometimes your traction woes won’t be serious enough to require the winch pulling or recovery rope. In that case, we recommend keeping a set of quality traction boards around – like these from TrailFX – as well as a sturdy shovel and, of course, a good pair of work gloves.