What Should I Look for When Buying a Winch?

Steel or Synthetic?

Electric or Hydraulic?

Roller or Hawse?

8000 lb. or 10000 lb?

If you’re just getting into vehicle recovery, the first thing on your shopping list needs to be a winch. Like many aftermarket categories, however, choosing the proper part for your rig requires a little research. If you’re a newbie, chances are you’ll come across terminology that will leave you scratching your head. So, before blindly selecting a winch, The Engine Block is here to go over a few options (and lingo) worth knowing.

Capacity/Size

One of the first things to consider when winch shopping is winch capacity — or “pull rating.”

Essentially, the pound-rating of a winch is determined by the mechanical capacity of the unit as a whole in addition to the tensile strength of the drum line. For a typical pickup/SUV application, winches generally fall between the 8,000-12,000 lb. range.

So, how do you determine what pulling power you need for your rig? Firstly, you need to know your GVW—or Gross Vehicle Weight. This just means the total weight of your rig—accessories included. Having that number, there are a few different calculations that off-roaders subscribe to but generally, adding 30-50% to your GVW is a good rule of thumb. For example, if an F-150 is laden with several accessories that push its GVW to 6,000 lbs., you’d want a minimum winch capacity of 7,800 lbs.

Most experienced pullers will tell you to err on the higher side if you have the budget. Even if you rarely use your winch, having a larger, higher-rated unit will make pulling easier. This, in turn, will prolong the winch’s lifespan, as it won’t need to break a sweat when in use. In this situation, bigger is usually better.

Electric Vs. Hydraulic

Of course, we’d like to say a few words about the two most popular types of winches: electric and hydraulic. If you’re a consumer truck/SUV owner – which statistics indicate you are – you’re probably in the market for an electric winch.

Electric winches feature faster, more efficient winding. They’re great for the occasional pull, but aren’t designed to be used all-day every day, as they are limited by your vehicle’s battery output. Since electric winches draw their power from a vehicle’s battery, a few wires will need to be run under the hood – a pretty simple connection. For Jeepers and off-roaders, electric winches are very popular.

The other choice is a hydraulic winch. These winches do not connect to the battery, but rather the steering pump. They are slow, reliable units that are more commonly seen in the professional industry where massive loads need to be moved. Hydraulic winches are long lasting, and can run all day without any worry of overheating. Unfortunately, they’re also complicated and harder to install. For this article, most information can pertain to both types of winches, but the electric variety are overwhelmingly more prevalent in the off-road aftermarket.

Rope/Cable

A winch is only as sturdy as the rope outfitting it. Again, you have two options here: steel and synthetic.

Steel is the old standby and many modern and old-school wheelers swear by it. Durable and long-lasting, it is ideal for winching in rough, abrasive terrain. Since fraying still may occur, you should always handle steel cable with proper gloves. It can be heavier and more difficult to work with than synthetic rope, as well as more dangerous during potential breakage. But steel cable is reliable, time-tested, and often significantly cheaper than synthetic.

Synthetic rope has really gained popularity over the past 20 years, and for good reason. Its super-light polyethylene construction makes it easy to handle, repair, and spool. Interestingly, synthetic is a stronger option that steel – but is susceptible to fraying in harsher environments. Synthetic is a good option for standard recovery and trail applications. However, it’s a good idea to keep your synthetic rope covered when not in use, as UV rays, heat, and chemicals can prematurely age the line.

Other Things to Keep in Mind…

… Since Electric winches can draw a good amount of power, consider upgrading your vehicle’s battery to a deep-cycle battery. Or, better yet, add a second battery – especially if you plan on using your winch regularly.

… The two main winch drivetrains are known as ‘planetary’ and ‘worm’ gear. Planetary gear is more common, less expensive, lighter, and has higher speeds, but lesser total pulling power and holding ability. Worm gear has a better pulling prowess, but is often much slower.

… To operate a winch, you’ll need some kind of remote control. This remote can be wired to the winch, or feature wireless control out of the box, or with a special connector. For the modern age, some higher-end units have the ability to be operated through a smartphone app.

… When winch-shopping, consider the dimensions. Will it fit in your bumper or multi-mount? Will you have ample room to access? Would anything be getting in the way of the cable? It’s a terrible feeling to start an install only to realize the winch won’t work in its intended space.

… If opting for a beefier winch, make sure the vehicle’s suspension can support the added weight.

… We recommend getting a Hawse fairlead for synthetic rope and Rollers for steel cable.

… While the winch is useful by itself, consider what type of pulling you’ll be doing and make sure to pack accessories to match.

TRAILFX – REFLEX 2.0

When it comes to winches, there really isn’t any shortage of manufacturers to choose from. But if you’re looking for a solid, well-built winch that won’t break the bank, it’s hard to do better than the TrailFX Reflex 2.0 line.

The Reflex 2.0 provides the performance and reliability of a 3-stage planetary gear drive wrapped in what we think is one of the best-looking housings on the winch market. And since it starts at under $500, you’ll be able to splurge on a whole slew of recovery gear to make your pulling much more efficient and safer.

• Available in 9500-lb. and 12000-lb. Pull Capacity, with Steel or Dyneema Synthetic Rope
• Comes with Upgraded Roller (steel) or Hawse (synthetic) Fairlead and Clevis Hook
• Included 12 ft. Wired Remote AND 50 ft. Range Wireless Remote give you more Options for Pulling
• Integrated Solenoid Housing Meets IP68 Water and Dust Resistance Standards
• Features Daytime Running Light to Assist with Recovery Visibility
• Load Warning Indicator Alerts User of Unsafe Load Capacity
• Upgraded 6.6 HP Motor and Larger Brake System vs. Original Reflex Model
• Limited Lifetime Warranty for Mechanical Parts and Limited 6-Year Warranty on Electrical Parts