Your Guide to buying a 4×4 Winch
Before going to buy a winch, the most important thing to understand what the Winch actually is and how it functions so that you may be able to make the right decision.
What is a Winch?
Winches have been a piece of popular equipment to lift and pull up the heavy objects or vehicles. It is the simplest but the most common way to tow the large objects. However, technology has brought many changes to the device. This ancient technique works wonders when your vehicle is stuck. Nowadays, it comes with a lot of features that make your life a bit more easy and hassle-free like water-resistance and remote control, etc.
What are the components of a winch
The simple Winch has now transformed into a mechanical device that is s combination of many electrical and mechanical components. Each component is inevitable and serves an important purpose to carry out the primary function. So, find out the detailed study of these components in order to make a reasonable decision.
A Cable Wire
The first component of the Winch is the cable wire. The cable wire is found in two types according to the material i.e., the steel cable or the synthetic cable. The length of the cable wire may lie between 50 to 100 feet. This wire is wrapped around the Winch’s drum in order to prevent it from the mess. The cable comes in two types i.e., the synthetic rope and the steel cable.
The synthetic rope is affordable and lightweight. In addition, it is a safer option than the steel cable, which may hurt your hands. However, the steel cable is remarkably sturdy and needs lesser repairs and maintenance than the synthetic cable.
A Drum
A Drum is another significant part of the Winch that wraps the cable wire around. The Winch consists of a spool that moves the drum in a circular way to wind the cable.
A Motor
The Winch consists of a motor that turns the drum on so that it may be able to wrap the cable around to wind the cable in and out in order to lift the vehicle. Nowadays, winches feature an electrical motor that speeds up its function to a great extent.
A Gear Train
A gear train is energized by the motor, which uses the power to lift heavy objects.
How the Winch Works?
These components work together when you want to lift a heavy object. Now it is important to understand how a 4×4 winch works.
The cable wire must be attached to the object you want to tow. Then the motor is powered to energize the spool that pulls the cable back around the drum. In this way, the object that is attached comes along the cable. You can tow the heaviest object through this simple but powerful mechanism.
How to choose the right Winch for your vehicle
There are several factors you should ponder over in order to decide which Winch you must buy. Here are some of the most significant factors that can influence your buying decision.
Work out the weight of the vehicle.
The first and the most significant factor that must be considered is to determine the weight of your vehicle. You should buy the Winch that may be able to tow your vehicle effortlessly. Buy a winch that offers at least two times greater weight capacity than the weight of your vehicle. However, as the general rule, the Winch with a greater weight capacity should be preferred even if you don’t exactly know the weight of your vehicle.
Capacity rating of Winch
The capacity of the Winch refers to the amount of weight it may be able to withstand. Each Winch comes with a capacity rating, so it is important to get the one that may be able to tow your vehicle’s weight efficiently. You should significantly look for the capacity rating before buying a specific winch.
Mounting options
There are several mounting options you can adopt in order to mount your Winch. These options are reliable, as well as stylish. Here are some of the most famous mounting types.
Bumper Mount
The bumper mounts are easy to install and the most commonly used mounts. These mounts are available in several finishes, including stainless steel and chrome, etc. They are sturdy and appear quite good on the vehicle.
Hidden Mount
It is a small mount that is hidden behind the bumper. The mount does not change your vehicle’s look, and it seems like you are towing the object directly from the bumper.
Multi-Mount
This multi-mount is used by the riders who do not want to install the mount permanently. It comes with a carrier and a receiver.
Winch Bumper
This Winch looks like the part of the bumper, so it is loved by the drivers who do not want to ruin the look of their vehicle by installing a traditional winch.
Steel Cable or Synthetic Cable
The cable comes in two options i.e., the steel cable and the synthetic cable. The steel cable is very durable, affordable, and easy to maintain while the synthetic cables are lighter and easy to handle, but they may need more repair and maintenance than the steel cable because they wear down from the exposure to the sun, UV rays, and chemicals, etc. Moreover, they are also safe, and you can easily perform the function without any injury.
Length of cable
The length of the cable varies Winch to Winch. It may lie between 50 to 150 meters.
Warranty
Warranty of the Winch matters a lot, especially for those who want to buy a reliable device. It also confirms the durability of the equipment you buy so better to look for the Winch that comes with a considerable warranty so that you may be able to get a refund or get the part repaired or replaced if found damaged.
Popular 4WD Winch Questions
Q. Do I need a winch for my 4×4?
A large number of people will actually never require a winch, but for those who actually use their vehicle offroad then a winch is recommended. If you are driving in remote areas where the roads are not sealed it’s highly likely at some point you will become bogged and require tools to get your vehicle free. This is where a winch can come in handy.
Q. How strong should my 4×4 winch be?
There is a simple rule of thumb that any winch should be 1.5 times stronger than the weight of the item it is pulling. So if your vehicle is 1000kg, then the winch should have a capacity of 1500kg.
Q. How do you double the pulling power of a 4×4 winch?
By using a pulley block you can increase the pulling power of a winch. This is physics 101.
