abodyjoe

ok so i know i want a warn zeon winch.. my problem is i'm not sure what size to get..

never weighed my cherokee but how heavy can it really be? i figure the larger tires, jcr bumper and the gear in the back i carry adds some weight but how much i don't know..

looks like they say get a winch thats rated 1.5 times what the vehicle weighs..


a good trusted friend says that 8000 pound is plenty.. i'm thinking it would be. figure if it weighed 5000 pounds which i highly doubt it would call for 7500 pound winch.

where the hard part come in is. right now warn is offering a rebate.. so that means i can get the 10,000 pound winch for what the 8,000 pound winch usually cost. or i can just save $100 on the 8,000 pound winch..


i guess the question is do i save the $100 or spend the extra $100 for the larger winch?



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abodyjoe

the other thing i see is:

the 8,000 pound comes with 100' of 5/16 cable..

the 10,000 pound comes with 80' of 3/8 cable..

20' difference.. guess that could be a big deal when stuck somewhere huh...

caged

8000 pound winch is plenty. if you need more power, you can use a ****** block using a true two line pull to double up the strength to 16000 pounds.

if you need more length, you can always use a strap at the end of the line till you can use just the cable.

remember, a winch only uses the full 8000 pound power when on the last layer on the drum, but be sure to leave at least 5 wraps on the drum so you don't pull the cable out of the drum.

for every layer, the winch loses 10% power, so second layer is only 7200, three layers is 6400 and so on.

the 10000 pound is still ok but you don't want say a 12000 as the winch is too large and can cause damage. i can't think of how at the moment, but i remember something about it from somewhere. vague i know, but i may get back to it later.

also know your W.L.L. 5/16 cable is around 1960 lbs but has a max of 9800 lbs. where as 3/8 is more like 2880 and 14400 respectively. your safe W.L.L is only as good as your lowest rating. everything should be stamped or tagged with it's W.L.L or i wouldn't use it.

so in general, what i'm trying to say is a decent 8000 pound winch with a galvanized 5/16 cable is more than plenty. especially with a 4000lb minimum ****** block.

i can get into more theory, but would rather not. no need. just don't get a 3500lb winch and rely on a ****** block. don't laugh, i've seen it. lol.

andrewmp6

8k is prefect like said and i would add on your recovery list a tree hugger strap and maybe a tow rope or strap.And if its a cable winch you need a weight blanket thing which you can buy alone or most winch companies sell a recovery bag with all the goodies you need from gloves to a ****** block.

abodyjoe

thanks guys.. 8k it is.. the $100 savings will go to wards a tree saver and ****** block then..

Fred/N0AZZ

Quadratec has a recovery kit/bag that has all those items for about $100 as I remember. That would be a good way to spend what you saved on the winch on must have items for it.


There is no such thing as having to much winch or too heavy of a recovery strap or to many I have 3 of them 2 30's and a 20'. I also carry a 45,000# 30' snap rope, 2 ****** blocks, 5 extra D-Rings. My winch is only a 9.5 rating but I consider it only half of my recovery gear the other half is my Hi-Lift Jack and gear for it.

abodyjoe

yea i'll look around their site when i order the winch tomorrow.. i have a high lift. just have to mount it. have a strap 20 or 30 foot long i forget i'll have to look at it. been meaning to buy a second. couple d rings. shovel. so i'm well on my way..

thanks for the advice...

abodyjoe

cool. there it is.. http://www.quadratec.com/products/95115_0000_07.htm

a lot cheaper then the warn kit... is it quality stuff?

caged

yes you can have too large of a recovery strap as it won't quite stretch properly to do the job. they are a kinetic energy strap. if you have too large (say 6 inch wide) strap, it will be like snapping with a chain.

3 inch is the best as they're rated for about 18000kg, so about 40000lb W.L.L.

i have about 5 or so 3 inch wide recovery straps ranging from 20 to 30 feet in length.
also 4 tree savers from 4 to 6 feet in length and 4 off road style ****** blocks with the twin plate design that you need d shackles with.
and i have about ten 3/4 inch d shackles and a winch damper.

i would also suggest getting a flat winch hook to replace the slip hook that comes with most winches. these use a d shackle so there is no way of your connection falling off.

something like this.

abodyjoe

that flat hook it cool.. i'll put that on the list. looks like a good idea

Fred/N0AZZ

Yes I have that same kit it works fine for the price, except the gloves were to small for me.


I have a Factor 55 D-Ring winch cable replacement for over 3 yrs. not that flat one but the round one, that was the first thing to go on my winch was the hook.


The heavier snap ropes cost a lot more but come very handy when trying to jerk out a heavy PU Truck if you must or for others. Spent a long time in the Towing business as well in CO.




Here is a shot of my winch with the Factor 55 D-Ring replacement.

abodyjoe

good to hear its a decent kit.. gloves don't matter. i have quite a few pairs laying around and a couple in the jeep at all times..


ordered the winch and acc. kit last night.

what snap ropes are recommended?


thanks guys..

Fred/N0AZZ

If you have a Tractor Supply in your area or a larger Farm Supply Stores look at them first. That is where most of mine came from the larger "Snap Ropes" used for tractors I have came from them.


Several yrs ago had several Ag Tractors and larger 1 & 3/4 ton trucks around that got stuck around the farm and on leased ground.

abodyjoe

thanks for the info.. have a tractor supply right down the road..

andrewmp6

Tractor supply has a lot of use full stuff from straps and shackles to even a knock off hi lift jack.