Winches! To have? not to have? which one?

Cassie · #1 3rd-June-2009, 14:39

A bit con-fussed. We're thinking about a winch for 110 CSW. We thought 'no' at first (not for LR in any case) but given distance we're covering along with off-road caravan that weighs 1.8T GVM - thought might be a sensible decision to have afterall. Have been offered Britpart (9500i) as cheap but research indicates seems to get a slating re: quality. Warn expensive though look fab but don't want to pay for a name especially if not planning to use often and don't want attractive looking shiny things for sake of it (am lying but trying hard to be practical and real), Ramsey OK and there are a whole host of others. Then there are manual, remote control, PTO?
Want something simple, easy to use, quick, smooth and capable for what we hope will be minimal use. Weight a consideration but believe we can afford. Experience of ever using - none (currently). Though on-road mostly for 11 months - want to get off the beaten track too when we want and will and be a liitle bit risque just every now and then. Thoughts are that - remote control would be good, 9500 sounds OK in calculation. Or, are we just over-worrying and should plump for what we've been offered with a side button operation and be done with it? Or, none of the above & make do with lift bag, hi lift, tow rope etc?

Views appreciated.

Cassie · #2 3rd-June-2009, 15:05

Our inkling leans toward having the winch meantime - don't want to make things unnecessarily hard.

battenberg · #3 3rd-June-2009, 15:27

Given that you are towing a caravan, have you considered a Tirfor?

they can winch from any angle, not just the front. or you could unhitch your caravan, winch out your CSW then winch out your caravan off the back of the motor using it as an anchor...

And if you ever have to use one, you'll never get stuck again!!!

Cassie · #4 3rd-June-2009, 16:00

Am looking - never heard of it before - but so far so good - thanks B. Seems more portable, flexible etc., possibly a little bit more manual and dangerous. Will have better look - seems like just the thing though than all that heavy duty stuff at the front of the LR. Will come back on this.

battenberg · #5 3rd-June-2009, 16:47

the downside to them is they are very heavy to move into position and hard work to use in anger, the upside is that they require no batteries, installtion, or a running engine to work, and a second hand/reconditioned one will sell for what you bought it for (ebay)

I dont think i'd like to use one in the midday sun on a tropic line or in a desert, stuck up to my axles with no shade.... however, with a front mounted winch you can't winch out backwards or even sideways... far less versatile, but does operate with the press of a button..!

ratty · #6 3rd-June-2009, 16:59

If you use a snatch block (pulley) attatched to wherever it is you were going to anchor your hook to, and then bring the winch cables hook back to a tow point on your vehicle it will effectively double the pull of the winch. It will also halve the speed that you move at. Thjis means you have more control while using less power consumption and will greatly reduce the risk of burning out or stalling your winch. (assuming you go for an electric one). The same technique can be used with any winch to help reduce the effort required to move your vehicle.

Cassie · #7 3rd-June-2009, 17:14

All food for thought.
We'll have the kids with us too so unsure about wanting to faff about too much (though could be fun as long as no hot sun and safe to use). Weight (lifting) could be an issue BUT the plus sounds like the flex of being able to attack from all sides - could be invaluable. Sounds good. Plus, desert visits limited and well planned - so maybe could afford the risk/likeliehood/ . Also trying to weigh up the probability of something actually going wrong AND without other help possibly being about. How often will we really be alone or unable to call for help via mobile? Will enlighten other half who'll probably love it (purposely roll the caravan and LR just to try it out). Will find out more meantime. Thanks.

terry01 · #8 3rd-June-2009, 22:53

__________________this is how to winch backwards with a winch on the front of your truck

redhand · #9 3rd-June-2009, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry01

__________________this is how to winch backwards with a winch on the front of your truck

3rd snatch block on rear is superfluous. & a fooking hilift would do it quicker and easier. As rope speed would be so slow yu'd starve to death before you got it out.

terry01 · #10 3rd-June-2009, 23:27

Thanks for your input redhand i was only showing that you can winch your self out with your front winch as for starving to death i doubt it very much