Buying a Winch

Hi Folks
I'm thinking about buying my first winch for my Defender, as the club that I joined insist that you have a winch for doing some of their events due to them being through forests with very wet ground. I'm not looking for the top of the range as the winch may only be used about once a month if that. What are the pros and cons of buying a winch or what would be the best buy.
Thanks
Alasdair

I’ve a warn 9.5ti for sale at £400 if your interested, much better winch than the cheapo Chinese stuff

A club that insists on members having a winch equipped vehicle
I'd give them a wide berth, any decent club would have members only too happy to assist those who had more basically equipped vehicles.

norseman said:

A club that insists on members having a winch equipped vehicle
I'd give them a wide berth, any decent club would have members only too happy to assist those who had more basically equipped vehicles.

Click to expand...

I was just about to ask which club as that sounds quite hardcore on the dance floor for most lolz

Personally I get a serious boner for Red winches.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIBxAD&usg=AOvVaw1eVk9jRZsG9KNSzXWFQBfZ

Is this a case of them asking members to have winch equipped vehicles to attend certain P&p sites or routes, rather than makimg it compusory for all members?

Cheers

Thanks for the replies, its only for certain outings as i said, the forest runs are along the fire breaks which are usually very boggy and hard to get turned around if someone without a winch needs pulled out. I can see their point for needing a winch for these outings.

A1y said:

Thanks for the replies, its only for certain outings as i said, the forest runs are along the fire breaks which are usually very boggy and hard to get turned around if someone without a winch needs pulled out. I can see their point for needing a winch for these outings.

Click to expand...

+1 Sounds fun , I can see why they would insist on it. If there is ahigh risk of getting stuck and it is part of the fun. Then why should someone else use their kit to pull you out. Especially if it is in a tricky tight area. Although I expect all with winches have pulled fellow club members out of the sticky stuff without a problem.

From when I looked , winches are one of those things where for a bit extra cost you end up with a bit better product, generally. Look to get one from a UK supplier . Then hopefully spares will ne easily sourced if needed. I would look at getting a dyneema / synthetic rope.

Do not forget things like strops, shackles etc. Snatch blocks , gloves, winch blanket etc All at the correct rating.

Ask if any of the local club members are upgrading their winches?

Cheers

Also, at the risk of sounding like the Nanny State,

Make sure you get some training / guidance on using it , forces involved etc. including the extra bits of kit and the risks involved.

Cheers

Don't buy one. Take her on a date, buy flowers etc. much cheaper to rent.

dstainton said:

Don't buy one. Take her on a date, buy flowers etc. much cheaper to rent.

Click to expand...

I think he is talking about winches, not wenches
The former you use to pull, the latter you have to do the work yourself.