General questions and answers about winches

One of the most important things for you to consider when selecting a winch is whether or not it is capable of pulling 1.5 times the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of your vehicle.

When figuring this out don't forget to take into account the 12% drop in pulling power for every extra wrap of cable on the drum - a 9000lb winch has a line pull of approx. 7000lbs on the third wrap. The GVW is the real world weight of your vehicle when fully loaded. When you go to have your vehicle weighed you should fill up your gas tank, load up all those off-road goodies, tools, hi-lift jacks and passengers because you don't want to have to unload everyone and everything in order to use your winch or hoist when needed.

Important things to consider when buying a winch for a truck

Types of winch gear systems

Difference between a series wound motor and permanent magnet motor

Electrical systems ability to cope with electrical winches

About receiver mounted winches

What comes with a winch when you buy it

Safety equipment needed

The reliability of a winch cable

Maintenance of winches

Using snatch blocks

Anchoring your vehicle when winching another vehicle