What Is A Winch, And How To Chose The Right One For You
If you own a truck or are planning to head outdoors for the weekend, then there is an arsenal of equipment you’ll need to get your hands onto.
Some of these things you might already own, some of them might be new to you.
However, it’s of utmost importance that you don’t skip this over, and ensure that you have all of these with you when planning to drive off-road. One of the main components of this essential kit is a winch.
A truck without a winch can often come off as incomplete. To make sure that you’re prepared for the absolute worst and are ready to face the world in all your vehicular glory, it’s best to ensure that you get yourself a winch.
But first, what is a winch?
A winch is a mechanical device that serves as the major component of automated towing. It allows an individual to pull in or extend a rope or cable using a powerful motor.
Furthermore, a winch can also be used for adjusting the tension in a cable.
Winches come in different shapes and forms. In the upcoming sub-segment, we’ll be going over the main type of winches that are widely used by jeep and off-road truck enthusiasts.
The different type of winch
As mentioned above, there are many different types of winch. Each winch has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
When choosing a winch for yourself, you’ll have to ensure that you choose something that works best for you. Without further ado, here are the different types of winches to help you find the right one on the first try!
Glider winch
The glider winch is a cheaper alternative to aerotowing. As the name implies, this winch is famous for its operation of launching a glider or a plane.
The motor of a glider winch is usually electronic or automated and might require fuel input such as petrol, diesel, or LPG.
Generally speaking, this type of winch generates a lot of power and should be used with the utmost amount of care.
Snubbing winch
As opposed to the traditional winch, a snubbing winch contains no crank handle or any other drive. Snubbing winch utilizes a vertical spool, much like a conventional winch.
Their main feature includes total control over the pressure levels employed. By pulling the tail line, you can adjust the pressure and tension as you wish. This type of winch is often found on sailboats.
Wake-skate winch
The wake-skate winch is quickly gaining followers mainly due to the fact that it’s perfect for water sports.
If you’ve ever seen a video of people following behind boats on wakeboards, then they are employing a wake-skate winch. This winch can pull a person at roughly 40 kilometers per hour with ease.
Lever winch
A lever winch is arguably one of the strongest types of winch out there. Deemed the best winch for trucks, a lever winch can easily move a couple of tons of weight without any compromise in delivery or quality.
Their main mode of operation is self-gripping jaws which move cable through the winch. There are no spools present.
Air winch
Also known as an air tugger or an air hoist, an air winch is a winch that runs solely on the wind power.
Known for its capacity to lift material, this type of winch can also be utilized for the suspension and careful release of objects. As opposed to other winches, an air winch is quite safe and economical, which is why people chose to opt for them.
Capstan winch
The Capstan winch is the type that is often found on bigger boats. This winch uses a vertical-axis winch which applies force on the cable.
Mooring winch
The mooring winch is the one employed for securing a ship to a berth. Furthermore, this winch is quite strong since it is literally responsible for holding down a ship.
Choosing the right winch
When shopping for the right winch, there are a few things that you might need to consider.
By keeping all of these things in mind, you’ll be better informed on what you might require when it comes to choosing the best winch for you.
Type
Generally speaking, the type of winch you might require depends entirely on the purpose. As mentioned above, different types of winch cater to a different type of audience.
However, once you’re clear with that bit, there is another distinction that needs to be made.
Winch can either be electronic or hydraulic. Both of these have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
However, if you’re planning for something temporary or might feel that you need to use the winch often, then a hydraulic winch is the best option to go with.
Rope Option
Most winches offer two different rope options to its user: Steel or synthetic.
Steel ropes are durable, cheap, and require less maintenance. However, the major downside is that they can’t be easily operated for day-to-day tasks.
Furthermore, steel ropes are recommended exclusively for rough terrains or for heavy-duty operation. If you’re planning to go off-road, then steel ropes are the best option for you.
Synthetic ropes, on the other hand, are the polar opposite of steel roles. Being more affordable and easier to work with, these ropes often give a tough time if you’re planning to use the rope often in hard terrain.
They are also very susceptible to degradation over time due to factors such as chemical exposure and UV rays.
Size
The size of the winch should be that which fits your vehicle best without taking up too much space. However, it should also operate in conjunction with its pulling capacity.
The general rule of thumb is to use a winch that can pull about twice the weight of your vehicle.
Conclusion
A winch is arguably one of the most important accessories to have on board, especially if you drive a Jeep or any other off-road truck. Hence, make sure that you always go for something that complements your style and vehicle best while staying within your budget.