Front Mounted Winch Recovery Techniques

[Kboeh34]

12.5 is about the strongest winch I have seen from reputable manufacturers. I have seen a 13k winch on Amazon from China but wouldn't use it. I feel like 12.5 is fine. Jeep even sells a 8K factory option winch on a 5k+ lb vehicle. Not that I agree with that, I will get a 10K for my Jeep and have a 10K on the other Jeep.

Synthetic line is superior in almost all respects and no rope dampener is really needed, it just drops if it breaks.

In a perfect world, yes synthetic line *should* fall straight down. But doesn't always happen. Warn still recommends using a winch damper on Synthetic line. Its cheap insurance, and synthetic line snapback is a real thing.

The thing to remember about winch ratings and factory winches, is the OEMs try to spend as little money on these things as possible. And sure, they're fine for just the vehicle weight, but now add passengers and gear and you quickly get very close to the rating. For example, the GVWR on a AT4X HD is nearly 11K lbs, now add some extra resistance from mud, rocks, etc. and you very quickly exceed the rating.

Not saying it will 100% be an issue, but yes there are not many companies that make winches over 12.5K lbs, which is probably why the GM option is 12.5K. I know there are some companies (sherpa or superwinch for example) that make very high rated winches.

 

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[pinebaron]

Anyone with experience using recovery boards such as MAXTRAX?

 

[Viking Truck]

Anyone with experience using recovery boards such as MAXTRAX?

I dont have any but you won't find a bunch of people using them in the Jeep world.

 

[pinebaron]

I dont have any but you won't find a bunch of people using them in the Jeep world.

Interesting. I remember getting stuck in my Ford Expedition, had to dig out leading edges of tires to fill sand and grit to get some traction. It appears recovery boards would 'presumably' make the task easier. The primary question is durability of these nylon/plastic based recovery boards particularly for mud and snow use.

 

[Kboeh34]

I dont have any but you won't find a bunch of people using them in the Jeep world.

Idk about that. Everyone I know has them, or a knock off brand.
The knock offs are fine, but usually wont last as long as the MaxTrax. If you're very seldomly using them, knock offs are fine, if you plan to use them often, MaxTrax.

 

[Kboeh34]

Interesting. I remember getting stuck in my Ford Expedition, had to dig out leading edges of tires to fill sand and grit to get some traction. It appears recovery boards would 'presumably' make the task easier. The primary question is durability of these nylon/plastic based recovery boards particularly for mud and snow use.

The durability is OK, they are still plastic, so sun, use, etc will still damage them. The cheaper versions are lower quality, and I've seen them crack or tires basically melt the plastic while recovering. But if you're only keeping them for "oh $hit" situations and not going off-roading every weekend, they'll be fine.

Maxtrax is a better design that makes cracking less likely, and they seem to use a better resin formulation. They also have a lifetime warranty on craftmanship and material quality.

 

[pinebaron]

Idk about that. Everyone I know has them, or a knock off brand.
The knock offs are fine, but usually wont last as long as the MaxTrax. If you're very seldomly using them, knock offs are fine, if you plan to use them often, MaxTrax.

Apparently even MAXTRAX are so-so for durability but I'll order a set.

Further research suggest I should go for Actiontrax since Maxtrax are only warrantied to 7500lb and Actiontrax have no limit and are made in the US. Someone has metal teeth Actiontrax for sale however I feel with my limited experience I should not go for metal teeth and stick to standard. Winter is approaching and we frequently travel to Whistler BC even in deep snow; time to order a set

 

[Kboeh34]

Apparently even MAXTRAX are so-so for durability but I'll order a set.

Further research suggest I should go for Actiontrax since Maxtrax are only warrantied to 7500lb and Actiontrax have no limit and are made in the US. Someone has metal teeth Actiontrax for sale however I feel with my limited experience I should not go for metal teeth and stick to standard. Winter is approaching and we frequently travel to Whistler BC even in deep snow; time to order a set

Metal teeth will last longer, and won't be able to be melted away, making them slightly easier to use as you don't need to worry as much about keeping wheel speed down. The plastic teeth still work good, but you need to be careful to not spin the tires, as that will melt the plastic. Metal teeth could wear down the tires slightly faster than the plastic, but the amount of times you use them, it will have a marginal effect.

There are kits out there to turn the plastic ones into metal teeth if you do burn some teeth off though. And the metal teeth ones are a little bit more expensive, so they both have their pros and cons.

 

[gemarsh]

Or just stay home by the fire.

 

[pinebaron]

Metal teeth will last longer, and won't be able to be melted away, making them slightly easier to use as you don't need to worry as much about keeping wheel speed down. The plastic teeth still work good, but you need to be careful to not spin the tires, as that will melt the plastic. Metal teeth could wear down the tires slightly faster than the plastic, but the amount of times you use them, it will have a marginal effect.

There are kits out there to turn the plastic ones into metal teeth if you do burn some teeth off though. And the metal teeth ones are a little bit more expensive, so they both have their pros and cons.

I discovered Actiontrax pins are easily replaceable and come with spare plastic pins. I'd rather wear pins down than my tires.

 

[NHAT4SFD]

FWIW....

1. I pulled my 2001 2500 CC Dmax with a warn 9500# winch, buried to the frame in a field, over 300'. (I used chain, straps, rope, winch cable all married together as the only purchase was that far) It handled it very well.

2. I had a superwinch Tigar shark 13500 on my 2019. I love the tiger sharks. Yes they are a chinese assembly of the superwinch line but they still share many of the same manufactured parts. I ran tiger sharks on all 4 of my jeep builds and never any failures. I swear by them.

3. The 13500 winch mounted to my TR bumper, was just about rubbing on my transmission cooler of the 2019 Dmax. The TR / buck stop bumpers have a lotof room behind them. I doubt you'll get a larger rated winch behind most winch bumpers on these trucks. I had to pull the bumper to service the winch once installed...

4. Just ordered another TR bumper for my 24. I'm only installing an 11,500 winch. If I need to make a 2:1 for an easier pull I will. I'd prefer more room and a lighter winch installed.

And what viking truck said. Synthetic line flops and doesn't snap or unwind when it fails... no bag needed.. If you are really concerned a t shirt will suffice .

 

[pinebaron]

FWIW....

1. I pulled my 2001 2500 CC Dmax with a warn 9500# winch, buried to the frame in a field, over 300'. (I used chain, straps, rope, winch cable all married together as the only purchase was that far) It handled it very well.

2. I had a superwinch Tigar shark 13500 on my 2019. I love the tiger sharks. Yes they are a chinese assembly of the superwinch line but they still share many of the same manufactured parts. I ran tiger sharks on all 4 of my jeep builds and never any failures. I swear by them.

3. The 13500 winch mounted to my TR bumper, was just about rubbing on my transmission cooler of the 2019 Dmax. The TR / buck stop bumpers have a lotof room behind them. I doubt you'll get a larger rated winch behind most winch bumpers on these trucks. I had to pull the bumper to service the winch once installed...

4. Just ordered another TR bumper for my 24. I'm only installing an 11,500 winch. If I need to make a 2:1 for an easier pull I will. I'd prefer more room and a lighter winch installed.

And what viking truck said. Synthetic line flops and doesn't snap or unwind when it fails... no bag needed.. If you are really concerned a t shirt will suffice .

Great information thanks.

 

[pinebaron]

Following yet more research, I ordered the following and went against my own best judgement. I may in addition get a non-metal pin pair later if I ever get stuck and felt the need for an additional set; could be a while

ActionTrax Metal Teeth Black (Pair) × 1

ActionTrax Quick Grab Recovery Leashes × 1

 

[ironworker40]

Wow they are not cheap. I have never used them. Are the cheap ones any good? I have used floor mats and wood back in the day.

 

[pinebaron]

Wow they are not cheap. I have never used them. Are the cheap ones any good? I have used floor mats and wood back in the day.

You're asking the wrong guy; I started looking and considered $40-60 ones and ended up spending $404 and getting what I felt was the best and most durable for my heavy truck should I get stuck in deep snow. I could have saved 40 if I chose the orange color however was sceptical why it was discounted more than black and other colors; old stock or not the latest version, I don't know.