Winching Off-Road: One Of The Most Helpful Do’s And Don’ts

Off-roading gets the adrenaline pumping, heightens the senses, and unlocks a sense of adventure that knows no limits! However, things can turn quickly for the worse when your vehicle gets stuck in mud, sand or snow. Couple that with bad weather or extreme cold, and it could now constitute an emergency. Fortunately, there is a skill that every off-roader should master – it’s called winching off-road!

It is a lifesaving skill that can save you from scary and sticky situations. But, like any manoeuvre, winching can be dangerous if not done correctly. That’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide on off-road winching dos and don’ts to help you navigate tricky trails safely and confidently.

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We’ll go through what to look for when buying a winch to winch accessories and how to choose the right anchor points. You will also learn everything you need to know to avoid accidents and effectively recover your vehicle. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any off-road situation.

Winching Off-Road: Understand Your Winch and Its Limitations

Before we get into winching your off-road vehicle, let’s ensure you have the correct recovery winch. An underrated winch will not help when you are knee-deep in mud or stuck in harsh terrain. Listed is what Warn (a renowned winch brand) suggests for each off-road vehicle type:

	ATV	UTV (2 DOOR)	UTV (4 DOOR)
Capacity	2,500 – 3,500 lbs	3,500 – 4,500 lbs	4,500 – 5,500 lbs

It’s always better to choose a winch with a higher pulling capacity.

For example, our Can-AM ATV weighs 716 lbs and is factory-outfitted with a rated 3,000 lb Warn winch made for Bombardier. That’s over 4x multiple of pulling power to the weight of your vehicle. 

Our side-by-side weighs 1,666 lbs, and the dealer fitted it with a Warn 3,500 lb winch pull. That’s a little over 2x multiplier. I can tell you from countless winching experiences that we have never failed to winch out of a bad situation with either vehicle. But both machines had their moments where it would barely budge.

In the end, the bigger the winch, the better your odds of recovery.

What Happens if You Exceed the Weight Capacity of a Winch?

Exceeding the weight capacity will cause the winch’s electric circuit to overload. You also risk snapping the winch line. Read the owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with the specifications of your recovery equipment before ATV riding!

What Brand of Winch Should I Buy?

Look for reputable brands with a proven track record of producing high-quality winches. These winches will withstand the demands of winching off-road. Opting for cheap products will not only hinder recovery; it may also endanger your life. 

The best winch for off-roading is from Warn, a renowned leader in the off-roading circuit, which offers products you can really rely on. Our ATV and SxS have Warn winches on them, which seem to be a vehicle manufacturer and dealer standard.

After years of heavy use and abuse, we’ve had no issues with either winch. These winches have pulled our stuck ATV from the mud, got us over rocks and steep hills, rescued snowmobiles from ditches, helped move massive logs, etc.

What Accessories Do I Need for Off-Road Winching?

In addition to the winch itself, you’ll need several off-road recovery tools to make your recovery more efficient. Here’s what ATV winch accessories we use and what you should look into.

• Winch Line with an eye splice
• Winch Hooks
• Shackles or Soft Shackles
• Snatch Block: the block significantly increases the pulling power of your winch. It allows for a change in the line’s direction, doubling the pulling capacity.
• Tree Saver: this essential accessory helps protect your winch line and the anchored tree. It prevents chaffing the winch line and rubbing into the tree during the winching operation.
• Winch Damper: is a safety accessory that helps absorb the energy of the winch line should it snap or come loose during operation.
• Grappling Hook: one of our favourite and very versatile accessories. Its usefulness ranges from self-rescue to anchoring boats to mountaineering.

Inspect and Maintain Your Winch and Accessories

Get into a habit of thoroughly inspecting your winch and its winching accessories before using your off-road vehicle. You do not want a sticky situation to turn dire, especially being miles away from help with no one to help you.

Check your electric winch for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed cables or damaged hooks. Ensure the winch hook is securely attached, and inspect the fairlead for any sharp edges that could damage the winch line.

Don’t forget to look over your snatch blocks, tree savers and any other winching accessories you may have. Listen to the winch motor for any unusual sounds or vibrations, and don’t forget to check the winch’s electrical connections are secure and corrosion-free.

Winch Maintenance

Remember to gently clean the muddy synthetic line and winch components with mild detergent and a soft brush. Avoid using high-pressure water, as it can force water or debris into the winch motor and cause damage.

Grease the winch drum and gears periodically to maintain smooth operation. Use a high-quality, lithium-based grease compatible with your winch’s components. Doing so will help reduce friction and extend the lifespan of your winch.

Lastly, don’t forget to occasionally use the ATV winch, even if you don’t have to! Our side-by-side winch will often bugger up if not used. It’s not even the off-road winch that’s the issue – it’s the relay, and flicking it a few times gets it going. Like all mechanical things, keeping it working from time to time avoids a lot of problems. The last thing you want when you are stuck is to have to fix your winch first.

The Dos of Off-Road Winching

Now having the correct winch and off-road winching equipment, we can now look at some crucial winching tips for a safe and successful winching operation.

The Don’ts of Off-Road Winching

With knowing what to do, it’s equally important to know what not to do when it comes to off-road winching recovery. These common mistakes can lead to accidents, damage to your vehicle, or even personal injury or death.

Steel Versus Synthetic Cable

What’s the difference between steel cable vs synthetic rope? We don’t like the steel winch line. In fact, we despise it!!! First of all, steel cable will tension up and be far deadlier when the line breaks under tension.

All cables eventually wear and break. As the steel cable wears, it frays and destroys your hands, making it harder to work with. Add in some rust, and now it’s also very messy.

When the cable does break, you may need to cut and clamp it. Cutting the cable is not the easiest thing to do. Repairing a steel winch cable is time-consuming and requires parts and tools. Neither of which is fun to do in the bush.

Synthetic cable is soft and super easy to work with. When the synthetic winch line snaps, it’s a matter of tying a new knot onto your winch hook. No different than working with rope, repairs take only minutes.

Converting to Synthetic Winch Cable

If you buy synthetic rope winches, life is good and future replacements are simple. Converting from steel to synthetic for the above reasons requires an extra step. The steel cable will have likely damaged the winch’s fairleads – which in turn will shred and destroy your shiny and expensive new synthetic line. Be sure to inspect and replace your fairleads if damaged on the conversion.

Be Prepared for the Worst-Case Scenario

As an off-roader, whether you’re recovering your vehicle, helping others or removing an obstacle, you must be prepared for everything and anything. It doesn’t take much for something to go wrong. The last thing you want is to be miles away with no plan or supplies.

In addition to your winching and winching accessories, be smart and carry an emergency get-home bag and recovery kit with you. Your kit should include a first aid kit, tourniquet, water, food, multi-tool, light, compass, battery pack, leather gloves, saw, fire starter kit and ATV/UTV spare parts. Know how to use, install and operate your gear and parts. 

Lastly, always have a backup plan. Sometimes, winching alone won’t be enough to get your vehicle unstuck. Our ATV is equipped with Kemimoto’s cargo box, which is a cost-effective alternative to Can-Am’s and has been a godsend in housing all the extra gear.

Within this storage box consider carrying additional recovery gear, such as a high-lift jack or traction mats. Better yet, never go off-roading alone – always bring a buddy who can help you in an emergency.

Conclusion: Mastering Off-Road Winching for a Successful Adventure

Off-road winching is a critical skill that you need to master! When not riding with a buddy, you’d be surprised how quiet some trails can get. In these times, you’ll be glad you took the time to learn this vital skill.

Take the time to practice the winching dos and don’ts and remember to inspect and maintain your winch and accessories frequently. Don’t forget your winch’s limitations to avoid accidents. With the right equipment and knowledge, you can enjoy the thrill of off-roading while staying safe and prepared.

Do you have any helpful winching tips? Comment down below. Don’t forget to save this post or share it with a friend! Thank you!

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