Jeeps Are Life is here to answer all these questions and more. Read on and find the answers you are looking for in our Jeep Winches Guide.

Why a Winch?

Let's tackle the most important questions first. What are the winches used for on Jeeps, and why would you want to get one?

Winches can play a crucial part off-roading in Jeeps or any other vehicle. That's because you can use them to winch your vehicle out of sand, mud, rocks or other places where you get stuck. In addition, you can use your winch to pull club members, friends and others out when they get stuck. Winches also have lots of other uses. For instance, you can use them to load your Jeep on a flatbed trailer.

When you are off-roading, you will likely be far from help, perhaps even beyond cellphone range. That's just one reason it's handy to have a winch on board your Jeep.

If you get stuck, a winch can save you a long walk back to the paved road. It can also spare you the considerable expense of hiring someone to tow your rig out.

Types of Winches

There are two types of winches on the market: electric and hydraulic.

Electric winches are the most popular. They run off your Jeep's battery. You can operate them whether or not your engine is running, generally up to five minutes or so. These types of winches are relatively inexpensive and easy to install if you are handy.

Hydraulic winches tend to be more powerful than electric ones. Because they operate off your Jeep's power steering system, the motor must be running when you use them. But you can keep on using them indefinitely as long as your engine is running. These kinds of winches are more expensive and more difficult to install than electric ones.

Size Matters

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a winch is its size. You will want to consider the motor's horsepower, the length of line the winch comes with and, most importantly, how much weight the system can pull.

The rule of thumb is you want a winch rated at least 1.5 times your gross vehicle weight. The bigger your vehicle, the bigger the weight rating you will want on your winch.

But you also should take into consideration all the mods you have added to your Jeep, like new tires, wheels and so on. Some experts recommend getting a winch with a rating twice your vehicle's weight.

Just as with computer memory, it's generally smarter to start with too much power rather than too little. If you are out in the boonies and get stuck, you will want a winch with enough power to get yourself or your friends out of trouble. Once you are stuck in the backcountry, it will be too late to get a bigger winch.

For most Jeeps, you are good to go with a winch of from 9,500 to 10,000 pounds of pulling power. Some folks go up to 12,000 pounds. Larger sizes are available too but generally unnecessary for all but the most extreme circumstances.

Brands and Costs

Selecting the winch that's right for you depends on your situation. How much off-roading do you do, and in what kind of conditions? How big is your Jeep? What is your budget?

First, start with the brands you should consider. Some of the most popular winch brands on the market include Warn, Superwinch, Bulldog Winch and Smittbilt. When shopping, consider the warranties that manufacturers offer. Read reviews and talk to friends and experts to narrow down your list. Because you likely will be out there with your Jeep in all kinds of conditions, you will also want to consider winches that are weatherproof.

If you don't do much off-roading, you could find a basic, smaller winch for about $300 or less that might meet your needs. In the $300 to $900 range, you'll get better-made winches with stronger, more durable ropes or cables. Serious off-roaders might spend $900 or more for top-grade winches.

Some winches are available with remotes for easy operation. You can even find some remotes with LED screens that let you check vital signs like vehicle battery power, motor temperature and more.

Cables and Ropes

The cable or rope attached to your winch motor does the hard work of pulling heavy objects, so you'll want the best you can afford. Generally, there are two options: steel cables or synthetic ropes.

Steel cables have been traditional favorites. They are strong, comparatively inexpensive, and resist abrasion and heat.

On the downside, they can corrode. They can also create sharp burrs that can cut your hands. If they snap under the tension of winching, steel cables can be extremely dangerous to anyone within reach.

Synthetic ropes don't rust but can be damaged by the sun's UV rays as well as chemicals, heat and abrasion. They are lighter and easier to work with than steel and are generally used by more off-roaders due to being less dangerous should they break.

Find Your Winch at Jeeps Are Life

As Jeep enthusiasts ourselves, we understand the needs of Jeep drivers from the casual errand-runners to weekend adventurers and off-roaders. Get reliable performance and great value with price matching when you get winches and accessories with free shipping on qualifying orders from our website.