A winch is one of those ATV and UTV accessories you may not feel the need to own, until the day you truly need one. Reasons for needing a winch range from emergencies like pulling a stuck vehicle out of the mud to tasks such as hauling logs and pulling stumps on your property. If you’re a deer hunter, you might find it useful to move the animal to a more convenient location. A winch is one of those things you may not need every day. But then you do, you’ll be grateful to have it.
5 things to consider when choosing a winch for your ATV or UTV.
1) Pulling Capacity
Winches are rated by their power to pull. So how much capacity do you need? The heaviest thing you’ll most likely ever need to pull is your winch out of the mud, so that’s a good starting point. Look up the weight of your model of ATV or UTV on the web. One thing you’ll find is that UTVs generally weigh more than ATVs, so UTVs will generally need a more powerful winch.
2) Usage and Applications
One of the benefits of having a winch is to solve surprise problems such a getting stuck in mud. With that being said, it’s still important to consider other planned uses that may require a winch. Are you likely to use your winch for tasks on your property or for hunting trips? Knowing these uses will help you choose the best model.
3) Low electrical current draw
When you’re out in the wilderness, the last thing you want is a drained battery. For this reason, it’s best to select a winch with a low-current draw motor. Pulling heavy objects can be an energy intensive task, so getting a winch that operates with greater efficiency is helpful.
4) IP67 Rating
Driving an ATV or UTV on trails can be a dry and dusty or a wet and sloppy experience. Either way, you want to make sure dust, mud and moisture don’t compromise the performance of your winch. In short, you want to make sure your winch is built to handle tough environments. Look for a winch that has an IP67 rating for an encased motor. IP67 is a standardized rating that indicates resistance to dust and water from entering the system. IP stands for ingress protection. The first numeral “6” indicates protection against dust and the second numeral “7” indicates protection against immersion in water for up to 30 minutes.
5) Synthetic Rope or Metal Cable
When choosing a winch, you’ll face the decision on whether to select one with a synthetic rope or one with a metal cable. As with most things in life, the decision comes with pros and cons for each one. At first thought, it may seem like the metal cable would be stronger, but that’s not necessarily true. Synthetic rope is exceptionally strong, and it’s lighter weight and easier to handle. One issue with rope is that it’s more likely to fray if frequently rubbed across objects when pulling. Plus, contact with surfaces can also rub off the protective coating, which makes the rope more subject to ultraviolet exposure. Metal cable won’t fray and tear, but it’s heavier and requires gloves for handling for safety reasons.
Evaluating ATV and UTV Winches
A winch for an ATV or UTV is a big investment, so it’s wise to do your research on the options available. From mechanical to electrical and structural design, you want to make sure you choose the best winch for your specific situation.
Related Articles:
6 clues to electrical problems in motorcycles
9 things to do to keep your ATV winter ready
