An ATV recovery winch is used to free your car when it gets stuck. The uses of electric winches are endless. Some winches are used to pull boats, tractors, cars and mowers onto a trailer. These winches are designed to lift like a hoist or crane.
An electric winch uses an electric motor, and since electric winch is of heavy duty, the electric motor must be robust to handle a lot of charges. Steep hill and frequent winching demand electric winch. Some winches come with gears, allowing them to pull very heavy loads.
How to Purchase a Winch for Yourself?
Purchasing the best ATV recovery winch for your car can be a daunting task if you are on a budget. If you are a first-time buyer, there are four basic design options available to choose from. Pick the most suitable one for your car:
- Rated line pull – If you buy a winch too small to pull your vehicle, you will have a tough time, and if it is too big, you have to add excess weight to the rear bumper. The rated line pull is the maximum amount of force your winch can handle. Calculate rated line pull by multiplying your gross vehicle weight by 1.5.
- Line speed – The second consideration is how fast you want your winch out. Line speed depends on gear train in your winch. You may choose from two types, planetary, and worm. Planetary has multiple gears to pull fast, but it generates a greater amount of heat. Worm’s use two gears and pulls slowly by producing less heat.
- Cable type – There are two cables available, steel and synthetic. Steel cables require less maintenance and can withstand a great amount of heat. Steel can gash your skin if you are not careful. Synthetic cable is lighter, safer and stronger. It may get weak if rubbed over sharp objects. Choose the cable type depending on the terrain you cover and the weight you are willing to add to your vehicle.
- Solenoid mounting – There are two options available integrated and remote. Integrated solenoids are built into the winch and provide great protection. Remote solenoid mounts separately, and they are versatile. The remote option is popular, and it allows you to install the winch in a tight space.
Other Things to Consider when Buying an ATV Winch for your Car
- How often you use the winch – Decide what type of winch motor you want to buy. If you winch, all day consider buying a hydraulic winch. For more frequent winching consider buying a series wound winch.
- Budget – You must decide how much money you are ready to spend when buying an ATV recovery winch. The amount should be enough to cover the winch, accessories and a mounting kit.
- Warranty – Purchase an ATV recovery winch that covers warranty of a minimum of one year; it may have warranty extensions too.
Choosing the right winch for your car seems to be complex, but it is simple. Vehicle weight and line pull are required to choose the right winch. It is recommended to select a winch with a rated line pull 25% greater than your GVW. Share your views if you have suggestions and advice on ATV winch for our readers.
