Winch Readiness and Non-Use

[BullMoose1776]

Questions for the community. Other posts got me thinking about readiness and use of my winch.

I have the Warn Evo 10, Synthetic. I've never owned or used a winch, and I am concerned that when /if the time comes, I, or the winch, will not be ready.

I can test the connections, validate the winch has power, and is functional, but what actions or activities should I be doing to prepare myself and the tool for use?

Reminds me of owning a firearm. It's useless if you don't know how to use it, so you go to the range regularly to stay prepared and sharp.

How can we apply this same Logic to owning a winch? Additionally, is the winch like lockers, in that, they need to be activated from time to time to ensure usability (I know the winch is an electric motor, and different from lockers, so spare me the splaining).

Appreciate the feedback.

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[GATORB8]

Make sure you have and know how to use accessories like tree straps, shackles, and a snatch block.

Warn has a good guide: https://www.warn.com/the-warn-basic-guide-to-winching-techniques

If you have a wireless remote, make sure you stay current on batteries.

Wouldn't be bad to make sure the free spool clutch and remote work every once in a while.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

Did you set your winch line? Hook it to any tree and just practice winching to make sure you know how it all works. Any open parking lot with a tree or concrete base light pole should be fine, I say should because some people don't like it when you hook up to their light poles lol.

 

[MSparks909]

Hand spool it out/power it back in before an off-road trip or a minimum 1x a month. Helps keep everything lubricated inside the winch and allows you to test the function *before* you need it. If you use it on a trip then after you get back home spool it back out/power it back in & evenly wind it on the drum. I put my transfer case in N and lightly engage the parking brake to put tension on the winch cable when winding it back in.

 

[Gaffer]

You don't want to use a light pole. A fire hydrant would be good. Use a tree saver. A slight uphill pull would be good.

 

[smokeythecat]

Reminds me of owning a firearm. It's useless if you don't know how to use it, so you go to the range regularly to stay prepared and sharp.

How can we apply this same Logic to owning a winch?

First off, never point a loaded winch at anyone.

 

[JABCAT]

Hand spool it out/power it back in before an off-road trip or a minimum 1x a month. Helps keep everything lubricated inside the winch and allows you to test the function *before* you need it. If you use it on a trip then after you get back home spool it back out/power it back in & evenly wind it on the drum. I put my transfer case in N and lightly engage the parking brake to put tension on the winch cable when winding it back in.

This ^^^. Also your winch should have come with a user/owner's manual that outlines how to care for it.

 

[High-Strung]

Reminds me of owning a firearm. It's useless if you don't know how to use it, so you go to the range regularly to stay prepared and sharp.

How can we apply this same Logic to owning a winch? Additionally, is the winch like lockers, in that, they need to be activated from time to time to ensure usability (I know the winch is an electric motor, and different from lockers, so spare me the splaining).

Appreciate the feedback.

Yep! The same logic applies to owning a firearm. With an old previous Jeep, I had a warn winch with steel cable. Before going wheeling, I would oil the cable up, and test the winch. My old winch was a solenoid pack so I would bump the solenoids forward and reverse before free spooling the winch. The last thing I want is to have to wrap the winch line around the bumper because a solenoid crapped out and I can't pull the line in.

The 3-position switch went out for my winch remote and I had to buy another remote just to get my winch line back in. I'm glad I checked it before wheeling though!

 

[MSparks909]

You don't want to use a light pole. A fire hydrant would be good. Use a tree saver. A slight uphill pull would be good.

I literally just got done respooling my winch on lunch break…at the mall with a tree saver wrapped around the concrete base of a light pole. Got a couple weird looks but no issues. YMMV.

 

[music293]

A few thoughts:

• First off, when you get the winch, you'll need to tension/set it, so you already have a built-in excuse to go out, find some trees, and practice winching. Even better if you can bring a friend, or better still someone else who knows what they're doing.
• If you do go out for a dry run, practice each piece. Familiarize yourself with your treesaver, the shackles you have, etc. All of it.
• Before I go out on a trip, I give everything a once over. I'm checking to make sure I have the items, along with anything they'd need (batteries, cables, etc). Then I'm inspecting to make sure they work, i.e. powering on and spooling, etc. I'd rather find out my winch (or something else) isn't working a few weeks ahead of my trip and have time to replace it/fix it as opposed to learning this info out on the trail.

Hope that's helpful! Cheers!

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