[TombRaider]

I am going to be fabricating my own custom bumpers for my jeep at a friends machine shop. I am wondering if provisions for a winch should be made. A winch in front of a jeep is sick, but are they really necessary? I mean really how many times will I use the fricken thing? What do you all think about the winch subject? Are they worth the money?

[BigWaylon]

they're a worthless 50#-100# hunk of metal on your front bumper that will cost you $250-$1500...

until you need it...and that's when it transforms into absolute wisest purchase you've ever made...

Greg

[jonster]

Used mine three times in the last year to pull someone else out. Nice to help out if you can.

[PhilipJ]

Originally Posted by TombRaider

I am going to be fabricating my own custom bumpers for my jeep at a friends machine shop. I am wondering if provisions for a winch should be made. A winch in front of a jeep is sick, but are they really necessary? I mean really how many times will I use the fricken thing? What do you all think about the winch subject? Are they worth the money?

I'm a firm believer that a winch will pay for itself and then some after just a few uses -- or even sooner depending on the situations involved. I'll probably end up using mine more for pulling people out of ditches during the winter, but good karma all pays the same.

[got4-Lo]

if u dont wheel u dont need it too much. if u take wheelin seriously u should invest in one

[AstroAWD]

As all the replies say so far...definately worthless until you or a buddy is stuck! I even run one on my Astro van! I have used mine for self recovery only to avoid body damage. Besides it is always fun to help someone else out. Like a couple weekends ago we were at a friends racetrack and one of the racers had gotten there F350 CC dually diesel and 12,000# fifth wheel stuck. I took my van up the next day and winched them out. about 100' pull no problem. They also come in handy when you need to remove those stubborn stumps!

[PhilipJ]

I wouldn't say they are useless, but winches are kind of like car insurance... you aren't really sure what the hell you paid for until it comes time to use it. And then you're sure as hell glad you did.

Example: I was at a big concert a few years ago (I had my Toyota then) and after it was over and everyone was heading back to their cars, an attractive girl asked me if I had a winch. She and a bunch of other people had parked their vehicles on the edge of this road (on the side of a hill) and all the weight had kind of made the ground sag downhill (it had rained a lot the previous few days). It was probably an 8'-10' drop.

So I said 'Yeah I do actually, why?' Then she told me her 4Runner was over there on the bank about ready to roll down the hill. One guy in a Ford Ranger tried to get out but just barely turning his wheels caused him to slide back down the hill. So I hooked her up and pulled her over the little berm... and got her number. By the time that was over, the other people that had parked there and witnessed this begged for me to pull them out. 4 cars later and $60 richer, I went home and called the 4Runner girl.

[Ryno]

Originally Posted by useful_idiot

I wouldn't say they are useless, but winches are kind of like car insurance... you aren't really sure what the hell you paid for until it comes time to use it. And then you're sure as hell glad you did.

Example: I was at a big concert a few years ago (I had my Toyota then) and after it was over and everyone was heading back to their cars, an attractive girl asked me if I had a winch. She and a bunch of other people had parked their vehicles on the edge of this road (on the side of a hill) and all the weight had kind of made the ground sag downhill (it had rained a lot the previous few days). It was probably an 8'-10' drop.

So I said 'Yeah I do actually, why?' Then she told me her 4Runner was over there on the bank about ready to roll down the hill. One guy in a Ford Ranger tried to get out but just barely turning his wheels caused him to slide back down the hill. So I hooked her up and pulled her over the little berm... and got her number. By the time that was over, the other people that had parked there and witnessed this begged for me to pull them out. 4 cars later and $60 richer, I went home and called the 4Runner girl.

Nice.
Another practical scenario is to consider how much it would cost to have a tow truck come get you if you get stuck somewhere off the highway. Do that once or twice and the winch would make a lot of $en$e.

[TombRaider]

I see the point of having a winch.

You have the option of meeting women, making money (hopefully enough to pay for the winch) and making your jeep look awsome. I guess I will incorporate into my front bumper a place to mount a winch.

[PhilipJ]

Oddly enough, I just pulled out 2 more rigs yesterday -- a Toyota and a Nissan. I was getting a sub sandwich and came out of the store when I get in my Jeep and a guy comes up and comments on it. Then he asks if I would mind pulling him and his buddy out a few blocks away. I'm in the middle of the frickin' city here, so I'm trying to figure out where the hell these guys could have possibly gotten stuck.

Turns out behind the grocery/mall complex there's a housing development. Between that and the river there's a buffer zone where nothing can be built (too close to the river) but a lot of people like to play in the puddles with their rigs. The Nissan had tried to pull the Toyota out but dug himself in -- nothing major, it was dry ground but his stock tires were too buried. He was sitting on his front end and the Toyota was about the same except he was in mud. Buried to the A-arms on 33's.

15 minutes and $20 later, I was a hero. I tried to refuse at first because it really took no time at all but they insisted -- probably because their only other option would have been to get a tow truck.

[Airbug]

I love wenches... err.. winches

[racinghoss]

Originally Posted by TombRaider

I see the point of having a winch.

You have the option of meeting women, making money (hopefully enough to pay for the winch) and making your jeep look awsome. I guess I will incorporate into my front bumper a place to mount a winch.

You're kidding right? Meeting women because of a winch? That is bad enough but charging someone to pull them out is just being an a$$hole. They do look nice on a Jeep, but that is another stupid reason to have one.

[creature]

Originally Posted by racinghoss

Do yourself and other jeepers a favor and just not get a winch at all. In fact, if you are planning to charge to pull people out when they are in trouble, just sell your jeep all together and walk.

You only charge them if they are rude to you first! that's the way I see things...

[racinghoss]

Originally Posted by creature

You only charge them if they are rude to you first! that's the way I see things...

If they are being rude, then just leave them there and dont help them at all. Why would someone be rude when they need your assistance? I know some people are like that though.

[PhilipJ]

I never asked for money but in both instances I was the only one around that could help immediately and cheaply compared to other alternatives. Both times I initially refused when they offered me money for helping but I didn't want to offend them so I only declined on their first offers. Who said I charged anyone? Oh wait, I do have VISA/MC stickers on my windshield...

Man you really know how to suck the fun out of a thread. I was just trying to post some light-hearted fun about owning a winch. Lighten up.

I think BR's reply was kind of tongue-in-cheek... and easy enough to read as such.