Recovery

To winch, or not to winch?

I bought myself a little Christmas present. Because it wasn’t urgent, I took my time to decide on whether to install a winch or not. In fact, when traveling with a second vehicle, there’s no real need for a winch. However, when traveling alone and ‘suffering’ from the irresistible urge to go in search of remote camping spots, a winch can help one out of serious trouble.

The Iveco Daily 4×4 is a capable off-roader. With the help of a shovel, a couple of diff locks and 4 sand ladders, one is already well equipped for tackling difficult terrain. Nevertheless, a winch might prove the ultimate recovery tool in more challenging situations.

I opted for maximum versatility, and have chosen a back-to-front movable winch system. It simply doubles the probability of getting yourself out of trouble. So, when not carrying the additional jerrycans – which so far we only needed on the Silk Road – the winch can be fitted to the rear of the truck by default. In the eventuality that we need to take the jerrycans, the winch will find a place in the cargo space of the vehicle. And, if we’re heading to a destination where we definitely won’t need a winch, its extra weight can be left at home.

Which winch? That is the other question

All in all, installing a winch properly can end up costing a serious amount of money for a piece of equipment that one may never need, or possibly only on a few rare occasions. So, I decided to choose a budget model, with a reasonable guarantee of quality. The more I delved into the immense amount of winches on offer on the market, the more I became convinced that the majority of winches are fabricated in the same or at best a small number of factories. Most likely in China.

Comparing the specs of all the available types of winches, small and large, cheap and expensive, didn’t convince me to choose a more expensive type. After all, the technology behind a winch is rather simple. The difference between brands and types pertains more to the quality of the parts.

Observe carefully how some winches look. Look past their brand name, colour, and finishing details. Look out for common features on the exterior and small details that make ‘a difference’. Carefully compare the specs of the gear ratios or the power of the electric motor. You’ll soon notice the striking similarities between several winch brands. These winches are probably not completely the same, but I’m suspicious that they share a lot more components than one might imagine.

So, yes, I decided on the WinchMax 13,500 SL ‘military grade’ with 3 years warranty on electrical parts and a lifetime warranty on mechanical components. Sounds pretty reassuring. I ordered it just before Brexit, avoiding additional import taxes and at the exact moment the British Pound was rated lowest.

The WinchMax looks pretty solid and well finished. I’m curious about how it performs, and of course about its reliability. At the moment, my beautiful winch is waiting patiently to be fitted onto the vehicle. I’ll keep you posted.

Additional recovery gear

The following is still on my list:

  • winch extension strap
  • tree protector
  • dampening bag
  • 2 soft shackles
  • 2 bow shackles
  • 2 pulleys
  • 2 tow hitch receivers