ProMark Offroad Blog
Which Winch Should I Buy?
The winch you buy could make the difference between getting back on the trail fast and making a long hike back to the trailhead. You want to make sure your winch is up to the challenge. At ProMark, we get a lot of questions from offroaders about what size winch to get, which type of cable is better (synthetic or steel), etc. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding which winch is best for your 4wheeler or rig. Ultimately, the choice is yours. But here are a few guidelines to help you out.
3000 lb XTR Synthetic Rope Winch Package
What size winch do I need?
To get a basic idea of how much winch power you’ll need, multiply the gross weight of your vehicle (plus the weight of all the gear and people you’ll be carrying) times 1.5. That’s the minimum winch capacity that you’ll need. Depending on how you plan to use your ATV or recovery winch (mud, wet sand, etc.), you may need more power. The sucking force of mud or sand requires a lot more power to free your vehicle.
What size winch you need also depends on the size of your mounting space. If the winch is too big, you may need to make some modifications or find a smaller body winch. The winch model and location of the drum may also make a difference as to how well the winch will fit inside the mounting space.
Synthetic rope or steel cable?
The debate is hot between synthetic and steel. Some guys swear by synthetic winch rope for its safety, lightness, and strength. Others prefer steel cable for its long history in the world of offroading.
Both types of winch line have their strengths and weaknesses. Synthetic cable is lighter and more flexible than steel cable, floats in water, won’t slice your hands with burrs, and can be easily spliced, among other benefits. Steel cable requires less maintenance, retains its circular properties under tension for neat and easy spooling, and has a long history of use in off road situations.
10K Silverback Recovery Winch
Do I need a mounting plate?
The safest and most secure way to mount your winch is to use a mounting plate. You can purchase either a universal mount plate or a custom mount plate that is designed to fit your vehicle. You also have the option of a multi-mount winch plate that allows you to move the winch from front to rear. If you choose not to use a mount plate, you must mount the winch to a flat, secure surface that is able to withstand the pulling force of the winch.
What about maintenance and repairs?
Offroad winches require very little maintenance. Keep it clean and dry with a winch cover to prevent corrosion and damage from the elements. Check the winch cable before and after use for any signs of damage. Clean the cable after use and allow it to dry before respooling. Check the tightness of the electrical connections and mounting bolts every few months, and remove any dirt or corrosion from the connections.
If your winch has been repeatedly exposed to harsh conditions, you may need to take it apart every so often to clean and re-lubricate it. A harsh grinding sound in the motor is one indication that your winch needs to be cleaned and serviced. All ProMark Offroad winches can be repaired and serviced by our technicians. Check to see if your winch is still under warranty before contacting us for repairs.
Where to Mount a Winch on a Truck or Jeep
10,000 lb Truck and Jeep Winch
If you can’t get at your recovery winch when you need to use it, or if you have to take apart the entire front bumper just to change out the cable or work on your winch, it’s going to be a pain to maintain your winch. On the other hand, mounting the winch behind the front bumper means that it’s more difficult to steal. So figure out what’s most important to you, and choose your mount location accordingly.
36 inch Universal Mounting Channel
The lower the winch, the less it blocks airflow to the radiator. Depending on what type of offroading you do, a low-mounted winch or a winch mounted behind the factory bumper may be just fine if you play it safe on the trail and wheel in dry conditions. On the other hand, if you wheel in a lot of mud, snow, or water, you’ll want to mount the winch higher off the ground in such a way that your setup doesn’t limit the approach angle of the vehicle.
Another option you have is to get a receiver-style winch mount that allows you to mount the winch when you need it and take it off when you don’t.
Does a 10K Winch REALLY Pull 10,000 lbs?
This 10K Midnight Recovery Winch has the capacity to pull 10,000 pounds if all the required factors are met.
- There must be only one full layer of cable left on the drum.
- The vehicle being pulled must be on solid ground (not mud, sand, or any other “sucking” surface).
- The vehicle being pulled must have properly inflated tires and be able to roll easily.
- The winch must NOT be pulling the vehicle up an incline.
- The winch must receive adequate 12 volt power and amp draw.
If you are pulling a 10,000 pound load and then STOP winching, there will be more than one layer of cable on the drum, which means that when you try to start winching again, your winch may not be able to handle the load.
As more layers stack up on the drum, your rated line pull drops. For example, if you have 3 wraps on the drum after you stop pulling, you’ll only have about 6500 pounds of pulling capacity when you start pulling again. See the following table for an example of how much the rated line pull of a 10K recovery winch would drop per layer:
10,000 LB Rated Line Pull
| Layer of Cable | 1st Layer | 2nd Layer | 3rd Layer | 4th Layer |
| Rated Line Pull per Layer | 10,000 lbs. | 7,964 lbs. | 6,591 lbs. | 5,632 lbs. |
So how does a winch manage to KEEP pulling a 10,000 pound load even as the layers stack up on the drum? Momentum. Although it might take 10,000 pounds to break the initial resistance and get the vehicle in motion, once it starts rolling, the momentum of the pull helps the winch keep on pulling, even though the layers are stacking up on the drum and the rated line pull is dropping.
In every winching situation, your circumstances will be different, which means that your winch may not pull as much as it’s rated for every time you use it. One way to get around this is to double the winch line using a snatch block. This will double the rated line capacity of the winch and unwind more cable from the drum, which gives you a higher line pull.
Electric Winch Motors: Permanent Magnet and Series Wound Motors
The Midnight Series Recovery Winch uses a series wound motor for heavy duty winching.
1. Permanent Magnet Winch Motors
With a permanent magnet motor, the drain on your battery is less than a series wound motor, but they also generate more heat than series wound, so there’s a greater chance that your winch motor will overheat.
Because of this tendency to overheat under heavy loads, the permanent magnet motor is best suited for light to medium duty winching. For Jeep and truck winches, light to medium duty is generally regarded as pulls up to 9500 pounds.
You can compensate for this tendency to overheat by taking frequent breaks during the winching process to let the motor cool down. The heavier the load and the longer the pull, the more breaks you’ll need to take.
2. Series Wound Winch Motors
Series wound motors–such as those used in the Silverback Winches and Midnight Recovery Winches–are designed for heavy duty winching. They are powerful and efficient at high speeds. A permanent magnet motor uses less amp draw than a series wound motor; however, as the permanent magnet motor heats up, the power will drop as the amp draw increases. With a series wound motor, on the other hand, the amp draw will stay the same throughout the pull. Keep in mind that winches with series wound motors tend to cost more than winches with permanent magnet motors.
A Note About Horsepower
The higher the horsepower, the more torque and power that the winch motor will have. Horsepower directly affects line speed and pulling power.
A Note About Amp Draw
The max amp draw for a winch motor is typically around 400. Higher amps than that would damage the battery or power source. To lower the amps, the gear ratio must be increased. This reduces the amp draw on the motor, but unfortunately it also reduces the line speed, making for a slower winching process.
For heavy rigs, series wound motors are your best bet. They handle heavy loads and longer pulls with ease. The vast majority of truck and Jeep winches on the market today are series wound winches.
Gorilla [now ProMark] Winch Saves the Day in Poland
Thanks to our die-hard fans in Poland for this off road video clip! These offroaders winched out with a recovery winch from Gorilla Winches (now PROMARK OFFROAD).
10K Silverback Recovery Winch Reviews
Here’s what some of our customers have to say about the 10,000 pound Silverback Recovery Winch.
10K Silverback Winch
Awesome winch!!!
“I bought this winch not too long ago and mounted it on an 05 Chevy Silverado ext cab… let me tell ya, the winch got me on my way after gettin stuck in some really slick mud down hill… also, just two days ago I pulled out an 05 Ford ext cab and an 08 Tacoma 4 door… Although this is my 1st winch, I would extremely recommend it to anybody as far as quality, price, and durability… Since I got my winch, I’m never scared to hit mud now by myself!!!!!!!!!!!”
- “Heavy Chevy”
All around good winch
“This winch is all around the best winch on the market because of the durability and the price. The wireless is a really good option for people that do a lot of things on their own……. Thanks again Gorilla [now ProMark Offroad]”
- “Jeepin’ 4 America”
Saved my buddy $400
“I have used this winch a few times. I have to admit that I am impressed. My buddy got his truck stuck in the mud trying to pull his dock up onto dry land for the winter. He was 40 miles from the nearest tow, so he called me. I winched him out in about 5 minutes and pulled his dock up in another 10 minutes. He still owes me a steak dinner. I would buy another one if this winch quit today. I have noticed some fluid seepage around the seals, but not major leaks.”
- “Bucksavage”
Keeps the good times rolling
“Purchased the 10K winch about a year ago and installed on my Explorer Sport 4X4. I’ve never been stuck since my truck is extremely capable, however have pulled many larger suv’s and trucks out of deep sand in dry river beds and out of deep mud in not so dry river beds. The Gorilla [now ProMark] is one bad ass winch. I would definitely recommend it. I’ve pulled a buried vehicle straight up and out from over 40 feet away no problems.”
- “El Coyote”
Excellent deal
“I recently bought your 10K pound winch and installed it on my 07 Rubicon. I do a lot of serious mud riding in Louisiana. I was running a warn 9K before this one and burnt the motor up in the warn but to be fair I’ve had the warn for near 3 years but still. $400 vs $1400 it’s an obvious choice. Honestly you have sold me on your winches for as long as you continue to make them. Just ordered a 3K for my Brute Force 750.”
- “07Rubi”
Triple A+ all the way
“Cannot say enough on this one, works great all the time. Would recommend it to everyone in any service that needs a strong winch.”
- “Jokerharleycyle”
Great truck winch! Pulls very hard!!
“I purchased this winch, and installed on a 1/2 ton Chevrolet “wood hauler” used mostly off road. I couldn’t be happier with the appearance, function, and price of this winch. It may not have the fastest line speed, but pulls great and no problems. The wireless remote and waterproof option is a nice bonus as well.”
- “The Bull”
Snatch Straps vs. Recovery Winches
Which is better? A snatch strap or a recovery winch?
Advantages of the Snatch Strap
Using a recovery strap is quicker and easier than using a winch. Snatch straps are also cheaper than recovery winches—a big plus for most wheelers.
Snatch straps are best for situations where you can get the recovery vehicle close enough to the stuck vehicle to attach the strap. If there are trees or rocks in the way, you may be out of luck. If there’s no solid ground close enough to the stuck vehicle, you might be out of luck again. The recovery vehicle must be able to get enough traction to jerk out the stuck vehicle, or both wheelers will be stuck in the mud.
Advantages of the Recovery Winch
Silver Back Recovery Winch
If you wheel solo, you’ll need a winch for self-recovery. If you wheel in groups, get both a snatch strap and a winch. Use the strap for when all you need is a quick tug. If the stuck is too complicated for the strap or you’re on your own, you’ve got the winch to pull you out.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy an Off Road Winch
- Be a hero. Pull your buddies out.
- Get out faster.
- Get out. Period.
- Go places you never dared before…and get back out again.
- Come to your own rescue.
- Feel the power.
- Take the path less traveled.
- Put it to work.
- Look tough.
- Impress your friends.
Synthetic ATV Winch
Be the one your buddies can rely on.
Get back on the trail in no time with an electric winch.
No more leaving your rig in the outback while you hike miles back to the main road.
You want in? Go for it.
Don’t wait for your friends to get you out. Be your own rescue crew.
Heavy Duty Truck Winch
It takes a lot more effort to dig out with manpower than it does with winch power.
If it gets too hairy, you can always back out…or winch your way out.
Winch out tree stumps. Raise and lower your plow.
…even if you never use it.
It won’t be long before they’ll all want an electric winch, too.
What Size Winch Do You Need?
Here’s some tips on how to find the right size winch for your quad or truck.
One of the first questions to ask when you’re looking for an off road winch is what size you need. The basic rule of thumb is to multiply the gross weight of your vehicle by 1.5. The gross vehicle weight includes a full tank of gas, the driver and passengers, and all of the tools and gear you carry along with you. Weigh your fully loaded vehicle on a truck scale for the most accurate total, or if you can’t weigh your rig on a scale, estimate the gross weight as precisely as you can.
This total gives you the minimum rating needed for your rig. Note that this is only the minimum. If you wheel in mud, the sucking force of the mud will make your winch work harder. The same rule applies to other situations where getting unstuck requires extra power. When you’re trying to decide on the best winch size, take into account where you ride and how bad you might get stuck.
Another factor that you should consider is how the extra weight of the winch will affect your vehicle. Check out the manufacturer’s rated load capacity for the front or rear of your vehicle—depending on where you plan to mount the winch—and make sure that the winch is not too heavy for your truck or quad.
This load rating will limit how big a winch you can mount on your vehicle. If you’re tempted to buy a bigger winch than you need, remind yourself that it’s not worth the extra weight. This extra weight can change the way that your vehicle handles and increase your chances of tipping or rolling, so don’t overload your ATV or truck.
How high or low you mount the winch can also affect the handling of your vehicle and its center of gravity. Give yourself time to get used to the changes in handling before you try any crazy stunts.
Before you buy a winch, check the dimensions to make sure it will fit in the mount space on your rig. Finally, remember that you can always double your winch capacity with a snatch block. So even if you get into an unusually sticky situation, you can always double up the cable for a stronger (but slower) pull.
