I want to buy a really good winch. I am looking at the warn 16.5-ti.



How much winch do I need for my truck. The door sticker says it weighs 9200 (+ tires and snugtop makes it 10k lbs correct?)



I really dont want to spend 2k on a bumper too.



I like the hitch mounted winch so I can mount it front/back depending on need.






What do you guys suggest?

The 16.5 tdi is the biggest and baddest winch around! imho.


You will need a real heavy duty mount for it! I would go with the mount that warn sells for the 16.5. The ratings will match and you will have no problems.


The hitch mounted winch is an option but it only comes in up to a 9.5. Remember you can double pulling power with pulley block. So a doubled 9.5 would rated at 19000 lbs. But cable is alot shorter...and it pulls real slow!


Its amazing how often you will use it once you have it....see my sig.


If you have never done any winching...read up on, it watch video and get practice before you really neeed to use it! Try to get an experienced winhcer to train you and always follow ALL saftey codes.

9.5ti is the biggest you can get for a hitch mount unit, that's what I got and it works great!!!!!! Edited by: dwrat

Yeah I second that I knew of a girl who was out 4 wheelin' with her boy friend. Turned the truck on its side, used the winch to right it but the thing snapped and took her arm right off...


Safety is of the highest importance when using this stuff.

I have been a HD wincher for 40 years, and owned them all, including Warn, Hickey Sidewinder, Ramsey, etc, and originally used good old style PTO WWII surplus in the '50's. I currently have a warn 15000 which is 5 years old, been on 3 trucks, and probably has close to 100 hours of hard winching GM CC 4X4 LB's through all kinds of Central American mud and rivers, as well as pulling tree stumps here in the states. It sits in a 3/8" plate custom bumper (like Reunell, but heavier - I broke a Reunell) and is attached to frame with 1/2" steel plate which is both bolted with grade 8 bolts and welded (after I broke a few bolts and pulled it off the frame). The 15000 is the only winch I have never been able to stall (using logging pulleys), break, or destroy. I am on my 5th or 6th set of HD cable on it - I do break cables too often - in Mexico I carry a spare. I often use it in conjunction with up to 3 HD logging pulleys to get more pull. I have pulled wrecked trucks out of ditches in Mexico after chaining up the rear of my truck to a large tree using 3 pulleys (actually, you will have to chain the rear of your truck to something for most winching). These top of the line Warns (the 16.5 is the new kid on the block - may have to trade up if any new features or strength and not just hype) are great, last a long time, and don't break. Worst problem is finding a way to attach them to your truck so you don't pull your bumper off the truck. Must be welded if you are going to do any serious winching. Now you know why my truck weighs 9200 lbs!Edited by: gardnerteam

Stay single !





Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley17.gif

....The door sticker says it weighs 9200 (+ tires and snugtop makes it 10k lbs correct?)....




The GVW is 9,200. Your truck only weighs about 7,000. The bigger the winch the better.

So to pull my truck (7500 lbs) out of the snow or mud or sand I need how big of a winch?

Depends on how bad you're stuck. I used Warn 9000 for years, but always broke cables as I think they are only 5/16 cable. They pulled very well if you used a couple of logging pulleys and double or tripled up. Problem often is you don't have enough length doing that when you are a ways from what you are pulling against. For normal winching to get out of light snow, sand (not if you're buried to the axle), or light liquid mud, you can use a 9000 without much problem while you use your 4wd as well. The winch just helps you along until you get solid footing. For deep, heavy clay mud where you have bottomed your front and rear ends in a quagmire, it takes a heavy winch. The light winches spool fairly fast and really don't have too much draw down, while the 15,000 is a slow pull and really grunts. For 95% of people who use winches, a 9,000 lb Warn, an extra 50" of cable, and a couple of logging pulleys will do anything they want or need to do. The 15,000 is just extra security and extra power which most people don't really need. But it is nice when you need it. Unless you bury your vehicle to the rear end or frame in sand, you should be able to power out of it by dropping your tire pressure until your sidewalls just start to indicate they are going to wrinkle on you. On most sands, just apply slow even power and you will move right through it. This also works on some muds, but do not drop the air pressure as much and make durn sure there are no sticks or rocks to puncture your casings. In my youth, I walked 5 miles with a punctured tire one time because I punched a stick through the deflated casing while spinning deflated tires on a jeep - no spare. Spell it IDIOT!

My first winch was a 1977 model Warn 8274 and still have it, even though it is retired. I have the multi mount setup with the front hitch receiver and like the versatility it provides.


Warn, Ramsey, SuperWinch have all been around for a long time and make good products or they would not be in business. I like Warn due to my excellent service with them. If you ever need a part, you can pick up the phone and call 800-543-9276 and usually get a free part. But, that is not often needed. They also have a large network of authorized service centers around the country.


Warn has come out with a "value series" that costs less and is for folks who may use their winch occaisionally vs weekly or daily. Some of the amp draws are higher and the motor and line speeds differ, but that may not matter to you.


Remember that electric winch motors, as stated in the owner's manual and usually on the motor housing, are intended for "intermittent use". Some people that have problems do not read or understand instructions very well. If the motor is too hot to hold your hand on, then let it cool. If you hit full stall, then holding down the in button may damage or cause complete motor failure. The hotter the motor becomes, the less efficiently it works.


Ramsey offers kits for Ramsey and Warn and Superwinches that have a radio receiver and a handheld remote that operates up to fifty feet away, too.


Here is a Warn pdf file on basic winching techniques that may help:


http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/TechGuide_PN62885-A2 .pdf


http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/index.html


You may also be interested in some of the synthetic winch line that is very popular. It is stronger than conventioal steel cable and if it breaks, will not whip back and may take off an arm or head. Below is an article on the various brands.


http://community.webshots.com/album/203846292wIUWiN


FYI-select the box that indicates "Normal Size" to enlarge the page.


Sites with synthetic rope info:


http://www.rockstomper.com/catalog/recovery/ropes.htm


http://www.okoffroad.com/stuff-winchrope-mp.htm


http://www.4x4wire.com/reviews/oro_xline02/


http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/tech/02094wd_stronger/ (http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/tech/02094wd_stronger/)


http://www.4x4wire.com/reviews/masterpull/





With a 9.5 and a snatchblock you should be fine.


Ramsey recommends
Choosing the right winch for your needs may seem complex, but it's actually quite simple. Two pieces of information are required:

Vehicle Weight - To calculate your vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), start with your vehicle's curb weight, then add the weight of the supplies and equipment you'll typically be carrying.

Line Pull - The rated line pull of the winch must be high enough to pull your vehicle's GVW while overcoming resistance encountered when you're stuck or on an incline.

Ramsey Winch recommends that you select a winch with a rated line pull at least 12% greater than your GVW.
<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-fon

well when i was looking at getting a winch the dealer told me a good rule of thumb is to go 1 1/2 time the weight of the truck so with that said any winch 12000 and above would work

Thanks so much....

Im reading it all now.



I am pretty sure I will get the warn 16.5-ti winch.



I like big powerfull things. I will also get 150' 3/8ths plasma rope to boot.



Now I need to decide which bumper to buy???



Well I guess I can kiss 4k goodbye........

Gardnerteam has good advice. Back in the day I ran an early 70's Warn on a Warn bumper. Never had a problem and used the snatch block many times. Having a bigger winch always helps but in the end it's experience that will get you out. Knowing when to stop or when to shovel is the key. If you're buried to the frame having a big winch may help but I've been unable to budge other vehicles due to the angle I had to pull at. Without a winch you mash the gas and hope you get thru or don't try at all. With a winch I'd ease into it so I wouldn't drop out of site, stop and hook up. Sometimes it does sneak up on you though.


If you've decided on a bumper mount don't get one that mounts the winch too high. It will effect your angles and put more strain on the vehicle versus a lower mount pulling up more.

Although I have built my own winch bumpers over the past 5 years because I wanted a heavier, stronger bumper, I copied the Reunell design, just used heavier material. Reunell is expensive, but it is extremely well built and very functional. I never bent one on a deer or small trees nor rocks hit at slow speeds. I did pull one off the front of the pickup with a winch, but that was because it did not have enough attachment points for me and it was not welded solid. Differences to look at in winch bumpers are bracing, attachment points, and metal thickness. Another point is to look at the headlight guards - most companies use tubing (bends), Reunell used solid bar stock (less likely to bend when hitting an animal, especially if you add an extra mounting point as I did). Reunell doesn't chrome, but did have a stainless steel (big$$$). While Warn builds a great winch, their bumpers are little better than the factory pretzel which comes on the truck as far as protection goes.

I'm with you PC. I buried mine Sunday on a ranch road I've driven
hundreds of times. It had just rained and the front slipped
sideways off the main track and sank to the frame.



No winch, no one around. Just me a buddy and a shovel. We
dug for hours when finally two other 4x4s came by. With them
side-by-side hooked to me, they pulled me right out. Now, I may
never be in that position again, but I sure would like a winch just in
case. I just can't afford one right now.