I've been considering buying a winch for my Vinson. However, I already carry a small come-along and I think it will get me out of whatever I get into, and I can easily move it to the back or side. Maybe I'm overlooking something. What do you guys think?

 

Some people seem to like the atv ratchet winch but that is neither here nor there. I guess it depends on where you ride. If you need the extra cable length of a winch. Do you want to do the work or let a winch do it? In a way, you could just continue to save money and just carry the come-along. If you need extra length then you could buy some extra straps of cables. It is also nice to be able to move the come-along from front to back depending on where you need it.

If you get stuck a lot then buy a winch because it's easy to use with a push of a button. If you need something just in case then I say to continue to carry the come-along.

I had a winch on my last quad. I also have a come-along which I never think to carry. I like the way a winch looks but I don't get stuck..... ever. Or at least until that statement comes back on me the next time I go for a ride. I think I am going to buy a storage box for the back. I'll just throw my come-along and straps in there. I really don't like the added weight on the front of a quad. I'll probably change my mind the first time I get really really stuck. So what am I trying to say?

The answer to your question is- I don't know. You need to decide what is best for you.

 

Thanks Coyotechaser, well said. I'm just trying to see if really need a winch. Or, if a winch really does something that my come-along doesn't. I liked your comment about it being a plus if I am stuck a lot.
I hope some others on here will chime in with their opinions.

 

Winch Winch winch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

No winch. I've never been stuck - not even once, but that's the nature of the desert.

I do have a come-along, but I never take-it-along. I suppose I should.

 

One place where a winch will shine is if you are in the middle of a BIG mud hole with deep water. With the winch you can reach over the front racks... pull out some cable and toss it to someone on dry land, then just flip the switch and the winch drags you out. With the come-a-long you will be out front of the stuck quad, kneed deep in mud and possibly ice cold water, rachetting away,and have to 'walk' along as you pull the quad out. I like to keep the first 10ft or so of winch line wrapped around the front bumper and the hook attached to a bungee somewhere on teh front rack. If I get stuck i just pop the hook off the bungee and with a few flips on the cable I have 10ft of so of free cable ready to toss, no need to dismount the quad, something thats almost inevitable when using a come-a-long.

 

My winch is worth it's weight in gold....the places I go....it is an absolute necessity. I not only use it to pull myself and my buddies out of sticky situations...I also have used it to hoist deer and for my plow.

I'm sure there are many other uses too. If you rarely ride the mud and don't plow then your come-along will probably be fine.

Take in to account the types of situations you may encounter and the type of riding you do.

 

Depends on where you ride.

My farm is mostly steep hills and hardwood trees. I was trying to get my Cat 500i across a hillside, it got a little too steep, so I walked back to the house and got the red devil to hand winch it off the hill. Eventually, I did get it off the hill. Eventually. Went out and bought the winch the next day. Never again - it took a couple of hours to get the Cat back off the hill.

If you don't have the money, or do mostly prepared trail or desert riding, get the comealong. If you ride rough trails, get the winch. Sooner or later, you will need it.

 

I use a boat winch.1800 pounds and also carry a small snatchblock. I welded a couple eyehooks on the end where the cable doesn't come out to connect the winch to the atv with rope or whatever you decide. welded a wider eye on the other side where the cable does run to direct it on the spool straight. Works front or rear. you just need to hand crank it. Don't have to worry bout killing battery with this. Works good for me and anly cost 30 bucks.

 

Thanks guys. I've got a better idea about what I need now.