I find a winch increases my enjoymnent of the sport because it makes me and my ATV more capable. When I had a Warrior one trail I would travel I always wanted to finish but never could due to several formibable obstacles. When I got the 4x4 my capabilities increased and now they increased again that I have the winch. Next thing is a ****** block to make me and my ATV able to go even farther!


Glenn.

 

Is a winch neccesary? No, You have a pair of boots don't you? But really, I've used mine more for removing downed trees on the trails than for recovery. Trees large enough that a Quad could not pull out of the way. Went riding sunday in 6 to12" of snow and took the quad with the winch incase any of the 2WD's couldn't make it up the hills. I get too tired pushing quads up hill by hand and sometimes there too steep to tow them up.

 

rememder that there are only 2 kinds of riders.Those how have been stuck and those who will be stuck in the future.

 

My experence with winches are both good and bad. If you are stuck in the mud or snow, and have a tree to hook to they are great. But when the winch don't work, and you are real stuck then they ain't worth the money. I would get a winch if you find yourself heading tward the mud holes rather than trying to avoid them, and you have an atv that weighs over 500 pounds. One trick that works in snow when you are realy hung up is to lay on you back, and use your feet to lift on your grab bar or front bumper, and lift the wheels out of the holes. The only problem with the trick is you can get snow in your jacket.

 

If you have to ask if you nee da winch you don't need one.

 

If you have to ask if you nee da winch you don't need one.

 

No, I simply use a $30 come-along that is sufficient and transportable to every vehicle that I own.

 

Sorry folks but I travel a lot and can only catch this forum every so often.

The original question was "is a winch really necessary." I would agree that my response might have been very direct. And it may have also seemed that I was having fun with those who go looking for a mudhole just to see if they can keep from getting stuck.

However please keep in mind that this type behavior is probably one of the main reasons why all ATV's may soon be restricted from our National Forests. Many have already taken this action in selected areas. If fewer ATV winches will result in fewer riders trying to dig deeper holes in public land, then I'm all for it.

 

I know this entry is very late in the game, but what the heck, I'll contribute my 2 cents.

I chose to include a Warn 2000 winch as part of the intital purchase for my 2000 Grizzly. I have been stuck before on my little Kawasaki Bayou 220. I always got out, but one time it took me an hour and I was almost exhausted. This was on a 400 lb machine. Knowing that the Grizzly would push close to 650 with a full tank, I was doubtful I could get out in the same situation. I also knew that if stuck bad enough, 600 cc's and 4x4 would just mean getting buried deeper before giving up.

Saturday 3 of us unexpectedly got stuck crossing a small dirt bottom creek. We had all crossed many times before, but a recent rain and unknown previous traffic had made the ruts much deeper. After pushing the other two out, the Grizzly was not buried. The slow steady pull of the winch was safer and less damaging than a hard pull by another ATV.

I guess it's mostly a metter of personal taste. Some may like to say they go without relying on a winch. I like riding knowing it's there and I won't regret not having it.

Yammer_Hummer
2000 Grizzly, stock except for the "optional" Warn 2000 Winch.

 

So just go out and get a WINCH! Geee