Atv Winches 101: Everything You Need To Know

If you're an ATV owner, you should know the importance of having a good winch. A winch can get you out of challenging situations, pull your ATV out of the mud, and even tow heavy loads. But with so many different selections of winches on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Let's study the purpose of winches, get to know their different types, and read about the top-rated ATV winches. So read on to learn more.

Winches are one of the best-selling ATV accessories because of their usefulness. Aside from off-roading, it can be used for multiple purposes such as: 

• Camping

We're willing to bet that you've taken your ATV camping once or twice but have never thought about using a winch to help you out with a simple task. Here's an easy life hack: pull out that line and hook it up to some nearby tree branches and use it as a clothesline for drying your wet clothes after a crazy day of adventure. 

The best way to keep yourself dry in case rain pours down, and you don't have a tent with you is by using the common winch-on a tree trick and tossing a tarp over it. It won't last forever, but at least you'll have yourself an impromptu shelter while waiting for the storm to end. 

• Hunting

When you need to transport an animal that's too far away, an ATV winch can be your best friend. Its heavy-duty motors are powerful, making them perfect for pulling anything with ease - even through rugged terrain. 

After the hunt, when it's time to butcher your deer for meat and hide, you can use a winch along with an A-frame construction to hoist them up above the ground. Once they are up high and hanging securely in place, you can start cutting using your trusty butcher's knife. 

• Property Maintenance

When you need to get things done on your property, there's nothing like having a winch with a wireless remote to make things easier. Tensioning fence posts or pulling out old ones is faster when you have this amazing device on your ATV. 

• Rescue Operations

Having a winch on your ATV is very important. You can use it to save yourself or a friend from getting stuck in deep mud or other sticky situations. ATVs may be small compared to trucks, but they are powerful enough to be used as emergency vehicles.  

• Snow Plowing

The Winter season means long hours of snow shoveling sessions. If you have an extensive driveway or live in an area where city snowplows rarely visit, save yourself some trouble by investing in winch-operated snowplow systems. With this helpful device, you can use your ATV to clear out snow on your property faster, without the hardship of manual labor. 

Types of Winches

• Hydraulic

Hydraulic ATV winches are a great way to pull heavy objects with ease, and they do so by tapping into the hydraulic system of a steering pump.

• Electric

Your ATV's battery is the power source of an electric winch. All you have to do is to attach some wires to your vehicle's battery, and you're good to go.

Ratings

A winch's pull rating will help you determine how powerful it will be. It refers to the maximum weight of the object the winch can drag, which is usually displayed in pounds.

Synthetic rope is strong and less dangerous if it breaks than cables. For those reasons, winching with synthetic ropes will be your safest bet!

When dealing with a winch, it is crucial to wear gloves to protect your hands. Synthetic ropes are proven to melt faster when exposed to heat, while cables may splinter when it breaks. 

How do you mount a winch to your ATV?

After you purchase your winch, the next step is installing it on an ATV. If you don't have a winch bumper, another way of doing this is by mounting a plate on your quad's front bumper. These plates are screwed or bolted to a mounting bracket. 

Check out the following Top-rated ATV Winches:

• Warn Axon

Axon is WARN's next-generation winch, combining a powerful motor and digital contactor into one unit for unprecedented performance and feedback. Its all-metal construction, waterproof sealing, and increased structural rigidity make it perfect for extreme environments. With a choice of steel or synthetic rope, the Axon is available in 3,500, 4,500, and 5,500 pulling capacities.

• SuperATV Black Ops

SuperATV offers a variety of winches, all of which come with a 50-foot synthetic rope. The 2,500 and 3,500-pound options are perfect for ATVs, while the 4,500 and 6,000-pound winches are ideal for larger vehicles. Their Black Ops winches are built with weatherproof seals and waterproof solenoids that work efficiently even in deep in the water or mud. Each winch comes with a wireless remote with a 50-foot range, rope stopper, and hook pull strap. SuperATV backs up its winches with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

• Kolpin ATV Winch

Kolpin ATV winches are available in 2500, 3500, or 4500 pounds of pulling power, so you can haul whatever you need out of harm's way. It features a sealed motor and gears designed to operate while fully submerged underwater, so you can easily pull your stuck ATV out of the muck. The color-coded quick-connect wiring harness makes installation a breeze, and the handlebar-mount controls let you take charge of the situation in seconds.

• KFI Stealth

The Stealth comes with a 50-foot synthetic rope and is offered in three capacities - 2500, 3500, and 4500 pounds. It features a cable hook stopper, dynamic and mechanical braking system, water-resistant seals, a four-hole mounting system, and an all-metal turn clutch. The best part? It also has a mini-rocker switch designed to fit a handlebar and a heavy-duty electric contactor to protect your winch's electrical system while switching the power distribution. Plus, it's backed up by KFI's one-year limited warranty. 

• Superwinch Terra

The Terra series Winch is known for its high quality and durability. They are available in three different capacities (2500 pounds up through 4500 lbs). Depending on your preference, they are paired with either 50 ft steel ropes or synthetic ropes. The Terra winch ensures an even load distribution with extra-wide gears, improved by steel-cut gears on the second and third stages. The electric motor can deliver faster cooling and efficient power with thick copper winders. There are also sealed cartridge bearings on both sides of the engines to ensure the smooth operation of the winch.

• Tusk ATV Winch

These winches are available in 2500- and 3500-pound capacities and they come with either a 50-foot wire rope or synthetic rope. The heavy-duty 730-watt motor provides plenty of power to help you get out of any sticky situation, while the clutch knob and roller fairlead make it easy to operate the winch. Mounting hardware is included so you can install it on your ATV in just a few minutes.

• Warn VRX

VRX winches are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable Warn winch. With all-metal waterproof construction, a powerful motor, and fast line speed, the VRX can handle any task you throw at it. Plus, with capacities of 2500, 3500, or 4500 pounds and either a steel rope or synthetic rope option, the VRX is sure to meet your needs. They are backed up by Warn's limited lifetime mechanical warranty and a three-year electrical component warranty.

Whether you're an experienced off-roader or just getting into the hobby, make sure to have a winch on hand. These handy devices are not just ordinary accessories that you can install on ATV bumpers. A quality winch will make getting unstuck an easy task, so you can focus on having fun and being productive outdoors. May this article help you decide which winch is perfect for your quad. Thanks for reading!